Analysis , Fate  and Removal  of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Water and  Municipal Solid Waste: Perspectives and Combined  Risks with Microplastics

Abstract:
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were first used in the 1940s, are ubiquitous in the environment, and are of significant concern to human health, wildlife, and ecosystems because of their prevalence, persistence, and toxicity. PFAS are commonly referred to as “forever chemicals” because of their resistance to chemical and thermal degradation. Their recalcitrance makes them useful for a variety of commercial applications but also persistent in the environment. Organizations worldwide have emphasized a critical need for understanding the occurrence, fate, transport, and effects of PFAS in the environment and to the public.
This presentation will focus on the analysis, fate, risks and removal of PFAS in two environmental compartments: water resources, including drinking and waste waters and municipal solid waste (MSW), in particular landfill leachates. Risks to the environment and human health  combined with the presence of ubiquitous microplastics (MPs) will also be discussed as well as treatment technologies to solve the problem. As regards to the analysis by high resolution mass spectrometric techniques, special attention will be devoted to  ultrashort-chain perfluoroalkyl acids and “unknown”/emerging PFASs. Additionally,  non-target analysis for screening and identifying these overlooked PFASs will be discussed too.