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. 2021 Jan-Feb;83(6):20-27.

Review of Source and Transportation Pathways of Perfluorinated Compounds Through the Air

Clyde V Owens Jr  1
Affiliations

Review of Source and Transportation Pathways of Perfluorinated Compounds Through the Air

Clyde V Owens Jr. J Environ Health. 2021 Jan-Feb.

Abstract

This article will identify the state of science on the generation, production, and transport of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Additionally, this article will focus on the transport of these environmental contaminants through air sources. It is important to explore why air exposure is critical to bring awareness to a problem that is not always immediately apparent. From a biological standpoint, clean air is necessary to sustain healthy life. Thus, it is key to understand the environmental transport of chemicals such as PFOS and PFOA with regard to their ability to migrate (i.e., air to water and water to air) and thus create unsafe air. The fluorinated backbone of these substances is both hydrophobic and oleophobic/lipophobic, while the terminal functional group is hydrophilic (water loving). Therefore, PFOS and PFOA compounds tend to partition to interfaces, such as between air and water with the fluorinated backbone residing in air and the terminal functional group residing in water. This article will identify opportunities for research to further the understanding of their potential impacts to human health.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Environmental Transport Pathway Examples of Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) by Air Deposition
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Mass of Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) Transported From Aqueous Solution to Air as a Function of Time and pH
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3. Forest Fires as an Air Source and Exposure Pathway to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Flame Retardants, Persistent Organic Pollutants, and Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
PAHs = polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; PBDEs = polybrominated diphenyl ethers; PFASs = per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances; PFRs = organophosphate flame retardants; POPs = persistent organic pollutants. Source: Campo et al., 2017.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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