We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Chemical takeover: the rise of PFAS in our farms and food : PFAS from farm to fork: Conceptual mapping of PFAS pathways in agriculture
AI summary Read the abstract
This study mapped the pathways by which per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) move through a conventional mixed farming system in the Netherlands, identifying soil, water, atmosphere, pesticides, animal feed, and veterinary pharmaceuticals as key transmission routes, while highlighting critical knowledge gaps around ultra-short-chain PFAS like trifluoroacetic acid.
Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of chemical compounds valued for their unique properties and widely used in industrial and agricultural practices.Although the most toxic variants have been banned, PFAS remain persistent in the environment and can be found everywhere, from food and water to soil, air, and even Arctic ice.In the Netherlands, the extent to which PFAS circulate through the environment and industry, and how they transfer to the food chain, remains unclear.This study aims to map PFAS pathways within a conventional mixed farming system in the Netherlands through a literature review and expert interviews.The research identified soil, water, atmosphere, pesticides, animal feed, and veterinary pharmaceuticals as key pathways for PFAS transmission in agriculture.Long-chain PFAS tend to accumulate in soil and animal tissues, while short-chain variants exhibit higher mobility.Knowledge gaps were found in nearly every environmental compartment, but all circled back to the degraded PFAS structures to TFA, the super short-chain PFAS, and their behaviour.Several knowledge gaps were found, and the multidisciplinary team identified one main recommendation with seven supporting recommendations, as well as specific recommendations for the systems for further action against PFAS in a farming system.We would like to acknowledge our coach, Jean-Paul van Rie, who helped us and gave feedback during this project.We are also grateful for the opportunity to do research on PFAS in agriculture for our commissioner, Dr. Freddy van Hulst and NGO Huize Aarde.We would also like to thank our academic advisor, Jennifer Veilleux, for helping and advising us about methods for carrying out this project.Finally, we are thankful for all interviewees, experts, the ACT team, and others involved in our project.Without their help, we would not be able to create the skills and gain the knowledge needed to conduct this project.
More Papers Like This
Evidence mapping and scoping review of pathways for potential dietary exposure to per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
AI summary Read the abstract
This scoping review maps evidence for dietary exposure pathways to PFAS, confirming strong evidence that legacy PFAS occur widely in foods and correlate with body burden, while identifying significant gaps in data on PFAS transfer from contaminated agricultural inputs, food processing, and food packaging into the food supply.
Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in the Environment: Uptake, Bioaccumulation and Impact on Plants, Animals and Human Health
AI summary Read the abstract
A comprehensive review documents that PFAS compounds have been detected in virtually every environmental compartment and human matrix, causing reproductive toxicity, endocrine disruption, metabolic disruption, and immune effects across aquatic organisms, terrestrial animals, and humans. PFAS and microplastics share key exposure pathways and are frequently co-contaminants, as plastic surfaces sorb and transport PFAS into food chains and human bodies.
Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in the Environment: Uptake, Bioaccumulation and Impact on Plants, Animals and Human Health
AI summary Read the abstract
A comprehensive review documents that PFAS compounds have been detected in virtually every environmental compartment and human matrix globally, driving reproductive toxicity, endocrine disruption, and metabolic and immune effects across aquatic organisms, terrestrial animals, and humans. PFAS and microplastics frequently co-occur as plastic surfaces adsorb and transport PFAS through food webs and into human tissues, compounding total chemical body burden.
Industrial Applications, Environmental Fate, Human Exposure, and Health Effects of PFAS
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
Forever Chemicals PFAS Global Impact and Activities, Cascading Consequences of Colossal Systems Failure: Long-Term Health Effects, Food-Systems, Eco-Systems
AI summary Read the abstract
This comprehensive review examines PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contamination across food, water, and consumer products, highlighting their interconnection with microplastic pollution. The authors document decades of delayed regulatory action and cover-ups that have contributed to widespread human exposure. Evidence indicates long-term health effects from PFAS exposure, and the review calls for stronger risk assessment tools and policy responses to address this persistent chemical contamination.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.