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., PPARĪ±), disrupting lipid and glucose metabolism,
and induce oxidative stress, leading to cellular damage.
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.