Leaching of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from food contact materials with implications for waste disposal

Leaching of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) during the post-consumer disposal of food contact materials (FCMs) poses a potential environmental threat but has seldom been evaluated. This study characterized the leaching behavior of PFAS and unidentified precursors from six common FCMs and assessed the impact of environmental conditions on PFAS release during disposal. The total concentration of 21 PFAS ranged from 3.2 to 377 ng/g in FCMs, with PFAS leachability into water varying between 1.1–42.8 %. Increasing temperature promoted PFAS leaching, with leached nine primary PFAS (∑9PFAS) reaching 46.3, 70.4, and 102 ng/L at 35, 45, and 55 ℃, respectively. Thermodynamic analysis (∆G>0, ∆H>0, and ∆S 2x than long-chain PFAS•A 10 ℃ rise within 35–55 ℃ increased ∑9PFAS leaching by ∼50 %•DOM enhanced ∑9PFAS leaching but inhibited leaching of some PFAS compounds•Takeaway FCM released ∼1.6 % and ∼1.0 % ∑7PFCAs to landfill and incineration leachate