Environmentally persistent free radicals are long-lived pollutants that maintain stability in air, soil, and water. They contribute to the production of reactive oxygen species in environmental media, leading to oxidative stress in biological organisms. This stress can provoke inflammation and damage to biological macromolecules, potentially resulting in cardiopulmonary dysfunction. In this review, we discuss the formation and classification of EPFRs. Typically, EPFRs form through electron transfer from organic compounds to transition metals during thermal processes. In metal-free environments, however, organic compounds can undergo bond cleavage, generating EPFRs under thermal conditions and light exposure. EPFRs are generally categorized into three types: oxygen-centered, carbon-centered, and those containing heteroatoms centered on either oxygen or carbon. We also provide a detailed summary of the fundamental characteristics of EPFRs in different environments such as air, soil, and water. Given their role as electron donors, EPFRs have potential applications in degrading organic pollutants in the environment. The review comprehensively addresses the deleterious impacts of EPFRs on organism health, highlighting risks to metabolic functions and cardiopulmonary health. Furthermore, it underscores the potential involvement of EPFRs as electron donors in atmospheric chemical reactions. The pivotal role of EPFRs in environmental pollutant transformation warrants more studies in future research endeavors.

环境持久性自由基是长期存在的污染物，可维持空气、土壤和水中的稳定性。它们有助于在环境介质中产生活性氧，导致生物有机体产生氧化应激。这种压力会引发炎症和生物大分子损伤，可能导致心肺功能障碍。在这篇综述中，我们讨论了 EPFR 的形成和分类。通常，EPFR 是在热处理过程中通过电子从有机化合物转移到过渡金属而形成的。然而，在无金属环境中，有机化合物可能会发生键断裂，在热条件和光照下产生 EPFR。 EPFR通常分为三种类型：以氧为中心的、以碳为中心的以及含有以氧或碳为中心的杂原子的类型。我们还详细总结了 EPFR 在空气、土壤和水等不同环境中的基本特征。鉴于其作为电子供体的作用，EPFR 在降解环境中的有机污染物方面具有潜在的应用。该审查全面讨论了 EPFR 对机体健康的有害影响，强调了对代谢功能和心肺健康的风险。此外，它强调了 EPFR 作为电子供体参与大气化学反应的潜在作用。 EPFR 在环境污染物转化中的关键作用值得在未来的研究工作中进行更多研究。