Advances in Studies on Environmental Behaviors and Toxic Effects of Perfluoroalkyl Substances Isomers
全氟化合物同分异构体的环境行为及毒性效应研究进展

Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a new class of persistent organic pollutants. They widely present in the environment, wildlives and humans all over the world. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are the most popular PFASs. The traditional electro-chemical fluorination method leads to a complex mixture of linear and branched isomers in the final products of PFASs, i.e. the isomerization of the carbon chain. The linear and branched isomers may behave differently in the environment and display different toxicity to the biota. Due to the progress in analytical techniques, some foreign scholars initiated the study on the isomers of PFAS isomers and got some interesting results. However, the related research in our country is sparse. In this paper, taking PFOS and PFOA as example, some basic information, including the manufacturing sources, nomenclature and structure of the PFAS isomers, was introduced. Then, we systematically reviewed the research advances in the isomer analytical technologies, the differences in environmental behaviors of PFAS isomers and the application of source apportionment, and difference in bioaccumulation and toxicity for biota (including humans). At last, we discussed the current problems. This paper aimed to provide some useful information for further studies on PFAS isomers in the environment in future.