Research Progress in Current and Emerging Issues of PFASs' Global Impact: Long-Term Health Effects and Governance of Food Systems

Abstract

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are found everywhere, including food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. This review introduces PFASs comprehensively, discussing their nature and identifying their interconnection with microplastics and their impacts on public health and the environment. The human cost of decades of delay, cover-ups, and mismanagement of PFASs and plastic waste is outlined and briefly explained. Following that, PFASs and long-term health effects are critically assessed. Risk assessment is then critically reviewed, mentioning different tools and models. Scientific research and health impacts in the United States of America are critically analyzed, taking into consideration the Center for Disease Control (CDC)'s PFAS Medical Studies and Guidelines. PFAS impact and activities studies around the world have focused on PFAS levels in food products and dietary intake in different countries such as China, European countries, USA and Australia. Moreover, PFASs in drinking water and food are outlined with regard to risks, mitigation, and regulatory needs, taking into account chemical contaminants in food and their impact on health and safety. Finally, PFAS impact and activities briefings specific to regions around the world are discussed, referring to Australia, Vietnam, Canada, Europe, the United States of America (USA), South America, and Africa. The PFAS crisis is a multifaceted issue, exacerbated by mismanagement, and it is discussed in the context of applying the following problem-solving analytical tools: the Domino Effect Model of accident causation, the Swiss Cheese Theory Model, and the Ishikawa Fish Bone Root Cause Analysis. Last but not least, PFASs' impacts on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of 2030 are rigorously discussed.

Keywords: PFAS; food safety; health risks; security; sustainability; systems failure.

Figure 1

Timeline of PFASs development and impact (1938–present). Brief history from 1938 to present in USA [2,3,4].

Figure 2

Blood levels of common PFASs in people, USA.

Figure 3

Global map of PFASs concentration in water. (a) Sum of concentration of 20 PFASs subject to EU guidance in surface water, groundwater, and drinking water samples. Those above the EU drinking water limit of 100 ng L⁻¹ (marked red on the scale bar) are circled in red (for known contamination sources (for example, AFFF or non-AFFF)) or black (unknown sources). (b) Number of PFAS samples available on a 5° longitude/latitude grid worldwide [190].

Figure 4

Domino Effect Model of accident causation.

Figure 5

Long-term accident analysis—colossal cascading consequences of systems failure, Swiss Cheese Model.

Figure 6

Legend for PFAS Swiss Cheese Theory systems failure.

Figure 7

Fishbone diagram [311].