Public health risk and one health assessment of PFAS soil environmental pollution: Distribution, trophic transfer, and remediation strategy evaluation
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Ioannis Pantelis Adamopoulos 1 2 3 * , Antonios Valamontes 4 , John T Karantonis 5 , Niki Fotios Syrou 6 , George Mpourazanis 7 , Panagiotis Tsirkas 7 , Maad M Mijwil 8 , George Dounias 1 , Pramila P Thapa 9 , Kostas Tepelenis 10
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1 Department of Public Health Policy, Sector of Occupational & Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of West Attica, Athens, GREECE2 Public Health and Policies, School of Social Science, Hellenic Open University, Patra, GREECE3 Department of Environmental Hygiene and Sanitarian Public Health Inspections, Region of Attica, Hellenic Republic, Athens, GREECE4 Kapodistrian Academy of Science, Tampa, FL, USA5 Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA6 Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala, GREECE7 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, General Hospital “G. Hatzikosta”, Ioannina, GREECE8 Digital Economy Department, College of Administration and Economics, Al-Iraqia University, Baghdad, IRAQ9 ife Skills Education, Kathmandu, NEPAL10 Department of General Surgery, General Hospital of Ioannina G. Hatzikosta, Ioannina, GREECE* Corresponding Author

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the environmental distribution, trophic transfer, and public health risk associated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in soil and biota near a legacy aqueous film-forming foam site, in the context of PFAS persistence, bioaccumulation, and the disproportionate burden faced by vulnerable ecosystems and communities. PFAS contamination represents a growing one health concern, affecting soil organisms, plants, and humans through shared exposure pathways. Utilizing a field-based, multi-compartmental assessment, data were collected from twenty stratified sampling points, including surface and subsurface soils, earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris), and wild lettuce (Lactuca serriola). PFAS concentrations were quantified using liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry, and bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) were calculated by compound. The US EPA’s benchmark dose software was used to derive toxicity thresholds (BMDL₁₀) for perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoic acid. Monte Carlo simulations were used to estimate probabilistic human hazard quotients (HQs). Two remediation approaches—granular activated carbon (GAC) and Brassica juncea phytoremediation—were evaluated for effectiveness and feasibility. The analysis revealed long-chain PFAS BAFs between 0.12 and 0.18, with 17% of simulated adult exposures exceeding HQ = 1. While GAC removed up to 98% of long-chain PFAS, it generated hazardous spent media. Phytoremediation removed only 25–35% and posed biomass disposal challenges. These findings underscore the need for adaptive, risk-informed remediation planning. The study contributes to one health by linking contamination surveillance with health-protective decision frameworks that support environmental justice, community resilience, and the co-protection of ecosystems, food systems, and human health.

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This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Article Type: Research Article

J CONTEMP STUD EPIDEMIOL PUBLIC HEALTH, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2026, Article No: ep26013

https://doi.org/10.29333/jconseph/18113

Publication date: 13 Mar 2026

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