Browsing by Author "Rajneesh Kumar Gautam"

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PFAS contamination in key indian states: A critical review of environmental impacts, regulatory challenges and predictive exposure
(Elsevier B.V., 2025) Rajneesh Kumar Gautam; Javad Mottaghipisheh; Saumya Verma; Rajeev Pratap Singh; Shobha Muthukumaran; Dimuth Navaratna; Lutz Ahrens
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have emerged as major global environmental contaminants due to their persistence, bioaccumulation and toxicity potential. PFAS pollution is growing in India, particularly in industrial regions with limited environmental monitoring. This critical review focuses on PFAS sources, environmental fate, and transport across key Indian states, emphasizing environmental and human health risks, including drinking water exposure. A predictive model was developed to assess PFAS contamination over 30 years (2024 – 2054), revealing a strong positive correlation (r = 0.95, p < 0.001) between initial contamination levels and projected PFAS concentrations in surface water matrices, with some states anticipated to exceed safe limits. Human exposure estimation through fish consumption highlighted elevated PFAS exposure in states with high fish consumption rates, such as West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. Cumulative daily intake (CDI) analysis demonstrated substantial long-term exposure risks, incorporating water and dietary source contributions. The findings reveal critical challenges such as regulatory gaps, inadequate monitoring, and technological barriers that hinder India's ability to address PFAS contamination effectively. Comparing guideline limits globally, including those of the United States and European Union, India's regulatory framework remains in its early stages, underscoring the need for systematic monitoring and robust remediation strategies. A systematic gap analysis underscores the need for enhanced research on PFAS source tracing near industrial and urban centres. The findings emphasize the urgency of implementing stronger regulations, expanding monitoring systems, increasing public and stakeholder awareness, and informed policymaking to mitigate the growing threat of PFAS contamination in India. © 2025 The Authors