Dashboard
Japan releases results of 1st nationwide survey of PFAS chemicals in tap water
November 29, 2024 | #news
The Japanese government has released the results of the first nationwide survey of the levels of certain types of PFAS in tap water. Some of these chemicals are said to be potentially harmful.
PFAS are a group of organic fluorine compounds, including PFOS, or perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, and PFOA, or perfluorooctanoic acid. PFOS and PFOA are considered potentially harmful. The government currently sets a provisional target for the two chemicals at a total 50 nanograms per liter for tap water.
PFAS opportunities coming as Trump enters office, waste executives say
November 25, 2024 | #news
With the reelection of Donald Trump to the White House, it might appear that recent regulations implemented by the U.S. EPA on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are on shaky ground.
But Trump’s announcement that he wanted former U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin to lead the EPA, combined with continued progress on PFAS destruction technology, has some waste executives seeing as much opportunity as difficulty in the future PFAS regulatory environment.
Influence of Talc in Polypropylene on Total Fluorine Measurements Used as an Indicator of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
November 15, 2024 | #news
Increasing restrictions for chemicals of concern in plastic packaging materials have created an urgent need to accurately detect and quantify these chemicals. Total fluorine measurements have been utilized to screen for highly scrutinized per and poly-fluorinated substances (PFAS) in food packaging materials.
Biden-Harris Administration Makes Unprecedented Progress to Protect Communities from PFAS Pollution
November 14, 2024 | #news
Under the leadership of President Biden and Vice President Harris, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has delivered bold and concrete actions to protect people from PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, in their water and everyday lives while dramatically increasing investments in research and solutions. Specific actions and progress are detailed in EPA’s third annual progress report, highlighting the significant achievements the agency has made under its PFAS Strategic Roadmap and the Biden-Harris Administration’s whole-of-government strategy to protect communities from the impacts of forever chemicals.
Clinical, histological, molecular, and toxicokinetic renal outcomes of per-/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure: Systematic review and meta-analysis
November 12, 2024 | #news
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals present in the environment that can negatively affect health. Kidney is the major target organ of PFAS exposure, yet the renal impact of PFAS is not completely understood. Here we review the effects of PFAS exposure on kidney health to identify gaps in our understanding and mark potential avenues for future research.
Up to 3.2M in Michigan may be getting water from PFAS-tainted aquifers
October 28, 2024 | #news
Up to 3.2 million Michiganders may get their drinking water from PFAS-tainted aquifers, according to a landmark national study on “forever chemicals” in America’s well water.
That’s among the highest rates in the nation, attributable both to the heavy presence of polluting industries in Michigan and the fact Michiganders are more likely than most to get their water from private wells.
Michigan congressional leaders renew pleas to clean up PFAS on military sites
October 15, 2024 | #news
Michigan congressional leaders recently sent a letter to the Department of Defense, demanding a detailed plan to address contaminated military sites.
This comes after the U.S. Air Force revealed two cleanup actions in Oscoda will not be implemented for another five years. Those cleanup systems are meant to stop toxic “forever chemicals” from leaking into the Au Sable River.
Saint-Gobain to demolish Merrimack plant tied to PFAS contamination next year
October 15, 2024 | #news
Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics will demolish its Merrimack plant tied to widespread PFAS contamination in the area, representatives of the company told the Bulletin Tuesday.
The French manufacturer ceased operations at the facility in May, months after it announced it would close as part of a company restructuring. Now, the company says it will spend the better part of 2025 tearing the plant down.
Brown Urges DoD to Block PFAS Incineration in East Liverpool
October 11, 2024 | #news
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown has called on the U.S. Department of Defense to block the resumption of incineration as an approved disposal method of hazardous chemicals in East Liverpool and communities across the country.
In a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Brown urged a halt to plans to burn perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) “in Ohio or elsewhere.”
PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, pose a threat to public health and are designated by the Environmental Protection Agency as hazardous substances.
The scale of the problem of replacing ‘forever chemicals’ PFAS
October 10, 2024 | #news
Nearly 15,000 substances are thought to belong to the family of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which have been linked to a range of environmental and health problems. However, these compounds have become a vital, but largely unsung, part of modern life and are used in a vast array of ways. Plans are afoot in many countries to phase out many of these chemicals, but while it is relatively simple to replace them in some products, it is much harder in others.
Laws in states such as Minnesota, along with a new federal drinking water standard, mark latest efforts to end threat of ‘forever chemicals’
October 8, 2024 | #news
The class of “forever chemicals” known by the acronym PFAS is the focus of a new federal drinking water standard as well as a wave of recent state legislation calling for partial or comprehensive bans on their use in commercial products.
Minnesota is in that vanguard of states.
PFAS Treatment and Removal Technologies
October 1st, 2024 | #news
After the state of knowledge that RECORD published last spring, the network is continuing its work by questioning the capacities to treat and eliminate these molecules from the environments in which they are present.
This study will provide the keys to understanding the origin of the stability of PFAS.
