Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Wild Boar (Sus scrofa): A Review of Toxicokinetics, Environmental Biomonitoring, and Human Exposure

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of highly persistent synthetic chemicals widely distributed in the environment and transfer through food webs. Among wildlife species, wild boar (Sus scrofa) has emerged as a particularly relevant terrestrial bioindicator because of its omnivorous feeding ecology, rooting behavior, and continuous exposure to heterogeneous environmental compartments. Available evidence indicates that PFAS distribution in wild boar is strongly influenced by compound-specific physicochemical properties and biological factors. Due to their affinity for proteins, PFAS predominantly accumulate in protein-rich tissues, particularly liver and kidney, while considerably lower concentrations are generally observed in muscle tissue. Long-chain compounds, especially PFOS, are consistently reported as dominant contaminants. PFAS concentrations in wild boar vary substantially according to habitat characteristics. Studies have demonstrated clear associations between contamination levels in wild boar tissues and environmental matrices such as soil, as well as links with land use and industrial activity, supporting the value of wild boar as a sensitive bioindicator of terrestrial PFAS contamination. From a food safety perspective, dietary PFAS exposure varies substantially depending on the tissue consumed and consumption frequency; while occasional consumption of muscle tissue generally contributes minimally to overall dietary intake, high consumption rates—particularly by hunters and their families—or consumption of offal, such as liver, can represent a significant exposure pathway.