Study on Pollution Characteristics of Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) in Shallow Groundwater

Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in shallow groundwater are increasingly being studied due to the global occurrence, environment persistence, bioaccumulation, and potential human health risk. In this research, 16 PFAS (11 perfluorinated carboxylic acids and 5 perfluorinated sulfonic acids) concentrations in groundwater were quantified to obtain information on geographical distribution and PFAS detection pattern for 4 years in South Korea. In the results, groundwater PFAS concentration ranged from non-detectable to average 45.2 ng/L (sum of PFASs). The major PFAS compounds were perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA), perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). The short chain (C < 8) PFASs were more prevalent than long chain (C > 8) PFASs in shallow groundwater. However, the detection patterns of 15 PFASs were different for each aquifer. Subsequently, through a health risk assessment, a non-carcinogenic risk level through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact for PFOA and PFOS was determined at 10⁻¹, and it presents the need for PFAS management of groundwater.