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Open research questions in Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances research

151 unresolved questions extracted from the limitations and future-work sections of 434 Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances research papers in our library. Each links back to the study that raised it.

What the literature leaves open

  • The complexity of the interaction mechanisms between sludge EPS and PFOS. The need to quantify the contribution of EPS to sludge PFOS adsorption. The challenge of minimizing potential PFOS losses associated with glass surfaces during experiments.

    Multispectroscopic Insights into the Role of Extracellular Polymeric Substances in PFOS Adsorption and Retention onto Sewage Sludge · 2026 · DOI

  • the findings are primarily based on computational predictions, - the study used a single cell line, - further validation in multiple models and experimental systems is required

    Deciphering the role of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in prostate cancer: a multi-omics and computational toxicology approach · 2026 · DOI

  • further validation of the findings in multiple models and experimental systems, - investigation of the effects of PFAS on other types of cancer, - exploration of the potential of natural compounds like quercetin to mitigate PFAS effects

    Deciphering the role of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in prostate cancer: a multi-omics and computational toxicology approach · 2026 · DOI

  • Further studies are needed to investigate the mechanisms by which PFAS affect PCOS. Future studies should investigate the effects of PFAS on other hormones related to PCOS. The study suggests that future research should focus on the joint effects of PFAS mixtures on PCOS.

    Associations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in follicular fluid with polycystic ovarian syndrome in infertile women may be mediated by sex hormones · 2025 · DOI

  • The evidence for the association between PFAS and PCOS is limited. There is a need to explore the associations between PFAS in follicular fluid and PCOS. There is a need to investigate the mediating role of steroid hormones in the association between PFAS and PCOS.

    Associations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in follicular fluid with polycystic ovarian syndrome in infertile women may be mediated by sex hormones · 2025 · DOI

  • Phytoremediation is limited to small- or medium-scale experiments - Bioremediation efficacy remains uncertain and demonstrated under simplified lab-scale conditions - Issues related to the regeneration/disposal of spent sorbents should be addressed

    Sustainable Remediation Strategies and Technologies of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)-Contaminated Soils: A Critical Review · 2025 · DOI

  • More long-term studies on PFAS immobilization techniques - Exploration of mechanical treatments at full scale - Investigation of the most promising plants for PFAS phytoremediation

    Sustainable Remediation Strategies and Technologies of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)-Contaminated Soils: A Critical Review · 2025 · DOI

  • There is a need to investigate the relationships between PFASs exposure and glucose metabolism indices. Prior studies have not fully explored the effects of mixed PFASs exposures on glucose metabolism.

    Association of exposure to multiple perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances and glucose metabolism in National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017–2018 · 2024 · DOI

  • The paper identifies the challenge of understanding the impacts of uncertainties on TFA levels. The study notes the difficulty of removing TFA from the environment, as conventional water treatments are not effective. The paper highlights the need for further research on TFA's toxicity and potential health effects.

    Trifluoroacetic Acid: Toxicity, Sources, Sinks and Future Prospects · 2024 · DOI

  • the possibility of TFA contamination of the older layers of glacier ice by meltwater from the most recent ones was not dismissed, - conventional water treatments are not effective for TFA removal or breakdown, - further studies are required to fully understand the sources and sinks of TFA

    Trifluoroacetic Acid: Toxicity, Sources, Sinks and Future Prospects · 2024 · DOI

  • Addressing knowledge gaps regarding the inputs processes contributing most to PFAS accumulation in the final product - Developing an effective remediation approach for PFAS in compost - Advancing research and technology to achieve sustainable waste management objectives

    Challenges and Remediation Strategies for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Contamination in Composting · 2024 · DOI

  • A comprehensive understanding of PFAS origin, fate, and transformation during the composting process is lacking. Current analytical methods for PFAS detection in compost are still evolving and focus on a limited number of compounds. There is currently a lack of studies on PFAS remediation approaches in compost.

