Making the Connection Between PFASs and Agriculture Using the Example of Minnesota, USA: A Review

Exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) can cause detrimental health effects. The consumption of contaminated food is viewed as the major exposure pathway for humans, but the relationship between agriculture and PFAS has not been investigated thoroughly, which becomes a pressing issue since health advisories are continuously being reassessed. This review connects the release, environmental fate and agriculture uptake of PFASs to enhance comprehension and identify knowledge gaps which limit accurate risk assessment. It focuses on the heavily agricultural state of Minnesota, USA, which is representative of the large Midwestern US corn-belt in terms of agricultural activities and because PFASs are being monitored in Minnesota since the beginning of the 21st century. PFAS contamination is a complex issue due to the over 14,000 individual PFAS compounds which have unique chemical properties that interact differently with air, water, soil, and biological systems. Moreover, the lack of field studies and monitoring of agricultural sites makes accurate risk assessments challenging. Researchers, policymakers and farmers must work closely together to reduce the risk of PFASs exposure as the understanding of the potential health effects increases and legacy PFASs are displaced with shorter fluorinated replacements.