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What Do We Know About Per- or Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs)? Issues, Challenges, Regulations, and Possible Alternatives
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This review distinguishes between low-molecular-weight PFAS compounds, which are toxic, mobile, and bioaccumulative, and high-molecular-weight fluoropolymers classified as low-concern, while surveying the evolving regulatory landscape in Europe and the US and exploring potential alternatives as restrictions tighten globally.
Per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are man-made compounds involved in compositions of many industrial processes and consumer products. They are categorized into two main families based on their molar mass: though low molar mass products (<1000 Da) are toxic, mobile, bioaccumulable, and cross the human membranes, others of much higher molar masses, e.g., fluorinated macromolecules and especially fluoropolymers, are safe and reliable, do not face such concerns, do not cross the membranes (hence, they are regarded as Polymers of Low Concern), and are involved in many applications including medical products and high-value-added materials and devices. Because the former family has led to a severe global contamination, recent regulating agencies in Europe (REACH) and the USA (EPA) have aimed at restricting fluorochemicals. Recently, consultations from affected organisms and industries have led to more than 5600 answers and comments. This review supplies an update on the overall situation of PFASs, their limitations, regulations, end of life, degradations, and possible alternatives.
More Papers Like This
Emerging contaminants in food matrices: An overview of the occurrence, pathways, impacts and detection techniques of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances
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This review examines how per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) enter the food supply through contaminated ingredients and food contact materials, detailing health risks including reduced vaccine efficacy and elevated cholesterol. The authors survey detection methods, dietary exposure pathways, and emerging regulatory actions, as well as safer alternative materials being developed for food packaging.
PFAS in Drinking Water: Risk Factor for Human Life, Modern Sources of Pollution, Methods of Control and Approaches to Water Purification (review)
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A comprehensive review of PFAS contamination in drinking water sources documents their widespread detection in rivers, groundwater, soils, and even military ammunition, highlighting carcinogenic, immunotoxic, endocrine-disrupting, and organ-damaging properties alongside the limitations of current detection and removal methods. This is directly relevant to microplastic research because PFAS chemicals are key components of many plastic formulations and readily adsorb to microplastic surfaces, making microplastics a vector for PFAS co-exposure via drinking water.
The universe of fluorinated polymers and polymeric substances and potential environmental impacts and concerns
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This review paper looks at "forever chemicals" (PFAS) used to make things stain- and water-resistant, and points out that a whole category called polymeric PFAS, including so-called fluoropolymers found in products like non-stick coatings, has been largely overlooked by scientists and regulators despite being labeled "low concern." The catch: these materials can break down and release smaller, more clearly harmful PFAS chemicals into the environment, meaning the contamination problem we already know about from PFAS may be bigger than currently tracked. The authors argue we urgently need more research to understand the real-world health and environmental risks these polymers p
PFAS: forever chemicals—persistent, bioaccumulative and mobile. Reviewing the status and the need for their phase out and remediation of contaminated sites
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Researchers reviewed the science on PFAS — a large family of synthetic "forever chemicals" used in thousands of products — finding that they persist indefinitely in the environment, accumulate in the food chain, and damage the liver, kidneys, thyroid, and immune system even at very low exposures. The authors conclude that swapping one harmful PFAS for another is not a solution and that a full phase-out in favor of fluorine-free alternatives is necessary.
Industrial Applications, Environmental Fate, Human Exposure, and Health Effects of PFAS
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This research investigated how tire wear particles affect freshwater invertebrate communities, documenting toxicity of common tire rubber chemicals leached from plastic particles. The study identifies tire-derived chemicals, particularly 6-PPD-quinone, as highly toxic to aquatic invertebrates, connecting road runoff to aquatic biodiversity loss.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.