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1. Chief Scientist鈥檚 Group report summary

This review provides insights into the sources, transport, concentrations, dispersion, deposition and estimation of airborne perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and other per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and has identified gaps in knowledge. Addressing these gaps will help to inform future regulatory measures and mitigation of the impacts of airborne PFAS.

1.1 Background

PFAS, widely used for their water- and oil-repellent properties, are persistent chemicals linked to environmental and health concerns. While ingestion from food and water is the dominant exposure pathway, PFAS deposits to soil and water from the air, and inhalation from airborne PFAS poses a potential risk due to their rapid dispersion and long-range transport.

Research on PFAS has largely focused on water contamination, with limited attention to airborne emissions. This project conducted a scoping review to synthesise evidence on the release, dispersion, and deposition of airborne PFAS from industrial settings. The findings aim to inform the Environment Agency鈥檚 understanding of airborne PFAS and identify research gaps.

1.2 Approach

A quick scoping review of relevant literature was conducted and focused on three types of PFAS chemical (Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), 6:2 Fluorotelomer alcohol (6:2 FTOH), and Perfluoro(2-ethoxy-2-fluoroethoxy)-acetic acid, ammonium salt (EEA-NH4)), which were selected for their varied properties and relevance to industrial settings as regulated by the Environment Agency. Studies were screened by title and abstract and then by full text, whereby they were prioritised by relevance and availability. Data from included studies was extracted and categorised into main themes.

1.3 Results

15 studies were prioritised and extracted. Results showed that airborne PFAS comes from various sources, including factories producing fluoropolymers, waste management activities, and industrial uses. PFOA can form when certain compounds break down in the air. Measuring airborne PFAS is challenging because they exist as both gaseous and solid particle forms and can have different physical and chemical states, with no standard analytical methods available.

Only 3 studies measured PFAS levels in the UK. In 2005-6, high levels of PFOA were found at Hazelrigg in northwest England, probably due to emissions from a nearby chemical plant. By 2021, these levels had dropped significantly, possibly because the plant was controlling and reducing emissions. Studies found FTOHs mainly in the gas phase, while PFOA was often attached to particles. How PFAS spread and settle depends on their chemical makeup, transformations in the air, and weather conditions. Deposition via precipitation was the main way PFAS settled, but resuspension, such as sea spray, could reintroduce them to the air. Differences between industrial sources couldn鈥檛 be assessed due to limited focused studies.

1.4 Conclusions

Whilst this review provides a better understanding of how PFAS chemicals move in the air, it has revealed many gaps in understanding, including the need for further work including a detailed review of studies conducted in industrial settings, the need to develop standardised methods for monitoring and analysing airborne PFAS in the UK, and more monitoring in the UK. Addressing these gaps will help inform future Environment Agency work and regulation. 聽

1.5 Publication details

This summary relates to information from the following project:

• Report: SC230006/R
• Title: A quick scoping review of airborne perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and other per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
• Project manager: Philippa Douglas, Chief Scientist鈥檚 Group

This project was delivered by the Environment Agency鈥檚 Chief Scientist鈥檚 Group, which provides scientific knowledge, tools and techniques to enable us to protect and manage the environment as effectively as possible.

Enquiries: [email protected].

漏 Environment Agency