In recent years, there has been growing awareness about the prevalence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of chemical compounds that have been dubbed "forever chemicals" due to their persistence in the environment. Despite heightened awareness, PFAS continue to be discovered in unexpected locations with new revelations that people may be unwittingly adding them to wastewater.
In a new study published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters, researchers from the University of Florida identified toilet paper as a potentially major source of PFAS in wastewater. The study, as reported in Science Daily, involved the analysis of toilet paper rolls from several regions, including Africa, Western Europe, North America, South America, and Central America. The researchers also collected sewage samples from wastewater treatment plants in the United States. The study found that the most common type of PFAS detected was 6:2 perfluoroalkyl phosphate diester (diPAP).
The analysis conducted by the research team led to the conclusion that approximately 4% of toilet paper brands in the US and Canada contained PFAS. However, the prevalence of PFAS in toilet paper brands in Europe was found to be much higher, indicating a significant increase in the likelihood of exposure to these chemicals through the use of toilet paper.
These findings may also have significant implications for the management and utilisation of wastewater sludge by-products. Through various recovery and treatment phases, wastewater sludge can be further processed and then sold as agricultural additives known as biosolids. Farmers use biosolids as fertilisers, soil conditioners, or soil replacement products.
Researchers from the University of Florida recently identified toilet paper as a potentially major source of PFAS in wastewater.
PFAS in Australia
In Australia, efforts have been made to eradicate the use of PFAS. Historically, PFAS were widely used in a variety of consumer goods, from waterproof clothing to non-stick kitchenware in order to make goods stain and stick resistant. While there has been focus also on their historical use in Aqueous Film Forming Foams (AFFFs) for firefighting, it is worth noting that international investigations have continued to be detect PFAS in a variety of modern consumer products:
Feminine hygiene products
Menstrual products such as tampons, sanitary pads, and panty liners have been found to contain PFAS, which are added to enhance absorbency. In the case of period underwear, PFAS are used to increase the product's stain resistance.
Packaging
Laboratory testing has detected PFAS in various packaging materials used by restaurant and grocery chains in the US. These include paper bags for hot chips, wrappers for hamburgers, moulded fibre salad bowls, and single-use paper plates.
Paper production
Ongoing research has revealed that PFAS are commonly used in paper mills and other manufacturing companies to produce coated paper and cardboard products that resist oil, grease, and moisture.
Testing for PFAS
Environmental monitoring is a crucial process that helps identify the existence and concentration levels of PFAS in specific locations. It provides valuable insights into the different forms of PFAS present at these sites.
Envirolab Services is committed to advancing the science around PFAS and has been a pioneer in utilising innovative analytical techniques to detect precursor PFAS compounds. One such technique is the Total Oxidisable Precursor Assay (TOPA), which can inform risk management by identifying PFAS that have the potential to transform into persistent forms, such as PFOS, PFHxS, and PFOA. We are proud to be NATA Accredited for testing PFAS in biota, blood, and serum, ensuring that our clients receive high-quality results.
For more information on our extensive range of laboratory services for environmental contamination testing, please visit our Capabilities page or contact us now.