Challenges Associated With PFAS Detection Method in Africa

Abdullahi Tunde Aborode; Ridwan Olamilekan Adesola; Ibrahim Idris; Waheed Sakariyau Adio; Segun Olapade; Gladys Oluwafisayo; Isreal Ayobami Onifade; Sodiq Fakorede; Taiwo Bakare-Abidola; Jelil Olaoye; Adedeji Daniel Ogunyemi; Oluwaseun Adeolu Ogundijo; Olamilekan Gabriel Banwo; Adetolase Azizat Bakre; Peter Oladoye; Grace Adegoye; Noimat Abeni Jinadu

doi:10.1177/11786302241310430

Challenges Associated With PFAS Detection Method in Africa

Environ Health Insights. 2025 Jan 2:19:11786302241310430. doi: 10.1177/11786302241310430. eCollection 2025.

Authors

Abdullahi Tunde Aborode¹, Ridwan Olamilekan Adesola², Ibrahim Idris³, Waheed Sakariyau Adio⁴, Segun Olapade⁵, Gladys Oluwafisayo⁶, Isreal Ayobami Onifade⁷, Sodiq Fakorede⁸, Taiwo Bakare-Abidola⁹, Jelil Olaoye⁹, Adedeji Daniel Ogunyemi¹⁰, Oluwaseun Adeolu Ogundijo¹¹, Olamilekan Gabriel Banwo², Adetolase Azizat Bakre², Peter Oladoye¹², Grace Adegoye¹³, Noimat Abeni Jinadu¹⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Research and Development, Healthy Africans Platform, Ibadan, Nigeria.
² Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
³ Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria.
⁴ Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Science, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA.
⁵ Department of Chemistry, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.
⁶ Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA.
⁷ Department of Biology, University at Albany, Albany, NY, USA.
⁸ Department of Prosthetics and Orthotics, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria.
⁹ Department of Environmental Science, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA, USA.
¹⁰ Nautilus Biotechnology, San Carlos, CA, USA.
¹¹ Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
¹² Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.
¹³ Department of Recreation, Exercise and Sport Sciences, Western Colorado University, Gunnison, CO, USA.
¹⁴ Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.

Abstract

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals that are widely present in many industries. Monitoring and analyzing PFAS in Africa is challenging due to the limited availability of mass spectrometry (MS), which is an essential technique for detecting PFAS. This review assesses the scope and impact of the shortage of mass spectrometry instruments in Africa, emphasizing the resulting limitations in monitoring environmental and public health threats. The review analyzes the existing PFAS monitoring, the accessibility of MS instruments, and the technical capabilities within the continent. This study suggests that fewer African countries have sufficient MS instruments, resulting in significant underreport of environmental data and related public health issues. The review proposes financial support and programs to address these difficulties to provide necessary MS instruments. The review suggests that it is highly important to develop regional centers of excellence for PFAS monitoring using MS instruments and investing in training programs to address the gap in monitoring efforts. So, enhancing these are crucial for the successful management of the environment and safeguarding public health from the effects of PFAS contamination.

Keywords: Africa; Challenges; PFAS; environmental monitoring; mass spectrometry; method.

Publication types

Review