Comprehensive multi-sector screening of target and nontarget airborne PFAS in application-driven industries:
Hibbah Ashraf1, Ziyuan Wang1, Faiqa Faryal2
1MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China.
Abstract:
Industrial activities are a significant source of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are of global concern. However, their occurrence in industrial indoor air remains poorly characterized, especially in the South Asian region. This study detected 18 of 61 target PFAS at 17 industries across 6 sectors in Punjab, Pakistan, including nonstick cookware, e-waste recycling, electronics, metal plating, laundry detergent, and textiles. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was detected in all sectors, accounting for 72.3% of the total PFAS burden. The elevated occurrence of 6:2 fluorotelomer carboxylic acid (6:2 FTCA), reaching up to 1.04 × 10⁶ pg m⁻³ in nonstick cookware industries, suggests its potential use as a PFOA alternative. Ultrashort-chain PFAS, including trifluoroacetic acid, were also ubiquitously detected. Non-target screening further revealed 15 additional PFAS, including 8 not previously reported in the environment. Nonstick cookware manufacturing contributed to most newly identified PFAS, including per- and polyfluorinated alcohols and carboxylic acids. Estimated daily intake via inhalation reached 191 ng kg⁻¹bw day⁻¹ , with PFOA showing hazard quotients exceeding one. Several non-target PFAS, including fipronil, hexafluoro-2,2-propanediol, and hexafluoroacetone oxime, showed elevated predicted toxicological risks (0.40-0.57) as compared to legacy perfluoroalkyl acids, highlighting the immediate need for expanded monitoring of legacy and emerging PFAS in industrial environments.
