Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS): An Overview

PFAS are a large group of synthetic chemicals characterized by strong carbon-fluorine bonds, granting them stability and resistance to heat, water, and oil. They are widely used in industrial applications, consumer products, and firefighting foams.

Environmental Presence:

Due to their persistence, PFAS are found globally in soil, water, and biota, raising concerns about ecological and human health.

Exposure in Biota

Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification: PFAS tend to bioaccumulate in aquatic and terrestrial organisms, moving up the food chain. They are detected in fish, birds, mammals, and humans.

Toxicological Effects: 

Liver damage: Altered lipid metabolism, hepatomegaly.

Immune suppression: Reduced vaccine efficacy, immune cell dysfunction.

Endocrine disruption: Hormone level alterations, reproductive issues.

Developmental toxicity: Birth defects, developmental delays.

Carcinogenic potential: Some PFAS are classified as possibly carcinogenic. 

Hossain et al. 2025 reported that Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure in biota and remediation strategies: Toxicological and biochemical perspectives. 

Highlighted following points.

• PFAS concentration showed in plant, finfish and shellfish.
• Represented detoxification processes for PFAS.
• Changes metabolic routes for N and C.
• Represented enzyme and non-enzymes activities.
• Impacts of PFAS showed in different species.

Mechanisms of Toxicity: PFAS interact with nuclear receptors (e.g., PPARα), disrupting lipid and glucose metabolism, and induce oxidative stress, leading to cellular damage.

Remediation Strategies

Physical Methods: 

Activated Carbon Adsorption: Effective for water purification but limited by saturation

Ion Exchange Resins: Target specific PFAS compounds, useful for water treatment

Membrane Filtration: Nanofiltration and reverse osmosis remove PFAS but are energy-intensive

Chemical Methods: 

Advanced Oxidation Processes: Limited effectiveness due to PFAS stability.

Chemical Destruction: Emerging techniques such as electrochemical oxidation and high-temperature incineration.

Biological Methods: 

Bioremediation: Research ongoing; certain microbes show potential for PFAS degradation, though typically slow and limited.

Phytoremediation: Use of plants to uptake PFAS, still under investigation.

Emerging Technologies: 

Supercritical Water Oxidation: Potential for complete mineralization.

Electrochemical Degradation: Promising for specific PFAS compounds.

Reference: 

Hossain M.M., Nawaz, MZ., Dar, MA., et al. (2025) Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure in biota and remediation strategies: Toxicological and biochemical perspectives. Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances 17,  100579. https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.hazadv.2024.100579.