Per- and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances

Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS), have long been utilised in many household products including as firefighting foam to manage fires. However, PFAS have been linked to numerous adverse health effects leading to many class actions in US and other countries. This book, for the first time, discusses the dynamics of PFAS in the terrestrial environment by capturing from the literature the latest information on the composition of PFAS, nomenclature, measurements including many challenges relating to analytical science, presence of PFAS in the environment including their nature, fate and transport of PFAS, toxicity, regulatory considerations and risk and remediation. The book summarises the many challenges linked to remediation and why a risk-based approach is the best strategy for managing PFAS contamination.

Key Features:

Overview of PFAS including their presence, nomenclature, use, physicochemical properties, historical use, persistence, transport, and exposure pathways in the environment

In-depth discussion on analytical measurements including analytical challenges

Case study of the nature, the extent of PFAS contamination in the environment

Fate and Transport of PFAS in the environment including why existing studies are limiting and what more needs to be conducted

Toxicity of PFAS including threshold values for safe water, food, etc.

Regulatory perspectives including guideline values

Risk Management and remediation

What it means should we move towards zero PFAS future

Conclusion