Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in the environment
Evich, M.G.; Davis, M.J.B.; McCord, J.P.; Acrey, B.; Awkerman, J.A.; Knappe, D.R.U.; Lindstrom, A.B.; Speth, T.F.; Tebes-Stevens, C.; Strynar, M.J.; Wang, Z.; Weber, E.J.; Henderson, W.M.; Washington, J.W. (2022). Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in the environment. Science (Wash.) 375(6580): eabg9065. https://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.abg9065
In: Science (Washington). American Association for the Advancement of Science: New York, N.Y. ISSN 0036-8075; e-ISSN 1095-9203, more
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| Authors | | Top |
- Evich, M.G.
- Davis, M.J.B.
- McCord, J.P.
- Acrey, B.
- Awkerman, J.A.
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- Knappe, D.R.U.
- Lindstrom, A.B.
- Speth, T.F.
- Tebes-Stevens, C.
- Strynar, M.J.
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- Wang, Z.
- Weber, E.J.
- Henderson, W.M.
- Washington, J.W.
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| Abstract |
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are products of the modern chemical industry that have been enthusiastically incorporated into both essential and convenience products. Such molecules, containing fully fluorine-substituted methyl or methylene groups, will persist on geologic time scales and can bioaccumulate to toxic levels. Evich et al. review the sources, transport, degradation, and toxicological implications of environmental PFAS. Despite their grouping together, these compounds are heterogeneous in chemical structure, properties, transformation pathways, and biological effects. Remediation is possible but expensive and is complicated by dispersion in soil, water, and air. It is important that we thoroughly investigate the properties of potential replacements, many of which are merely different kinds of PFAS, and work to mitigate the harms of the most toxic forms already released. |
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