Recently, the Innovation Team for Agro-product Quality and Safety Testing Technology from the Institute of Quality Standards and Testing Technology for Agro-products (IQSTAP) of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) has made significant progress in the behavioral study of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in crops. This research systematically studied the absorption behavior of PFAS with the growing time of paddy and revealed that short-chain PFAS (C<4) have="" stronger="" absorption="" and="" transport="" capabilities.="" the="" findings="" were="" published="" in="" journal="" of="" hazardous="" materials="">

Addressing the widespread global detection of PFAS, the research team investigated rice, China's major food crop, and revealed PFAS absorption and translocation mechanisms during its complete growth cycle for the first time. Itwas found that the total concentration of PFAS and their alternatives decreased as rice matures, and the distribution characteristics of PFAS varied in different tissues. Root absorption is the main pathway for PFAS uptake and transport in rice, with short-chain PFAS showing higher mobility from roots to stems and leaves, while the migration of long-chain PFASs is positively correlated with protein content in rice. Dietary risk assessment indicated that the risk of PFAS intake through rice consumption is relatively low, but it is important to consider the potential bioaccumulation effects of its alternatives (such as chlorinated polyfluoroether sulfonates and sodium perfluorononenyloxybenzenesulfonate). This study fills the research gap on PFAS migration behavior in the entire growth cycle of crops and provides a scientific basis for accurately assessing the risks of PFASs in agricultural products.

Figure Translocation, bioaccumulation, and distribution of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in paddy plants

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (22306198), and the Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Program of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS-ASTIP-IQSTAP-02).

The paper link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.138256

By Wang Hongping

(wanghongping@caas.cn)