Nationwide occurrence and flux estimates of PFAS in leachate from waste-to-energy sector: An emerging reservoir linked to short-term waste storage
By Xinyue Wang, Fan Chen, Yue Sun, Lanlan Fu, Rui Ma, Yue Zhi, Qian Wang, and Xiaoming Wang
Water Res
November 25, 2025
DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2025.125045
Although leachates from post-consumer waste disposal are increasingly recognized as significant reservoirs of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), the leachate generated during short-term waste storage in the Waste-to-Energy sector remains underexplored, limiting comprehensive understanding of PFAS release pathways in modern waste management. This study investigated PFAS in raw leachate and after on-site treatment from 48 municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) facilities, revealing national occurrence patterns, key drivers, and mass fluxes from this emerging release pathway. Mass transfer-driven leaching of highly soluble short-chain PFAS during waste storage prior to incineration led to ∑PFAS concentrations of 10.7-47.8 μg/L, with intra-facility variability shaped by both leaching-relevant and socio-economic factors. Longer storage duration increased total PFAS and long-chain fractions, while greater leachate yields enhanced overall mass transfer. Regionally, PFAS profiles reflected class-specific socio-economic influences: short-chain PFCAs, primarily from consumer waste, exhibited regional patterns associated with administrative hierarchy and economic conditions, whereas industrial fluorochemical sources were likely related to elevated PFBS, PFHxS, PFOA, and HFPO-DA levels, with PFBS and HFPO-DA showing persistence post-treatment. Monte Carlo simulations estimated an average PFAS flux of 1180 kg/y in raw leachate, exceeding the estimated national landfill leachate flux (419 kg/y), while that in treated effluent was 8.74 kg/y. These results demonstrate that PFAS in MSWI leachate represent a substantial and previously overlooked source that is particularly enriched in short-chain and industry-linked alternatives, providing a comprehensive dataset to inform risk assessment and guide targeted control strategies.
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