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Phelps DW, Connors AM, Ferrero G, DeWitt JC, Yoder JA. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances alter innate immune function: evidence and data gaps. J Immunotoxicol 2024; 21:2343362. [PMID: 38712868 DOI: 10.1080/1547691x.2024.2343362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a large class of compounds used in a variety of processes and consumer products. Their unique chemical properties make them ubiquitous and persistent environmental contaminants while also making them economically viable and socially convenient. To date, several reviews have been published to synthesize information regarding the immunotoxic effects of PFASs on the adaptive immune system. However, these reviews often do not include data on the impact of these compounds on innate immunity. Here, current literature is reviewed to identify and incorporate data regarding the effects of PFASs on innate immunity in humans, experimental models, and wildlife. Known mechanisms by which PFASs modulate innate immune function are also reviewed, including disruption of cell signaling, metabolism, and tissue-level effects. For PFASs where innate immune data are available, results are equivocal, raising additional questions about common mechanisms or pathways of toxicity, but highlighting that the innate immune system within several species can be perturbed by exposure to PFASs. Recommendations are provided for future research to inform hazard identification, risk assessment, and risk management practices for PFASs to protect the immune systems of exposed organisms as well as environmental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drake W Phelps
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
- Center for Environmental and Health Effects of PFAS, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Ashley M Connors
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
- Center for Environmental and Health Effects of PFAS, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
- Toxicology Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
- Genetics and Genomics Academy, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Giuliano Ferrero
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
- Center for Environmental and Health Effects of PFAS, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Jamie C DeWitt
- Center for Environmental and Health Effects of PFAS, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Yoder
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
- Center for Environmental and Health Effects of PFAS, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
- Toxicology Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
- Genetics and Genomics Academy, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
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2
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Ricolfi L, Taylor MD, Yang Y, Lagisz M, Nakagawa S. Maternal transfer of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in wild birds: A systematic review and meta-analysis. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 361:142346. [PMID: 38759804 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals widely used in consumer products. PFAS can accumulate in animal tissues, resulting in biomagnification and adverse effects on wildlife, such as reproductive impairment. In bird species, PFAS are transferred from mothers to eggs along with essential nutrients and may affect embryo development. However, the extent of maternal PFAS transfer across different species and compounds remains poorly understood. Here, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to quantify maternal PFAS transfer in wild birds and investigate potential sources of variation. We tested the moderating effects of compounds' physicochemical properties and biological traits of studied birds. The dataset included 505 measurements of PFAS concentration and 371 effect sizes derived from 13 studies on 16 bird species and 25 compounds. Overall, across all studies and species, we found a 41% higher concentration of PFAS in offspring than in mothers. Specifically, contaminants were concentrated in the yolk, longer and heavier compounds showed preferential transfer, larger clutch size was associated with decreased PFAS transfer and a higher transfer rate was shown in species with piscivorous and opportunistic/diverse diets. A validation assessment showed good robustness of the overall meta-analytic result. Given the crucial role of birds in maintaining ecological balance, this research article has relevant implications for modelling the impacts of PFAS on wildlife, ecosystems, and human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Ricolfi
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
| | - Matthew D Taylor
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia; Port Stephens Fisheries Institute, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Nelson Bay, Australia; Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
| | - Yefeng Yang
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
| | - Malgorzata Lagisz
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
| | - Shinichi Nakagawa
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
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3
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Mahoney H, da Silva F, Brinkmann M, Giesy JP. Mixtures of legacy and replacement perfluorosulphonic acids (PFSAs) demonstrate ratio-, concentration- and endpoint-dependent synergistic interactions in vitro. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 361:142446. [PMID: 38801907 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
The extensive use of poly- and per-fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) has les to their widespread presence in the environment, raising concerns about potential toxicity. While certain PFASs of concern have been phased-out or banned, new PFASs continue to be produced. Two such substances are perfluoroethylcyclohexane sulphonate (PFECHS) and perfluorobutane sulphamide (FBSA), replacements of perfluoroctanesulphonic acid (PFOS) that have recently been detected in multiple environmental media around the globe. Despite PFASs generally occurring in the environment as mixtures, few data are available outlining the effects of PFAS mixtures. Therefore, this research investigated the interaction potential of binary and ternary mixtures of emerging and legacy PFASs. The immortalized rainbow trout gill cell line (RTgill-W1) was chosen as the experimental model to investigate two apical endpoints: cytotoxicity and phospholipidosis. RTgill-W1 cells were exposed for 24 h to each compound to obtain endpoint-specific effect concentrations (LCx; ECx). These values were then applied to formulate mixture predictions following the Loewes Additivity and Steel and Peckham methods. Based on cytotoxicity, relative potencies of individual compounds were: PFOS > PFECHS > FSBA. PFOS and PFECHS had nearly identical effects on phospholipidosis, while FSBA did not have any effects. Most mixtures had a synergistic effect on cytotoxicity, but the effect was both dose- and ratio-dependent. PFOS and PFECHS were additive at lower concentrations (LC10) and synergistic at higher concentrations (LC50; 3:1, 1:1, and 1:3). PFECHS and FSBA mixtures were synergistic at all doses and ratios (3:1, 1:1, 1:3), while FBSA and PFOS were mainly synergistic at higher concentrations and at ratios favouring PFOS (1:1, 1:3). Tertiary combinations were mainly synergistic. For phospholipidosis, mixtures were strictly additive. These results are strongly suggestive of synergism between emerging PFAS replacements and highlight that independent apical mechanisms of different PFASs could combine to induce unexpected toxicity. Considering that emerging replacements are continuing to increase in concentration in the environment, such mixture scenarios are also likely to continue to increase in probability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Mahoney
- Toxicology Center, University of Saskatchewan, 44 Campus Dr, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Francisco da Silva
- Toxicology Center, University of Saskatchewan, 44 Campus Dr, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Markus Brinkmann
- Toxicology Center, University of Saskatchewan, 44 Campus Dr, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada; School of Environment and Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan, 117 Science Pl, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada; Global Institute for Water Security, University of Saskatchewan, 11 Innovation Blvd, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada; Centre for Hydrology, University of Saskatchewan, 121 Research Dr, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
| | - John P Giesy
- Toxicology Center, University of Saskatchewan, 44 Campus Dr, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada; Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada; Department of Integrative Biology and Center for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, MI, USA; Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97266, TX, USA
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4
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Gonzalez de Vega R, Plassmann M, Clases D, Zangger K, Müller V, Rosenberg E, Reimann A, Skedung L, Benskin JP, Feldmann J. A multi-platform approach for the comprehensive analysis of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and fluorine mass balance in commercial ski wax products. Anal Chim Acta 2024; 1314:342754. [PMID: 38876512 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2024.342754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
The unique properties of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have led to their extensive use in consumer products, including ski wax. Based on the risks associated with PFAS, and to align with PFAS regulations, the international ski federation (FIS) implemented a ban on products containing "C8 fluorocarbons/perfluorooctanoate (PFOA)" at all FIS events from the 2021/2022 season, leading manufactures to shift their formulations towards short-chain PFAS chemistries. To date, most studies characterising PFAS in ski waxes have measured a suite of individual substances using targeted analytical approaches. However, the fraction of total fluorine (TF) in the wax accounted for by these substances remains unclear. In this study, we sought to address this question by applying a multi-platform, fluorine mass balance approach to a total of 10 commercially available ski wax products. Analysis of TF by combustion ion chromatography (CIC) revealed concentrations of 1040-51700 μg F g-1 for the different fluorinated waxes. In comparison, extractable organic fluorine (EOF) determined in methanol extracts by CIC (and later confirmed by inductively-coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and 19F- nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy) ranged from 92 to 3160 μg g-1, accounting for only 3-8.8 % of total fluorine (TF). Further characterisation of extracts by cyclic ion mobility-mass spectrometry (IMS) revealed 15 individual PFAS with perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acid concentrations up to 33 μg F g-1, and 3 products exceeding the regulatory limit for PFOA (0.025 μg g-1) by a factor of up to 100. The sum of all PFAS accounted for only 0.01-1.0 % of EOF, implying a high percentage of unidentified PFAS, thus, pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to provide evidence of the nature of the non-extractable fluorine present in the ski wax products.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Merle Plassmann
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - David Clases
- Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Klaus Zangger
- Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Viktoria Müller
- Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Graz, Graz, Austria; The James Hutton Institute, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Erwin Rosenberg
- Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics, TU Wien, Wien, Austria
| | - Anders Reimann
- Department Materials and Surface Design, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lisa Skedung
- Department Materials and Surface Design, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jonathan P Benskin
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jörg Feldmann
- Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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5
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Savvidou P, Dotro G, Campo P, Coulon F, Lyu T. Constructed wetlands as nature-based solutions in managing per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): Evidence, mechanisms, and modelling. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 934:173237. [PMID: 38761940 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have emerged as newly regulated micropollutants, characterised by extreme recalcitrance and environmental toxicity. Constructed wetlands (CWs), as a nature-based solution, have gained widespread application in sustainable water and wastewater treatment and offer multiple environmental and societal benefits. Despite CWs potential, knowledge gaps persist in their PFAS removal capacities, associated mechanisms, and modelling of PFAS fate. This study carried out a systematic literature review, supplemented by unpublished experimental data, demonstrating the promise of CWs for PFAS removal from the influents of varying sources and characteristics. Median removal performances of 64, 46, and 0 % were observed in five free water surface (FWS), four horizontal subsurface flow (HF), and 18 vertical flow (VF) wetlands, respectively. PFAS adsorption by the substrate or plant root/rhizosphere was deemed as a key removal mechanism. Nevertheless, the available dataset resulted unsuitable for a quantitative analysis. Data-driven models, including multiple regression models and machine learning-based Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), were employed to predict PFAS removal. These models showed better predictive performance compared to various mechanistic models, which include two adsorption isotherms. The results affirmed that artificial intelligence is an efficient tool for modelling the removal of emerging contaminants with limited knowledge of chemical properties. In summary, this study consolidated evidence supporting the use of CWs for mitigating new legacy PFAS contaminants. Further research, especially long-term monitoring of full-scale CWs treating real wastewater, is crucial to obtain additional data for model development and validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pinelopi Savvidou
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, College Road, Cranfield, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, United Kingdom
| | - Gabriela Dotro
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, College Road, Cranfield, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, United Kingdom
| | - Pablo Campo
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, College Road, Cranfield, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, United Kingdom
| | - Frederic Coulon
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, College Road, Cranfield, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, United Kingdom
| | - Tao Lyu
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, College Road, Cranfield, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, United Kingdom.
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Wang Y, Gui J, Howe CG, Emond JA, Criswell RL, Gallagher LG, Huset CA, Peterson LA, Botelho JC, Calafat AM, Christensen B, Karagas MR, Romano ME. Association of diet with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in plasma and human milk in the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 933:173157. [PMID: 38740209 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are related to various adverse health outcomes, and food is a common source of PFAS exposure. Dietary sources of PFAS have not been adequately explored among U.S. pregnant individuals. We examined associations of dietary factors during pregnancy with PFAS concentrations in maternal plasma and human milk in the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study. PFAS concentrations, including perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), perfluorononanoate (PFNA), and perfluorodecanoate (PFDA), were measured in maternal plasma collected at ∼28 gestational weeks and human milk collected at ∼6 postpartum weeks. Sociodemographic, lifestyle and reproductive factors were collected from prenatal questionnaires and diet from food frequency questionnaires at ∼28 gestational weeks. We used adaptive elastic net (AENET) to identify important dietary variables for PFAS concentrations. We used multivariable linear regression to assess associations of dietary variables selected by AENET models with PFAS concentrations. Models were adjusted for sociodemographic, lifestyle, and reproductive factors, as well as gestational week of blood sample collection (plasma PFAS), postpartum week of milk sample collection (milk PFAS), and enrollment year. A higher intake of fish/seafood, eggs, coffee, or white rice during pregnancy was associated with higher plasma or milk PFAS concentrations. For example, every 1 standard deviation (SD) servings/day increase in egg intake during pregnancy was associated with 4.4 % (95 % CI: 0.6, 8.4), 3.3 % (0.1, 6.7), and 10.3 % (5.6, 15.2) higher plasma PFOS, PFOA, and PFDA concentrations respectively. Similarly, every 1 SD servings/day increase in white rice intake during pregnancy was associated with 7.5 % (95 % CI: -0.2, 15.8) and 12.4 % (4.8, 20.5) greater milk PFOS and PFOA concentrations, respectively. Our study suggests that certain dietary factors during pregnancy may contribute to higher PFAS concentrations in maternal plasma and human milk, which could inform interventions to reduce PFAS exposure for both birthing people and offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Wang
- Department of Epidemiology, The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH 03755, USA.
