Research Projects

Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent organic pollutants that have a significant impact on the global environment due to their stability and long half-lives. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) are two common contaminants used in consumer products, providing soil, oil, and water resistance. These pollutants are present in detectable levels in humans and wildlife worldwide and can cause long-term health effects. The primary route of exposure to PFAS is through ingestion and drinking water. The toxicity potential of PFAS is severe, impacting multigenerational development and learning and cognitive impairment in children. Evaluating the environmental hazards of PFAS is a multidimensional challenge involving specialists from various fields. There is limited data available worldwide on the number of PFAS of concern and their impact on the universe. Understanding the ecological and human impact of PFAS needs to be done in a perspective or retrospective manner. This study aims to address the complex questions about PFAS distribution in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. The goal is to capture crucial information about the accumulation and distribution of PFAS, identify existing information for effective risk assessment, and propose strategies to mitigate the exposure and impact of these heavily used chemicals. The research aims to investigate the estimations of PFAS in river and ground/drinking water in Himachal Pradesh, their emissions, and implications for human exposure.