PFAS behavior in the environment: transport pathways, physicochemical properties, and emerging precursors

Abstract Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic fluorinated organic pollutants that have gained widespread application in various industrial and consumer products. This review examines the unique chemical properties of PFAS, such as their strong carbon-fluorine bonds, which make them highly persistent in the environment and resistant to degradation. Moreover, the review offers an analysis of the behavior and transformations of PFAS within these matrices, highlighting critical pathways for their transport and accumulation.