A geospatial dataset of PFOS and PFOA occurrence records in China’s multi-media environments (2021–2024)

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), particularly the legacy compounds Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), are globally ubiquitous persistent organic pollutants that pose significant health risks. Although these compounds were prioritized in China's 2023 pollutant control list, comprehensive, up-to-date, and georeferenced data on their distribution in China have been lacking. Here, we present a dataset comprising 2653 records of PFOA and PFOS concentrations across China, compiled from 287 peer-reviewed publications between 2021 and 2024. The dataset covers diverse environmental media, including water, soil, air, and biota, and provides detailed sampling location, concentration, and methodological metadata. Analysis reveals that PFOS and PFOA are widely detected across China, with higher concentrations and research activity concentrated in coastal and industrialized regions, and predominant detections in water bodies, food, and animal tissues. This dataset enables spatiotemporal analysis of contamination hotspots, supports regulatory action, and benchmarks remediation efficacy. Its structured format also facilitates integration with public health and ecological models, offering policymakers and researchers a foundational resource for mitigating PFAS exposure in China.