PFAS contamination in drinking water systems near industrial zones: Bioaccumulation, human exposure risks, and treatment technology challenges

Esther Darkwah *

Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biosciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, West Africa Ghana.
 
Review
International Journal of Science and Research Archive, 2021, 03(02), 284-303.
Article DOI: 10.30574/ijsra.2021.3.2.0099
Publication history: 
Received on 03 July 2021; revised on 22 September 2021; accepted on 28 September 2021
 
Abstract: 
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have emerged as persistent and hazardous contaminants in global drinking water systems, with industrial zones identified as significant point sources. These synthetic compounds, widely used in manufacturing processes for their heat resistance and non-stick properties, resist environmental degradation, leading to long-term accumulation in water, soil, and biota. Their persistence poses substantial risks to public health, particularly in communities located near industrial discharge sites where PFAS concentrations in surface and groundwater often exceed regulatory thresholds. Once ingested through drinking water, PFAS compounds bioaccumulate in human tissues, particularly the liver and blood serum, and have been associated with adverse outcomes such as thyroid disruption, immune dysfunction, and carcinogenic effects. This abstract explores PFAS behavior in drinking water systems near industrial areas, emphasizing the mechanisms of environmental persistence, migration into aquifers, and human exposure pathways. It also discusses the challenge of bioaccumulation through contaminated water and the amplification of risk via trophic transfer. From a treatment perspective, current technologies such as activated carbon adsorption, ion exchange resins, and high-pressure membrane filtration struggle with operational cost, selective removal efficiency, and secondary waste management. The complexity of PFAS chemical diversity further complicates removal strategies, particularly for short-chain variants. While regulatory efforts and monitoring frameworks are evolving globally, there is an urgent need for integrated approaches that couple advanced treatment innovations with real-time monitoring, community engagement, and remediation of contaminated sources. This issue is not only a technical challenge but a socio-environmental imperative, requiring collaboration among scientists, policymakers, and industry to mitigate long-term human and ecological risks.
 
Keywords: 
PFAS; Drinking Water; Bioaccumulation; Industrial Zones; Human Exposure; Water Treatment Technologies
 
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