Risk Assessment and Impact of Fluoride and Perfluorocarbons

Exposure to fluorinated compounds is a major public health issue. Since they were first used industrially in the 1930s, the demand for these compounds has consistently risen. However, their chemical characteristics enable them to spread widely in the environment, leading to the contamination of water sources and food supplies. These compounds are notable for their durability and tendency to accumulate in living organisms, which poses long-term health risks. As a result, regulatory bodies focus on identifying toxic effects, monitoring concentrations in the environment, and assessing exposure levels to set safe population limits. This chapter aims to examine the methodologies used to assess the risk of exposure to fluorinated compounds, particularly focusing on the effects of fluorine and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This chapter investigates the toxicological impacts, review current biomonitoring practices, and evaluates the standards used to establish safe exposure levels.