Analysis of emerging PFAS contaminants in water: review and future perspectives

Abstract

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely used in numerous industrial and consumer products. These compounds exhibit remarkable environmental persistence which allows them to accumulate in ecosystems and pose serious risks to water quality, the environment and human health, thereby underscoring the urgent need for effective monitoring and control. To mitigate the long-term impacts of PFAS contamination, robust and reliable advanced analytical methods and sensor technologies are essential. This review critically examines current analytical methods, including coupled chromatographic techniques, emerging sensor-based (optical and electrochemical sensors) methods and separation-based electrophoresis for PFAS detection. Recent progress in device miniaturisation coupled with integration of Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML), has substantially strengthened the potential of these methods for real-time monitoring and advanced environmental management. Significant emphasis is placed on recent advancements in the development of sensors and methods capable of detecting the broader structural diversity of PFAS, key challenges, and future directions that highlight potential innovations. Timely PFAS detection and granular data collection can help in protecting global communities by bridging the gap between environmental surveillance and public safety.