PFAS: forever chemicals—persistent, bioaccumulative and mobile. Reviewing the status and the need for their phase out and remediation of contaminated sites

Environmental Sciences Europe, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 35(1)

Опубликована: Март 23, 2023

Abstract Background Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) have received increasing scientific political attention in recent years. Several thousand commercially produced compounds are used numerous products technical processes. Due to their extreme persistence the environment, humans all other life forms are, therefore, increasingly exposed these substances. In following review, PFAS will be examined comprehensively. Results The best studied carboxylic sulfonic acids with chain lengths of C4 C14, particularly perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) perfluorooctane (PFOS). These harmful aquatic fauna, insects, amphibians at concentrations a few µg/L or less, accumulate organisms, biomagnify food webs. Humans, as final link chains, subjected uptake primarily through drinking water. multiple toxic effects, affecting liver, kidney, thyroid, immune system. latter effect is basis for establishment tolerable weekly dose only 4.4 ng/kg body weight sum four representatives PFOA, PFOS, perfluorononanoic (PFNA) perfluorohexane (PFHxS) by European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) 2020. Exposure estimates human biomonitoring show that this value frequently reached, many cases exceeded. major challenge analysis, especially waste: single-substance analyses capture fragment large, diverse family PFAS. As consequence, parameters gained importance. high mobility per makes soil groundwater pollution contaminated sites problem. general, short-chain more mobile than long-chain ones. Processes purification water treatment often ineffective expensive. Recycling PFAS-containing such paper packaging leads carryover contaminants. Incineration requires temperatures completely destroy After PFOS perfluorinated were regulated internationally, manufacturers users switched PFAS: representatives, per- oxo acids, telomeric alcohols acids. Analytical studies an increase environmental chemicals. Ultra-short (chain length C1–C3) not been well studied. Among others, trifluoroacetic (TFA) present globally rapidly concentrations. Conclusions substitution individual recognized hazardous possibly equally virtually unknown chronic toxicity can, solution. answer switch fluorine-free alternatives applications which essential.

Язык: Английский

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Quaternary Ammonium Compounds: A Chemical Class of Emerging Concern

Environmental Science & Technology, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 57(20), С. 7645 - 7665

Опубликована: Май 9, 2023

Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs), a large class of chemicals that includes high production volume substances, have been used for decades as antimicrobials, preservatives, and antistatic agents other functions in cleaning, disinfecting, personal care products, durable consumer goods. QAC use has accelerated response to the COVID-19 pandemic banning 19 antimicrobials from several products by US Food Drug Administration 2016. Studies conducted before after onset indicate increased human exposure QACs. Environmental releases these also increased. Emerging information on adverse environmental health impacts QACs is motivating reconsideration risks benefits across life cycle their production, use, disposal. This work presents critical review literature scientific perspective developed multidisciplinary, multi-institutional team authors academia, governmental, nonprofit organizations. The evaluates currently available ecological profile identifies multiple areas potential concern. Adverse effects include acute chronic toxicity susceptible aquatic organisms, with concentrations some approaching levels Suspected or known outcomes dermal respiratory effects, developmental reproductive toxicity, disruption metabolic function such lipid homeostasis, impairment mitochondrial function. QACs' role antimicrobial resistance demonstrated. In regulatory system, how managed depends it used, example pesticides products. can result same receiving different degrees scrutiny depending agency regulating it. Further, Protection Agency's current method grouping based structure, first proposed 1988, insufficient address wide range chemistries, toxicities, scenarios. Consequently, exposures common mixtures sources remain largely unassessed. Some restrictions implemented elsewhere, primarily focused Assessing posed hampered vast structural diversity lack quantitative data majority compounds. important gaps provides research policy recommendations preserving utility chemistries while seeking limit effects.

Язык: Английский

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Public Health Risks of PFAS-Related Immunotoxicity Are Real

Current Environmental Health Reports, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 11(2), С. 118 - 127

Опубликована: Март 25, 2024

Abstract Purpose of Review The discovery per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the environment humans worldwide has ignited scientific research, government inquiry, public concern over numerous adverse health effects associated with PFAS exposure. In this review, we discuss use immunotoxicity data regulatory clinical decision-making contexts question whether recent efforts adequately account for decision-making. Recent Findings Government academic reviews confirm strongest human evidence is reduced antibody production response to vaccinations, particularly tetanus diphtheria. However, events, such as economic analysis supporting proposed national primary drinking water regulations monitoring recommendations, indicate a failure incorporate these into decisions. Summary To be more protective health, recommend using all relevant inform current future PFAS-related chemical risk assessment regulation. Biological measures immune system effects, levels vaccination, should used valid informative markers outcomes risks Routine toxicity testing expanded include evaluations adult developing organisms. addition, recommendations PFAS-exposed individuals communities revisited strengthened provide guidance on incorporating other actions that can taken protect against outcomes.

