Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a global concern due to their persistence, ubiquity, and accumulation in living organisms. Found in soils, biosolids, water, and the food chain, they pose health risks such as hormone disruption, immune damage, reproductive issues, and cancer. Regulations mainly target older PFAS like PFOA and PFOS, while many newer PFAS, including breakdown products, are poorly understood in terms of distribution, behavior, and toxicity. To address this complex issue, this review offers a detailed overview of human exposure to PFAS and their toxic effects. It highlights biosolids as a key, understudied source of PFAS in the environment. The review also discusses limitations of testing, missing long-term cleanup data, and regulatory issues that neglect total exposure and vulnerable populations. Additionally, it evaluates, in the specific context of biosolids management, the effectiveness, scalability, benefits, and drawbacks of various treatment technologies, such as thermal processes (pyrolysis, incineration, smoldering combustion), advanced oxidation, adsorption, hydrothermal liquefaction, and biological degradation. This work combines environmental science, toxicology, and engineering to outline PFAS management in biosolids and proposes a research and policy plan. Focusing on regulating PFAS as a group, validating real-world results, and employing adaptable treatment strategies underscores the need for a coordinated, science-based effort to reduce PFAS risks worldwide.

The work aimed to investigate the presence of pharmaceutical compounds from the anti-inflammatory class in seawater from the Romanian Black Sea coast and to assess the ecological risk of these substances on the most sensitive organisms. Using the solid-phase extraction technique (SPE) followed by liquid chromatography separation and mass spectrometry detection (LC-MS/MS) of the compounds, the concentrations of these contaminants in selected seawater samples were determined. Ibuprofen was the most commonly detected compound with a frequency of 42.9%, followed by ketoprofen at 31.0.%, diclofenac at 23.8%, and naproxen at 21.4%. The maximum concentrations of pharmaceutical products varied between 13.4 ng/L ketoprofen and 13,575 ng/L caffeine. The order of decreasing maximum concentrations of pharmaceutical compounds in the water of the Black Sea was CAF > IBU > NAP > DIC > KET. The dominant and ubiquitous compound that was determined with the maximum concentration values was caffeine. Strong correlations were observed between three compounds (naproxen: diclofenac, diclofenac: ketoprofen) suggesting the same pollution source. Through the ecological risk assessment, it was observed that both caffeine and ibuprofen can generate high ecological risks for some echinoderms, crustaceans, and fish.

The occurrence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in drinking water remains a critical environmental and public health concern. This study examines the presence of both regulated and unregulated PFASs in twenty-one bottled water and twenty-four tap water samples, assessing their concentrations, co-occurrence patterns, and potential human health implications. Regulated PFASs accounted for 87% of total PFASs in bottled water and 92% in tap water, demonstrating the effectiveness of current EU regulations. However, unregulated PFASs were detected in both water sources, contributing to 13% and 8% of total PFAS concentrations in bottled and tap water, respectively. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Pearson correlation matrices revealed distinct clustering patterns, suggesting common contamination sources and potential cumulative exposure risks. The presence of emerging PFASs, such as 4:2 FTSA and HFPO-DA, raises concerns about gaps in regulatory oversight, as their long-term health effects remain largely unknown. Despite EU Directive 2020/2184 setting limits on select PFASs, this study highlights the need for expanded monitoring and stricter regulations to address the full spectrum of PFAS contamination. Given the persistence and bioaccumulative nature of these compounds, a comprehensive human health risk assessment is essential to safeguard public health and ensure the safety of drinking water sources.

This review examines microplastics (MPs) in aquatic environments, their interactions with organic pollutants (OPs), effects on organisms, and implications for human and ecological health. MPs are ubiquitous, persistent contaminants. Their small size and large surface area enhance adsorption of diverse OPs; however, the extent to which MPs influence pollutant transport, fate, and bioavailability remains highly context-dependent and is still under scientific debate. Sorption processes are influenced by polymer type, pollutant properties, environmental factors, and aging processes that increase surface reactivity, further contributing to the variability of MP–OP interactions. Detection of MPs in human tissues raises concerns about long-term health effects, including inflammatory, immune, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and endocrine responses. Despite advances in analytical techniques, challenges remain in identifying and quantifying small particles in complex matrices. This review emphasizes the need for integrated, multi-technique, and environmentally realistic studies to understand MP–OP interactions and support risk assessment. Future research should focus on standardizing methodologies, improving nano-sized particle detection, and elucidating long-term effects, including trophic transfer and potential tissue accumulation.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent environmental contaminants that tend to accumulate in solid matrices such as sewage sludge, raising concerns regarding their fate and potential ecological risks. This study aimed to develop and validate a robust analytical method for the accurate determination of PFAS in dehydrated sludge. A liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method was optimized for 28 PFAS, including perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) and sulfonic acids (PFSAs). Solid–liquid extraction with basic methanol was followed by cleanup using a cartridge packed with ferrite and sodium sulfate to remove moisture and particulate interferences. Chromatographic separation was performed with an Avantor^® ACE^® PFAS Delay column coupled to an Agilent triple quadrupole MS operating in negative electrospray ionization mode. The method achieved excellent sensitivity (MDL < 0.02 µg/g dry weight for most compounds), satisfactory precision (RSD < 15%), and recoveries between 80–118%. Optimization of mobile phase additives, gradient conditions, and MS parameters enhanced chromatographic resolution and signal-to-noise ratio. The validated method demonstrates high reliability for PFAS determination in complex solid matrices and can be applied as a valuable tool for environmental monitoring and risk assessment of sludge management practices.