Cited by 705Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances researchFluoride Effects and RemovalFluorine in Organic Chemistry

Accumulation of perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in agricultural plants: A review

Ghisi, Rossella, Vamerali, Teofilo, Manzetti, Sergio·2019·Environmental Research

Abstract

PFASs are a class of compounds that include perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, some of the most persistent pollutants still allowed - or only partially restricted - in several product fabrications and industrial applications worldwide. PFASs have been shown to interact with blood proteins and are suspected of causing a number of pathological responses, including cancer. Given this threat to living organisms, we carried out a broad review of possible sources of PFASs and their potential accumulation in agricultural plants, from where they can transfer to humans through the food chain. Analysis of the literature indicates a direct correlation between PFAS concentrations in soil and bioaccumulation in plants. Furthermore, plant uptake largely changes with chain length, functional group, plant species and organ. Low accumulations of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) have been found in peeled potatoes and cereal seeds, while short-chain compounds can accumulate at high levels in leafy vegetables and fruits. Significant variations in PFAS buildup in plants according to soil amendment are also found, suggesting a particular interaction with soil organic matter. Here, we identify a series of challenges that PFASs pose to the development of a safe agriculture for future generations.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.envres.2018.10.023

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Authors
Ghisi, R., Vamerali, T., & Manzetti, S.
Affiliations
  • University of Padua (IT)
  • Uppsala University (SE)
Corresponding author
Ghisi, Rossella
Venue
Environmental Research
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2019-02
Volume
169
Pages
326-341
ISSN
0013-9351 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2899170331
Cited by
705
References
138
Citations by year
2026: 103 · 2025: 133 · 2024: 114 · 2023: 90 · 2022: 102 · 2021: 82 · 2020: 61 · 2019: 19
FWCI
3.41
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Environmental Research (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Padua Research Archive (University of Padova) (submittedVersion)
Funders
University of Padua's (BIRD165880/16)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances research
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Water Science and Technology › Fluoride Effects and Removal
  • Life Sciences › Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics › Pharmaceutical Science › Fluorine in Organic Chemistry
Keywords
perfluorinated compounds, PFAS bioaccumulation, cultivated plants, trophic transfer, soil contamination, perfluorooctanoic acid, PFOS, chain length effects, soil amendment, soil organic matter, leafy vegetables, cereal seeds, potato, food safety
MeSH terms
Agriculture, Environmental Pollutants, Fluorocarbons, Humans, Plants, Water Pollutants, Chemical, Alkanesulfonic Acids

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