Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals that are widely present in many industries. Monitoring and analyzing PFAS in Africa is challenging due to the limited availability of mass spectrometry (MS), which is an essential technique for detecting PFAS. This review assesses the scope and impact of the shortage of mass spectrometry instruments in Africa, emphasizing the resulting limitations in monitoring environmental and public health threats. The review analyzes the existing PFAS monitoring, the accessibility of MS instruments, and the technical capabilities within the continent. This study suggests that fewer African countries have sufficient MS instruments, resulting in significant underreport of environmental data and related public health issues. The review proposes financial support and programs to address these difficulties to provide necessary MS instruments. The review suggests that it is highly important to develop regional centers of excellence for PFAS monitoring using MS instruments and investing in training programs to address the gap in monitoring efforts. So, enhancing these are crucial for the successful management of the environment and safeguarding public health from the effects of PFAS contamination.

The review paper comprehensively evaluates the progress and challenges in the biological removal of emerging organic micropollutants (EOMs) such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products, endocrine-disrupting compounds, industrial chemicals, and pesticides from wastewater. Traditional wastewater treatment plants, primarily designed for conventional pollutants, often fail to adequately remove these persistent and bioactive substances, raising concerns over ecological and human health impacts. This review explores the efficacy of various biological treatment processes, including conventional methods like activated sludge and trickling filters, and advanced technologies such as membrane bioreactors (MBRs), biofilm-based systems, and hybrid systems. While conventional methods offer moderate efficiency, advanced processes demonstrate significantly enhanced EOM removal due to their improved biodegradation and sorption capabilities. However, the long-term sustainability and practical applicability of these advanced methods remain areas of concern. The paper highlights the need for further research on the interaction effects of mixed EOMs, the formation of harmful transformation products, and the economic and operational feasibility of these technologies in real-world settings. The review proposes future research directions focused on developing novel hybrid treatment technologies and real-time monitoring systems to ensure more effective and sustainable EOM removal, ultimately aiming to safeguard water quality and public health.