Presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in domestic wastewater and their public health significance
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic, fluorinated compounds that exhibit exceptional resistance to chemical reactions and biodegradation due to the extraordinary stability of their carbon-fluorine bonds. As a result of these properties, PFAS compounds persist in the environment as persistent micropollutants and can be detected worldwide in natural waters, drinking water, food, and biological samples. Due to their favorable technological characteristics, low reactivity, and thermal resistance, they are widely used in various industrial and everyday consumer products. However, conventional wastewater treatment systems are not capable of effectively removing PFAScompounds, allowing them to continuously enter environmental cycles, surface waters, and even drinking water sources via wastewater and from other human activities. The persistent environmental presence and bioaccumulative potential of PFAScompounds threaten ecosystem functioning and also pose significant health risks, as they have been linked to cancer, developmental and reproductive disorders, and numerous other health problems. Although in recent years an increasing number of studies have focused on the occurrence of PFAS in municipal wastewater, household-originated wastewater and decentralized, individual wastewater treatment units remain underrepresented in such investigations. There is limited data on the PFAS removal efficiency of these systems, as well as on the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of emissions from them. As these alternative solutions are becoming increasingly widespread worldwide, they require prioritized research and regulatory attention, especially regarding micropollutants. A more precise understanding of the environmental impact of such systems is essential for the effective reduction of PFAS contamination and for mitigating public health and ecological risks.
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