| | - Jiang Gui
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH 03755, USA
| | - Caitlin G Howe
- Department of Epidemiology, The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH 03755, USA
| | - Jennifer A Emond
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH 03755, USA
| | - Rachel L Criswell
- Department of Epidemiology, The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH 03755, USA; Skowhegan Family Medicine, Redington-Fairview General Hospital, Skowhegan, ME 04976, USA
| | - Lisa G Gallagher
- Department of Epidemiology, The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH 03755, USA
| | - Carin A Huset
- Minnesota Department of Health, St. Paul, MN 55101, USA
| | - Lisa A Peterson
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Julianne Cook Botelho
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Antonia M Calafat
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Brock Christensen
- Department of Epidemiology, The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH 03755, USA
| | - Margaret R Karagas
- Department of Epidemiology, The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH 03755, USA
| | - Megan E Romano
- Department of Epidemiology, The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH 03755, USA
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7
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Xing WY, Sun JN, Liu FH, Shan LS, Yin JL, Li YZ, Xu HL, Wei YF, Liu JX, Zheng WR, Zhang YY, Song XJ, Liu KX, Liu JC, Wang JY, Jia MQ, Chen X, Li XY, Liu C, Gong TT, Wu QJ. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and human health outcomes: An umbrella review of systematic reviews with meta-analyses of observational studies. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 472:134556. [PMID: 38735187 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although evidence on the association between per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and human health outcomes has grown exponentially, specific health outcomes and their potential associations with PFASs have not been conclusively evaluated. METHODS We conducted a comprehensive search through the databases of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science from inception to February 29, 2024, to identify systematic reviews with meta-analyses of observational studies examining the associations between the PFASs and multiple health outcomes. The quality of included studies was evaluated using the A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) tool, and credibility of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) criteria. The protocol of this umbrella review (UR) had been registered in PROSPERO (CRD 42023480817). RESULTS The UR identified 157 meta-analyses from 29 articles. Using the AMSTAR measurement tool, all articles were categorized as of moderate-to-high quality. Based on the GRADE assessment, significant associations between specific types of PFASs and low birth weight, tetanus vaccine response, and triglyceride levels showed high certainty of evidence. Moreover, moderate certainty of evidence with statistical significance was observed between PFASs and health outcomes including lower BMI z-score in infancy, poor sperm progressive motility, and decreased risk of preterm birth as well as preeclampsia. Fifty-two (33%) associations (e.g., PFASs and gestational hypertension, cardiovascular disease, etc) presented low certainty evidence. Additionally, eighty-five (55%) associations (e.g., PFASs with infertility, lipid metabolism, etc) presented very low certainty evidence. CONCLUSION High certainty of evidence supported that certain PFASs were associated with the incidence of low birth weight, low efficiency of the tetanus vaccine, and low triglyceride levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Yi Xing
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Clinical Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Key Laboratory of Precision Medical Research on Major Chronic Disease, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jia-Nan Sun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Fang-Hua Liu
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Clinical Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Key Laboratory of Precision Medical Research on Major Chronic Disease, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Li-Shen Shan
- Department of Pediatric, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jia-Li Yin
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Clinical Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Key Laboratory of Precision Medical Research on Major Chronic Disease, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yi-Zi Li
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Clinical Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Key Laboratory of Precision Medical Research on Major Chronic Disease, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - He-Li Xu
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Clinical Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Key Laboratory of Precision Medical Research on Major Chronic Disease, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yi-Fan Wei
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Clinical Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Key Laboratory of Precision Medical Research on Major Chronic Disease, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jia-Xin Liu
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Clinical Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Key Laboratory of Precision Medical Research on Major Chronic Disease, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Wen-Rui Zheng
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Clinical Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Key Laboratory of Precision Medical Research on Major Chronic Disease, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Ying-Ying Zhang
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Clinical Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Key Laboratory of Precision Medical Research on Major Chronic Disease, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xin-Jian Song
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Clinical Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Key Laboratory of Precision Medical Research on Major Chronic Disease, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Ke-Xin Liu
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Clinical Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Key Laboratory of Precision Medical Research on Major Chronic Disease, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jia-Cheng Liu
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Clinical Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Key Laboratory of Precision Medical Research on Major Chronic Disease, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jia-Yi Wang
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Clinical Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Key Laboratory of Precision Medical Research on Major Chronic Disease, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Ming-Qian Jia
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Clinical Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Key Laboratory of Precision Medical Research on Major Chronic Disease, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xing Chen
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Clinical Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Key Laboratory of Precision Medical Research on Major Chronic Disease, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiao-Ying Li
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Clinical Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Key Laboratory of Precision Medical Research on Major Chronic Disease, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
| | - Chuan Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
| | - Ting-Ting Gong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
| | - Qi-Jun Wu
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Clinical Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Key Laboratory of Precision Medical Research on Major Chronic Disease, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Advanced Reproductive Medicine and Fertility (China Medical University), National Health Commission, Shenyang, China.
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8
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Liu Y, Lin A, Thompson J, Bowden JA, Townsend TG. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in construction and demolition debris (CDD): discerning sources and fate during waste management. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 472:134567. [PMID: 38735190 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
As regulatory frameworks for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) evolve, the solid waste community seeks to manage PFAS risks effectively. Despite extensive research on PFAS in municipal solid waste (MSW) and wastewater sludge, there is limited information on a major global waste stream which seldom gleans regulatory oversight - construction and demolition debris (CDD). This study sampled a CDD processing facility to provide material-specific information on the PFAS profile within CDD. The bulk CDD accepted by this facility was separated into major categories, representatively sampled, then characterized for total available PFAS (∑92PFAS). As reprocessed CDD is ultimately recycled or landfilled, often unencapsulated or in unlined landfills, the PFAS leaching potential was also examined using two leaching procedures. Among the categories assessed for total PFAS, carpeting, carpet padding, and gypsum drywall showed elevated concentrations compared to other components, with most of the PFAS mass contributed by precursor species. However, materials with the highest total PFAS, such as carpeting, did not necessarily exhibit the highest leaching, and leachate was predominantly composed of terminal species rather than precursors. Extrapolating these findings with national CDD generation and management data inventories suggests that despite MSW having higher total available PFAS concentrations, the leachability of PFAS from landfilled CDD is comparable, raising legitimate concerns with CDD disposal practices, particularly in unlined CDD landfills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yalan Liu
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA; Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, PO Box 116450, Gainesville, FL 32611-6450, USA
| | - Ashley Lin
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, PO Box 116450, Gainesville, FL 32611-6450, USA
| | - Jake Thompson
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, PO Box 116450, Gainesville, FL 32611-6450, USA
| | - John A Bowden
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, PO Box 116450, Gainesville, FL 32611-6450, USA; Department of Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Florida, 1333 Center Drive, Basic Science Building, Room 324, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Timothy G Townsend
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, PO Box 116450, Gainesville, FL 32611-6450, USA.
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9
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Zvekic M, Barrett H, Diamente P, Peng H, Krogh ET. Unique hepatic maternal transfer pattern of trace metals and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in a bluntnose sixgill shark (Hexanchus griseus). CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 359:142315. [PMID: 38735494 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
The fate and distribution of environmental contaminants includes bioaccumulation within marine organisms. A deceased 4-m long adult female bluntnose sixgill shark, pregnant with 72 pups, was recovered from Coles Bay on Vancouver Island, BC, Canada in 2019. This specimen provided a unique opportunity to examine maternal transfer of contaminants in a yolk-sac viviparous shark species. Liver subsamples of the adult and offspring were analyzed for 18 targeted inorganic elements by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and 21 targeted perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-Orbitrap MS). The maternal-offspring transfer efficiencies in liver tissue were subsequently examined for both contaminant classes. Concentrations of all detectable metals apart from calcium and magnesium were found to be higher in the mother compared to the offspring, including substantial levels of toxic cadmium (6 ± 2 mg kg-1 dw) and lead (7 ± 3 mg kg-1 dw). Conversely, high maternal transfer efficiencies were observed for PFAS (i.e., ΣPFAS = 71 ± 9 ng g-1 ww in offspring compared to 13 ± 9 ng g-1 ww in the mother). This study highlighted the unique maternal transfer characteristics of PFAS in bluntnose sixgill sharks depending on the structure of the polar head group, with greater liver-to-liver transfer efficiencies observed for perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) than perfluorosulfonic acids (PFSAs) of the same fluorocarbon chain length.
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Affiliation(s)
- Misha Zvekic
- Applied Environmental Research Laboratories (AERL), Department of Chemistry, Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo, V9R 5S5, British Columbia, Canada; Department of Chemistry, University of Victoria, Victoria, V8P 5C2, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Holly Barrett
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Peter Diamente
- Applied Environmental Research Laboratories (AERL), Department of Chemistry, Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo, V9R 5S5, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Hui Peng
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Erik T Krogh
- Applied Environmental Research Laboratories (AERL), Department of Chemistry, Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo, V9R 5S5, British Columbia, Canada; Department of Chemistry, University of Victoria, Victoria, V8P 5C2, British Columbia, Canada.
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10
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Vázquez Loureiro P, Nguyen KH, Rodríguez Bernaldo de Quirós A, Sendón R, Granby K, Niklas AA. Identification and quantification of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) migrating from food contact materials (FCM). CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 360:142360. [PMID: 38761829 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) can be added to food contact materials (FCM) to increase their water and/or grease repellent properties. Some well-known PFAS are perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCA), perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSA), and polyfluorinated telomer alcohols (FTOH). Due to the strength of the carbon-fluorine bond, PFAS are chemically very stable and highly resistant to biological degradation, posing a risk to human health and the environment. To examine the presence of PFAS in paper-based FCM, various samples were collected, including popcorn bags, muffin cups, and pizza boxes with high total organic fluorine (TOF) content from the Danish and Spanish markets. The FCM composition was characterised by FTIR. Quantification of some well-known PFAS such as PFCA, PFSA, and FTOH was performed in food simulants using LC-MS/MS, and in addition a non-targeted screening approach was performed by LC-Orbitrap-HRMS. Among analysed samples, the highest concentrations of PFAS were found in a muffin cup made of cellulose (PFCA ∼ 1.41 μg kg-1 food, FTOH ∼ 11.5 μg kg-1 food), and the results were used to estimate dietary exposures to PFAS migrated from this FCM. Compared to measured TOF value in this sample, the fluorine from all quantified PFAS accounted for only 0.6%. Thus, a more powerful analytical approach was used to further investigate PFAS occurrence in this sample. Using non-targeted screening, an additional twenty compounds were identified, among them five with confidence level 1 and ten with confidence level 2. Many of them were either fluorotelomer carboxylic acids or sulfonic acids or ether-containing compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Vázquez Loureiro
- Technical University of Denmark, National Food Institute, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark; Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Khanh-Hoang Nguyen
- Technical University of Denmark, National Food Institute, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Ana Rodríguez Bernaldo de Quirós
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Raquel Sendón
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Kit Granby
- Technical University of Denmark, National Food Institute, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Agnieszka A Niklas
- Technical University of Denmark, National Food Institute, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
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11
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Tessmann JW, Deng P, Durham J, Li C, Banerjee M, Wang Q, Goettl RA, He D, Wang C, Lee EY, Evers BM, Hennig B, Zaytseva YY. Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid exposure leads to downregulation of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA synthase 2 expression and upregulation of markers associated with intestinal carcinogenesis in mouse intestinal tissues. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 359:142332. [PMID: 38754493 PMCID: PMC11157449 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) is a widely recognized environment pollutant known for its high bioaccumulation potential and a long elimination half-life. Several studies have shown that PFOS can alter multiple biological pathways and negatively affect human health. Considering the direct exposure to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract to environmental pollutants, PFOS can potentially disrupt intestinal homeostasis. However, there is limited knowledge about the effect of PFOS exposure on normal intestinal tissues, and its contribution to GI-associated diseases remains to be determined. In this study, we examined the effect of PFOS exposure on the gene expression profile of intestinal tissues of C57BL/6 mice using RNAseq analysis. We found that PFOS exposure in drinking water significantly downregulates mitochondrial 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA synthase 2 (HMGCS2), a rate-limiting ketogenic enzyme, in intestinal tissues of mice. We found that diets containing the soluble fibers inulin and pectin, which are known to be protective against PFOS exposure, were ineffective in reversing the downregulation of HMGCS2 expression in vivo. Analysis of intestinal tissues also demonstrated that PFOS exposure leads to upregulation of proteins implicated in colorectal carcinogenesis, including β-catenin, c-MYC, mTOR and FASN. Consistent with the in vivo results, PFOS exposure leads to downregulation of HMGCS2 in mouse and human normal intestinal organoids in vitro. Furthermore, we show that shRNA-mediated knockdown of HMGCS2 in a human normal intestinal cell line resulted in increased cell proliferation and upregulation of key proliferation-associated proteins such as cyclin D, survivin, ERK1/2 and AKT, along with an increase in lipid accumulation. In summary, our results suggest that PFOS exposure may contribute to pathological changes in normal intestinal cells via downregulation of HMGCS2 expression and upregulation of pro-carcinogenic signaling pathways that may increase the risk of colorectal cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josiane Weber Tessmann
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA.
| | - Pan Deng
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
| | - Jerika Durham
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA.
| | - Chang Li
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA.
| | - Moumita Banerjee
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA.
| | - Qingding Wang
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA.
| | - Ryan A Goettl
- Markey Cancer Center Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Shared Resource Facility, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA.
| | - Daheng He
- Markey Cancer Center Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Shared Resource Facility, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA.
| | - Chi Wang
- Markey Cancer Center Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Shared Resource Facility, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA.
| | - Eun Y Lee
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA.
| | - B Mark Evers
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA.
| | - Bernhard Hennig
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA.
| | - Yekaterina Y Zaytseva
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA.
