https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.179037
A collaborative study led by environmental scientists from Rutgers University, NJIT, and the Meadowlands Research and Restoration Institute (MRRI) sheds light on the presence and behavior of airborne Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Northern New Jersey’s urban atmosphere.
Dr. Wen Zhang and his former Ph.D. student, Dr. Fangzhou Liu, alongside researchers (Cheryl Yao, Xinting Wang, Dr. Francisco J. Artigas and Dr. Gao Yuan) from multiple institutions, has co-authored a groundbreaking study investigating the distribution and partitioning of PFAS in the region’s air. The research, published in Science of the Total Environment, provides crucial data on the presence of these persistent and potentially harmful pollutants, which have been widely used in industrial applications and consumer products. PFAS are known for their resistance to degradation and have been linked to adverse health effects. While much research has focused on their presence in water and soil, this study highlights the importance of monitoring airborne PFAS, which can contribute to long-range transport and human inhalation exposure. The findings underscore the need for improved air quality monitoring and regulatory measures to address this emerging concern.
This study exemplifies the power of interdisciplinary collaboration, combining expertise from environmental science, atmospheric chemistry, and engineering to enhance our understanding of PFAS pollution. The research team hopes their findings will inform policy decisions and inspire further studies on the environmental fate and human exposure risks associated with airborne PFAS.
For more details, the full study can be accessed here.
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