Язык: Английский

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Untangling the chemical complexity of plastics to improve life cycle outcomes

Nature Reviews Materials, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 9(9), С. 657 - 667

Опубликована: Авг. 13, 2024

Язык: Английский

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From “forever chemicals” to fluorine-free alternatives

Science, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 385(6706), С. 256 - 258

Опубликована: Июль 18, 2024

Identifying alternatives to PFAS requires weighing trade-offs and uncertainties.

Язык: Английский

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Zürich II Statement on Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs): Scientific and Regulatory Needs

Environmental Science & Technology Letters, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 11(8), С. 786 - 797

Опубликована: Апрель 22, 2024

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a class of synthetic organic chemicals global concern. A group 36 scientists regulators from 18 countries held hybrid workshop in 2022 Zürich, Switzerland. The workshop, sequel to previous Zürich 2017, deliberated on progress the last five years discussed further needs for cooperative scientific research regulatory action PFASs. This review reflects discussion insights gained during after this summarizes key signs science policy, ongoing critical issues be addressed, possible ways forward. Some take home messages include: 1) understanding human health effects continues develop dramatically, 2) guidelines continue drop, 3) better emissions contamination levels is needed more parts world, 4) analytical methods, while improving, still only cover around 50 PFASs, 5) discussions how PFASs regulation (including subgroupings) have gathered momentum with several jurisdictions proposing restricting large proportion PFAS uses. It was concluded that multi-group exchanges future there should greater diversity participants at workshops.

Язык: Английский

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Confronting the interconnection of chemical pollution and climate change

Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 55, С. 100966 - 100966

Опубликована: Фев. 5, 2025

Язык: Английский

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A toxic relationship: ultra-processed foods & plastics

Globalization and Health, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 20(1)

Опубликована: Окт. 24, 2024

Among the crises engulfing world is symbiotic rise of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and plastics. Together, this co-dependent duo generates substantial profits for agri-food petrochemical industries at high costs people planet. Cheap, lightweight highly functional, plastics have ideal properties that enable business models to create demand low-cost, mass-produced hyper-palatable UPFs among populations worldwide, hungry, or not. Evidence linking UPF consumption deterioration in diet quality higher risk chronic diseases well-established growing rapidly. At same time, issue plastic food contact chemicals (FCCs) receiving increasing attention human health community, as generation dispersion micro- nanoplastics.

Язык: Английский

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Development of the Navigation Guide Evidence-to-Decision Framework for Environmental Health: Version 1.0

Environmental Science & Technology, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Фев. 26, 2025

Environmental exposures, including widespread industrial pollution, impact human health and are amplified in more highly exposed communities. Policy regulatory frameworks for making decisions recommendations on interventions to mitigate or prevent exposures tend narrowly focus exposure some health-related data related risks. Typically, such do not consider other factors, essentiality, equity, distribution of benefits costs. Further, lack transparency regarding how they were developed. We developed the Navigation Guide Evidence-to-Decision Framework Health (E2DFEH) provide a structured transparent framework incorporating range scientific information factors decision-making. reviewed current evidence-to-decision engaged an iterative consensus-based process involving 30 experts from 25 organizations academic, government, nonprofit sectors. The E2DFEH includes three Foundations that structural considered as part recommendation development: 1) Essentiality, 2) Human Rights, 3) Quality Evidence. It also core Criteria guide development specific recommendation, informed by evaluation relevant evidence: Justice, Maximizing Benefits Reducing Harm, Sociocultural Acceptability Feasibility. framework's goal is make decision comprehensive through explicit consideration important decisions, leading equitable health-protective interventions.

Язык: Английский

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PFAS regulations and economic impact: A review of U.S. pulp & paper and textiles industries

Chemosphere, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 377, С. 144301 - 144301

Опубликована: Апрель 9, 2025

Public concern over per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) continues to grow as evidence highlights their persistence, bioaccumulation potential, adverse health effects. Increasing detections in drinking water, consumer products, industrial discharges have intensified regulatory scrutiny. This review examines the evolving PFAS landscape United States, focusing on pulp, paper, textiles industries, which contribute significantly contamination through wastewater discharges, end-product disposal, absence of dedicated removal technologies. emissions from food packaging alone are estimated at 2,300 kg annually. Addressing presents substantial economic challenges, with treatment costs projected reach USD 3 billion annually growing risks legal liabilities exemplified by paper mill settlements reaching 11.9 million for historical pollution. Large-scale remediation remains financially prohibitive, estimates exceeding global gross domestic product (GDP) 106 trillion. Additionally, healthcare PFAS-linked diseases exceed 62 further emphasize need prevention. State-level restrictions PFAS-containing products expanding, particularly textiles, now most regulated across States. As face increasing market limitations potential loss sustainability certifications, already reduced sales growth 70% some cases, transitioning non-fluorinated alternatives could mitigate companies. Within this context, urgency integrating policy, technological innovation, incentives accelerate transition away long-term environmental financial liabilities.

Язык: Английский

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