Health Risks from Contaminated Water and Soil Exposure Related to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

The use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in consumer goods and industrial processes as well as their mobility and persistence that allow for long-distance environmental movement and worldwide pollution are all highlighted in this chapter as a key class of contaminants. There is discussion of both primary and secondary sources of PFAS, such as consumer goods, wastewater treatment facilities, industrial discharges, aqueous film-forming foams, landfills, and agricultural practices. It delves deeper into the distribution and transport mechanisms of PFAS in soil and water, highlighting the impact of environmental factors, chain length, and solubility on their mobility and bioaccumulation. In addition to dust, air, and skin contact, humans are exposed through the consumption of tainted food and water. Immunotoxicity, endocrine disruption, developmental impacts, and an elevated risk of several cancers are among the health issues associated with PFAS exposure. Examining analytical detection techniques, especially LC-MS/MS, reveals issues such as matrix effects, ultra-trace detection, and absence of standards for new PFAS. Current remediation strategies for soil and water are described along with risk assessment methods such as lifetime exposure evaluation and hazard quotient. The chapter concludes by discussing the need for affordable remediation techniques, current data gaps, and international regulatory actions. It emphasizes how crucial coordinated research and policy initiatives are to controlling PFAS pollution and safeguarding human and environmental health.