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12
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Weitz K, Kantner D, Kessler A, Key H, Larson J, Bodnar W, Parvathikar S, Davis L, Robey N, Taylor P, De la Cruz F, Tolaymat T, Weber N, Linak W, Krug J, Phelps L. Review of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl treatment in combustion-based thermal waste systems in the United States. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 932:172658. [PMID: 38657813 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of synthetic chemicals known for their widespread presence and environmental persistence. Carbon-fluorine (C-F) bonds are major components among PFAS and among the strongest organic bonds, thus destroying PFAS may present significant challenge. Thermal treatment such as incineration is an effective and approved method for destroying many halogenated organic chemicals. Here, we present the results of existing studies and testing at combustion-based thermal treatment facilities and summarize what is known regarding PFAS destruction and mineralization at such units. Available results suggest the temperature and residence times reached by some thermal treatment systems are generally favorable to the destruction of PFAS, but the possibility for PFAS or fluorinated organic byproducts to escape destruction and adequate mineralization and be released into the air cannot be ruled out. Few studies have been conducted at full-scale operating facilities, and none to date have attempted to characterize possible fluorinated organic products of incomplete combustion (PICs). Further, the ability of existing air pollution control (APC) systems, designed primarily for particulate and acid gas control, to reduce PFAS air emissions has not been determined. These data gaps remain primarily due to the previous lack of available methods to characterize PFAS destruction and PIC concentrations in facility air emissions. However, newly developed stack testing methods offer an improved understanding of the extent to which thermal waste treatment technologies successfully destroy and mineralize PFAS in these waste streams.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith Weitz
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | | | | | - Haley Key
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Judd Larson
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Wanda Bodnar
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | | | - Lynn Davis
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Nicole Robey
- Innovative Technical Solutions, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | | | - Florentino De la Cruz
- College of Computing, Engineering and Construction, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Thabet Tolaymat
- Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Management, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Nathan Weber
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - William Linak
- Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Jonathan Krug
- Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Lara Phelps
- Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
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13
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Rispens B, Hendriks AJ. Towards process-based modelling and parameterisation of bioaccumulation in humans across PFAS congeners. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 359:142253. [PMID: 38714250 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large class of stable toxic chemicals which have ended up in the environment and in organisms in significant concentrations. Toxicokinetic models are needed to facilitate extrapolation of bioaccumulation data across PFAS congeners and species. For the present study, we carried out an inventory of accumulation processes specific for PFAS, deviating from traditional Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). In addition, we reviewed toxicokinetic models on PFAS reported in literature, classifying them according to the number of compartments distinguished as a one-compartment model (1-CM), two-compartment model (2- CM) or a multi-compartment model, (multi-CM) as well as the accumulation processes included and the parameters used. As the inventory showed that simple 1-CMs were lacking, we developed a generic 1-CM of ourselves to include PFAS specific processes and validated the model for legacy perfluoroalkyl acids. Predicted summed elimination constants were accurate for long carbon chains (>C6), indicating that the model properly represented toxicokinetic processes for most congeners. Results for urinary elimination rate constants were mixed, which might be caused by the exclusion of reabsorption processes (renal reabsorption, enterohepatic circulation). The 1-CM needs to be improved further in order to better predict individual elimination pathways. Besides that, more data on PFAS-transporter specific processes are needed to extrapolate across PFAS congeners and species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bjorn Rispens
- Department of Environmental Science, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525, AJ Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - A Jan Hendriks
- Department of Environmental Science, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525, AJ Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
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14
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Wang T, Yang J, Han Y, Wāng Y. Unveiling the intricate connection between per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and prostate hyperplasia. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 932:173085. [PMID: 38729377 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
The presence of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in various everyday products has raised concerns about their potential impact on prostate health. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different types of PFAS on prostate health, including PFDeA, PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, and PFNA. To assess the relationship between PFAS exposure and prostate injury, machine learning algorithms were employed to analyze prostate-specific antigen (PSA) metrics. The analysis revealed a linear and positive dose-dependent association between PFOS and the ratio of free PSA to total PSA (f/tPSA). Non-linear dose-response relationships were observed between the other four types of PFAS and the f/tPSA ratio. Additionally, the analysis showed a positive association between the mixture of PFAS and prostate hyperplasia, with PFNA having the highest impact followed by PFOS. These findings suggest that elevated serum levels of PFDeA, PFOA, PFOS, and PFNA are linked to prostate hyperplasia. Therefore, this study utilized advanced machine learning techniques to uncover potential hazardous effects of PFAS exposure on prostate health, specifically the positive association between PFAS and prostate hyperplasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Wang
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University; School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210009, China
| | - Jijingru Yang
- School of the Second Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Yapeng Han
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University; School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Yán Wāng
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University; School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210009, China.
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15
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Buckley JP, Zhou J, Marquess KM, Lanphear BP, Cecil KM, Chen A, Sears CG, Xu Y, Yolton K, Kalkwarf HJ, Braun JM, Kuiper JR. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and bone mineral content in early adolescence: Modification by diet and physical activity. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 252:118872. [PMID: 38580001 PMCID: PMC11156547 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) exposures may negatively impact bone mineral accrual, but little is known about potential mitigators of this relation. We assessed whether associations of PFAS and their mixture with bone mineral content (BMC) in adolescence were modified by diet and physical activity. METHODS We included 197 adolescents enrolled in a prospective pregnancy and birth cohort in Cincinnati, Ohio (2003-2006). At age 12 years, we collected serum for PFAS measurements and used dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry to measure BMC. We calculated dietary calcium intake and Health Eating Index (HEI) scores from repeated 24-h dietary recalls, physical activity scores using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C), and average moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) based on accelerometry. We estimated covariate-adjusted differences in BMC z-scores per interquartile range (IQR) increase of individual PFAS concentrations using linear regression and per simultaneous IQR increase in all four PFAS using g-computation. We evaluated effect measure modification (EMM) using interaction terms between each modifier and PFAS. RESULTS Higher serum perfluorooctanoic acid, perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, and perfluorononanoic acid concentrations and the PFAS mixture were associated with lower BMC z-scores. An IQR increase in all PFAS was associated with a 0.27 (-0.54, 0.01) lower distal radius BMC z-score. Associations with lower BMC were generally stronger among adolescents classified as < median for calcium intake, HEI scores, or MVPA compared to those ≥ median. The difference in distal radius BMC z-score per IQR increase in all PFAS was -0.38 (-0.72, -0.04) for those with CONCLUSION Healthy, calcium-rich diets and higher intensity physical activity may mitigate the adverse impact of PFAS on adolescent bone health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessie P Buckley
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | - Junyi Zhou
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
| | - Katherine M Marquess
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
| | - Bruce P Lanphear
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Kim M Cecil
- Department of Radiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, USA
| | - Aimin Chen
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Clara G Sears
- Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, Department of Medicine, Division of Environmental Medicine, University of Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Yingying Xu
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, USA
| | - Kimberly Yolton
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, USA
| | - Heidi J Kalkwarf
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, USA
| | - Joseph M Braun
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University, Providence, USA
| | - Jordan R Kuiper
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, Washington, D.C., USA
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16
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Siddiqui S. Microplastics: A potential booster for PFAS in biosolids. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2024; 20:912-913. [PMID: 38896091 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.4965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Samreen Siddiqui
- King County, Seattle, Washington, USA
- IEAM Editorial Board Member
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17
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Baumert BO, Eckel SP, Goodrich JA, Li Z, Stratakis N, Walker DI, Zhao Y, Fischer FC, Bartell S, Valvi D, Lin X, Fuentes ZC, Inge T, Ryder J, Jenkins T, Kohli R, Sisley S, Xanthakos S, Rock S, La Merrill MA, McConnell R, Conti DV, Chatzi L. Changes in plasma concentrations of per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances after bariatric surgery in adolescents from the Teen-Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery (Teen-LABS) study. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 930:172840. [PMID: 38685432 PMCID: PMC11103488 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Exposure to per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is ubiquitous due to their persistence in the environment and in humans. Extreme weight loss has been shown to influence concentrations of circulating persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Using data from the multi-center perspective Teen-Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery (Teen-LABS) cohort, we investigated changes in plasma-PFAS in adolescents after bariatric surgery. Adolescents (Mean age = 17.1 years, SD = 1.5 years) undergoing bariatric surgery were enrolled in the Teen-LABS study. Plasma-PFAS were measured at the time of surgery and then 6-, 12-, and 36 months post-surgery. Linear mixed effect models were used to evaluate longitudinal changes in plasma-PFAS after the time of bariatric surgery. This study included 214 adolescents with severe obesity who had available longitudinal measures of plasma-PFAS and underwent bariatric surgery between 2007 and 2012. Underlying effects related to undergoing bariatric surgery were found to be associated with an initial increase or plateau in concentrations of circulating PFAS up to 6 months after surgery followed by a persistent decline in concentrations of 36 months (p < 0.001 for all plasma-PFAS). Bariatric surgery in adolescents was associated with a decline in circulating PFAS concentrations. Initially following bariatric surgery (0-6 months) concentrations were static followed by decline from 6 to 36 months following surgery. This may have large public health implications as PFAS are known to be associated with numerous metabolic related diseases and the significant reduction in circulating PFAS in individuals who have undergone bariatric surgery may be related to the improvement of such metabolic related diseases following bariatric surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittney O Baumert
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Sandrah P Eckel
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jesse A Goodrich
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Zhenjiang Li
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Nikos Stratakis
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Douglas I Walker
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, ISGlobal, Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Yinqi Zhao
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, 1518 Clifton Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States of America
| | - Fabian Christoph Fischer
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Scott Bartell
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA; Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, United States
| | - Damaskini Valvi
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Xiangping Lin
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Zoe Coates Fuentes
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Thomas Inge
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Justin Ryder
- Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine; Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Todd Jenkins
- Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine; Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Rohit Kohli
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Nutrition, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Stephanie Sisley
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Stavra Xanthakos
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sarah Rock
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Nutrition, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Michele A La Merrill
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Rob McConnell
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - David V Conti
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Lida Chatzi
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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18
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Liu Y, Yu G, Medsker H, Luo T, Meng X, Wang C, Feng L, Zhang J. Perinatal exposure to perfluorooctane sulfonate and the risk of hepatic inflammation in rat offspring: Perturbation of gut-liver crosstalk. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024:119442. [PMID: 38901810 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 06/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) exposure is associated with harmful hepatic outcomes. Growing evidence indicates that crosstalk between the gut microbiome, immune system, and liver plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of liver diseases. However, the underlying mechanism is not fully understood. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of PFOS exposure during pregnancy and lactation on hepatic inflammation in rat offspring. Features of hepatic inflammation and increased levels of aspartate-amino transferase (AST) were found in pups on postnatal day 28 (PND28) in PFOS-exposed groups. Gut microbiota analysis identified Chitinophaga, Ralstonia, and Alloprevotella as the key genera in distinguishing the PFOS-exposed group from the control group. Metabolic and transcriptomic analyses found that PFOS exposure resulted in 48 differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) in the serum, 62 DEMs in the liver, and 289 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the liver of PND28 pups. The immune response is significantly enriched in PFOS-exposed liver on PND28; multi-omics analysis indicated that PFOS might lead to immune response perturbation by disturbing the metabolic profiling in the liver. The changed gut microbiota was significantly related to the serum level of the liver function index. Specifically, Alloprevotella, Chitinophage, Ruminococcus, and Allobaculum were significantly associated with the metabolic abundance changes of 4-Hydroxydebrisoquine, L-Norvaline, and Eremopetasinorol, and the gene expression changes of Acat211, Msmol, Idi1, Sqle, and Gadd45b in the liver. These findings suggest that early-life PFOS exposure may be associated with adverse hepatic inflammation in young offspring via disruption of the gut-liver crosstalk, which may provide mechanistic clues for clarifying the hepatotoxicity in offspring associated with perinatal PFOS exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongjie Liu
- Ministry of Education and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, Shanghai Academy of Environment Sciences, Shanghai 200233, P. R. China
| | - Guoqi Yu
- Ministry of Education and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China; Global Centre for Asian Women's Health, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117549, Singapore
| | - Hannah Medsker
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, USA
| | - Tingyu Luo
- School of Public Health, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541001, China
| | - Xi Meng
- Ministry of Education and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Cuiping Wang
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, P. R. China.
| | - Liping Feng
- Ministry of Education and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, USA.
| | - Jun Zhang
- Ministry of Education and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China.
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19
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Tiburtini GA, Bertarini L, Bersani M, Dragani TA, Rolando B, Binello A, Barge A, Spyrakis F. In silico prediction of the interaction of legacy and novel per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) with selected human transporters and of their possible accumulation in the human body. Arch Toxicol 2024:10.1007/s00204-024-03797-0. [PMID: 38884658 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-024-03797-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Per- and poly-fluorinated compounds constitute a wide group of fluorocarbon chemicals with widespread industrial applications, ranging from non-stick coating in cookware to water surfactants, from fire-fighting foams to water-repellent coatings on textiles. Presently, over 12,000 PFAS are known worldwide. In recent years, extensive research has focused on investigating the biological effects of these molecules on various organisms, including humans. Here, we conducted in silico simulations to examine the potential binding of a representative selection of PFAS to various human proteins known to be involved in chemical transportation and accumulation processes. Specifically, we targeted human serum albumin (HSA), transthyretin (TTR), thyroxine binding protein (TBG), fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs), organic anion transporters (OATs), aiming to assess the potential for bioaccumulation. Molecular docking simulations were employed for this purpose, supplemented by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to account for protein flexibility, when necessary. Our findings indicate that so-called "legacy PFAS" such as PFOA or PFOS exhibit a higher propensity for interaction with the analysed human protein targets compared to newly formulated PFAS, characterised by higher branching and hydrophilicity, and possibly a higher accumulation in the human body.
