PFAS and Microplastics: Are Biodegradable Microplastics Less Harmful to the Environment?

The monitoring of environmental pollution has attracted growing attention to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) due to their long persistence and resistance to natural degradation. Despite extensive research into the occurrence of PFASs in the environment, their interactions with biodegradable polymers remain understudied, highlighting a substantial knowledge gap regarding their adsorption capacity and associated toxicological implications. Therefore, the main objective of the present study was to evaluate PFAS adsorption onto biodegradable microplastics (BMPs) and compare their behavior to non- BMPs. Although biodegradable plastics (BPs) are generally considered environmentally friendly polymers, the present study indicates that they can act as vectors for PFASs as shown by LC-MS-MS analysis. Based on the current results, PFAS adsorption depends on the polymer type and PFAS chemical structure. Although BMPs are not the only carriers of PFASs, compared with various natural particles, their persistence and mobility can still influence the transport and bioavailability of PFASs in the environment. Future studies are required for assessing the environmental fate of PFASs in systems containing biodegradable polymer, in order to enhance predictive accuracy and mitigate associated risks to both the environment and human health.