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Impact of PFAS from Discarded Biodegradable Products on Soil and Water Quality, and Bioaccumulation in Wildlife

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Impact of PFAS from Discarded Biodegradable Products on Soil and Water Quality, and Bioaccumulation in Wildlife

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When biodegradable products with PFAS break down, these chemicals seep into soil and water, contaminating ecosystems. Wildlife, especially aquatic animals, can absorb PFAS, leading to long-term health issues and even passing the chemicals up the food chain. Since PFAS don’t break down easily, they keep building up in the environment over time.

https://enveurope.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s12302-023-00721-8?utm_

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PFAS: forever chemicals—persistent, bioaccumulative and mobile. Reviewing the status and the need for their phase out and remediation of contaminated sites - Environmental Sciences Europe

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Background Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) have received increasing scientific and political attention in recent years. Several thousand commercially produced compounds are used in numerous products and technical processes. Due to their extreme persistence in the environment, humans and all other life forms are, therefore, increasingly exposed to these substances. In the following review, PFAS will be examined comprehensively. Results The best studied PFAS are carboxylic and sulfonic acids with chain lengths of C4 to C14, particularly perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). These substances are harmful to aquatic fauna, insects, and amphibians at concentrations of a few µg/L or less, accumulate in organisms, and biomagnify in food webs. Humans, as the final link in numerous food chains, are subjected to PFAS uptake primarily through food and drinking water. Several PFAS have multiple toxic effects, particularly affecting liver, kidney, thyroid, and the immune system. The latter effect is the basis for the establishment of a tolerable weekly dose of only 4.4 ng/kg body weight for the sum of the four representatives PFOA, PFOS, perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in 2020. Exposure estimates and human biomonitoring show that this value is frequently reached, and in many cases exceeded. PFAS are a major challenge for analysis, especially of products and waste: single-substance analyses capture only a fragment of the large, diverse family of PFAS. As a consequence, sum parameters have gained increasing importance. The high mobility of per and polyfluorinated carboxylic and sulfonic acids makes soil and groundwater pollution at contaminated sites a problem. In general, short-chain PFAS are more mobile than long-chain ones. Processes for soil and groundwater purification and drinking water treatment are often ineffective and expensive. Recycling of PFAS-containing products such as paper and food packaging leads to carryover of the contaminants. Incineration requires high temperatures to completely destroy PFAS. After PFOA, PFOS and a few other perfluorinated carboxylic and sulfonic acids were regulated internationally, many manufacturers and users switched to other PFAS: short-chain representatives, per- and polyfluorinated oxo carboxylic acids, telomeric alcohols and acids. Analytical studies show an increase in environmental concentrations of these chemicals. Ultra-short PFAS (chain length C1–C3) have not been well studied. Among others, trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) is present globally in rapidly increasing concentrations. Conclusions The substitution of individual PFAS recognized as hazardous by other possibly equally hazardous PFAS with virtually unknown chronic toxicity can, therefore, not be a solution. The only answer is a switch to fluorine-free alternatives for all applications in which PFAS are not essential.

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Influence of PFAS Content on the Decomposition Process of Biodegradable Products and Environmental Persistence

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Influence of PFAS Content on the Decomposition Process of Biodegradable Products and Environmental Persistence

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Yes, PFAS are designed to resist water and grease, which can slow down the natural decomposition process. This means biodegradable products containing PFAS might stick around longer than expected, leaking chemicals into the environment as they slowly break apart.

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Migration of PFAS from Products into Beverages and Food, and Health Implications of Chronic Exposure

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Migration of PFAS from Products into Beverages and Food, and Health Implications of Chronic Exposure

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Yes, PFAS can transfer from food packaging, straws, and containers into whatever we eat or drink. Over time, regular exposure to these chemicals has been linked to serious health issues, including liver and thyroid problems, immune system effects, and even certain cancers.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7906952/?utm_

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Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Toxicity and Human Health Review: Current State of Knowledge and Strategies for Informing Future Research

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Reports of environmental and human health impacts of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have greatly increased in the peer-reviewed literature. The goals of the present review are to assess the state of the science regarding toxicological…

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Legislative Approaches to Limit or Ban PFAS in Food Contact Materials and Potential Impacts

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Legislative Approaches to Limit or Ban PFAS in Food Contact Materials and Potential Impacts

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Some governments are cracking down on PFAS use, especially in food packaging and other consumer goods. The European Union is working toward a ban, and in the U.S., the FDA is reviewing PFAS safety. These regulations aim to reduce exposure and protect both people and the environment.

https://www.fda.gov/food/process-contaminants-food/authorized-uses-pfas-food-contact-applications?utm_

https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/eu-plans-ban-forever-chemicals-consumer-products-2025-01-20/?utm_

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Authorized Uses of PFAS in Food Contact Applications

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Since the 1960s, the FDA has authorized several broad classes of PFAS for use in food contact substances due to their non-stick and grease, oil, and water-resistant properties.

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Consumer Awareness of PFAS Content and Its Influence on Trust in Sustainable or Biodegradable Products

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Consumer Awareness of PFAS Content and Its Influence on Trust in Sustainable or Biodegradable Products

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Many consumers feel betrayed when they find out that “biodegradable” or “sustainable” products still contain harmful PFAS. As awareness grows, people are demanding more transparency and truly PFAS-free alternatives, pushing companies to change their formulas.