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Affiliation(s)
- G A Tiburtini
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - L Bertarini
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - M Bersani
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | | | - B Rolando
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - A Binello
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - A Barge
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - F Spyrakis
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
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20
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Yu G, Luo T, Liu Y, Huo X, Mo C, Huang B, Li Y, Feng L, Sun Y, Zhang J, Zhang Z. Multi-omics reveal disturbance of glucose homeostasis in pregnant rats exposed to short-chain perfluorobutanesulfonic acid. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 278:116402. [PMID: 38728940 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS), a short-chain alternative to perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), is widely used in various products and is increasingly present in environmental media and human bodies. Recent epidemiological findings have raised concerns about its potential adverse health effects, although the specific toxic mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the metabolic toxicity of gestational PFBS exposure in maternal rats. Pregnant Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly assigned to three groups and administered either 3% starch gel (control), 5, or 50 mg/kg bw·d PFBS. Oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) and lipid profiles were measured, and integrated omics analysis (transcriptomics and non-targeted metabolomics) was employed to identify changes in genes and metabolites and their relationships with metabolic phenotypes. The results revealed that rats exposed to 50 mg/kg bw·d PFBS exhibited a significant decrease in 1-h glucose levels and the area under the curve (AUC) of OGTT compared with the starch group. Transcriptomics analysis indicated significant alterations in gene expression related to cytochrome P450 exogenous metabolism, glutathione metabolism, bile acid secretion, tumor pathways, and retinol metabolism. Differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) were enriched in pathways such as pyruvate metabolism, the glucagon signaling pathway, central carbon metabolism in cancer, and the citric acid cycle. Co-enrichment analysis and pairwise correlation analysis among genes, metabolites, and outcomes identified several differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including Gstm1, Kit, Adcy1, Gck, Ppp1r3c, Ppp1r3d, and DEMs such as fumaric acid, L-lactic acid, 4-hydroxynonenal, and acetylvalerenolic acid. These DEGs and DEMs may play a role in the modulation of glucolipid metabolic pathways. In conclusion, our results suggest that gestational exposure to PFBS may induce molecular perturbations in glucose homeostasis. These findings provide insights into the potential mechanisms contributing to the heightened risk of abnormal glucose tolerance associated with PFBS exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoqi Yu
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China; Global Centre for Asian Women's Health, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117549, Singapore; Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117549, Singapore
| | - Tingyu Luo
- School of Public Health, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541001, China
| | - Yongjie Liu
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xiaona Huo
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Chunbao Mo
- School of Public Health and Emergency Management, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Bo Huang
- School of Public Health, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541001, China
| | - You Li
- School of Public Health, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541001, China
| | - Liping Feng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Yan Sun
- School of Public Health, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541001, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China.
| | - Zhiyong Zhang
- School of Public Health, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541001, China; The Guangxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Exposomics and Entire Lifecycle Heath, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541001, China.
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21
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Hohweiler K, Krometis LA, Ling EJ, Xia K. Incidence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in private drinking water supplies in Southwest Virginia, USA. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 929:172539. [PMID: 38649039 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of man-made contaminants of human health concern due to their resistance to degradation, widespread environmental occurrence, bioaccumulation in living organisms, and potential negative health impacts. Private drinking water supplies may be uniquely vulnerable to PFAS contamination in impacted areas, as these systems are not protected under federal regulations and often include limited treatment or remediation, if contaminated, prior to use. The goal of this study was to determine the incidence of PFAS contamination in private drinking water supplies in two counties in Southwest Virginia, USA (Floyd and Roanoke) that share similar bedrock geologies, are representative of different state Department of Health risk categories, and to examine the potential for reliance on citizen-science based strategies for sample collection in subsequent efforts. Samples for inorganic ions, bacteria, and PFAS analysis were collected on separate occasions by participants and experts at the home drinking water point of use (POU) for comparison. Experts also collected outside tap samples for analysis of 30 PFAS compounds. At least one PFAS was detectable in 95 % of POU samples collected (n = 60), with a mean total PFAS concentration of 23.5 ± 30.8 ppt. PFOA and PFOS, two PFAS compounds which presently have EPA health advisories, were detectable in 13 % and 22 % of POU samples, respectively. On average, each POU sample contained >3 PFAS compounds, and one sample contained as many as 8 compounds, indicating that exposure to a mixture of PFAS in drinking water may be occurring. Although there were significant differences in total PFAS concentrations between expert and participant collected samples (Wilcoxon, alpha = 0.05), collector bias was inconsistent, and may be due to the time of day of sampling (i.e. morning, afternoon) or specific attributes of a given home. Further research is required to resolve sources of intra-sample variability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen Hohweiler
- Biological Systems Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 155 Ag Quad Lane, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0303, United States of America.
| | - Leigh-Anne Krometis
- Biological Systems Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 155 Ag Quad Lane, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0303, United States of America.
| | - Erin J Ling
- Biological Systems Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 155 Ag Quad Lane, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0303, United States of America.
| | - Kang Xia
- Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station, the Center for Advanced Innovation in Agriculture, School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 185 Ag Quad Lane, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0303, United States of America.
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22
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Hughey KD, Gallagher NB, Zhao Y, Thakur N, Bradley AM, Koster van Groos PG, Johnson TJ. PFAS remediation: Evaluating the infrared spectra of complex gaseous mixtures to determine the efficacy of thermal decomposition of PFAS. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 362:142631. [PMID: 38885768 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Due to their widespread production and known environmental contamination, the need for the detection and remediation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has grown quickly. While destructive thermal treatment of PFAS at low temperatures (e.g., 200-500 °C) is of interest due to lower energy and infrastructure requirements, the range of possible degradation products remains underexplored. To better understand the low temperature decomposition of PFAS species, we have coupled gas-phase infrared spectroscopy with a multivariate curve resolution (MCR) analysis and a database of high-resolution PFAS infrared reference spectra to characterize and quantify a complex mixture resulting from potassium perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS-K) decomposition. Beginning at 375 °C, nine prevalent decomposition products (namely smaller perfluorocarbon species) are identified and quantified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kendall D Hughey
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, Richland, WA 99352, USA
| | - Neal B Gallagher
- Eigenvector Research, Inc., 196 Hyacinth Road, Manson, WA 98831, USA
| | - Yuwei Zhao
- APTIM, 17 Princess Road, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Nikita Thakur
- APTIM, 17 Princess Road, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Ashley M Bradley
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, Richland, WA 99352, USA
| | | | - Timothy J Johnson
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, Richland, WA 99352, USA.
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23
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Schildroth S, Claus Henn B, Vines AI, Geller RJ, Lovett SM, Coleman CM, Bethea TN, Botelho JC, Calafat AM, Milando C, Baird DD, Wegienka G, Wise LA. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), perceived stress, and depressive symptoms in a prospective cohort study of black women. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 929:172445. [PMID: 38642767 PMCID: PMC11109747 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are endocrine-disrupting chemicals with neurotoxic properties. PFAS have been associated with depressive symptoms among women in some studies, but little research has evaluated the effects of PFAS mixtures. Further, no study has investigated interactions of PFAS-depression associations by perceived stress, which has been shown to modify the effects of PFAS on other health outcomes. OBJECTIVE In a prospective cohort study of reproductive-aged Black women, we investigated associations between PFAS and depressive symptoms and the extent to which perceived stress modified these associations. METHODS We analyzed data from 1499 participants (23-35 years) in the Study of Environment, Lifestyle, and Fibroids. We quantified concentrations of nine PFAS in baseline plasma samples using online solid-phase extraction-liquid chromatography-isotope dilution tandem mass spectrometry. Participants reported perceived stress via the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-4; range = 0-16) at baseline and depressive symptoms via the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD; range = 0-44) at the 20-month follow-up visit. We used Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression to estimate associations between PFAS concentrations, individually and as a mixture, and depressive symptoms, and to assess effect modification by PSS-4 scores, adjusting for confounders. RESULTS Baseline perfluorodecanoic acid concentrations were associated with greater depressive symptoms at the 20-month follow-up, but associations for other PFAS were null. The PFAS were not associated with depressive symptoms when evaluated as a mixture. The association between the 90th percentile (vs. 50th percentile) of the PFAS mixture with CES-D scores was null at the 10th (β = 0.03; 95 % CrI = 0.20, 0.25), 50th (β = 0.02; 95 % CrI = -0.16, 0.19), and 90th (β = 0.01; 95 % CrI = 0.18, 0.20) percentiles of PSS-4 scores, suggesting perceived stress did not modify the PFAS mixture. CONCLUSION In this prospective cohort study, PFAS concentrations-assessed individually or as a mixture-were not appreciably associated with depressive symptoms, and there was no evidence of effect modification by perceived stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Schildroth
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Birgit Claus Henn
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anissa I Vines
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Ruth J Geller
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sharonda M Lovett
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Chad M Coleman
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Traci N Bethea
- Office of Minority Health & Health Disparities Research, Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Julianne Cook Botelho
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Antonia M Calafat
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Chad Milando
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Donna D Baird
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Lauren A Wise
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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24
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Choi JW, Oh J, Bennett DH, Calafat AM, Schmidt RJ, Shin HM. Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and child behavioral problems. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 251:118511. [PMID: 38387490 PMCID: PMC11144101 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may adversely affect child behaviors; however, findings of epidemiologic studies are inconsistent. We examined prenatal PFAS exposure in association with child behavioral problems. METHODS Participants were 177 mother-child pairs from MARBLES (Markers of Autism Risk in Babies - Learning Early Signs), a cohort with elevated familial likelihood of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We quantified nine PFAS in maternal serum (1-3 samples per mother) collected from the 1st to 3rd trimesters of pregnancy. Child behavioral problems were assessed at 3 years of age using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), developed to test for various behavioral problems of children. We examined associations of the CBCL scores with individual PFAS concentrations and with their mixture using negative binomial regression and weighted quantile sum regression models. RESULTS Higher prenatal perfluorononanoate (PFNA) concentrations were associated with higher scores of externalizing problems [β = 0.16, 95% CI (0.01, 0.32)] and aggressive behavior [β = 0.17 (0.01, 0.32)]. Higher PFNA, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), and perfluorodecanoate (PFDA) were associated with higher scores of sleep problems [β = 0.34 (0.15, 0.54) for PFNA, β = 0.20 (0.02, 0.37) for PFOS, and β = 0.19 (0.00, 0.37) for PFDA]. No significant associations observed for typically developing children, whereas PFOS, PFNA, and PFDA were associated with several behavioral problems among children diagnosed with ASD or other neurodevelopmental concerns. Exposure to a mixture of PFAS was associated with higher scores of sleep problems and aggressive behavior, mostly contributed by PFNA and PFDA. CONCLUSIONS Our study showed that prenatal exposure to some PFAS could increase child behavioral problems at 3 years of age. However, our results should be interpreted with caution because we relied on data from a cohort with increased familial likelihood of ASD and thereby had more behavioral problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeong Weon Choi
- Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA.
| | - Jiwon Oh
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Deborah H Bennett
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | | | - Rebecca J Schmidt
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, USA; MIND Institute, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Hyeong-Moo Shin
- Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA
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25
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Lee CS, Venkatesan AK. Cationic surfactant-assisted foam fractionation enhances the removal of short-chain perfluoroalkyl substances from impacted water. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 362:142614. [PMID: 38878978 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
Several studies have demonstrated that air-bubbling and foam fractionation techniques can efficiently remove long-chain PFAS from contaminated water. However, removing short-chain PFAS is challenging due to its lower surface activity and inability to form self-assembly structures at the air-water interface. In this study, we tested various additives, including salts, surfactants, and polymers, to improve short-chain PFAS (e.g., perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS) and perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA)) removal in non-foaming solutions using a bench-scale system. We found that in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC) and salt, air-bubbling can significantly remove 0.5 μg L-1 of PFBS and PFBA in deionized water by >99% (15 min) and 81% (60 min), respectively. The decline of surface tension and the formation of thin foam-like layers during bubbling, controlled by the concentration of CTAC, significantly improved the removal of short-chain PFAS. Adding anionic and neutral surfactants showed no removal of short-chain PFAS during bubbling, suggesting the importance of the electrostatic interactions between short-chain PFAS and the cationic CTAC. We observed a 1:1 M ratio between CTAC and PFBS removed from the solution, suggesting the formation of ion pairs in the solution and enhancing the surface activity of the overall neutral (PFAS-CTAC) complex. A mass balance of the system revealed that the primary mechanism by which PFAS was removed from non-foaming waters was through aerosol generation (70-100%). Using the optimized condition, PFAS mixtures (short- and long-chain PFAS, including five recently regulated PFAS by USPEA, 2 nM each) in deionized water and natural groundwater were successfully removed to below detection (>99% removal; <2 ng L-1), except for PFBA (25-73% removal). These results provide an improved understanding of the mechanism by which PFAS is removed during foam fractionation and highlight the need for capturing aerosols enriched with PFAS to prevent secondary contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Shiuan Lee
- Research Center for Environmental Changes, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
| | - Arjun K Venkatesan
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, 07102, USA.
