Integrated advances in per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance detection, remediation and environmental monitoring

Abstract

Environmental context Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, often called ‘forever chemicals’, are turning up in environmental aquatic systems, wildlife and even our bodies, raising growing concern worldwide. This review shows that, although new tools can detect these chemicals at extremely low levels and several treatment methods can break them down, no single approach is yet able to fully and efficiently remove them on a large scale. Bringing detection, cleanup and monitoring together offers a clearer path toward safer water, better regulation and more effective long-term solutions.