3,600 chemicals from food packaging found in people
September 28, 2024 | #research
Just over 3,600 chemicals, including some known carcinogens, from food packaging, processing and storage have been found in humans, according to new research. Published in the journal Nature, the peer-reviewed research highlighted the link between food packaging and preparation and human exposure to sometimes-harmful chemicals.
Marana files suit against the federal government over PFAS contamination
September 27, 2024 | #news
The town of Marana — just north of Tucson — is suing the federal government over water contamination issues tied to military and airport facilities nearby.
The town is asking for federal compensation for the money it’s spent and will spend cleaning up PFAS in its drinking water.
Vancouver aims to raise $210M to remove ‘forever chemicals’ from drinking water
September 27, 2024 | #news
The city of Vancouver is less than a quarter of the way to securing enough funding to mitigate toxic “forever chemicals” from its drinking water by 2029. This week, the city announced it has secured a $10 million low-interest loan to build PFAS filtration systems, bringing its collection of grants and loans up to $37.5 million. In all, it needs to raise an estimated $210 million.
State offers aid for small Iowa communities to meet PFAS monitoring
September 22, 2024 | #news
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has a free, voluntary monitoring program to help small communities meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency initial monitoring mandates for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — sometimes called “forever chemicals” — in drinking water.
Source of Everlasting Chemicals in Madrona K-8 Elementary School Stormwater Remains a Mystery
September 21, 2024 | #news
The Edmonds School District continues to investigate the source of the perennial chemicals found in the stormwater system at Madrona K-8 School in Edmonds. The move came after the Washington State Department of Ecology sent a letter to the district recommending it take steps to reduce perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAs.
Tucson Airport Authority tracking PFAS on its grounds
September 21, 2024 | #news
The Tucson Airport Authority is tracking where it needs to look more closely for a chemical compound that is already known to be a problem. The chemical has been an important tool for firefighters for decades, and the TAA is looking into where it’s been stored and where it’s been discharged.
Europe restricts the use of several PFAS
September 20, 2024 | #news
The European Commission has just adopted a decision to restrict the use of certain PFAS within the framework of the Reach regulation, the legislation which governs the use of chemicals.
How a California County Got PFAS Out of Its Drinking Water
September 14, 2024 | #info
Yorba Linda is a small, sunny city southeast of Los Angeles. It’s perhaps best known for being the birthplace of President Richard Nixon. But in the past few years, Yorba Linda has picked up another distinction: It’s home to the nation’s largest per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) water treatment plant of its kind, according to the city.
Occurrence and health risk assessment of PFAS and possible precursors: a case study in a drinking water treatment plant and bottled water
September 13, 2024 | #research
The presence of PFAS in drinking water may pose a serious threat to human health. This study aims to determine the levels of these compounds and their precursors in water samples from a drinking water treatment plant (DWTP) located in l’Ampolla (Spain) and to assess their fate.
EPA Awards Two Texas Institutions $3.2 Million for Research on PFAS Exposure and Reduction in Agriculture
September 12, 2024 | #news
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $3.2 million in total research grant funding for two Texas institutions for research to reduce per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure from food and protect our farmlands and farming communities.
Minnesota directing 3M to limit the amount of PFAS it sends into the Mississippi River
September 9, 2024 | #info
Chloe Johnson at the Minnesota Star Tribune is reporting that for the first time, Minnesota is directing 3M to limit the amount of PFAS it sends into the Mississippi River from its 76-year-old factory in Cottage Grove. The industrial chemicals detected near the factory’s discharge pipe have been blamed for contaminating fish that pose a threat to people who eat them.
New research finds ties between higher PFAS levels and eating caught fish, microwaved popcorn
September 6, 2024 | #info
A new study from the UW School of Medicine and Public Health finds that PFAS, PFOA and other so-called “forever chemicals” are in the blood of most Wisconsin residents — and that two foods in particular are linked with higher levels of the chemicals in a person’s blood.
Uptick in PFAS scrutiny reveals patchy global rule book
September 5, 2024 | #info
Regulators face a trade-off between restricting potentially toxic chemicals and pushing industry to seek alternatives whose large-scale commercialisation is yet to be tested. Their indestructible nature has earned PFAS the nickname “forever chemicals” and sparked increasing scrutiny from regulators and the public, alarmed by studies revealing the chemicals’ negative impact on human health, including links to cancer and fertility issues.
US Air Force: 7,000 gallons of water with PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ released at Cannon AFB
September 2, 2024 | #info
CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. — The U.S. Department of the Air Force is investigating the reported release of around 7,000 gallons of water containing PFAS. Officials discovered the release into a lined retention pond in the fire training area. The release reportedly happened between July 9 and July 15 at Cannon Air Force Base.
Maine fire departments look to move away from toxic foam
August 31, 2024 | #info
Two people are lucky to be alive after the tractor-trailer they were napping in caught fire in the Maine Mall parking lot early Thursday morning. To put it out, firefighters were forced to use a kind of foam that’s loaded with PFAS, also called “forever chemicals.”