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26
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Sun S, Liang M, Fan D, Gu W, Wang Z, Shi L, Geng N. Occurrence and profiles of perfluoroalkyl substances in wastewaters of chemical industrial parks and receiving river waters: Implications for the environmental impact of wastewater discharge. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 945:173993. [PMID: 38879026 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
A total of 17 groups of wastewaters from the chemical industrial parks and matched receiving river waters were collected in the east of China. The measured total concentrations of 21 analyzed PFAS analogues (∑21PFAS) in the influents and effluents of the wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) were in the range of 0.172-20.6 μg/L (mean: 18.2 μg/L, median: 3.9 μg/L) and 0.167-93.6 μg/L (mean: 10.8 μg/L, median: 1.12 μg/L), respectively, which were significantly higher than those observed in the upstream (range: 0.0158-7.05 μg/L, mean: 1.09 μg/L, median: 0.482 μg/L) and downstream (range: 0.0237-1.82 μg/L, mean: 0.697 μg/L, median: 0.774 μg/L) receiving waters. Despite the concentrations and composition profiles of PFAS varied in the water samples from different sampling sites, PFOA was generally the major PFAS analogue in the research areas, mainly due to the history of PFOA production and usage as well as the specific exemptions. The calculated concentration ratios of the short-chain PFCAs and PFSAs to their respective predecessors (PFOA and PFOS) in most of the samples far exceeded 1, indicating a shift from legacy PFOA and PFOS to short-chain PFAS in the research areas. Correlation network analysis and the calculated concentration ratios of PFAS in the effluents versus influents indicated transformation may have occurred during the water treatment processes and PFAS could not be efficiently removed in the WWTPs. Wastewater discharge of chemical industrial parks is a vital source of PFAS dispersed into the aquatic environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Sun
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide Environmental Assessment and Pollution Control, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Science, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People's Republic of China, Nanjing 210042, China
| | - Mengyuan Liang
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide Environmental Assessment and Pollution Control, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Science, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People's Republic of China, Nanjing 210042, China
| | - Deling Fan
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide Environmental Assessment and Pollution Control, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Science, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People's Republic of China, Nanjing 210042, China
| | - Wen Gu
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide Environmental Assessment and Pollution Control, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Science, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People's Republic of China, Nanjing 210042, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide Environmental Assessment and Pollution Control, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Science, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People's Republic of China, Nanjing 210042, China.
| | - Lili Shi
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide Environmental Assessment and Pollution Control, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Science, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People's Republic of China, Nanjing 210042, China
| | - Ningbo Geng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Sciences for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China.
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27
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Monsky RJ, Li Y, Houk KN, Dichtel WR. Low-Temperature Mineralization of Fluorotelomers with Diverse Polar Head Groups. J Am Chem Soc 2024. [PMID: 38870114 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c03117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent environmental pollutants linked to harmful health effects. Currently employed PFAS destruction methods are energy-intensive and often produce shorter-chain and recalcitrant partially fluorinated byproducts. We report the mineralization of five fluorotelomer compounds via a base-mediated degradation using NaOH and mild temperatures (120 °C) in a mixture of DMSO:H2O (8:1 v/v). The studied fluorotelomers have varying polar head groups-carboxylic acids, sulfonic acids, alcohols, and phosphonic acids, which are the most common polar head groups used in commercial and industrial applications. The degradation intermediates and byproducts were characterized using 1H, 13C, and 19F NMR spectroscopy. Density functional theory computations at the M06-2X/6-311 + G(2d,p)-SMD-(DMSO) level were consistent with the observed intermediates and guided an overall mechanistic hypothesis. Degradation of each fluorotelomer occurs through a similar process, in which the nonfluorinated carbons and the first fluorinated carbon are cleaved from the remaining perfluoroalkyl fragment, which degrades through previously identified pathways. These findings provide important insight into PFAS degradation processes and suggest that PFAS containing at least one C-H bond within or adjacent to its fluoroalkyl chain can be degraded under these mild conditions. Many PFAS in current use as well as recalcitrant fluorinated byproducts generated from other PFAS degradation methods are candidates for this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Monsky
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Yuli Li
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - K N Houk
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - William R Dichtel
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
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28
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Dong X, Yang JZ. Deciphering Discord: How Conflicting Information and Political Ideology Shape Public Attitude Toward PFAS Regulation. JOURNAL OF HEALTH COMMUNICATION 2024:1-11. [PMID: 38867422 DOI: 10.1080/10810730.2024.2367111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) contamination is an emerging environmental and health risk facing the world. This study examines the impact of conflicting information on Americans' attitude toward PFAS regulation and intention to engage in mitigation behaviors through a one-way, between-subjects experiment. Participants were 1,062 U.S. adults recruited from CloudResearch. Results showed that compared to participants exposed to consistent information, those exposed to conflicting information displayed less favorable attitude toward existing regulation, which led to lower intention to support related policies and to engage in mitigation behaviors. Political ideology moderated these relationships, with stronger experimental effects among conservatives. These findings underscore the importance of conveying consistent risk messages, especially when multiple stakeholders are involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxia Dong
- Department of Communication, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Janet Z Yang
- Department of Communication, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
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29
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Qin W, Escher BI, Huchthausen J, Fu Q, Henneberger L. Species Difference? Bovine, Trout, and Human Plasma Protein Binding of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:9954-9966. [PMID: 38804966 PMCID: PMC11171458 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c10824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) strongly bind to proteins and lipids in blood, which govern their accumulation and distribution in organisms. Understanding the plasma binding mechanism and species differences will facilitate the quantitative in vitro-to-in vivo extrapolation and improve risk assessment of PFAS. We studied the binding mechanism of 16 PFAS to bovine serum albumin (BSA), trout, and human plasma using solid-phase microextraction. Binding of anionic PFAS to BSA and human plasma was found to be highly concentration-dependent, while trout plasma binding was linear for the majority of the tested PFAS. At a molar ratio of PFAS to protein ν < 0.1 molPFAS/molprotein, the specific protein binding of anionic PFAS dominated their human plasma binding. This would be the scenario for physiological conditions (ν < 0.01), whereas in in vitro assays, PFAS are often dosed in excess (ν > 1) and nonspecific binding becomes dominant. BSA was shown to serve as a good surrogate for human plasma. As trout plasma contains more lipids, the nonspecific binding to lipids affected the affinities of PFAS for trout plasma. Mass balance models that are parameterized with the protein-water and lipid-water partitioning constants (chemical characteristics), as well as the protein and lipid contents of the plasma (species characteristics), were successfully used to predict the binding to human and trout plasma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiping Qin
- Department
of Cell Toxicology, UFZ—Helmholtz
Centre for Environmental Research, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
- Environmental
Toxicology, Department of Geosciences, Eberhard
Karls University Tübingen, Schnarrenbergstr. 94-96, DE-72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Beate I. Escher
- Department
of Cell Toxicology, UFZ—Helmholtz
Centre for Environmental Research, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
- Environmental
Toxicology, Department of Geosciences, Eberhard
Karls University Tübingen, Schnarrenbergstr. 94-96, DE-72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Julia Huchthausen
- Department
of Cell Toxicology, UFZ—Helmholtz
Centre for Environmental Research, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
- Environmental
Toxicology, Department of Geosciences, Eberhard
Karls University Tübingen, Schnarrenbergstr. 94-96, DE-72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Qiuguo Fu
- Department
of Environmental Analytical Chemistry, UFZ—Helmholtz
Centre for Environmental Research, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Luise Henneberger
- Department
of Cell Toxicology, UFZ—Helmholtz
Centre for Environmental Research, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
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30
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Teffera M, Veith AC, Ronnekleiv-Kelly S, Bradfield CA, Nikodemova M, Tussing-Humphreys L, Malecki K. Diverse mechanisms by which chemical pollutant exposure alters gut microbiota metabolism and inflammation. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 190:108805. [PMID: 38901183 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
The human gut microbiome, the host, and the environment are inextricably linked across the life course with significant health impacts. Consisting of trillions of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other micro-organisms, microbiota living within our gut are particularly dynamic and responsible for digestion and metabolism of diverse classes of ingested chemical pollutants. Exposure to chemical pollutants not only in early life but throughout growth and into adulthood can alter human hosts' ability to absorb and metabolize xenobiotics, nutrients, and other components critical to health and longevity. Inflammation is a common mechanism underlying multiple environmentally related chronic conditions, including cardiovascular disease, multiple cancer types, and mental health. While growing research supports complex interactions between pollutants and the gut microbiome, significant gaps exist. Few reviews provide descriptions of the complex mechanisms by which chemical pollutants interact with the host microbiome through either direct or indirect pathways to alter disease risk, with a particular focus on inflammatory pathways. This review focuses on examples of several classes of pollutants commonly ingested by humans, including (i) heavy metals, (ii) persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and (iii) nitrates. Digestive enzymes and gut microbes are the first line of absorption and metabolism of these chemicals, and gut microbes have been shown to alter compounds from a less to more toxic state influencing subsequent distribution and excretion. In addition, chemical pollutants may interact with or alter the selection of more harmful and less commensal microbiota, leading to gut dysbiosis, and changes in receptor-mediated signaling pathways that alter the integrity and function of the gut intestinal tract. Arsenic, cadmium, and lead (heavy metals), influence the microbiome directly by altering different classes of bacteria, and subsequently driving inflammation through metabolite production and different signaling pathways (LPS/TLR4 or proteoglycan/TLR2 pathways). POPs can alter gut microbial composition either directly or indirectly depending on their ability to activate key signaling pathways within the intestine (e.g., PCB-126 and AHR). Nitrates and nitrites' effect on the gut and host may depend on their ability to be transformed to secondary and tertiary metabolites by gut bacteria. Future research should continue to support foundational research both in vitro, in vivo, and longitudinal population-based research to better identify opportunities for prevention, gain additional mechanistic insights into the complex interactions between environmental pollutants and the microbiome and support additional translational science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menna Teffera
- Molecular and Environmental Toxicology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, US; Biotechnology Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, US.
| | - Alex C Veith
- Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, US.
| | - Sean Ronnekleiv-Kelly
- Molecular and Environmental Toxicology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, US; Biotechnology Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, US; Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, US.
| | - Christopher A Bradfield
- Molecular and Environmental Toxicology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, US; Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, US; Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, US.
| | - Maria Nikodemova
- College of Public Health and Health Professionals, University of Florida, FL, US.
| | - Lisa Tussing-Humphreys
- Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition, University of Illinois-Chicago, Chicago, IL, US; University of Illinois Cancer Center, University of Illinois-Chicago, Chicago, IL, US.
| | - Kristen Malecki
- Molecular and Environmental Toxicology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, US; Biotechnology Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, US; University of Illinois Cancer Center, University of Illinois-Chicago, Chicago, IL, US; Environmental Occupational Health Sciences, University of Illinois-Chicago, Chicago, IL, US.
