Comprehensive analysis of PFAS presence from environment to plate
By Maria-Eleni Dimitrakopoulou, Manos Karvounis, George Marinos, Zacharoula Theodorakopoulou, Eleni Aloizou, George Petsangourakis, Mihalis Papakonstantinou, and Giannis Stoitsis
npj Science of Food volume
October 16, 2024
DOI: 10.1038/s41538-024-00319-1
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pose an emerging environmental risk impacting food products and ecosystems. This study analyzes over 150,000 entries from food safety authorities and scientific publications from 2017 onwards. Our findings show that fish & seafood, and biota have the highest PFAS concentrations due to environmental contamination and bioaccumulation. Surface water samples also frequently contain PFAS, raising concerns about long-term ecological and human health effects. Comprehensive strategies are essential to mitigate these risks.
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) constitute a group of synthetic chemicals that find extensive application in both industrial and consumer products. They are commonly used in firefighting foam, non-stick cookware, waterproof fabrics, and food packaging, among others. One of the concerning characteristics of PFAS is their persistence and bioaccumulative nature. These chemicals do not readily degrade in the environment, leading to their long-lasting presence, and they can accumulate in the food chain. The persistence of PFAS means that they do not break down easily over time, even in the face of environmental degradation processes. As a result, PFAS can persist in soil, water, and air for extended periods, leading to widespread environmental contamination. The bioaccumulative nature of PFAS raises concerns about potential health risks for both humans and wildlife. Studies have linked exposure to certain PFAS compounds with adverse health effects, including reproductive issues, developmental problems, liver and kidney damage, and an increased risk of certain cancers1,2,3,4,5.
The available information on PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) health impacts is currently incomplete and fragmented, leading to difficulties in prioritizing which PFAS should be of greater environmental and health concern. There is an ongoing debate about whether to assess PFAS as a collective group from a health perspective or to evaluate individual PFAS based on their specific potential health impacts. PFAS can be categorized into two primary families: polymer and non-polymer PFAS5. Health concerns have predominantly been associated with non-polymer PFAS, which includes perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs) and perfluorinated sulfonic acids (PFSAs)6.
The determination of PFAS in food products and the environment involves a series of analytical techniques, including sampling, extraction, and analysis. Conventional methods, such as LC-MS/MS, are effective in PFAS analysis but are often expensive and not widely accessible. On the other hand, emerging low-cost methods offer the advantage of affordability but lack sensitivity compared to conventional techniques, sometimes falling short of meeting regulatory detection limits. The development of low-cost sensors has the potential to be a significant change in PFAS analysis, as they can aid in identifying and prioritizing samples for further investigation and swift intervention7.
Given the widespread occurrence of PFAS in various environmental media and their presence in a wide array of products, it is essential to address this issue comprehensively. Continuous monitoring, research, and regulatory efforts are necessary to minimize human exposure to PFAS and mitigate their potential health and environmental impact. Therefore, the objective of this review is to compile existing data on the occurrence of PFAS, including measured max and mean values, geographical origin, sampling strategies, contamination sources, and recovery values of the applied analytical methods. By gathering this comprehensive information, we aim to gain insights into the prevalence and distribution of PFAS compounds in various regions. This review aims to enhance our understanding of the worldwide prevalence of PFAS and their potential sources of contamination, explore the presence of PFAS compounds in food and environmental samples, and gain insights into the processes of bioaccumulation from the environment to the food chain through an in-depth analysis of publicly available data from public authorities and peer-reviewed literature.
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