Geneva asks four companies to carry out analyzes linked to PFAS pollution
July 2, 2024 | #info
PFAS, also called eternal pollutants, are of concern to the Canton of Geneva. The State has asked four companies to carry out analyzes before a potential decontamination, RTS and Le Temps revealed on Tuesday.
Male infertility and Perfluoroalkyl and poly-fluoroalkyl substances: Evidence for alterations in phosphorylation of proteins and fertility-related functional attributes in bull spermatozoa
June 7, 2024 | #scientificreport
BACKGROUND: Perfluoroalkyl and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are pervasive environmental pollutants and emerging risk factors for reproductive health. Although epidemiological evidence supports the link between these substances and male infertility, their specific effects on male fertility remain poorly understood. OBJECTIVES: Investigate the effect of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), the most prevalent and prominent PFAS, on bull sperm protein phosphorylation, a post-translational modification process governing sperm functionality and fertility.
Kumaresan, A., et al. (2024).
Biol Reprod.
Interior and exterior coating compositions for cookware articles having improved deep draw performance
June 6, 2024 | #patent
Brief Summary: The present disclosure provides coating compositions for interior and exterior surfaces for articles of cookware and bakeware, and in particular, to such coating compositions which are free of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and which demonstrate improved deep draw performance.
Salt Separation and Destruction of PFAS Utilizing Reverse Osmosis and Salt Separation
June 6, 2024 | #patent
Brief Summary Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are destroyed by oxidation in supercritical conditions. PFAS in water is concentrated in a reverse osmosis step and salt from the resulting solution is removed in supercritical conditions prior to destruction of PFAS in supercritical conditions.
Method for treating a PFAS-contaminated liquid medium
June 6, 2024 | #patent
Brief Summary: The invention relates to a method for treating an aqueous liquid medium contaminated with at least one perfluoroalkylated or polyfluoroalkylated substance. This method comprises a step of bringing the liquid medium into contact with ovalbumin, followed by a step of removing the ovalbumin bound to said substance from the liquid medium, using the technique of flotation.
Functionalised alumina adsorbent materials for removal of contaminants from water
June 6, 2024 | #patent
Brief Summary: A composition is provided for removal of a target substance from a fluid stream. The composition may be used to remove polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) from water. The composition comprises a support material comprising an alumina; and a sorbent molecule that comprises a core polymer; wherein the core polymer is covalently linked to the support material.
Structure-specific variation in per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances toxicity among genetically diverse Caenorhabditis elegans strains
June 2, 2024 | #Scientificreport
BACKGROUND: There are >14,500 structurally diverse per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Despite knowledge that these “forever chemicals” are in 99% of humans, mechanisms of toxicity and adverse health effects are incompletely known. Furthermore, the contribution of genetic variation to PFAS susceptibility and health consequences is unknown. OBJECTIVES: We determined the toxicity of a structurally distinct set of PFAS in twelve genetically diverse strains of the genetic model system Caenorhabditis elegans.
Leuthner, T. C., et al. (2024).
bioRxiv.
Special Symposium on PFAS elimination from Drinking Water
June 1, 2024 | #event
The H2020 research project ZeroPM: Zero pollution of persistent, mobile substances would like to invite all interested stakeholders to a Special on PFAS elimination from Drinking Water including a Technology Demonstration Event.
Date : Wednesday 12th of June and Thursday 13th of June
The link between ancient microbial fluoride resistance mechanisms and bioengineering organofluorine degradation or synthesis
May 30, 2024 | #review
Fluorinated organic chemicals, such as per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) and fluorinated pesticides, are both broadly useful and unusually long-lived. To combat problems related to the accumulation of these compounds, microbial PFAS and organofluorine degradation and biosynthesis of less-fluorinated replacement chemicals are under intense study.. © The Author(s) 2024.
Stockbridge, R. B. and L. P. Wackett (2024).
Nature Communications 15(1 C7 – 4593).
2D and 3D Self-Assembly of Fluorine-Free Pillar-[5]-Arenes and Perfluorinated Diacids at All-Aqueous Interfaces
May 24, 2024 | #regulation
The interaction of perfluorinated molecules, also known as “forever chemicals” due to their pervasiveness, with their environment remains an important yet poorly understood topic. In this work, the self-assembly of perfluorinated molecules with multivalent hosts, pillar-[5]-arenes, is investigated. It is found that perfluoroalkyl diacids and pillar-[5]-arenes rapidly and strongly complex with each other at aqueous interfaces, forming solid interfacially templated films.
Honaker, L. W., et al. (2024).
Adv Sci (Weinh): e2401807.
Structural Features of Styrene-Functionalized Cyclodextrin Polymers That Promote the Adsorption of Perfluoroalkyl Acids in Water
May 20, 2024 | #review
Cross-linked β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) polymers are promising adsorbents for the removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from contaminated water sources, including contaminated groundwater, drinking water, and wastewater. We previously reported porous, styrene-functionalized β-cyclodextrin (StyDex) polymers derived from radical polymerization with vinyl comonomers.
Lin, Z. W., et al. (2024).
ACS Appl Mater Interfaces.