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31
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Pollard S, De Silva AO, Simmons DBD. Metabolic, neurotoxic and immunotoxic effects of PFAAs and their mixtures on the proteome of the head kidney and plasma from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 928:172389. [PMID: 38615763 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
PFAAs (Perfluoroalkyl acids) are a class of bioaccumulative, persistent and ubiquitous environmental contaminants which primarily occupy the hydrosphere and its sediments. Currently, a paucity of toxicological information exists for short chain PFAAs and complex mixtures. In order to address these knowledge gaps, we performed a 3-week, aqueous exposure of rainbow trout to 3 different concentrations of a PFAA mixture (50, 100 and 500 ng/L) modeled after the composition determined in Lake Ontario. We conducted an additional set of exposures to individual PFAAs (25 nM each of PFOS (12,500 ng/L), PFOA (10,300 ng/L), PFBS (7500 ng/L) or PFBA (5300 ng/L) to evaluate differences in biological response across PFAA congeners. Untargeted proteomics and phosphorylated metabolomics were conducted on the blood plasma and head kidney tissue to evaluate biological response. Plasma proteomic responses to the mixtures revealed several unexpected outcomes including Similar proteomic profiles and biological processes as the PFOS exposure regime while being orders of magnitude lower in concentration and an atypical dose response in terms of the number of significantly altered proteins (FDR < 0.1). Biological pathway analysis revealed the low mixture, medium mixture and PFOS to significantly alter (FDR < 0.05) a number of processes including those involved in lipid metabolism, oxidative stress and the nervous system. We implicate plasma increases in PPARD and PPARG as being directly related to these biological processes as they are known to be important regulators in all 3 processes. In contrast to the blood plasma, the high mixture and PFOA exposure regimes caused the greatest change to the head kidney proteome, altering many proteins being involved in lipid metabolism, oxidative stress and inflammation. Our findings support the pleiotropic effect PFAAs have on aquatic organisms at environmentally relevant doses including those on PPAR signaling, metabolic dysregulation, immunotoxicity and neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Pollard
- Faculty of Science, Ontario Tech University, Ontario, Canada
| | - Amila O De Silva
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
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32
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Borghese MM, Ward A, MacPherson S, Manz KE, Atlas E, Fisher M, Arbuckle TE, Braun JM, Bouchard MF, Ashley-Martin J. Serum concentrations of legacy, alternative, and precursor per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances: a descriptive analysis of adult female participants in the MIREC-ENDO study. Environ Health 2024; 23:55. [PMID: 38858670 PMCID: PMC11163811 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-024-01085-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several legacy and emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been regulated around the world. There is growing concern over the proliferation of alternative PFAS, as well as PFAS precursors. Biomonitoring data for PFAS are critical for assessing exposure and human health risk. METHODS We collected serum samples from 289 adult female participants in a 2018-2021 follow-up study of the Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals (MIREC) Canadian pregnancy cohort. Samples were analyzed for 40 PFAS using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. For those compounds with > 50% detection, as well as the sum of these compounds, we describe serum concentrations and patterns of exposure according to sociodemographic and obstetrical history characteristics. RESULTS 17 out of 40 PFAS were detected in > 50% of samples with 7 of these detected in > 97% of samples. Median [95th percentile] concentrations (µg/L) were highest for PFOS (1.62 [4.56]), PFOA (0.69 [1.52]), PFNA (0.38 [0.81]), and PFHxS (0.33 [0.92]). Geometric mean concentrations of PFOA and PFHxS were approximately 2-fold lower among those with more children (≥ 3 vs. 1), greater number of children breastfed (≥ 3 vs. ≤ 1), longer lifetime duration of breastfeeding (> 4 years vs. ≤ 9 months), and shorter time since last pregnancy (≤ 4 years vs. > 8 years). We observed similar patterns for PFOS, PFHpS, and the sum of 17 PFAS, though the differences between groups were smaller. Concentrations of PFOA were higher among "White" participants, while concentrations of N-MeFOSE, N-EtFOSE, 7:3 FTCA, and 4:2 FTS were slightly higher among participants reporting a race or ethnicity other than "White". Concentrations of legacy, alternative, and precursor PFAS were generally similar across levels of age, education, household income, body mass index, and menopausal status. CONCLUSIONS We report the first Canadian biomonitoring data for several alternative and precursor PFAS. Our findings suggest that exposure to PFAS, including several emerging alternatives, may be widespread. Our results are consistent with previous studies showing that pregnancy and breastfeeding are excretion pathways for PFAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Borghese
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
| | - A Ward
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - S MacPherson
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - K E Manz
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - E Atlas
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - M Fisher
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - T E Arbuckle
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - J M Braun
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - M F Bouchard
- Institut national de la recherche scientifique, Laval, QC, Canada
| | - J Ashley-Martin
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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33
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Kourtchev I, Sebben BG, Brill S, Barbosa CGG, Weber B, Ferreira RR, D'Oliveira FAF, Dias-Junior CQ, Popoola OAM, Williams J, Pöhlker C, Godoi RHM. Occurrence of a "forever chemical" in the atmosphere above pristine Amazon Forest. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 944:173918. [PMID: 38866151 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often referred to as "forever chemicals", are a class of man-made, extremely stable chemicals, which are widely used in industrial and commercial applications. Exposure to some PFAS is now known to be detrimental to human health. By virtue of PFAS long residence times, they are widely detected in the environment, including remote locations such as the Arctics, where the origin of the PFAS is poorly understood. It has been suggested that PFAS may be transported through contaminated waters, leading to accumulation in coastal areas, where they can be aerosolised via sea spray, thereby extending their geographical distribution far beyond their original source regions. The aim of this work is to investigate, for the first time, whether "forever chemicals" could be transported to areas considered to be pristine, far from coastal sites. This study was performed at the Amazonian Tall Tower Observatory (ATTO), a unique remote site situated in the middle of the Amazon rainforest, where a restricted PFAS, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), was observed with concentrations reaching up to 2 pg/m3. A clear trend of increasing concentration with sampling height was observed and air masses from the south over Manaus had the highest concentrations. Atmospheric lifetime estimations, removal mechanisms supported by measurements at two heights (320 and 42 m above the rainforest), and concentration spikes indicated a long-range transport of PFOA to pristine Amazon rainforest. Potential sources, including industrial activities in urban areas, were explored, and historical fire management practices considered. This research presents the first measurements of PFAS in the atmosphere of Amazon rainforest. Remarkably, even in this remote natural environment, appreciable levels of PFAS can be detected. This study provides valuable insights into the long-range transport of the anthropogenic "forever chemical" into a remote natural ecosystem and should raise awareness of potential environmental implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Kourtchev
- Centre for Agroecology Water and Resilience (CAWR), Coventry University, Wolston Lane, Ryton on Dunsmore CV8 3LG, UK.
| | - Bruna G Sebben
- Environmental Engineering Department, Federal University of Parana (UFPR), Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Sebastian Brill
- Multiphase Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Mainz, Germany
| | - Cybelli G G Barbosa
- Multiphase Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Mainz, Germany; Division of Plant Sciences, Institute of Biology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Bettina Weber
- Multiphase Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Mainz, Germany; Division of Plant Sciences, Institute of Biology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Rosaria R Ferreira
- Amazon Tall Tower Observatory (ATTO), National Institute of Amazonian (INPA), Brazil
| | | | - Cléo Q Dias-Junior
- Federal Institute of Pará, Physics Department (IFPA), Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | - Olalekan A M Popoola
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Jonathan Williams
- Climate and Atmosphere Research Center, The Cyprus Institute, Nicosia, Cyprus; Atmospheric Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Mainz, Germany
| | - Christopher Pöhlker
- Multiphase Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Mainz, Germany
| | - Ricardo H M Godoi
- Environmental Engineering Department, Federal University of Parana (UFPR), Curitiba, PR, Brazil
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34
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Abou-Khalil C, Chernysheva L, Miller A, Abarca-Perez A, Peaslee G, Herckes P, Westerhoff P, Doudrick K. Enhancing the Thermal Mineralization of Perfluorooctanesulfonate on Granular Activated Carbon Using Alkali and Alkaline-Earth Metal Additives. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 38857410 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c09795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
Thermal treatment has emerged as a promising approach for either the end-of-life treatment or regeneration of granular activated carbon (GAC) contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). However, its effectiveness has been limited by the requirement for high temperatures, the generation of products of incomplete destruction, and the necessity to scrub HF in the flue gas. This study investigates the use of common alkali and alkaline-earth metal additives to enhance the mineralization of perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) adsorbed onto GAC. When treated at 800 °C without an additive, only 49% of PFOS was mineralized to HF. All additives tested demonstrated improved mineralization, and Ca(OH)2 had the best performance, achieving a mineralization efficiency of 98% in air or N2. Its ability to increase the reaction rate and shift the byproduct selectivity suggests that its role may be catalytic. Moreover, additives reduced HF in the flue gas by instead reacting with the additive to form inorganic fluorine (e.g., CaF2) in the starting waste material. A hypothesized reaction mechanism is proposed that involves the electron transfer from O2- defect sites of CaO to intermediates formed during the thermal decomposition of PFOS. These findings advocate for the use of additives in the thermal treatment of GAC for disposal or reuse, with the potential to reduce operating costs and mitigate the environmental impact associated with incinerating PFAS-laden wastes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charbel Abou-Khalil
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Liliya Chernysheva
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Anthony Miller
- Department of Physics, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Angela Abarca-Perez
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Graham Peaslee
- Department of Physics, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Pierre Herckes
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Paul Westerhoff
- School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Kyle Doudrick
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
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35
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Kashobwe L, Sadrabadi F, Brunken L, Coelho ACMF, Sandanger TM, Braeuning A, Buhrke T, Öberg M, Hamers T, Leonards PEG. Legacy and alternative per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) alter the lipid profile of HepaRG cells. Toxicology 2024:153862. [PMID: 38866127 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2024.153862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals used in various industrial and consumer products. They have gained attention due to their ubiquitous occurrence in the environment and potential for adverse effects on human health, often linked to immune suppression, hepatotoxicity, and altered cholesterol metabolism. This study aimed to explore the impact of ten individual PFAS, 3H-perfluoro-3-[(3-methoxypropoxy) propanoic acid] (PMPP/Adona), ammonium perfluoro-(2-methyl-3-oxahexanoate) (HFPO-DA/GenX), perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA), perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), perfluorohexanesulfonate (PFHxS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) on the lipid metabolism in human hepatocyte-like cells (HepaRG). These cells were exposed to different concentrations of PFAS ranging from 10µM to 5000µM. Lipids were extracted and analyzed using liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC- MS-QTOF). PFOS at 10µM and PFOA at 25µM increased the levels of ceramide (Cer), diacylglycerol (DAG), N-acylethanolamine (NAE), phosphatidylcholine (PC), and triacylglycerol (TAG) lipids, while PMPP/Adona, HFPO-DA/GenX, PFBA, PFBS, PFHxA, and PFHxS decreased the levels of these lipids. Furthermore, PFOA and PFOS markedly reduced the levels of palmitic acid (FA 16.0). The present study shows distinct concentration-dependent effects of PFAS on various lipid species, shedding light on the implications of PFAS for essential cellular functions. Our study revealed that the investigated legacy PFAS (PFOS, PFOA, PFBA, PFDA, PFHxA, PFHxS, and PFNA) and alternative PFAS (PMPP/Adona, HFPO-DA/GenX and PFBS) can potentially disrupt lipid homeostasis and metabolism in hepatic cells. This research offers a comprehensive insight into the impacts of legacy and alternative PFAS on lipid composition in HepaRG cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lackson Kashobwe
- Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment, De Boelelaan 1105, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Faezeh Sadrabadi
- Department of Food Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lars Brunken
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ana Carolina M F Coelho
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Torkjel M Sandanger
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Albert Braeuning
- Department of Food Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thorsten Buhrke
- Department of Food Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mattias Öberg
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Timo Hamers
- Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment, De Boelelaan 1105, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Pim E G Leonards
- Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment, De Boelelaan 1105, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
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36
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Wang J, Lin ZW, Dichtel WR, Helbling DE. Perfluoroalkyl acid adsorption by styrenic β-cyclodextrin polymers, anion-exchange resins, and activated carbon is inhibited by matrix constituents in different ways. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 260:121897. [PMID: 38870863 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants of global concern, and adsorption processes are the most widely used technologies to remove PFAAs from water. However, there remains little data on the ways that specific water matrix constituents inhibit the adsorption of PFAAs on different adsorbents. In this study, we evaluated the adsorption of 13 PFAAs on two styrene-functionalized β-cyclodextrin (StyDex) polymers, an activated carbon (AC), and an anion-exchange resin (AER) in the absence and presence of specific water matrix constituents (16 unique water matrices) in batch experiments. All four adsorbents exhibited some extent of adsorption inhibition in the presence of inorganic ions and/or humic acid (HA) added as a surrogate for natural organic matter. Two PFAAs (C5-C6 perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs)) were found to exhibit relatively weak adsorption and five PFAAs (C6-C8 perfluorosulfonic acids (PFSAs) and C9-C10 PFCAs) were found to exhibit relatively strong adsorption on all four adsorbents across all matrices. Adsorption inhibition was the greatest in the presence of Ca2+ (direct site competition) and HA (direct site competition and pore blockage) for AC, NO3- (direct site competition) and Ca2+ (chemical complexation) for the AER, and SO42- (compression of the double layer) for the StyDex polymers. The pattern of adsorption inhibition of both StyDex polymers were similar to each other but different from AC and AER, which demonstrates the distinctive PFAA adsorption mechanism on StyDex polymers. The unique performance of each type of adsorbent confirms unique adsorption mechanisms that result in unique patterns of adsorption inhibition in the presence of matrix constituents. These insights could be used to develop models to predict the performance of these adsorbents in real water matrices and afford rational selection of adsorbents based on water chemistry for specific applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jieyuan Wang
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Zhi-Wei Lin
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - William R Dichtel
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA.
