Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances: A review of sources, properties, chromatographic detection, and toxicological implications

Eliasu Issaka; Mabruk Adams; Enock Adjei Agyekum; Josephine Baffoe; Blessing Tornyeava; Eliasu Issaka; Mabruk Adams; Enock Adjei Agyekum; Josephine Baffoe; Blessing Tornyeava

doi:10.3934/environsci.2025015

AIMS Environmental Science

2025, Volume 12, Issue 2: 321-351. doi: 10.3934/environsci.2025015

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Review

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances: A review of sources, properties, chromatographic detection, and toxicological implications

1.
College of Engineering, Birmingham City University, Birmingham B4 7XG, United Kingdom
2.
Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, College of Science and Engineering, University of Galway, Galway H91TK33, Ireland
3.
Ultrasound Medical Laboratory, Department of Ultrasound, Affiliated People's Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212002 China
4.
School of Computer Science and Communication Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, China
5.
School of Automotive and Traffic Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, P.R. China
6.
School of Clinical Medicine, Dalian Medical University, Liaoning Province, Dalian 116044, P.R. China

Received: 25 September 2024 Revised: 28 January 2025 Accepted: 26 March 2025 Published: 02 April 2025

Emerging per and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are very resistant to degradation and have negative impacts on human and environmental health at very low concentrations. The initial stage in removing PFASs from contaminated locations is their detection and quantification. Particularly utilized in this context are Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). In this review, we seek to contribute to our understanding of the state-of-the-art in emerging PFAS by offering a complete analysis of PFAS in environments, taking into consideration their sources, classes, and properties. Polyfluoroalkyl ether substances (PFAES), short-chain PFA, replacement PFA, and fluorotelomer-based substances can bioaccumulate in living species, making their detection even more necessary. We intend to provide researchers with an overview of the current state of research on PFASs in environments, encompassing the toxicological effects and their detection and quantification methods, serving as a guide for current and future studies.
- emerging PFAS,
- chromatography,
- spectrometry,
- toxicological impacts,
- physicochemical properties
Citation: Eliasu Issaka, Mabruk Adams, Enock Adjei Agyekum, Josephine Baffoe, Blessing Tornyeava. Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances: A review of sources, properties, chromatographic detection, and toxicological implications[J]. AIMS Environmental Science, 2025, 12(2): 321-351. doi: 10.3934/environsci.2025015

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Abstract

Emerging per and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are very resistant to degradation and have negative impacts on human and environmental health at very low concentrations. The initial stage in removing PFASs from contaminated locations is their detection and quantification. Particularly utilized in this context are Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). In this review, we seek to contribute to our understanding of the state-of-the-art in emerging PFAS by offering a complete analysis of PFAS in environments, taking into consideration their sources, classes, and properties. Polyfluoroalkyl ether substances (PFAES), short-chain PFA, replacement PFA, and fluorotelomer-based substances can bioaccumulate in living species, making their detection even more necessary. We intend to provide researchers with an overview of the current state of research on PFASs in environments, encompassing the toxicological effects and their detection and quantification methods, serving as a guide for current and future studies.

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