Associations of perfluoroalkyl substances with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: NHANES 2017-2018
May 19, 2024 | #review
OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the potential effects of perfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) in serum on MAFLD, NAFLD, and liver fibrosis. METHODS: Our sample included 696 participants (≥ 18 years) from the 2017-2018 NHANES study with available serum PFASs, covariates, and outcomes..
Zhang, Y., et al. (2024).
Cancer Causes Control.
Variable PFAS removal by adsorbent media with sufficient prediction of breakthrough despite reduced contact time at pilot scale
May 18, 2024 | #review
One alternative adsorbent (AA) and five ion exchange (IX) resins were tested for the removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from groundwater in pilot-scale columns for up to 19 months using empty bed contact times (EBCTs) representative of full-scale treatment
Pannu, M. W., et al. (2024).
Water Environ Res 96(5): e11035.
PFAS in Nigeria: Identifying data gaps that hinder assessments of ecotoxicological and human health impacts .
May 15, 2024 | #scientificreport
This review examines the extensive use and environmental consequences of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) on a global scale, specifically emphasizing their potential impact in Nigeria. Recognized for their resistance to water and oil, PFAS are under increased scrutiny for their persistent nature and possible ecotoxicological risks. Here, we consolidate existing knowledge on the ecological and human health effects of PFAS in Nigeria, focusing on their neurological effects and the risks they pose to immune system health.
Kikanme, K. N., et al. (2024).
Heliyon 10(9): e29922.
Placental PFAS concentrations are associated with perturbations of placental DNA methylation at loci with important roles on cardiometabolic health
May 7, 2024 | #review
The placenta is crucial for fetal development, is affected by PFAS toxicity, and evidence is accumulating that gestational PFAS perturb the epigenetic activity of the placenta. Gestational PFAS exposure is can adversely affect offspring, yet individual and cumulative impacts of PFAS on the placental epigenome remain underexplored. Here, we conducted an epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) to examine the relationships between placental PFAS levels and DNA methylation in a cohort of mother-infant dyads in Arkansas. We measured 17 PFAS in human placental tissues and quantified placental DNA methylation levels via the Illumina EPIC Microarray
Everson, T. M., et al. (2024).
medRxiv.
Transformative Dynamics: Self-Assembly of Iron Oxide Hydroxide Nanorods into Iron Oxide Microcubes for Enhanced Perfluoroalkyl Substance Remediation
May 3, 2024 | #patent
We report the controlled synthesis of iron oxide microcubes (IOMCs) through the self-assembly arrays of ferric oxide hydroxide nanorods (NRs). The formation of IOMCs involves a complex interplay of nucleation, self-assembly, and growth mechanisms influenced by time, thermal treatment, and surfactant dynamics. The self-assembly of vertically aligned NRs into IOMCs is controlled by dynamic magnetism properties and capping agents like cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), whose concentration and temperature modulation dictate growth kinetics and structural uniformity…
Rhakho, N., et al. (2024).
Langmuir.
Development of an Automated Morphometric Approach to Assess Vascular Outcomes following Exposure to Environmental Chemicals in Zebrafish
May 3, 2024 | #patent
BACKGROUND: Disruptions in vascular formation attributable to chemical insults is a pivotal risk factor or potential etiology of developmental defects and various disease settings. Among the thousands of chemicals threatening human health, the highly concerning groups prevalent in the environment and detected in biological monitoring in the general population ought to be prioritized because of their high exposure risks. However, the impacts of a large number of environmental chemicals on vasculature are far from understood.
Zhong, X., et al. (2024).
Environ Health Perspect 132(5): 57001.
Polymer Coatings Affect Transport and Remobilization of Colloidal Activated Carbon in Saturated Sand Columns: Implications for In Situ Groundwater Remediation
May 1, 2024 | #scientificreport
Colloidal activated carbon (CAC) is an emerging technology for the in situ remediation of groundwater impacted by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). In assessing the long-term effectiveness of a CAC barrier, it is crucial to evaluate the potential of emplaced CAC particles to be remobilized and migrate away from the sorptive barrier. We examine the effect of two polymer stabilizers, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (PolyDM), on CAC deposition and remobilization in saturated sand columns.
Guan, X., et al. (2024).
Environ Sci Technol.
Systems for catalytically removing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances from a fluid and related methods
May 1, 2024 | #patent
The present invention relates to systems and methods for catalytic removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from water and wastewater. The system and methods utilize a catalyst film and a biofilm to synergystically remove PFAS from water. In some aspects, the catalyst film reduces and defluorinates PFAS into less fluorinated counterparts of PFAS, and the biofilm metabolizes the less fluroinated counterparts of PFAS into CO2 or shorter chain PFAS.
Cross-Sectional Associations between Prenatal Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances and Bioactive Lipids in Three Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Cohorts
May 1, 2024 | #patent
Environ Sci Technol.
Prenatal per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure may influence gestational outcomes through bioactive lipids─metabolic and inflammation pathway indicators. We estimated associations between prenatal PFAS exposure and bioactive lipids, measuring 12 serum PFAS and 50 plasma bioactive lipids in 414 pregnant women (median 17.4 weeks’ gestation) from three Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes Program cohorts.