| | - Damian E Helbling
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
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Lin ZW, Wang J, Dyakiv Y, Helbling DE, Dichtel WR. Structural Features of Styrene-Functionalized Cyclodextrin Polymers That Promote the Adsorption of Perfluoroalkyl Acids in Water. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:28409-28422. [PMID: 38768313 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c01969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Cross-linked β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) polymers are promising adsorbents for the removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from contaminated water sources, including contaminated groundwater, drinking water, and wastewater. We previously reported porous, styrene-functionalized β-cyclodextrin (StyDex) polymers derived from radical polymerization with vinyl comonomers. Because of the versatility of these polymerizations, StyDex polymer compositions are tunable, which facilitates efforts to establish structure-adsorption relationships and to discover improved materials. Here, we evaluate the material properties and PFAS adsorption of 20 StyDex derivatives with varied comonomer structure and loading, regiochemistry of styrene placement on the CD monomer, and CD size. A StyDex polymer containing N,N'-dimethylbutyl ammonium ions exhibited the most effective PFAS adsorption in batch experiments. Furthermore, a StyDex polymer containing β-CD exhibited size-selective host-guest interactions with perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) and neutral contaminants in aqueous electrolyte when compared to similar polymers containing either α-CD or γ-CD. Polymers based on β-CD monomers with an average of seven styrene groups randomly positioned over the 21 available hydroxyl groups performed similarly to those based on a β-CD monomer functionalized regiospecifically at each of the seven 6' positions. The former β-CD monomer is prepared in a single step from unmodified β-CD, so the ability to use it without compromising performance demonstrates promise for developing economically competitive adsorbents. These results offered important insights into structure-adsorption properties of StyDex polymers and will inform the design of improved StyDex formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Wei Lin
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Jieyuan Wang
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Yaryna Dyakiv
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Damian E Helbling
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - William R Dichtel
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
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Hari A, AbdulHameed MDM, Balik-Meisner MR, Mav D, Phadke DP, Scholl EH, Shah RR, Casey W, Auerbach SS, Wallqvist A, Pannala VR. Exposure to PFAS chemicals induces sex-dependent alterations in key rate-limiting steps of lipid metabolism in liver steatosis. FRONTIERS IN TOXICOLOGY 2024; 6:1390196. [PMID: 38903859 PMCID: PMC11188372 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2024.1390196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxicants with the potential to bioaccumulate in humans and animals have long been a cause for concern, particularly due to their association with multiple diseases and organ injuries. Per- and polyfluoro alkyl substances (PFAS) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are two such classes of chemicals that bioaccumulate and have been associated with steatosis in the liver. Although PFAS and PAH are classified as chemicals of concern, their molecular mechanisms of toxicity remain to be explored in detail. In this study, we aimed to identify potential mechanisms by which an acute exposure to PFAS and PAH chemicals can induce lipid accumulation and whether the responses depend on chemical class, dose, and sex. To this end, we analyzed mechanisms beginning with the binding of the chemical to a molecular initiating event (MIE) and the consequent transcriptomic alterations. We collated potential MIEs using predictions from our previously developed ToxProfiler tool and from published steatosis adverse outcome pathways. Most of the MIEs are transcription factors, and we collected their target genes by mining the TRRUST database. To analyze the effects of PFAS and PAH on the steatosis mechanisms, we performed a computational MIE-target gene analysis on high-throughput transcriptomic measurements of liver tissue from male and female rats exposed to either a PFAS or PAH. The results showed peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-α targets to be the most dysregulated, with most of the genes being upregulated. Furthermore, PFAS exposure disrupted several lipid metabolism genes, including upregulation of fatty acid oxidation genes (Acadm, Acox1, Cpt2, Cyp4a1-3) and downregulation of lipid transport genes (Apoa1, Apoa5, Pltp). We also identified multiple genes with sex-specific behavior. Notably, the rate-limiting genes of gluconeogenesis (Pck1) and bile acid synthesis (Cyp7a1) were specifically downregulated in male rats compared to female rats, while the rate-limiting gene of lipid synthesis (Scd) showed a PFAS-specific upregulation. The results suggest that the PPAR signaling pathway plays a major role in PFAS-induced lipid accumulation in rats. Together, these results show that PFAS exposure induces a sex-specific multi-factorial mechanism involving rate-limiting genes of gluconeogenesis and bile acid synthesis that could lead to activation of an adverse outcome pathway for steatosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Archana Hari
- Department of Defense Biotechnology High Performance Computing Software Applications Institute, Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center, U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command, Fort Detrick, MD, United States
- The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Mohamed Diwan M. AbdulHameed
- Department of Defense Biotechnology High Performance Computing Software Applications Institute, Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center, U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command, Fort Detrick, MD, United States
- The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, MD, United States
| | | | - Deepak Mav
- Sciome LLC, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | | | | | | | - Warren Casey
- Division of Translational Toxicology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Scott S. Auerbach
- Division of Translational Toxicology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Anders Wallqvist
- Department of Defense Biotechnology High Performance Computing Software Applications Institute, Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center, U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command, Fort Detrick, MD, United States
| | - Venkat R. Pannala
- Department of Defense Biotechnology High Performance Computing Software Applications Institute, Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center, U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command, Fort Detrick, MD, United States
- The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, MD, United States
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Stults JF, Schaefer CE, Fang Y, Devon J, Nguyen D, Real I, Hao S, Guelfo JL. Air-water interfacial collapse and rate-limited solid desorption control Perfluoroalkyl acid leaching from the vadose zone. JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY 2024; 265:104382. [PMID: 38861839 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconhyd.2024.104382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
Some Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are strongly retained in the vadose zone due to their sorption to both soils and air-water interfaces. While significant research has been dedicated to understanding equilibrium behavior for these multi-phase retention processes, leaching and desorption from aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) impacted soils under field relevant conditions can exhibit significant deviations from equilibrium. Herein, laboratory column studies using field collected AFFF-impacted soils were employed to examine the leaching of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) under simulated rainfall conditions. The HYDRUS 1-D model was calibrated to estimate the unsaturated hydraulic properties of the soil in a layered system using multiple boundary condtions. Forward simulations of equilibrium PFAS partitioning using the HYDRUS model and simplified mass balance calculations showed good agreement with the net PFAS mass flux out of the column. However, neither were able to predict the PFAS concentrations in the leached porewater. To better understand the mechanisms controlling the leaching behavior, the HYDRUS 1-D two-site leaching model incorporating solid phase rate limitation and equilibrium air-water interfacial partitioning was employed. Three variations of the novel model incorporating different forms of equilibrium air-water interfacial partitioning were considered using built-in numerical inversion. Results of numerical inversion show that a combination of air-water interfacial collapse and rate-limited desorption from soils can better predict the unique leaching behavior exhibited by PFAAs in AFFF-impacted soils. A sensitivity analysis of the initial conditions and rate-limited desorption terms was conducted to assess the agreement of the model with measured data. The models demonstrated herein show that, under some circumstances, laboratory equilibrium partitioning data can provide a reasonable estimation of total mass leaching, but fail to account for the significant rate-limited, non-Fickian transport which affect PFAA leaching to groundwater in unsaturated soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- John F Stults
- CDM Smith, 14432 SE Eastgate Way, Suite 100, Bellevue, WA 98007, United States.
| | - Charles E Schaefer
- CDM Smith, 14432 SE Eastgate Way, Suite 100, Bellevue, WA 98007, United States; CDM Smith, 110 Fieldcrest Avenue, #8, 6th Floor, Edison, NJ 08837, United States
| | - Yida Fang
- CDM Smith, 14432 SE Eastgate Way, Suite 100, Bellevue, WA 98007, United States; Haley and Aldrich Inc., 3131 Elliott Ave #600, Seattle, WA 98121, United States
| | - Julie Devon
- CDM Smith, 14432 SE Eastgate Way, Suite 100, Bellevue, WA 98007, United States
| | - Dung Nguyen
- CDM Smith, 14432 SE Eastgate Way, Suite 100, Bellevue, WA 98007, United States
| | - Isreq Real
- Civil, Environmental, and Construction Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Shilai Hao
- Civil & Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO 80401, USA
| | - Jennifer L Guelfo
- Civil, Environmental, and Construction Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
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Khan R, Uygun ZO, Andreescu D, Andreescu S. Sensitive Detection of Perfluoroalkyl Substances Using MXene-AgNP-Based Electrochemical Sensors. ACS Sens 2024. [PMID: 38830812 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.4c00776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pose a significant threat to the environment due to their persistence, ability to bioaccumulate, and harmful effects. Methods to quantify PFAS rapidly and effectively are essential to analyze and track contamination, but measuring PFAS down to the ultralow regulatory levels is extremely challenging. Here, we describe the development of a low-cost sensor that can measure a representative PFAS, perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), at the parts per quadrillion (ppq) level within 5 min. The method combines the ability of PFOS to bind to silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) embedded within a fluorine-rich Ti3C2-based multilayered MXene, which provides a large surface area and accessible binding sites for direct impedimetric detection. Fundamentally, we show that MXene-AgNPs are capable of binding PFOS and other long-chain PFAS compounds, though the synergistic action of AgNPs and MXenes via electrostatic and F-F interactions. This binding induced concentration-dependent changes in the charge-transfer resistance, enabling rapid and direct quantification with extremely high sensitivity and no response to interferences. The sensor displayed a linear range from 50 ppq to 1.6 ppt (parts per trillion) with an impressively low limit of detection of 33 ppq and a limit of quantification of 99 ppq, making this sensor a promising candidate for low-cost screening of the PFAS content in water samples, using a simple and inexpensive procedure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reem Khan
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Clarkson University, Potsdam, New York 13699, United States
| | - Zihni Onur Uygun
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Clarkson University, Potsdam, New York 13699, United States
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Kafkas University, Kars 36100, Turkey
| | - Daniel Andreescu
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Clarkson University, Potsdam, New York 13699, United States
| | - Silvana Andreescu
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Clarkson University, Potsdam, New York 13699, United States
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Leuthner TC, Zhang S, Kohrn BF, Stapleton HM, Baugh LR. Structure-specific variation in per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances toxicity among genetically diverse Caenorhabditis elegans strains. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.29.596269. [PMID: 38854041 PMCID: PMC11160736 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.29.596269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Background There are >14,500 structurally diverse per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Despite knowledge that these "forever chemicals" are in 99% of humans, mechanisms of toxicity and adverse health effects are incompletely known. Furthermore, the contribution of genetic variation to PFAS susceptibility and health consequences is unknown. Objectives We determined the toxicity of a structurally distinct set of PFAS in twelve genetically diverse strains of the genetic model system Caenorhabditis elegans. Methods Dose-response curves for four perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFNA, PFOA, PFPeA, and PFBA), two perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFOS and PFBS), two perfluoroalkyl sulfonamides (PFOSA and PFBSA), two fluoroether carboxylic acids (GenX and PFMOAA), one fluoroether sulfonic acid (PFEESA), and two fluorotelomers (6:2 FCA and 6:2 FTS) were determined in the C. elegans laboratory reference strain, N2, and eleven genetically diverse wild strains. Body length was quantified by image analysis at each dose after 48 hr of developmental exposure of L1 arrest-synchronized larvae to estimate effective concentration values (EC50). Results There was a significant range in toxicity among PFAS: PFOSA > PFBSA ≈ PFOS ≈ PFNA > PFOA > GenX ≈ PFEESA > PFBS ≈ PFPeA ≈ PFBA. Long-chain PFAS had greater toxicity than short-chain, and fluorosulfonamides were more toxic than carboxylic and sulfonic acids. Genetic variation explained variation in susceptibility to PFBSA, PFOS, PFBA, PFOA, GenX, PFEESA, PFPeA, and PFBA. There was significant variation in toxicity among C. elegans strains due to chain length, functional group, and between legacy and emerging PFAS. Conclusion C. elegans respond to legacy and emerging PFAS of diverse structures, and this depends on specific structures and genetic variation. Harnessing the natural genetic diversity of C. elegans and the structural complexity of PFAS is a powerful New Approach Methodology (NAM) to investigate structure-activity relationships and mechanisms of toxicity which may inform regulation of other PFAS to improve human and environmental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tess C. Leuthner
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Sharon Zhang
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Brendan F Kohrn
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Heather M. Stapleton
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - L. Ryan Baugh
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, North Carolina, USA
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Rekik H, Arab H, Pichon L, El Khakani MA, Drogui P. Per-and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) eternal pollutants: Sources, environmental impacts and treatment processes. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 358:142044. [PMID: 38648982 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have become a growing environmental concern due to their tangible impacts on human health. However, due to the large number of PFAS compounds and the analytical difficulty to identify all of them, there are still some knowledge gaps not only on their impact on human health, but also on how to manage them and achieve their effective degradation. PFAS compounds originate from man-made chemicals that are resistant to degradation because of the presence of the strong carbon-fluorine bonds in their chemical structure. This review consists of two parts. In the first part, the environmental effects of fluorinated compound contamination in water are covered with the objective to highlight how their presence in the environment adversely impacts the human health. In the second part, the focus is put on the different techniques available for the degradation and/or separation of PFAS compounds in different types of waters. Examples of removal/treatment of PFAS present in either surface or ground water are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hela Rekik
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS) - Centre Eau Terre Environnement (ETE), 490 Rue de la Couronne, Québec (QC), G1K 9A9, Canada
| | - Hamed Arab
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS) - Centre Eau Terre Environnement (ETE), 490 Rue de la Couronne, Québec (QC), G1K 9A9, Canada
| | - Loick Pichon
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre Énergie, Matériaux et Télécommunications, 1650, Blvd, Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, QC, J3X-1P7, Canada
| | - My Ali El Khakani
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre Énergie, Matériaux et Télécommunications, 1650, Blvd, Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, QC, J3X-1P7, Canada
| | - Patrick Drogui
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS) - Centre Eau Terre Environnement (ETE), 490 Rue de la Couronne, Québec (QC), G1K 9A9, Canada.
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Xiao S, Liu T, Hu LX, Yang B, Ying GG. Non-target and target screening and risk assessment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in textile wastewater and receiving river. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 927:171876. [PMID: 38531445 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Textile industry uses varieties of chemicals including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS are known to be persistent and incompletely removed in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). So far, little is known about what types of PFAS are used in the textile industry and their potential risks. Here we investigated PFAS in two WWTPs and a receiving river of a textile industrial park in Guangxi, China, by using both target and non-target analyses over a two-year period. The target analysis identified 11 specific PFAS, while the non-target analysis revealed a list of 648 different PFAS, including both legacy and emerging substances. Notably, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was still the most prevalent compound detected. Of particular concern was the finding that the investigated WWTPs, which employs an A/O (Anaerobic/Aerobic) process, exhibited a poor removal efficiency for PFAS. The average removal rate was only 22.0 %, indicating that the current treatment processes are inadequate in effectively mitigating PFAS contamination. Correlation analysis further highlighted the potential for PFAS to be transported from WWTPs to the receiving river, revealing a significant and strong positive correlation between the PFAS in the WWTP effluent and those of the river. Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and two emerging PFAS (DTXSID30240816 and DTXSID90240817) were identified to have high ecological risks in the receiving river. Notably, these two emerging PFAS are homologues, and their presence in WWTPs has been poorly reported. The findings highlight the wide use and persistence of PFAS in current textile WWTPs, indicating potential long term risks to the receiving environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Xiao
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Ting Liu
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Li-Xin Hu
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Bin Yang
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Guang-Guo Ying
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China.
