Environmental Fate, Toxicity, and Mitigation of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS): Advances in Source Reduction and Sustainable Alternatives

2026-08-06T06:53:55+00:00

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were widely recognized as emerging environmental pollutants due to their extensive distribution across ecosystems. PFAS were synthetic chemicals composed of alkyl chains bonded to multiple fluorine atoms, and they had been detected in various environmental compartments, including rivers, soil, oceans, and the atmosphere. These compounds originated from a wide range of industrial and consumer products such as textiles, non-stick cookware, aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs), and cosmetics. Once released into the environment, PFAS persisted for long periods and exhibited toxic effects on both ecosystems and human health. The exceptional stability of PFAS was attributed to the strong carbon–fluorine (C–F) bonds, which were among the strongest in organic chemistry due to fluorine’s high electronegativity. As a result, PFAS were commonly referred to as “forever chemicals” because of their extreme resistance to degradation. Their persistence and bioaccumulative properties had made PFAS contamination a global environmental and public health concern. In response, various source reduction strategies were implemented, including the substitution of PFAS with alternative chemicals, regulatory policies, and increased consumer awareness. In parallel, green chemistry had emerged as a promising approach for developing safer and more sustainable alternatives, such as biopolymers, fluorine-free materials, and short-chain PFAS substitutes. However, further research was still required to improve the performance, safety, and scalability of these alternatives. This study aimed to discuss the sources and environmental impacts of PFAS, evaluate source reduction strategies, and examine green chemistry-based alternatives. It also identified key challenges and outlined future research directions needed to enhance the development and implementation of effective PFAS replacements.

Physicochemical and Microbial Analysis of Deep Well Water in Sitio Cabalawan, Barangay Rizal, Surigao City: Implications for Domestic Use and Health

2026-08-06T06:53:54+00:00

Groundwater from deep wells was the primary source of domestic water for many rural communities in the Philippines. However, routine groundwater quality monitoring remained limited, increasing the risk of exposure to physicochemical and microbiological contaminants. This study evaluated the quality of untreated deep-well water in Sitio Cabalawan, Barangay Rizal, Surigao City, Philippines. Water samples were collected from three groundwater supply configurations: a communal hand pump, a household hand pump, and a household faucet supplied through an elevated storage tank. Physicochemical parameters, including temperature, pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), nitrate, and iron, together with microbiological indicators comprising heterotrophic plate count (HPC), total coliforms, and thermotolerant (fecal) coliforms, were analyzed using standard laboratory methods and compared with the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water (PNSDW) and the World Health Organization (WHO) Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality. The results showed that pH, nitrate, and iron concentrations complied with both PNSDW and WHO standards, whereas TDS exceeded the PNSDW acceptable limit at two sampling sites. In contrast, microbiological analyses revealed elevated HPC in all samples, total coliforms at every sampling site, and fecal coliform contamination in water collected from the household storage and distribution system. These findings suggested that while groundwater chemistry remained generally acceptable, microbial contamination likely occurred during post-extraction storage and household distribution. The study concluded that untreated deep-well water was microbiologically unsuitable for direct human consumption despite meeting most physicochemical standards. The findings highlighted the need for routine groundwater monitoring, improved well protection, proper storage and distribution infrastructure, and household water treatment to reduce waterborne disease risks and support integrated groundwater quality management in flood-prone rural communities.

Tropical Aquatic and Soil Pollution

Environmental Fate, Toxicity, and Mitigation of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS): Advances in Source Reduction and Sustainable Alternatives

Physicochemical and Microbial Analysis of Deep Well Water in Sitio Cabalawan, Barangay Rizal, Surigao City: Implications for Domestic Use and Health