Suthar, H., et al. (2024).
Environ Sci Technol.
Waste processing system and method
May 1, 2024 | #patent
A waste processing system comprises a drying chamber for drying waste and producing steam, a gasification chamber for generating syngas and a thermal converter which receives the steam and the syngas and is configured to cause supercritical oxidation or combustion of the syngas. For oxidation the steam may pass through reactor which generates supercritical water and an oxidant may be supplied to the supercritical water so supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) may occur.
Per-polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as thyroid disruptors: is there evidence for multi-transgenerational effects ?
April 30, 2024 | #review
This review examines the current data on the multi-trans-generational effects of PFAS, with a focus on their impact on the thyroid axis. The aim is to determine if there is evidence of potential multi-trans-generational effects of PFAS on the thyroid and/or if more research is needed. EXPERT OPINION: PFAS exposure impacts thyroid homeostasis and can cross the placental barrier.
Coperchini, F., et al. (2024).
Expert Rev Endocrinol Metab: 1-9.
Assessment and Comparison of Early Developmental Toxicity of Six Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances with Human Embryonic Stem Cell Models
April 30, 2024 | #patent
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are extensively utilized in varieties of products and tend to accumulate in the human body including umbilical cord blood and embryos/fetuses. In this study, we conducted an assessment and comparison of the potential early developmental toxicity of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), undecafluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), heptafluorobutyric acid, perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), perfluorohexanesulfonate, and perfluorobutyric acid at noncytotoxic concentrations relevant to human exposure using models based on human embryonic stem cells in both three-dimensional embryoid body (EB) and monolayer differentiation configurations.
Zhao, M., et al. (2024).
Environ Sci Technol.
Publication of the French interministerial action plan on PFAS
April 30, 2024 | #regulation
Cyrille Isaac-Sibille, Member of Parliament, was appointed by the Prime Minister on 5 July 2023 to carry out an analysis of the situation of PFASs in France, together with recommendations. The MP submitted his report at the beginning of February and his recommendations have been taken into account in drawing up this action plan.
Method for removing polyvinylpyrrolidone from water using salts and using the precipitated composition for further water treatment
April 18, 2024 | #patent
A method for removing polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) from water using rare earth salts, iron salts, or mixtures thereof effectively and efficiently removes undesired and dissolved PVP and provides a composition containing hydrolyzed PVP (h-PVP) having ions bound thereto. In these compositions the ions include rare earth cations, iron cations, and mixtures thereof. This composition is beneficial in the removal of aqueous contaminants, such as phosphate, other phosphorus containing compounds, arsenic, arsenic containing compounds, fluorides, and PFAS from water.
Use of electrochemical oxidation for treatment of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (pfas) in waste generated from sorbent and resin regeneration processes
April 17, 2024 | #patent
The present invention relates to a process for destroying per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in an aqueous effluent by electro-oxidation comprising:concentrating the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances using a filtration or sorbent technology;washing the filter or sorbent with a regenerant to generate a spent regenerant containing the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances…
Processes for recovering pfas from solid sorbents
April 17, 2024 | #patent
A solvent extraction process for removing poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from a PFAS laden adsorbent is disclosed. The process comprises introducing a substantially pure solvent at an elevated temperature to a bed of the PFAS laden adsorbent and continuously removing PFAS laden solvent from the adsorbent, wherein the introducing and removing are carried out simultaneously and continuously until a desired amount of PFAS is removed from the adsorbent
All-cause, cardiovascular disease and cancer mortality in the population of a large Italian area contaminated by perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (1980–2018)
April 16, 2024 | #scientificreport
Background: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are associated with many adverse health conditions. Among the main effects is carcinogenicity in humans, which deserves to be further clarified. An evident association has been reported for kidney cancer and testicular cancer. In 2013, a large episode of surface, ground and drinking water contamination with PFAS was uncovered in three provinces of the Veneto Region (northern Italy) involving 30 municipalities and a population of about 150,000. We report on the temporal evolution of all-cause mortality and selected cause-specific mortality by calendar period and birth cohort in the local population between 1980 and 2018.
Biggeri, A., et al. (2024).
Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source 23(1 C7 – 42).
© The Author(s) 2024.
Method And Apparatus For Separation Of A Substance From Water
April 11, 2024 | #patent
A method and apparatus is disclosed for separating an amount of an amphiphilic contaminant substance such as PFAS from water. The method comprising the steps of admitting the water which contains the substance into a flotation cell chamber, and then introducing a flow of gas thereinto. The gas is introduced by several different apparatus options for efficient aeration of the chamber, depending on the water being treated. The introduced gas produces a froth layer which is formed at, and which rises above, an interface with the contents of the chamber.
Pfas isolator column scouting
April 11, 2024 | #patent
Provided herein is a method and system for PFAS analysis using a liquid chromatography technique that employ a first column (e.g., an isolator column) and a second column (e.g., an analytical column), wherein at least one of the first column, the second column, or both the first and second columns include mixed mode with anion exchange surface chemistry. The devices and methods provided herein are useful for improving the efficiency and/or sensitivity of systems implementing liquid chromatography for PFAS analysis.
