Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Urban Atmospheric Particles in Asian Countries: A Review
SHAZIA SHIFA, Lovleen Gupta, Delhi Technological University
Abstract Number: 344
Working Group: Chemicals of Emerging Concern in Aerosol: Sources, Transformations, and Impacts
Abstract
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of more than 5000–10,000 species of anthropogenic chemicals that are fluorinated aliphatic compounds having strong and stable C-F bonds. These chemicals provide water, stain, and oil-resistant properties and are therefore used in a wide range of daily use and commercial products like paints, adhesives, cosmetics, firefighting foams, cook wares, etc. These are persistent chemicals that are carcinogenic, highly accumulative, and resistant to thermal, chemical, and biological degradation, eventually posing a threat to human health and the environment. Numerous studies have been carried out that focus on the presence of PFAS in soil and water media, however, studies on its presence in the ambient air are limited. This review aims to present the research characterizing PFAS in ambient air in Asian environments, focusing on their identification, extraction procedures, and analytical techniques of determination. The major sets of PFAS and their precursors reported in ambient air include PFOA, PFOS, PFBS, PFBA, PFCA, FTOHs, and diPAPs. The ∑PFAS in the atmospheric environment has been reported in the range 0–1200 pg/m3. This review also emphasizes the need for policy and regulatory framework for PFAS emissions in ambient air.