Cited by 262Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances researchToxic Organic Pollutants ImpactSynthesis and properties of polymers

Disposal of products and materials containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): A cyclical problem

Stoiber, Tasha, Evans, Sydney, Naidenko, Olga V.·2020·Chemosphere

Abstract

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), highly stable and persistent chemicals used in numerous industrial applications and consumer goods, pose an exceptionally difficult challenge for disposal. Three approaches are currently available for PFAS wastes: landfilling, wastewater treatment and incineration. Each disposal approach can return either the original PFAS or their degradation products back to the environment, illustrating that the PFAS problem is cyclical. Landfilling and wastewater treatment do not destroy PFAS and simply move PFAS loads between sites. Consumer products and various materials discarded in landfills leach PFAS over time, and landfill leachate is commonly sent to wastewater treatment plants. From wastewater treatment plants, PFAS are carried over to sludge and effluent. Sewage sludge can be landfilled, incinerated, or applied on agricultural fields, and PFAS from treated sludge (biosolids) can contaminate soil, water, and crops. Incineration of PFAS-containing wastes can emit harmful air pollutants, such as fluorinated greenhouse gases and products of incomplete combustion, and some PFAS may remain in the incinerator ash. Volatile PFAS are emitted into the air from landfills and wastewater treatment plants, and research is urgently needed on the potential presence of PFAS compounds in air emissions from commercially run incinerators. Monitoring of waste streams for PFAS, stopping PFAS discharges into water, soil and air and protecting the health of fence-line communities close to the waste disposal sites are essential to mitigate the impacts of PFAS pollution on human health.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127659

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Authors
Stoiber, T., Evans, S., & Naidenko, O. V.
Corresponding author
Stoiber, Tasha
Venue
Chemosphere
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2020-12
Volume
260
Pages
127659
ISSN
0045-6535 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3040892571
Cited by
262
References
119
Citations by year
2026: 37 · 2025: 62 · 2024: 47 · 2023: 48 · 2022: 38 · 2021: 29 · 2020: 1
FWCI
10.75
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Chemosphere (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances research
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Toxic Organic Pollutants Impact
  • Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Polymers and Plastics › Synthesis and properties of polymers
Keywords
per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, landfilling, wastewater treatment, incineration, sewage sludge, biosolids, landfill leachate, PFAS emissions, fluorinated gases, incinerator ash, environmental persistence, human health risk
MeSH terms
Air Pollutants, Construction Materials, Fluorocarbons, Humans, Refuse Disposal, Sewage, Soil, Water Pollutants, Chemical, Incineration, Wastewater, Waste Disposal Facilities

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