Publication of US EPA national threshold values
April 10, 2024 | #regulation
The Biden-Harris administration is finalising the first-ever national drinking water standard to protect 100 million people from PFAS pollution.
"Removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and organic fluorine from sewage sludge and sea sand by pyrolysis
March 27, 2024 | #scientificreport
Pyrolysis is one method for treating sewage sludge, particularly in remote areas or decentralised systems. The end product of pyrolysis, sludge-char, can serve as a soil improver. However, there is a lack of comprehensive data on the organic pollutants’ behaviour in sludge-char. In our work, we focused on the behaviour of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs).) © The Author(s) 2024.
Hušek, M., et al. (2024).
Biochar 6(1 C7 – 31).
Publication of the first consumption limit by the Japanese government: 20 ng/kgbw/d for PFOS and PFOA
March 8, 2024 | #regulation
Last month, the Japanese Food Safety Commission published a draft report on the daily intake limit for PFAS, a group of fluorinated chemicals recently linked to a series of health problems such as cancer and pregnancy complications.
Accurate Enthalpies of Formation for PFAS from First-Principles: Combining Different Levels of Theory in a Generalized Thermochemical Hierarchy
February 27, 2024 | #regulation
The enthalpies of formation are computed for a large number of per- and poly fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) using a connectivity-based hierarchy (CBH) approach. A combination of different electronic structure methods are used to provide the reference data in a hierarchical manner. The ANL0 method, in conjunction with the active thermochemical tables, provides enthalpies of formation for smaller species with subchemical accuracy
Abeywardane, K. and C. F. Goldsmith (2024).
ACS Phys Chem Au 4(3): 247-258.
Per/Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) in a Marine Apex Predator (White Shark, Carcharodon carcharias) in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean
January 14, 2024 | #review
We investigated the accumulation of PFASs in a marine apex predator, the white shark (Carcharodon carcharias). Muscle (N = 12) and blood plasma (N = 27) samples were collected from 27 sharks during 2018-2021 OCEARCH expeditions along the eastern coast of North America from Nova Scotia to Florida.
Marciano, J., et al. (2024).
ACS Environ Au 4(3): 152-161.
Application of limit values for pfas in foodstuffs
January 1, 2024 | #regulation
PFOS, PFOA, PFNA and PFHxS are or have been used in many industrial and commercial applications. Their frequent use, combined with their persistence in the environment, has led to widespread environmental contamination. Contamination of foodstuffs by perfluoroalkyl substances is mainly due to their bioaccumulation in aquatic and terrestrial food chains.
A Zwitterionic Hydrogel-Based Heterogeneous Fenton Catalyst for Water Treatment
November 28, 2024 | #regulation
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including xenoestrogens and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), demand urgent global intervention. Fenton oxidation, catalyzed by iron ions, offers a cost-effective means to degrade POPs. However, numerous challenges like acid dependency, catalyst loss, and toxic waste generation hinder practical application.
Gokhale, D., et al. (2024).
Small: e2402525.
Ultrasonic degradation of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) and foam fractionate (FF)
#regulation
While previous studies have explored ultrasonic degradation of PFAS, work evaluating the operational parameters is rare, especially concerning real wastes such as aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) and foam fractionate (FF). This study investigates the key operational parameters affecting the degradation efficiency of PFAS, encompassing ultrasonication frequency (580-1144 kHz), power intensity (125-187.5 W), initial concentration (0.08-40 ppm), treatment duration (0.5-3 h), sample volume (100-500 mL), and PFAS structure…
Awoyemi, O. S., et al. (2024).
Chemosphere 360: 142420.
Analysis of perand poly fl uoroalkyl substances (PFAS) extraction from contaminated fi re fi ghting materials: Effects of cleaning agent, temperature, and chain-length dependencies
#patent
This investigation delves into the extraction dynamics of 22 perand polyfluoroalkyl substances from PFAS contaminated firefighting materials. Two distinct test sets were executed: one contrasting a commercial product with water following an elaborate decontamination procedure, and the other assessing seven washing agents on materials from firefighting installations, with one agent examined at 22 degrees C and 50 degrees C..
(c) 2024 The Authors. Publishing services by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of KeAi Communications Co. Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/
4.0/).
Non-conventional sorption materials for the removal of legacy and emerging PFAS from water: A review
#regulation
Typically, PFAS removal from water relies on adsorption techniques using conventional sorption materials like activated carbons (ACs) and ion exchange resins (IERs). However, there is a continuous search for more efficient and performing adsorbent materials to better address the wide range of chemical structures of PFAS in the environment, to increase their selectivity, and to achieve an overall high adsorption capacity and faster uptake kinetics. In this context, results from the application of non-conventional sorption materials (i.e., readily available biological-based materials like proteins and advanced materials like nanocomposites and cyclodextrins) are reported and discussed… Publishing services by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of KeAi Communications Co. Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license
Calore, F., et al. (2024).