    Challenges and Remediation Strategies for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Contamination in Composting · 2024 · DOI

  • More human-relevant tests should be conducted to understand the mechanistic effects of TFA - Further research is needed to understand the thresholds where irreversible effects of TFA occur - Studies on the effects of TFA on terrestrial plants and other non-aquatic systems are necessary

    The Global Threat from the Irreversible Accumulation of Trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA) · 2024 · DOI

  • The gap is the lack of understanding of TFA's thresholds for irreversible effects. There is a scarcity of ecotoxicity data for TFA, particularly for terrestrial plants. The gap is the need for binding actions to reduce TFA emissions and its precursors.

    The Global Threat from the Irreversible Accumulation of Trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA) · 2024 · DOI

  • The complexity of simulating real-world conditions in laboratory experiments. The limited understanding of PFAS leaching kinetics and mechanisms. The need for further research to bridge the gap between laboratory conditions and real-world conditions.

    Exploring Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Presence and Potential Leaching from Reverse Osmosis Membranes: Implications for Drinking Water Treatment · 2024 · DOI

  • Further study on the thermal treatment strategies for PFAS-contaminated waste. Investigation of the effects of different temperatures and heating rates on the decomposition mechanisms and products. Research on the role of GAC in the thermal decomposition of PFASs.

    Pyrolysis of Two Perfluoroalkanesulfonates (PFSAs) and PFSA-Laden Granular Activated Carbon (GAC): Decomposition Mechanisms and the Role of GAC · 2024 · DOI

  • These results demonstrate that precursor PFAS represent a major and underrecognized component of PFAS flux from engineered water systems and should be incorporated into regulatory monitoring and source control strategies.

    Perfluoroalkyl acid precursor discharge from engineered water systems: composition and treatment impacts · 2026 · DOI

  • Although recent regulations aim to address this issue, including the recast EU Drinking Water Directive (DWD), which introduces a PFAS Total parametric value, no standardized analytical method has yet been established for their determination.

    Approaches and limitations of using extractable organofluorine – combustion ion chromatography to assess PFAS Total in drinking water · 2026 · DOI

  • Abstract Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) exposures have been linked to reduced birth size, but the underlying epigenetic mechanisms remain unclear.

    Maternal Epigenetic Signatures Linking Prenatal Serum PFAS Concentrations to Birth Size in an African American Maternal–Child Cohort · 2026 · DOI

  • Future research should focus on integrating these methods into hybrid systems, optimizing materials design, and understanding degradation mechanisms at the molecular level to achieve effective and sustainable PFAS remediation.

    Remediation of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)- Contaminated Environments: Emerging Nanomaterials, Electrochemical, and Biological Strategies · 2026 · DOI

  • Addressing the most important gaps in the evidence for PFAS exposure through the dietary pathway will support actions to mitigate and prevent health impacts.

    Evidence mapping and scoping review of pathways for potential dietary exposure to per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) · 2025 · DOI

  • There is also limited research reporting chemical transfers during food storage and preparation.

    Evidence mapping and scoping review of pathways for potential dietary exposure to per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) · 2025 · DOI

  • A clear understanding of the influence of mesoscale eddies on PFAS distribution is critical for protecting ocean health, yet this influence remains poorly understood.

    Dipole Eddies Change Per‐ and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Spatial Profiles in the Western North Pacific Subtropical Gyre · 2025 · DOI

  • There is evidence of widespread human exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) but limited evidence of the human health impacts of this exposure.

    PFAS-contaminated drinking water harms infants · 2025 · DOI

  • Though metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have stood out as a promising class of porous materials for sensing PFAS, detection limits remain insufficient and a fundamental understanding of detection mechanisms warrants further investigation.

    Copper-Based Two-Dimensional Conductive Metal–Organic Framework Thin Films for Ultrasensitive Detection of Perfluoroalkyls in Drinking Water · 2025 · DOI

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151 open questions have been extracted from the limitations and future-work passages of 434 Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances research papers in our library. Each one below links back to the study that raised it, so you can read the original claim in context.

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