Per- and polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) In China’s Groundwater Resources: Concentration, Composition, and Human Health Risk

College of Life and Environmental Sciences | School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Science, University of Birmingham, B15 2SQ, United Kingdom.

^* Corresponding author: heying0806@yeah.net

Abstract

As an important class of emerging contaminants, per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water resources has been extensively studied. In this study, PFAS contamination in Chinese groundwater was systematically analyzed according to the reported literature. The research on PFAS in groundwater was concentrated in the eastern regions of China and that the concentrations of PFAS in groundwater ranged from N.D. to 26700 ng/L. The detected PFAS were PFBS, PFOA, PFBA, PFHxA, PFHxS, PFHpA, PFOS, PFPeA, PFUnA, PFTeDA, and PFNA. Among them, PFOA, PFBA, and PFBS showed higher concentrations. The concentration and composition of PFAS in groundwater varied significantly across different regions, often attributable to local industrial activities and urbanization. PFOA was the most commonly detected PFAS in the samples and also the primary contaminant in 14 sites. Additionally, PFPeA, PFBA, PFOS, and PFHxA also occupied a significant proportion of the total concentration level. The human health risk of various PFAS was assessed by the value of the predicted no effect concentration (PNEChum). The PNEChum value for PFOS, PFOA, and PFNA is relatively low, indicating a high risk to human health. Combined with the actual detection concentration, PFOS and PFOA are the two highest risk pollutants, which need attention and control. For the last decade, the concentration of PFOS has decreased, but the situation of PFOA was not encouraging. This study reviewed the PFAS contamination in groundwater in China, identified the high-risk substances, confirmed the need for regulation and control, and highlighted the importance of protecting public health during economic development.