Emerging Contaminants 10(3).
Analysis of perand poly fl uoroalkyl substances (PFAS) extraction from contaminated fi re fi ghting materials: Effects of cleaning agent, temperature, and chain-length dependencies
#regulation
This investigation delves into the extraction dynamics of 22 perand polyfluoroalkyl substances from PFAS contaminated firefighting materials. Two distinct test sets were executed: one contrasting a commercial product with water following an elaborate decontamination procedure, and the other assessing seven washing agents on materials from firefighting installations, with one agent examined at 22 degrees C and 50 degrees C. (c) 2024 The Authors. Publishing services by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of KeAi Communications Co. Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license
Dahlbom, S., et al. (2024).
Emerging Contaminants 10(3).
Adsorption dynamics of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on activated carbon: Interplay of surface chemistry and PFAS structural properties
#regulation
Using activated carbon (AC) to adsorb per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is highly practical for environmental remediation. However, examining the surface chemistry of carbonaceous material with regard to the removal of various PFAS has been limited, as the focus has often solely been on perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid. Consequently, this study systematically explores the role of AC surface chemistry in the adsorption of PFAS with various structural properties using ACs that have been modified for different degrees of acidity, basicity, and hydrophobicity. © 2024 Elsevier B.V.
Kim, G., et al. (2024).
Separation and Purification Technology 349 C7 – 127851.
Identification and quantification of novel per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination in a Great Lakes urban-dominated watershed
#regulation
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of synthetic organic fluoro-compounds that are oil-, water-, and flame-resistant, making them useful in a wide range of commercial and consumer products, as well as resistant to environmental degradation. To assess the impact of urbanization and wastewater treatment processes, surface water and sediment samples were collected at 27 sites within the Great Lakes in the Lake Huron to Lake Erie corridor (HEC), an international waterway including the highly urbanized Detroit and Rouge Rivers.
Llewellyn, M. J., et al. (2024).
Sci Total Environ: 173325.
Constructed wetlands as nature-based solutions in managing per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): Evidence, mechanisms, and modelling
#review
Constructed wetlands (CWs), as a nature-based solution, have gained widespread application in sustainable water and wastewater treatment and offer multiple environmental and societal benefits. Despite CWs potential, knowledge gaps persist in their PFAS removal capacities, associated mechanisms, and modelling of PFAS fate. This study carried out a systematic literature review, supplemented by unpublished experimental data, demonstrating the promise of CWs for PFAS removal from the influents of varying sources and characteristics.
Savvidou, P., et al. (2024).
Sci Total Environ 934: 173237.
Constructed wetlands as nature-based solutions in managing per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): Evidence, mechanisms, and modelling
#review
Constructed wetlands (CWs), as a nature-based solution, have gained widespread application in sustainable water and wastewater treatment and offer multiple environmental and societal benefits. Despite CWs potential, knowledge gaps persist in their PFAS removal capacities, associated mechanisms, and modelling of PFAS fate. This study carried out a systematic literature review, supplemented by unpublished experimental data, demonstrating the promise of CWs for PFAS removal from the influents of varying sources and characteristics.
Savvidou, P., et al. (2024).
Sci Total Environ 934: 173237.
Identification and quantification of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) migrating from food contact materials (FCM)
#review
Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) can be added to food contact materials (FCM) to increase their water and/or grease repellent properties. Some well-known PFAS are perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCA), perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSA), and polyfluorinated telomer alcohols (FTOH). Due to the strength of the carbon-fluorine bond, PFAS are chemically very stable and highly resistant to biological degradation, posing a risk to human health and the environment.
Vázquez Loureiro, P., et al. (2024).
Chemosphere: 142360.
Maternal transfer of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in wild birds: a systematic review and meta-analysis
#review
PFAS can accumulate in animal tissues, resulting in biomagnification and adverse effects on wildlife, such as reproductive impairment. In bird species, PFAS are transferred from mothers to eggs along with essential nutrients and may affect embryo development. However, the extent of maternal PFAS transfer across different species and compounds remains poorly understood. Here, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to quantify maternal PFAS transfer in wild birds and investigate potential sources of variation.
Ricolfi, L., et al. (2024).
Chemosphere: 142346.
PFAS in the GCC: Towards environmental sustainability and public health protection
#review
This study examines the state of PFAS research and management in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Sultanate of Oman. A comprehensive search was conducted in the PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases, including English-language literature without temporal constraints up until November 2023. The search specifically targeted primary research studies employing descriptive or observational methodologies that were published in peer-reviewed journals.
Abass, K., et al. (2024).
Emerging Contaminants 10(4 C7 – 100360).
© 2024 The Authors
Role of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in the cardiorenal system: Unraveling crosstalk from the network of pollutants and phenotypes
#patent
Although per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been frequently linked to cardiovascular and renal disease separately, evidence remains scarce regarding their systematic effect. Therefore, we recruited 546 newly diagnosed acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients and detected seven myocardial enzymes and six kidney function biomarkers. Twelve PFAS were also assessed with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. © 2024
Yang, M., et al. (2025).
