Per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure through munitions in the Russia–Ukraine conflict.

Considered contaminants of emerging concern, per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of toxic, manufactured chemicals found in commercial and consumer products such as nonstick cookware, food packaging, and firefighting foams. Human exposure to PFAS through inhalation and ingestion can cause a variety of harmful effects and negative health outcomes. Per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances possess high polarity and chemical stability, enabling them to resist degradation in most environmental conditions. These characteristics allow PFAS to be mobile in soil, air, and water, and bioaccumulate in living organisms. Due to their thermally resistant chemical properties, PFAS are used as binders in polymer‐bonded explosives (PBX) and in various components of munitions. Thus, when munitions are detonated, PFAS are released into the environment as aerosols and can deposit in the soil, surface water, or biota. Air emission modeling suggests that ground‐level and airborne detonation of munitions can increase PFAS deposition both locally and long range. Further, if industrial facilities with PFAS are damaged or destroyed, there is greater potential for environmental degradation from increased release of PFAS into the environment. As a consequence of their persistent nature, PFAS can remain in an environment long after armed conflict, indirectly affecting ecosystems, food sources, and human health. The toxic contamination from munitions could present a greater hazard to a larger population over time than acute detonation events. This article discusses methods for estimating war‐related damage from PFAS by exploring predictive modeling approaches and postwar ground validation techniques. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023;19:376–381. © 2022 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC). Key Points: A general approach is proposed for modeling per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) emissions from munition detonation, and the need for validation of modeling approaches after the war using on‐ground sampling and analysis is highlighted.Model input requirements and assumptions are provided as well as a proposed approach to calculating PFAS emission rates.Additional data collection techniques, such as satellite imagery combined with analytical techniques, are recommended for immediate estimations; previous studies should be referenced for postwar PFAS sampling.PFAS modeling now, combined with on‐ground postwar sampling, is critical to accurately quantifying PFAS contamination and exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]