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Bline AP, DeWitt JC, Kwiatkowski CF, Pelch KE, Reade A, Varshavsky JR. Public Health Risks of PFAS-Related Immunotoxicity Are Real. Curr Environ Health Rep 2024; 11:118-127. [PMID: 38526771 PMCID: PMC11081924 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-024-00441-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The discovery of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the environment and humans worldwide has ignited scientific research, government inquiry, and public concern over numerous adverse health effects associated with PFAS exposure. In this review, we discuss the use of PFAS immunotoxicity data in regulatory and clinical decision-making contexts and question whether recent efforts adequately account for PFAS immunotoxicity in public health decision-making. RECENT FINDINGS Government and academic reviews confirm the strongest human evidence for PFAS immunotoxicity is reduced antibody production in response to vaccinations, particularly for tetanus and diphtheria. However, recent events, such as the economic analysis supporting the proposed national primary drinking water regulations and clinical monitoring recommendations, indicate a failure to adequately incorporate these data into regulatory and clinical decisions. To be more protective of public health, we recommend using all relevant immunotoxicity data to inform current and future PFAS-related chemical risk assessment and regulation. Biological measures of immune system effects, such as reduced antibody levels in response to vaccination, should be used as valid and informative markers of health outcomes and risks associated with PFAS exposure. Routine toxicity testing should be expanded to include immunotoxicity evaluations in adult and developing organisms. In addition, clinical recommendations for PFAS-exposed individuals and communities should be revisited and strengthened to provide guidance on incorporating immune system monitoring and other actions that can be taken to protect against adverse health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail P Bline
- Social Science Environmental Health Research Institute, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
- Silent Spring Institute, Newton, MA, 02460, USA.
| | - Jamie C DeWitt
- Department of Environmental & Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
| | - Carol F Kwiatkowski
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | | | - Anna Reade
- Natural Resources Defense Council, San Francisco, CA, 94104, USA
| | - Julia R Varshavsky
- Departments of Health Sciences and Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
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Forster ALB, Geiger TC, Pansari GO, Justen PT, Richardson SD. Identifying PFAS hotspots in surface waters of South Carolina using a new optimized total organic fluorine method and target LC-MS/MS. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 256:121570. [PMID: 38640564 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are environmental contaminants of concern due to their long persistence in the environment, toxicity, and widespread presence in humans and wildlife. Knowledge regarding the extent of PFAS contamination in the environment is limited due to the need for analytical methods that can reliably quantify all PFAS, since traditional target methods using liquid chromatography (LC)-mass spectrometry (MS) fail to capture many. For a more comprehensive analysis, a total organic fluorine (TOF) method can be used as a screening tool. We combined TOF analysis with target LC-MS/MS analysis to create a statewide PFAS hotspot map for surface waters throughout South Carolina. Thirty-eight of 40 locations sampled contained detectable concentrations of organic fluorine (above 100 ng/L). Of the 33 target PFAS analyzed using LC-MS/MS, the most prevalent were perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA), and perfluorohexanesulfonate (PFHxS). On average, LC-MS/MS only accounted for 2 % of the TOF measured. Locations with high TOF did not necessarily correlate to high total quantified PFAS concentrations and vice-versa, demonstrating the limitations of target PFAS analysis and indicating that LC-MS may miss highly contaminated sites. Results suggest that future surveys should utilize TOF to more comprehensively capture PFAS in water bodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandria L B Forster
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Thomas C Geiger
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Gina O Pansari
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Patrick T Justen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Susan D Richardson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA.
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Marin M, Annunziato KM, Tompach MC, Liang W, Zahn SM, Li S, Doherty J, Lee J, Clark JM, Park Y, Timme-Laragy AR. Maternal PFOS exposure affects offspring development in Nrf2-dependent and independent ways in zebrafish (Danio rerio). AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2024; 271:106923. [PMID: 38669778 PMCID: PMC11177596 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2024.106923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) is a ubiquitous legacy environmental contaminant detected broadly in human samples and water supplies. PFOS can cross the placenta and has been detected in cord blood and breastmilk samples, underscoring the importance of understanding the impacts of maternal PFOS exposure during early development. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a preconception exposure to PFOS on developmental endpoints in offspring, as well as examine the role of the transcription factor Nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor (Nrf2a) in mediating these effects. This transcription factor regulates the expression of several genes that protect cells against oxidative stress including during embryonic development. Adult female zebrafish were exposed to 0.02, 0.08 or 0.14 mg/L PFOS for 1 week (duration of one cycle of oocyte maturation) and then paired with unexposed males from Nrf2a mutant or wildtype strains. Embryos were collected for two weeks or until completion of 5 breeding events. PFOS was maternally transferred to offspring independent of genotype throughout all breeding events in a dose-dependent manner, ranging from 2.77 to 23.72 ng/embryo in Nrf2a wildtype and 2.40 to 15.80 ng/embryo in Nrf2a mutants. Although embryo viability at collection was not impacted by maternal PFOS exposure, developmental effects related to nutrient uptake, growth and pancreatic β-cell morphology were observed and differed based on genotype. Triglyceride levels were increased in Nrf2a wildtype eggs from the highest PFOS group. In Nrf2a wildtype larvae there was a decrease in yolk sac uptake while in Nrf2a mutants there was an increase. Additionally, there was a significant decrease in pancreatic β-cell (islet) area in wildtype larvae from the 0.14 mg/L PFOS accompanied by an increase in the prevalence of abnormal islet morphologies compared to controls. Abnormal morphology was also observed in the 0.02 and 0.08 mg/L PFOS groups. Interestingly, in Nrf2a mutants there was a significant increase in the pancreatic β-cell area in the 0.02 and 0.08 mg/L PFOS groups and no changes in the prevalence of abnormal islet morphologies. These results suggest that the regulation of processes like nutrient consumption, growth and pancreatic β-cell development are at least partially modulated by the presence of a functional Nrf2a transcriptomic response. Overall, preconception exposure to environmental pollutants, such as PFOS, may impact the maturing oocyte and cause subtle changes that can ultimately impact offspring health and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjorie Marin
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA; Biotechnology Training Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Kate M Annunziato
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Madeline C Tompach
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA; Biotechnology Training Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA; Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Wenle Liang
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Sarah M Zahn
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Sida Li
- Department of Food Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Jeffery Doherty
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Jonghwa Lee
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - John M Clark
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Yeonhwa Park
- Department of Food Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Alicia R Timme-Laragy
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA; Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA.
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Tan H, Tang S, Yang L, Li J, Deng Y, Shen H, Dai Q, Gao Y, Wu P, Zhu L, Cai Z. Global quantification of emerging and legacy per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in indoor dust: Levels, profiles and human exposure. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 927:172132. [PMID: 38569952 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
This study investigated the occurrence and distribution of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in house dust samples from six regions across four continents. PFASs were detected in all indoor dust samples, with total median concentrations ranging from 17.3 to 197 ng/g. Among the thirty-one PFAS analytes, eight compounds, including emerging PFASs, exhibited high detection frequencies in house dust from all six locations. The levels of PFASs varied by region, with higher concentrations found in Adelaide (Australia), Tianjin (China), and Carbondale (United States, U.S.). Moreover, PFAS composition profiles also differed among regions. Dust from Australia and the U.S. contained high levels of 6:2 fluorotelomer phosphate ester (6:2 diPAP), while perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) were predominant in other regions. Furthermore, our results indicate that socioeconomic factors impact PFAS levels. The assessment of human exposure through dust ingestion and dermal contact indicates that toddlers may experience higher exposure levels than adults. However, the hazard quotients of PFASs for both toddlers and adults were below one, indicating significant health risks are unlikely. Our study highlights the widespread occurrence of PFASs in global indoor dust and the need for continued monitoring and regulation of these chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongli Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Analysis, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Shuqin Tang
- School of Environment, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Liu Yang
- School of Environment, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Jing Li
- School of Environment, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yongfeng Deng
- School of Environment, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Hao Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Analysis, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Qingyuan Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Analysis, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Yifei Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Analysis, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Pengfei Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Analysis, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Lin Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Analysis, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Zongwei Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Analysis, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China.
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48
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Robey NM, Liu Y, Crespo-Medina M, Bowden JA, Solo-Gabriele HM, Townsend TG, Tolaymat TM. Characterization of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other constituents in MSW landfill leachate from Puerto Rico. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 358:142141. [PMID: 38677605 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
Elevated per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) concentrations have been reported in municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill leachate with higher levels in wet and warmer subtropical climates. Information about landfill leachate characteristics is much more limited in tropical climates. In this study, 20 landfill leachate samples were collected from three MSW landfills on the tropical island of Puerto Rico and results were compared against landfills nationally and within Florida, USA. The samples collected in Puerto Rico underwent physical-chemical analysis, as well as a quantitative analysis of 92 PFAS. Samples described in this study include discrete leachate types, such as leachate, gas condensate, and leachate which has undergone on-site treatment (e.g., RO treatment, phytoremediation, lagoons). A total of 51 PFAS were detected above quantitation limits, including perfluorohexylphosphonic acid, a perfluoroalkyl acid (PFAA) which has not been reported previously in landfill leachate. ∑PFAS concentrations in this study (mean: 38,000 ng L-1), as well as concentrations of individual PFAS, are significantly higher than other reported MSW landfill leachate concentrations. The profiles of leachates collected from on-site treatment systems indicate possible transformation of precursor PFAS as a result of treatment processes - oxidizing conditions, for example, may facilitate aerobic transformation, increase the concentrations of PFAAs, and possibly increase the apparent ∑PFAS concentration. Extreme climate events, including rising temperatures and more frequent hurricanes, have placed additional strain on the solid waste management infrastructure on the island - adding complexity to an already challenging PFAS management issue. As concern grows over PFAS contamination in drinking water, these findings should inform solid waste and leachate management decisions in order to minimize PFAS emissions in island environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole M Robey
- Innovative Technical Solutions, LLC, Gainesville, FL, 32606, USA; University of Florida, Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, College of Engineering, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Yalan Liu
- University of Florida, Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, College of Engineering, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Melitza Crespo-Medina
- Center for Environmental Education, Conservation and Research (CECIA), Inter-American University of Puerto Rico, San Germán, PR, 00683, USA
| | - John A Bowden
- University of Florida, Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Helena M Solo-Gabriele
- University of Miami, Department of Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering, Coral Gables, FL, 33146-0630, USA
| | - Timothy G Townsend
- Innovative Technical Solutions, LLC, Gainesville, FL, 32606, USA; University of Florida, Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, College of Engineering, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Thabet M Tolaymat
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, Cincinnati, OH, 45268, USA.
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Lanata CM, Taylor KE, Hurst-Hopf J, Nititham J, Blazer A, Trupin L, Katz P, Dall’Era M, Yazdany J, Chung SA, Abrahamsson D, Gerona R, Criswell LA. Screening of Environmental Chemicals to Characterize Exposures in Participants With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Arthritis Rheumatol 2024; 76:905-918. [PMID: 38129991 PMCID: PMC11136608 DOI: 10.1002/art.42779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE There is a need to characterize exposures associated with the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In this pilot study, we explore a hypothesis-free approach that can measure thousands of exogenous chemicals in blood ("exposome") in patients with SLE and unaffected controls. METHODS This cross-sectional study analyzed a cohort of patients with prevalent SLE (n = 285) and controls (n = 106). Plasma was analyzed by liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF/MS). Mass spectrometry features present in at least 25% of all samples were selected for association analysis (n = 2,737). Features were matched to potential chemicals using available databases. Association analysis of abundances of features with SLE status was performed, adjusting for age and sex. We also explored features associated with SLE phenotypes, sociodemographic factors, and current medication use. RESULTS We found 30 features significantly associated with SLE status (Bonferroni P < 0.05). Of these, seven matched chemical names based on databases. These seven features included phthalate metabolites, a formetanate metabolite, and eugenol. The abundance of acid pesticides differed between patients with SLE and controls (Bonferroni P < 0.05). Two unmatched features were associated with a history of lupus nephritis, and one with anti-double-stranded DNA antibody production (Bonferroni P < 0.05). Seventeen features varied by self-reported race and ethnicity, including a polyfluoroalkyl substance (analysis of variance P < 1.69 × 10-5). Eleven features correlated with antimalarials, 6 with mycophenolate mofetil, and 29 with prednisone use. CONCLUSION This proof-of-concept study demonstrates that LC-QTOF/MS is a powerful tool that agnostically detects circulating exogenous compounds. These analyses can generate hypotheses of disease-related exposures for future prospective, longitudinal studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina M. Lanata
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Kimberly E. Taylor
- Russell/Engelman Rheumatology Research Center, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco USA
| | | | - Joanne Nititham
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Ashira Blazer
- Weil Cornell Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York NY USA
| | - Laura Trupin
- Russell/Engelman Rheumatology Research Center, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco USA
| | - Patricia Katz
- Russell/Engelman Rheumatology Research Center, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco USA
| | - Maria Dall’Era
- Russell/Engelman Rheumatology Research Center, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco USA
| | - Jinoos Yazdany
- Russell/Engelman Rheumatology Research Center, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco USA
| | - Sharon A. Chung
- Russell/Engelman Rheumatology Research Center, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco USA
| | | | - Roy Gerona
- Center for Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Lindsey A. Criswell
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
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50
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Stockbridge RB, Wackett LP. The link between ancient microbial fluoride resistance mechanisms and bioengineering organofluorine degradation or synthesis. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4593. [PMID: 38816380 PMCID: PMC11139923 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49018-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Fluorinated organic chemicals, such as per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) and fluorinated pesticides, are both broadly useful and unusually long-lived. To combat problems related to the accumulation of these compounds, microbial PFAS and organofluorine degradation and biosynthesis of less-fluorinated replacement chemicals are under intense study. Both efforts are undermined by the substantial toxicity of fluoride, an anion that powerfully inhibits metabolism. Microorganisms have contended with environmental mineral fluoride over evolutionary time, evolving a suite of detoxification mechanisms. In this perspective, we synthesize emerging ideas on microbial defluorination/fluorination and fluoride resistance mechanisms and identify best approaches for bioengineering new approaches for degrading and making organofluorine compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randy B Stockbridge
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
| | - Lawrence P Wackett
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
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