Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance (PFAS) Degradation in Water and Soil Using Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP): A Review

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are persistent organic chemicals found in numerous industrial applications and everyday products. The excessive amounts of PFASs in water and soil, together with their link to severe health issues, have prompted substantial public concerns, making their removal from the environment a necessity. Existing degradation techniques are frequently lacking due to their low efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and potential for secondary contamination. Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP) technology has emerged as a promising alternative, utilizing energized reactive species to break down PFASs under ambient conditions. Therefore, this review examines the efficacy and effectiveness of CAP in degrading PFASs by reviewing various CAP setups and examining the key factors involved. This review also aims to further the development of CAP as a viable solution for PFAS degradation by addressing outstanding challenges and future directions in soil and water treatment.