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Chapter 2 PFAS: an overview of their physicochemical properties and implications

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Per- and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances
This chapter is in the book Per- and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances

Abstract

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a broad, diverse group of several thousand anthropogenic chemicals that consist of fully or partially fluorinated alkyl chains and a terminal functional group. The strong C‒F bonds, due to the high electronegativity and small size of fluorine atoms, give PFAS unique properties such as hydrophobicity, oleophobicity, wetting ability, and thermal and chemical stability. These unique characteristics are implicated in extreme nonbiodegradability and environmental persistence of PFAS terminal transformation products. As a result, there is a growing body of information regarding the bioaccumulation and related toxicity of PFAS. The physicochemical properties of PFAS also influence their fate and behavior in the environment, underpinning risk assessments and remedial strategies. However, obtaining reliable and predictive information on these properties is challenging due to the large number of compounds and analytical difficulties for detection and quantification. Furthermore, differences in physicochemical properties of PFAS lead to different transport and fate profiles occurring for different environmental matrices. This chapter provides an overview of the physicochemical properties of PFAS and their implications.

Abstract

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a broad, diverse group of several thousand anthropogenic chemicals that consist of fully or partially fluorinated alkyl chains and a terminal functional group. The strong C‒F bonds, due to the high electronegativity and small size of fluorine atoms, give PFAS unique properties such as hydrophobicity, oleophobicity, wetting ability, and thermal and chemical stability. These unique characteristics are implicated in extreme nonbiodegradability and environmental persistence of PFAS terminal transformation products. As a result, there is a growing body of information regarding the bioaccumulation and related toxicity of PFAS. The physicochemical properties of PFAS also influence their fate and behavior in the environment, underpinning risk assessments and remedial strategies. However, obtaining reliable and predictive information on these properties is challenging due to the large number of compounds and analytical difficulties for detection and quantification. Furthermore, differences in physicochemical properties of PFAS lead to different transport and fate profiles occurring for different environmental matrices. This chapter provides an overview of the physicochemical properties of PFAS and their implications.

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Foreword VII
  3. Preface IX
  4. Contents XI
  5. List of contributors XIII
  6. Chapter 1 Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in the environment: issues and challenges 1
  7. Chapter 2 PFAS: an overview of their physicochemical properties and implications 13
  8. Chapter 3 Sources of PFAS in the environment 61
  9. Chapter 4 Occurrence, nature, and extent of PFAS contamination in the environment 83
  10. Chapter 5 Analytical techniques for perand polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) 143
  11. Chapter 6 Nontarget screening approaches for PFAS and their applications on contaminated sites 169
  12. Chapter 7 Dynamic transport, sorption, and desorption of PFAS in water-saturated and unsaturated soils 201
  13. Chapter 8 From contamination to clarity: evaluating the role of groundwater modeling in managing and remediating PFAS plumes 319
  14. Chapter 9 Assessment of environmental risk 337
  15. Chapter 10 Biomonitoring and health effects of PFAS exposure 399
  16. Chapter 11 Bioaccumulation of legacy and novel PFAS in the environment 495
  17. Chapter 12 Toxicity of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in plants and microbes 519
  18. Chapter 13 PFAS treatment and remediation 567
  19. Chapter 14 A zero PFAS future: transitioning away from forever chemicals 599
  20. Chapter 15 Regulatory perspectives on PFAS 615
  21. Index 631
https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110796797-002

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Foreword VII
  3. Preface IX
  4. Contents XI
  5. List of contributors XIII
  6. Chapter 1 Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in the environment: issues and challenges 1
  7. Chapter 2 PFAS: an overview of their physicochemical properties and implications 13
  8. Chapter 3 Sources of PFAS in the environment 61
  9. Chapter 4 Occurrence, nature, and extent of PFAS contamination in the environment 83
  10. Chapter 5 Analytical techniques for perand polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) 143
  11. Chapter 6 Nontarget screening approaches for PFAS and their applications on contaminated sites 169
  12. Chapter 7 Dynamic transport, sorption, and desorption of PFAS in water-saturated and unsaturated soils 201
  13. Chapter 8 From contamination to clarity: evaluating the role of groundwater modeling in managing and remediating PFAS plumes 319
  14. Chapter 9 Assessment of environmental risk 337
  15. Chapter 10 Biomonitoring and health effects of PFAS exposure 399
  16. Chapter 11 Bioaccumulation of legacy and novel PFAS in the environment 495
  17. Chapter 12 Toxicity of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in plants and microbes 519
  18. Chapter 13 PFAS treatment and remediation 567
  19. Chapter 14 A zero PFAS future: transitioning away from forever chemicals 599
  20. Chapter 15 Regulatory perspectives on PFAS 615
  21. Index 631
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