# PFAS: The Journey from Wonder Chemicals to Environmental Nightmares and the Search for Solutions
### Health Impacts of PFAS Exposure
Evidence from studies in the Czech Republic suggests that PFAS may have immunosuppressive effects, increasing the risk of immune-mediated diseases like eczema and allergies [28]. Finally, PFAS pose significant health risks due to their ability to cause oxidative stress, immune system disruption, metabolic impairment, and alterations in gut microbiota. These molecular mechanisms contribute to enhanced toxicity, particularly in susceptible populations, underscoring the urgent need for research to develop effective mitigation strategies [29]. Additionally, short-chain PFAS can modulate human cytochrome P450 enzymes, impacting xenobiotic metabolism and potentially affecting overall human health [30; 31]. The above growing body of evidence on PFAS highlights their significant health risks, particularly in vulnerable populations. The wide-ranging effects of PFAS on metabolic processes, immune function, reproductive health, and cancer risk necessitate continued research and regulatory efforts to mitigate exposure and protect public health. Over the past several years the term PFAS has raised public, scientific, and regulatory concerns because of their persistence, and some early evidence by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), suggested the detention of traces of PFOA detected in blood in almost all U.S. citizens [2; 12; 13; 14; 15]. A survey by the National Health and Nutrition Examination (NHANES) in 2011-2012 suggested that PFAS was detected in the blood of 97% of U.S. citizens tested. These statistics alarmed the public and the responsible parties as PFAS exposure will lead to major health impacts such as cancer, thyroid disorders, developmental issues, and immune system problems and made PFAS, a \"nightmare chemical\" in the world. In this manuscript, a comprehensive review of the background of PFAS was performed, how it developed and evolved from a wonder chemical to a nightmare chemical, current applications, human exposure, and related health impacts and remediation, and the future of PFAS is described to fill in gaps in the literature. The specific objectives of this review are:  
1. How PFAS were discovered and their initial applications. 2. Why was PFAS considered a \"wonder chemical\" and later a \"nightmare chemical\"?3. How widespread is PFAS contamination globally and what is its environmental stability? 4. What are the known environmental and health impacts of PFAS? 5. What are the Effective PFAS remediation methods and future use of PFAS? In addition to the comprehensive coverage of the above five objectives, this review takes an interdisciplinary approach by integrating insights from chemistry, environmental sciences, public health, and policy analysis to provide an inclusive understanding of PFAS-related issues. Additionally, a detailed discussion on the historical context and narrative of the evolution of PFAS was provided, and extended discussion on initial to modern applications making the manuscript more engaging and accessible to a wider audience. A global perspective was also provided by comparing regional differences in contamination levels and regulatory responses, and various remediation methods and highlight the potential regulations, ongoing research, and emerging alternatives. This review emphasizes the importance of involving diverse stakeholders in addressing PFAS contamination, ensuring that the proposed solutions are practical, sustainable, and socially acceptable.