Latest Science
A comprehensive analytical approach to monitoring selected emerging contaminant classes in sewage sludge and e-waste from Norway
19 May 2025 | J. Environ. Chem. Ecotoxicol.
Norwegian researchers found that anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge converts PFAS precursors into highly mobile perfluorocarboxylic acids and leaves more persistent long‑chain PFAS, while discarded e‑waste plastics, although less contaminated, still harbor up to 176 ng g⁻¹ of PFAS, indicating that both sludge treatment and electronics recycling inadvertently leak these pollutants.
Uncovering the effects of the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre on per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances distribution in the Tropical Western Pacific
14 May 2025
Scientists warn that the North Pacific’s huge swirling gyre is now amassing large amounts of short‑chain “forever chemicals” such as PFBA—along with residual PFOA—making these substitutes the main pollutants in Tropical Western Pacific surface waters and raising new worries for ocean life and human health.
Exposure to Legacy Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances from Diet and Drinking Water in California Adults, 2018-2020
14 May 2025 | Environ Sci Technol
By analyzing blood samples from 700 adults in southern and eastern California, scientists found that even low but detectable PFAS in local tap water significantly raised people’s levels of the legacy chemicals PFOA and PFHxS, while seafood and eggs contributed smaller amounts.
Hair analysis as a non-invasive method for assessing the exposure of wildlife to per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
13 May 2025 | Environ Pollut
By analyzing blood samples from 700 adults in southern and eastern California, scientists found that even low but detectable PFAS in local tap water significantly raised people’s levels of the legacy chemicals PFOA and PFHxS, while seafood and eggs contributed smaller amounts.
Incidence of respiratory diseases associated with per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in PM2. 5: New evidence from a population-based survey of Pearl River Delta (PRD), China
12 May 2025 | J. Hazard. Mater.
A large-scale study in China found that exposure to PFAS chemicals in fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) was strongly associated with increased rates of respiratory diseases—such as asthma, cough, and rhinitis—in children and adolescents, highlighting PFAS in air as an underrecognized but serious health risk.
Atmospheric emission of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from a fluoropolymer manufacturing facility: Focus on emerging PFAS and the potential contribution of condensable PFAS on their atmospheric partitioning
12 May 2025 | Environ. Sci. Technol.
A major fluoropolymer manufacturing facility in China was found to emit dozens of previously undetected PFAS—including emerging compounds like Cl-PFECAs and multi-head PFESs—into the air and surrounding environment, raising concern about widespread contamination and the need for stronger oversight of industrial PFAS emissions.
Transformation of polyfluoroalkyl precursors in AFFF-contaminated concrete
10 May 2025 | Environ. Sci. Technol. Lett.
In AFFF‑soaked airport concrete, high‑pH conditions quickly break down PFAS precursors into mobile pollutants such as PFBA, PFHxA and PFOA, while most sulfonamide precursors stay locked in the slab—showing that runways can keep leaking PFAS long after foam use ends.
Diet quality in relation to serum perfluoroalkyl substance concentrations in Canadian preadolescents
6 May 2025 | Environ Res
In Canadian preadolescents, higher dietary intake of fat, fiber, and iron was associated with increased blood concentrations of several PFAS—especially PFOS, PFDA, and PFHxS—suggesting that most diets may contribute to PFAS exposure through contaminated food systems.
Elevated per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in tap water and serum in a community near an abandoned paper mill
5 May 2025 | Environ Adv.
Long-term exposure to PFAS-contaminated drinking water in a Michigan community was identified as a primary predictor of chronic elevated serum levels.
Environmental impact of PFAS incineration
5 May 2025 | Waste Management Bulletin
Improper incineration of PFAS firefighting foam can release high levels of greenhouse gases.
Application of a Non-targeted Biomonitoring Method to Characterize Occupational Chemical Exposures of Women Nurses Relative to Office Workers.
5 May 2025 | Environ Sci Technol
Female nurses had higher blood levels of several potentially hazardous chemicals—compared to office workers—including 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid, raising concerns about workplace exposure and the need for safer chemical practices in healthcare settings.
Best practices for experimental design, testing, and reporting of aqueous PFAS-degrading technologies
1 May 2025 | Environ. Sci. Technol.
To help safely eliminate PFAS from water, this study outlines best practices for designing and reporting PFAS-degrading technologies, emphasizing the need for complete defluorination, consistent fluorine mass balance, and standardized testing to ensure meaningful comparisons and real-world applicability.
Individual and mixtures of PFAS during pregnancy are associated with maternal cardiometabolic outcomes during pregnancy
30 Apr 2025 | Environ Health
The majority of pregnant woman tested in central Arkansas had PFAS in her blood, and those with the highest levels showed shifts in cholesterol, triglycerides, resting pulse, and diastolic blood pressure— indicating potential harm to heart health during pregnancy.
High-resolution mass spectrometry for identification, quantification, and risk assessment of 40 PFAS migrating from microwave popcorn bags
29 Apr 2025 | Molecules
A pilot study found a small sampling of Chinese microwave popcorn bags released dozens of PFAS into food, and although standard tests suggest low risk, a more comprehensive assessment reveals combined exposures could surpass health guidelines, highlighting the need for stricter regulation.
Evaluation of co-foaming agents for enhanced removal of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) by foam fractionation
28 Apr 2025 | J Hazard Mater
A proof-of-concept study showed that a biodegradable, surfactant derived from shea butter can replace harsher chemicals in foam‑based water treatment and still strip more than 99% of harmful PFAS, including hard‑to‑remove short‑chain PFAS, from contaminated groundwater.