Health Effects of per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

A special issue of Environments (ISSN 2076-3298).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 July 2026 | Viewed by 3518

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
1. Department of Built Environment, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA
2. Environmental Health and Disease Laboratory, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA
Interests: metals; cardiovascular epidemiology; multiple environmental exposures; metals and their effects on environmental and human health; mixed exposures; environmental epidemiology; environmental and urban geochemistry; global health
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Guest Editor
Global Centre for Environmental Remediation, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
Interests: advanced electrochemistry; advanced materials; SERS; PFAS; microplastics; nanoplastics; hyper spectrum; algorithm; super-resolution image; AI; environmental science; sensors; detection/imaging/remediation
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) persist as environmental contaminants, spreading widely and posing long-term risks to human health, and research has tied PFAS exposure to serious conditions, such as hormone disruption, weakened immunity, metabolic issues, and certain cancers.

With growing alarm over the health impacts of PFASs, alongside a pressing need for fresh approaches to evaluate exposure, assess risks, and reduce harm, this Special Issue seeks studies on how PFAS affects human well-being.

We welcome submissions that dive into epidemiology, toxicology, or mechanisms behind exposure to PFASs, their buildup in the body, and the resulting health consequences. Work featuring new analytical methods, biomonitoring results, risk evaluation techniques, or practical steps to lessen PFAS-related health threats is especially requested.

This Special Issue accepts original research papers, review articles, and brief reports on topics including, but not limited to:

  • How PFASs enter the body and accumulates in humans;
  • Links between PFASs and ongoing illnesses (like cancer, heart disease, or metabolic conditions);
  • Interactions between PFASs and other pollutants in mixed exposures;
  • Progress in detecting, measuring, and understanding PFAS behavior in the body;
  • Population studies and biomonitoring tied to PFAS exposure;
  • Solutions, policy ideas, and regulatory steps for managing PFASs.

We eagerly await your submissions.

Dr. Emmanuel Obeng-Gyasi
Dr. Cheng Fang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Environments is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • PFAS exposure
  • multi-pollutant mixtures
  • environmental epidemiology
  • endocrine disruption
  • risk assessment
  • toxicokinetics
  • biomonitoring

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 1149 KB  
Article
The Association Between Serum Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) Above the Intervention Threshold Level and Vaccine Antibody Concentrations in an Environmentally Exposed Population
by Mihai Zamfir, Heidi Lahne, Volker Fingerle, Doris Gerstner, Johannes Redwitz, Wolfgang Völkel, Wolfgang Schober, Bettina Aschenbrenner, Claudia Röhl, Caroline Herr, Caroline Quartucci and Stefanie Heinze
Environments 2026, 13(2), 84; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13020084 - 3 Feb 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 996
Abstract
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) has been associated with various health effects, including immunotoxicity. This study aimed to examine associations between PFOA serum levels above the intervention threshold level (HBM-II, 10 µg/L) and diphtheria, tetanus and SARS-CoV-2 antibody concentrations among adult residents with increased internal [...] Read more.
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) has been associated with various health effects, including immunotoxicity. This study aimed to examine associations between PFOA serum levels above the intervention threshold level (HBM-II, 10 µg/L) and diphtheria, tetanus and SARS-CoV-2 antibody concentrations among adult residents with increased internal PFOA. A total of 662 questionnaire data points and vaccination passports were collected and blood samples were used to determine PFOA serum levels and diphtheria, tetanus and SARS-CoV-2 antibody concentrations. Logistic regression modelling was used to examine potential associations. The median PFOA concentration was 9.17 µg/L with 45.2% exceeding the HBM-II. Of participants with at least one vaccination, 48.1% had reliable protection against diphtheria and 91.9% against tetanus. Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 spike and nucleocapsid protein were detected in 96.4% and 53.8%, respectively. Age was a significant predictor for lack of immunity against diphtheria (OR = 3.6 (95% CI: 2.3; 5.7)) in the age group ≥60. No association was found between PFOA levels and SARS-CoV-2 N antibody concentrations. After adjusting for age group, PFOA serum concentrations above the intervention threshold were not associated with lower diphtheria or SARS-CoV-2 N antibody concentrations in the adult population. Further studies are needed to determine whether PFOA exposure has a long-term effect on the immune system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Effects of per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS))
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Review

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23 pages, 2370 KB  
Review
From Dawn to Now: The Evolution of PFAS Research Trends
by Phuong D. Tran and Kyoungtae Kim
Environments 2025, 12(12), 476; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments12120476 - 6 Dec 2025
Viewed by 1789
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large family of synthetic chemicals known for their exceptional stability, strong surface activity, and ability to repel both water and oil. Due to these characteristics, PFAS have been widely used since the 1950s across multiple industries. [...] Read more.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large family of synthetic chemicals known for their exceptional stability, strong surface activity, and ability to repel both water and oil. Due to these characteristics, PFAS have been widely used since the 1950s across multiple industries. However, over the decades, these substances have emerged as persistent and bioaccumulative contaminants. While it is evident that PFAS pose adverse effects on both ecosystems and human well-being, the mechanisms underlying their toxicities are yet to be fully understood. To better examine the thematic evolution of PFAS research, this review divides the literature into four distinct eras: before 2000s, from 2000 to 2010, from 2010 to 2020, and from 2020 onwards. Since the latter half of the 20th century, the rapid development and mass production of PFAS resulted in the manufacture of thousands of industrial and household products. After decades of concerns regarding their toxic impacts, major phase-outs in the early 2000s shifted attention towards environmental studies and biomonitoring. Throughout the 2010s, extensive studies were conducted to assess the PFAS toxicities, especially perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), the two widely detected compounds on human populations. Since 2020, research efforts have increasingly progressed toward molecular-level studies, advancements in analytical detection methods, and remediation technologies. Additionally, this review examines regulatory changes, highlights current knowledge gaps, and outlines directions for future research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Effects of per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS))
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