Abstract
This study systematically evaluated the spatial distribution, health risks, and regulation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in global drinking water using the PubMed and Web of Science databases (January 1, 2000 to February 25, 2025). Among the 122 studies reviewed, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) received the greatest research attention (detected in 102 and 100 studies, respectively) and showed the highest detection rates (64.69% and 60.72%, respectively). Several other compounds, including perfluorooctane sulfonamide, perfluorobutanesulfonamide, and perfluoropropane sulfonate, also exhibited high detection rates but remain underregulated, underscoring the need for further research and regulatory oversight. The three countries with the highest concentrations of [Formula: see text] were the Republic of Korea, the United States, and China. Risk assessments indicated that perfluorohexanoic acid, perfluorobutanoic acid, and perfluorobutanesulfonic acid posed negligible health risks, while perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), PFOA, PFOS, and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) showed descending levels of health risk (PFHxS > PFOA > PFOS > PFNA). Regulatory approaches are shifting from compound-specific standards to integrated mixture-based frameworks, reinforced by progressively stringent limits.