Atmospheric Pollution Research
Volume 15, Issue 12, December 2024, 102302
Maria Guerra de Navarro, Yosmely Reyna, and Natalia Quinete.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), widely used in various industries and consumer products, pose significant environmental and public health concerns due to their persistence and adverse health effects.
This study assesses the presence of 21 legacy and emergent PFAS in rainwater samples from the Miami-Dade area, contributing to understanding PFAS fate in the environment and potentially aiding global modeling efforts. The findings highlight the need for further research on PFAS contamination in South Florida and beyond.
- PFAS Composition in Rainwater: 74% PFCAs and 12% PFSAs, with PFBA being the most frequently detected compound.
- PFOS and PFOA Levels: Exceed EPA-updated health advisory levels for drinking water, averaging 0.24 ng L−1 and 0.32 ng L−1, respectively.
- Seasonal Variation: Compounds like PFHxA, PFHxS, PFOA, PFNA, and PFDA showed higher concentrations during the dry season.
- PFAS Definition: Anthropogenic compounds with a polar or oleophobic “head” and a non-polar or hydrophobic “tail”, enabling them to act as surfactants.
- PFAS Usage: Widely used in industrial processes and consumer products, such as non-stick surfaces, stain-proof coatings, surfactants, and fire-fighting foam.
- PFAS Health Effects: Growing evidence of adverse health effects, including reduced immune function, fertility issues, cancer, and impacts on marine biota.
- PFAS Pollution in Miami: Miami ranks third in the US for PFAS pollution in groundwater.
- Sources of PFAS Contamination: Point sources include manufacturing facilities, firefighting training sites, and airports, while non-point sources include atmospheric deposition and wastewater treatment plant effluent.
- Long-Range Transport of PFAS: PFAS can travel long distances through the atmosphere and deposit in remote regions, highlighting the need to assess rainwater as a potential source of contamination.
- PFAS Persistence: PFOA and PFOS concentrations remained unchanged in the atmosphere despite a ban on their production.
- PFAS Source: A strong correlation exists between a local PFAS source and wet atmospheric deposition.
- PFAS in Rainwater: This study is the first to assess PFAS presence in rainwater in South Florida, contributing to understanding PFAS fate in the environment.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1309104224002678