[Opinion] The Need to Include a Fluorine Mass Balance in the Development of Effective Technologies for PFAS Destruction

5 Feb 2024 | Environ. Sci. Technol.

Emerging technologies aimed at destroying PFAS in the environment pose challenges due to the potential formation of unintended transformation products, emphasizing the need for comprehensive monitoring methods and a unified terminology in PFAS destruction research.

Techniques to Characterize PFAS Burden in Biological Samples: Recent Insights and Remaining Challenges

5 Feb 2024 | Trends Environ. Anal. Chem.

Advancements in PFAS analysis reveal a significant portion of total organofluorine in biological samples remains unidentified, prompting efforts to develop additional analytical approaches such as advanced separation and semi-quantitation methods.

Distribution and release of PFAS from AFFF-impacted asphalt: How does it compare to concrete?

5 Feb 2024 | J. Hazard. Mater.

AFFF-impacted asphalt and concrete were found to potentially leach PFAS into the environment, with 6:2 FTS and PFOS identified as the dominant PFAS in the surface layer and runoff, asphalt exhibited a higher release rate compared to concrete.

[Discussion] Estimated scale of costs to remove PFAS from the environment at current emission rates.

5 Feb 2024 | Sci Total Environ

The significant costs associated with removing and destroying PFAS at the same rate they are currently introduced into the environment – over 100 trillion USD – underscores the urgent need for substantial reductions in production and emissions to address environmental and health concerns effectively.

Extraordinary levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in vertebrate animals at a new Mexico desert oasis: Multiple pathways for wildlife and human exposure

5 Feb 2024 | Environ Res

PFAS contamination at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico has significantly impacted wildlife populations, with high levels found in the tissues of 23 species of mammals and migratory birds, highlighting the widespread contamination of local food webs and potential risks for both wildlife and humans consuming game meat in this specific area.

Reanalysis of PFO5DoA Levels in Blood from Wilmington, North Carolina, Residents, 2017-2018

2 Feb 2024 | Environ Health Perspect

The presence of Hydro-EVE and 6:2 FTS in the blood serum of Wilmington residents from 2017 to 2018 indicates ongoing exposure to PFAS originating from the contaminated Cape Fear River Basin.

Emission inventory of PFASs and other fluorinated organic substances for the fluoropolymer production industry in Europe

29 Jan 2024 | Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts

Air emissions from fluoropolymer production were found to be declining in Europe, but available data suggest that emissions of some non-gaseous PFAS have not decreased.

In utero exposures to perfluoroalkyl substances and the human fetal liver metabolome in Scotland: a cross-sectional study

29 Jan 2024 | Lancet Planet. Health

Exposure to PFAS during pregnancy is linked to metabolic changes in the human fetal liver, suggesting early manifestation of potential consequences, as evidenced by a study analyzing metabolites, bile acids, and RNA-Seq data from fetal livers collected between 2004 and 2014.

Public perceptions of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): Psycho-demographic characteristics differentiating PFAS knowledge and concern

27 Jan 2024 | J. Clean. Prod.

This study, conducted in Aotearoa New Zealand, highlights that nearly 45% of surveyed adults are aware of PFAS, with varying levels of understanding and concerns, revealing information gaps that could inform regulations, policies, and targeted education campaigns on PFAS.

PFAS ghosts: how to identify, evaluate, and exorcise new and existing analytical interference

27 Jan 2024 | Anal. Bioanal. Chem.

As awareness of PFAS grows globally and monitoring studies increase, the risk of analytical interference, leading to false PFAS detection ("seeing ghosts"), rises, emphasizing the need to address these issues for accurate assessments crucial to safeguarding human and environmental health.

Associations of dietary intake and longitudinal measures of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in predominantly Hispanic young Adults: A multicohort study

27 Jan 2024 | Environ Int

Dietary factors, such as tea & pork intake and eating food not prepared at home, were associated with increases in blood levels of PFAS in young Hispanic adults, underscoring the significance of diet in PFAS exposure and the need for monitoring food and beverage contamination.

Association between Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Follicular Fluid and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Infertile Women

26 Jan 2024 | MDPI

A clinical study revealed a positive relationship between PFOA levels in follicular fluid and increased odds of polycystic ovary syndrome, suggesting PFOA as a potential risk factor for this endocrine disease in women.

Profiling research on PFAS in wildlife: Systematic evidence map and bibliometric analysis

24 Jan 2024 | Ecol. solut. evid.

A comprehensive review of over 580 publications on PFAS in wildlife identified a linear increase in research from 2001 to 2021 covering 1042 species from 26 taxonomic classes, and emphasized the need for further exploration of new-generation PFAS, assessment in mid- and low-income countries, and more long-term studies.

A systematic review of contaminants in donor human milk

24 Jan 2024 | Matern Child Nutr

This systematic review examines the contaminants present in donor human milk for preterm and critically ill infants, revealing that bacterial species, environmental pollutants, and chemical substances such as PFAS were commonly found, emphasizing the need for standardized assessments and further research to understand the impact of donated milk contaminants on infant health outcomes.

Citizens’ opinions on (non-) essential uses of persistent chemicals: A survey in seven European countries

22 Jan 2024 | Environ Sci Policy

EU citizens were surveyed regarding essential and non-essential uses of PFAS, revealing diverse opinions, with safety-related PFAS applications considered essential while recreation and personal care uses are often viewed as non-essential.