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PFAS Associated with Microplastics (MPs)
Summary
This review examined the environmental and health risks of the 'forever alliance' between PFAS and microplastics, where PFAS adsorb onto MP surfaces, increasing their environmental mobility, bioavailability, and combined toxicity. The interaction amplifies the hazards of both contaminant classes and complicates risk assessment.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and microplastics (MPs) are emerging contaminants that pose significant environmental and human health concerns. While PFAS are known for their toxicity and extreme persistence, MPs act as carriers for PFAS, increasing their bioavailability and environmental burden. The interaction between PFAS and MPs forms a “forever alliance,” where PFAS adsorb onto MPs, altering their environmental fate, mobility, and toxicity. This association elevates the persistence of PFAS in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, leading to risks to biota and amplifying human exposure through the food chain. However, despite the growing recognition of PFAS-MP interactions, significant knowledge gaps remain regarding their long-term environmental behavior, degradation pathways, and combined toxicity. Understanding the mechanisms driving PFAS-MP associations is crucial for assessing their environmental fate and developing effective mitigation strategies.
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