Journal of Environmental Sciences (China) 150: 116-133.
Predicting PFAS fate in fish: Assessing the roles of dietary, respiratory, and dermal uptake in bioaccumulation modeling
#patent
An increasing number of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposed to the environment may pose a threat to organisms and human beings. However, there is a lack of simulations comprehensively addressing and comparing the bioaccumulation of PFAS across all three major exposure routes (oral, inhalation, and dermal), especially for dermal uptake. In this study, we proposed a physiologically based kinetic (PBK) model for PFAS, aiming to predict bioaccumulation factors (BAF) in fish by considering these diverse exposure routes. 15 PFAS were used for model validation, and 11 PFAS from Taihu Lake were used for exposure contribution modeling.
Xiong, J. and Z. Li (2024).
Environ Res: 119036.
Interfacial effects of perfluorooctanoic acid and its alternative hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid with polystyrene nanoplastics on oxidative stress, histopathology and gut microbiota in Crassostrea hongkongensis oysters
#patent
The increasing interfacial impacts of polystyrene nanoplastics (PS) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) complex aquatic environments are becoming more evident, drawing attention to the potential risks to aquatic animal health and human seafood safety. This study aims to investigate the relative impacts following exposure (7 days) of Crassostrea hongkongensis oysters to the traditional PFAS congener, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) at 50 μg/L, and its novel alternative, hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA), also known as GenX at 50 μg/L, in conjunction with fluorescent polystyrene nanoplastics (PS, 80 nm) at 1 mg/L.
Wang, B., et al. (2024).
Sci Total Environ: 172864.
Regeneration of exhausted adsorbents after PFAS adsorption: A critical review
#patent
The adsorption process efficiently removes per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from water, but managing exhausted adsorbents presents notable environmental and economic challenges. Conventional disposal methods, such as incineration, may reintroduce PFAS into the environment. Therefore, advanced regeneration techniques are imperative to prevent leaching during disposal and enhance sustainability and cost-effectiveness. This review critically evaluates thermal and chemical regeneration approaches for PFAS-laden adsorbents, elucidating their operational mechanisms, the influence of water quality parameters, and their inherent advantages and limitations.
Vakili, M., et al. (2024).
J Hazard Mater 471: 134429.
PFAS Porewater concentrations in unsaturated soil: Field and laboratory comparisons inform on PFAS accumulation at air-water interfaces
#patent
Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) leaching from unsaturated soils impacted with aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) is an environmental challenge that remains difficult to measure and predict. Complicating measurements and predictions of this process is a lack of understanding between the PFAS concentrations measured in a collected environmental unsaturated soil sample, and the PFAS concentrations measured in the corresponding porewater using field-deployed lysimeters.
Schaefer, C. E., et al. (2024).
J Contam Hydrol 264: 104359.
Critical new insights into the interactions of hexafluoropropylene oxide-dimer acid (GenX or HFPO-DA) with albumin at molecular and cellular levels
#scientificreport
A key characteristic to be elucidated, to address the harmful health risks of environmental perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS), is their binding modes to serum albumin, the most abundant protein in blood. Hexafluoropropylene oxide-dimer acid (GenX or HFPO-DA) is a new industrial replacement for the widespread linear long-chain PFAS© 2024
Peng, S. Y., et al. (2025).
Journal of Environmental Sciences (China)
149: 88-98.
Changes in plasma concentrations of per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances after bariatric surgery in adolescents from the Teen-Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery (Teen-LABS) study
#scientificreport
Exposure to per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is ubiquitous due to their persistence in the environment and in humans. Extreme weight loss has been shown to influence concentrations of circulating persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Using data from the multi-center perspective Teen-Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery (Teen-LABS) cohort, we investigated changes in plasma-PFAS in adolescents after bariatric surgery.
Baumert, B. O., et al. (2024).
Sci Total Environ 930: 172840.
Non-conventional sorption materials for the removal of legacy and emerging PFAS from water: A review
#scientificreport
Typically, PFAS removal from water relies on adsorption techniques using conventional sorption materials like activated carbons (ACs) and ion exchange resins (IERs). However, there is a continuous search for more efficient and performing adsorbent materials to better address the wide range of chemical structures of PFAS in the environment, to increase their selectivity, and to achieve an overall high adsorption capacity and faster uptake kinetics. (c) 2024 The Authors.
Calore, F., et al. (2024).
Emerging Contaminants 10(3).
Simultaneous size and defect control of metal-organic framework by deep eutectic solvent for efficient perfluoroalkyl substances adsorption: Delving into mechanism
#scientificreport
This study reports an environment-friendly protocol to prepare a metal-organic framework (MOF) with simultaneously controlled particle size and open metal site for adsorption removal of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). The successful preparation of UiO-66 with defect and crystal size modulation was achieved using a green and straightforward method, adjusting the components and molar ratios of ammonium salt/glycolic acid deep eutectic solvents (DESs).
Cheng, L., et al. (2024).
Chemosphere 358: 142155.