Sustainable Management of Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs)-Contaminated Areas: Tackling a Wicked Environmental Problem

Giancarlo Renella (), Paolo Carletti and Antonio Masi
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Giancarlo Renella: Department of Agronomy Food Animals, Natural Resources and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padua, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
Paolo Carletti: Department of Agronomy Food Animals, Natural Resources and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padua, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
Antonio Masi: Department of Agronomy Food Animals, Natural Resources and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padua, 35020 Legnaro, Italy

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 2, 1-26

Abstract: This study evaluates the reasons and factors making soil pollution by poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) a wicked problem, reflecting upon the nature, persistence, mobility, and bioaccumulative properties of these compounds. The current regulation trends in the production and use of such substances are also explored. This study highlights the conflict between the need for phasing out the use of PFASs and their indispensable role in many strategic applications. We summarize the knowledge on the complex chemical properties and to the highly variable properties of the soils, mechanisms of partitioning and transport of PFASs in soil, and the exposure pathways to humans. In particular, we focus on the mechanisms that lead to PFAS accumulation in the edible parts of cultivated plants and present some potential sustainable management practices that could result in risk mitigation and environmental remediation actions. We present potential management practices stemming from the merging of theoretical considerations and pragmatic approaches for mitigating the problems related to the PFAS pollution of agricultural soils. We also highlight the importance of co-creation processes for the adoption of solutions for vast polluted areas that make the impacted populations discouraged, like being in front of an ‘untameable beast’, leading to protests and irrational behavior. In our opinion, this might engage the impacted population in more optimistic strategies to tackle this problem, soliciting authorities and stakeholders to implement strategies beyond the actual management practice and also supporting new policy development.

Keywords: poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs); PFAS pollution; PFAS remediation; PFAS sustainable management; stakeholder engagement (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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