1
|
Wallace MAG, Smeltz MG, Mattila JM, Liberatore HK, Jackson SR, Shields EP, Xhani X, Li EY, Johansson JH. A review of sample collection and analytical methods for detecting per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in indoor and outdoor air. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 358:142129. [PMID: 38679180 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142129] [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: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a unique class of chemicals synthesized to aid in industrial processes, fire-fighting products, and to benefit consumer products such as clothing, cosmetics, textiles, carpets, and coatings. The widespread use of PFAS and their strong carbon-fluorine bonds has led to their ubiquitous presence throughout the world. Airborne transport of PFAS throughout the atmosphere has also contributed to environmental pollution. Due to the potential environmental and human exposure concerns of some PFAS, research has extensively focused on water, soil, and organismal detection, but the presence of PFAS in the air has become an area of growing concern. Methods to measure polar PFAS in various matrices have been established, while the investigation of polar and nonpolar PFAS in air is still in its early development. This literature review aims to present the last two decades of research characterizing PFAS in outdoor and indoor air, focusing on active and passive air sampling and analytical methods. The PFAS classes targeted and detected in air samples include fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs), perfluoroalkane sulfonamides (FASAs), perfluoroalkane sulfonamido ethanols (FASEs), perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs), and perfluorinated sulfonic acids (PFSAs). Although the manufacturing of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) has been largely phased out, these two PFAS are still often detected in air samples. Additionally, recent estimates indicate that there are thousands of PFAS that are likely present in the air that are not currently monitored in air methods. Advances in air sampling methods are needed to fully characterize the atmospheric transport of PFAS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Ariel Geer Wallace
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Air Methods and Characterization Division, 109 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA.
| | - Marci G Smeltz
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Air Methods and Characterization Division, 109 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA.
| | - James M Mattila
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27711, USA.
| | - Hannah K Liberatore
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Air Methods and Characterization Division, 109 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA.
| | - Stephen R Jackson
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Air Methods and Characterization Division, 109 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA.
| | - Erin P Shields
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Air Methods and Characterization Division, 109 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA.
| | - Xhensila Xhani
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27711, USA; Johnston Community College, 245 College Road, Smithfield, NC, 27577, USA.
| | - Emily Y Li
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Air Methods and Characterization Division, 109 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA.
| | - Jana H Johansson
- Department of Thematic Studies, Environmental Change, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Dunn M, Vojta S, Soltwedel T, von Appen WJ, Lohmann R. Passive Sampler Derived Profiles and Mass Flows of Perfluorinated Alkyl Substances (PFASs) across the Fram Strait in the North Atlantic. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS 2024; 11:166-171. [PMID: 38405271 PMCID: PMC10883200 DOI: 10.1021/acs.estlett.3c00835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are a family of pollutants of high concern due to their ubiquity and negative human health impacts. The long-range marine transport of PFAS was observed during year-long deployments of passive tube samplers in the Fram Strait across three depth transects. Time weighted average concentrations ranged from 2.4-360 pg L-1, and 10 different PFAS were regularly observed. PFAS profiles and concentrations were generally similar to those previously characterized for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) at these sites. The detection of several anionic PFAS in "old" water demonstrated that they are not perfect water mass tracers, but are also transported to depth via settling particles. Mass flows of PFAS through the Fram Strait in and out of the Arctic Ocean were basically similar (112 ±82 Mg year-1 northward flow, 100 ±54 Mg year-1 southward flow). For FOSA, export from the Arctic Ocean via the Fram Strait exceeded import by Atlantic Water, likely due to preferential transport and deposition in the Arctic Ocean. These observations suggest PFAS in the Arctic are governed by the feedback loop previously described for PAHs in the region - with additional atmospheric transport delivering volatile PFAS to the Arctic, which then get exported further.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Dunn
- University of Rhode Island, Narragansett, Rhode Island, 215 South Ferry Rd, Narragansett 02882, United States
| | - Simon Vojta
- University of Rhode Island, Narragansett, Rhode Island, 215 South Ferry Rd, Narragansett 02882, United States
| | - Thomas Soltwedel
- Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz-Center for Polar and Marine Research, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Wilken-Jon von Appen
- Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz-Center for Polar and Marine Research, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Rainer Lohmann
- University of Rhode Island, Narragansett, Rhode Island, 215 South Ferry Rd, Narragansett 02882, United States
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Riaz R, Abdur Rehman MY, Junaid M, Iqbal T, Khan JA, Dong Y, Yue L, Chen Y, Xu N, Malik RN. First insights into per-and polyfluoroalkyl substance contamination in edible fish species of the Indus water system of Pakistan. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 349:140970. [PMID: 38114020 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140970] [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: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a group of emerging contaminants, that have a wide range of applications in industrial and commercial products. The direct discharge of untreated industrial and domestic wastewater into freshwater bodies is a common practice in developing countries, which are the main contributors to PFASs in the aquatic environment. The situation is further worsened due to poor wastewater treatment facilities and weak enforcement of environmental regulations in countries like Pakistan. The current study was designed to assess PFASs contamination in muscle tissues of edible fish species from major tributaries of the Indus System, including Head Panjnad (HP), Head Trimmu (HT), Chashma Barrage (CB), Head Blloki (HB) and Head Qadirabad (HQ). The analysis of target PFAS was performed using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a quadrupole Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry. The highest levels of ∑17PFASs were observed in S. seenghala, C. mirigala from HB, and C. mirigala from HQ with a mean value of 45.4 ng g-1, 43.7 ng g-1, and 40.8 ng g-1, respectively. Overall, the compositional profile of fish samples was predominated by long-chain PFASs such as PFOA, PFOS, PFHpS, and PFDS. The accumulation of PFASs in fish species is dependent on the physiochemical properties of PFASs, characteristics of the aquatic environment, and fish species. Significant associations of PFASs with isotopic composition (p < 0.05), feeding habits (p < 0.05), and zones (p < 0.05) indicate that dietary proxies could be an important predictor of PFASs distribution among species. The C7-C10 PFASs exhibited bio-accumulative tendency with an accumulation factor ranging from 0.5 to 3.4. However, none of the fish samples had sufficiently high levels of PFOS to cause human health risk (HR < 1). For future studies, it is s recommended to conduct seasonal monitoring and the bioaccumulation pattern along trophic levels of both legacy and emerging PFASs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rahat Riaz
- Environmental Health Laboratory, Department of Environmental Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Yasir Abdur Rehman
- Environmental Health Laboratory, Department of Environmental Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Junaid
- Key Laboratory for Heavy Metal Pollution Control and Reutilization, School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China; Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province and Hong Kong Region on Marine Bioresource Conservation and Exploitation, College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510641, China
| | - Taimoor Iqbal
- Environmental Health Laboratory, Department of Environmental Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Jawad Aslam Khan
- Environmental Health Laboratory, Department of Environmental Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Yanran Dong
- Key Laboratory for Heavy Metal Pollution Control and Reutilization, School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Linxia Yue
- Key Laboratory for Heavy Metal Pollution Control and Reutilization, School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Yupeng Chen
- Key Laboratory for Heavy Metal Pollution Control and Reutilization, School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Nan Xu
- Key Laboratory for Heavy Metal Pollution Control and Reutilization, School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
| | - Riffat Naseem Malik
- Environmental Health Laboratory, Department of Environmental Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Dunn M, Noons N, Vojta S, Becanova J, Pickard H, Sunderland EM, Lohmann R. Unregulated Active and Closed Textile Mills Represent a Significant Vector of PFAS Contamination into Coastal Rivers. ACS ES&T WATER 2024; 4:114-124. [PMID: 38222965 PMCID: PMC10785679 DOI: 10.1021/acsestwater.3c00439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Despite concerns over the ubiquity of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), little is known about the diversity of input sources to surface waters and their seasonal dynamics. Frequent use of PFAS in textiles means both active and closed textile mills require evaluation as PFAS sources. We deployed passive samplers at seven sites in an urban river and estuary adjacent to textile mills in Southern Rhode Island (USA) over 12 months. We estimated monthly mass flows (g month-1) of perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA: 45±56), and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA: 30±45) from the upstream river influenced by an active mill. Average mass flows were 73-155% higher downstream, where historical textile waste lagoons contributed long chain perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAA). Mass flows of PFNA increased from 7.5 to 21 g month-1 between the upstream and downstream portions of the rivers. Distinct grouping of the two main PFAS sources, active textile mills and historical waste lagoons, were identified using principal components analysis. Neither suspect screening nor extractable organofluorine analysis revealed measurable PFAS were missing beyond the targeted compounds. This research demonstrates that both closed and active textile mills are important ongoing PFAS sources to freshwater and marine regions and should be further evaluated as a source category.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Dunn
- Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, Narragansett, RI, 02882 USA
| | - Nicholas Noons
- Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, Providence, RI, 02980 USA
| | - Simon Vojta
- Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, Narragansett, RI, 02882 USA
| | - Jitka Becanova
- Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, Narragansett, RI, 02882 USA
| | - Heidi Pickard
- Harvard University John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, MA, 02138 USA
| | - Elsie M. Sunderland
- Harvard University John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, MA, 02138 USA
| | - Rainer Lohmann
- Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, Narragansett, RI, 02882 USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Leung SCE, Wanninayake D, Chen D, Nguyen NT, Li Q. Physicochemical properties and interactions of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) - Challenges and opportunities in sensing and remediation. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 905:166764. [PMID: 37660805 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is a class of persistent organic pollutants that presents health and environmental risks. PFAS are ubiquitously present in the environment, but current remediation technologies are ineffective in degrading them into innocuous chemicals, especially high energy degradation processes often generate toxic short chain intermediates. Therefore, the best remediation strategy is to first detect the source of pollution, followed by capturing and mineralising or recycling of the compounds. The main objective of this article is to summarise the unique physicochemical properties and to critically review the intermolecular and intramolecular physicochemical interactions of PFAS, and how these interactions can become obstacles; and at the same time, how they can be applied to the PFAS sensing, capturing, and recycling process. The physicochemical interactions of PFAS chemicals are being reviewed in this paper includes, (1) fluorophilic interactions, (2) hydrophobic interactions, (3) electrostatic interactions and cation bridging, (4) ionic exchange and (5) hydrogen bond. Moreover, all the different influential factors to these interactions have also been reported. Finally, properties of these interactions are compared against one another, and the recommendations for future designs of affinity materials for PFAS have been given.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shui Cheung Edgar Leung
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia; School of Engineering and Built Environment, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - Dushanthi Wanninayake
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia; School of Engineering and Built Environment, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - Dechao Chen
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - Nam-Trung Nguyen
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - Qin Li
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia; School of Engineering and Built Environment, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Plunk EC, Majewska AK. Invited Perspective: PFAS Effects on Brain Development-Are Microglia the Missing Link? ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2023; 131:111303. [PMID: 37966803 PMCID: PMC10650440 DOI: 10.1289/ehp13845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth C. Plunk
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester Medical School, Rochester, New York, USA
- Environmental Health Science Center, University of Rochester Medical School, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Ania K. Majewska
- Environmental Health Science Center, University of Rochester Medical School, Rochester, New York, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester Medical School, Rochester, New York, USA
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Bonnefille B, Karlsson O, Rian MB, Raqib R, Parvez F, Papazian S, Islam MS, Martin JW. Nontarget Analysis of Polluted Surface Waters in Bangladesh Using Open Science Workflows. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:6808-6824. [PMID: 37083417 PMCID: PMC10157886 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c08200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Nontarget mass spectrometry has great potential to reveal patterns of water contamination globally through community science, but few studies are conducted in low-income countries, nor with open-source workflows, and few datasets are FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable). Water was collected from urban and rural rivers around Dhaka, Bangladesh, and analyzed by liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry in four ionization modes (electrospray ionization ±, atmospheric pressure chemical ionization ±) with data-independent MS2 acquisition. The acquisition strategy was complementary: 19,427 and 7365 features were unique to ESI and APCI, respectively. The complexity of water pollution was revealed by >26,000 unique molecular features resolved by MS-DIAL, among which >20,000 correlated with urban sources in Dhaka. A major wastewater treatment plant was not a dominant pollution source, consistent with major contributions from uncontrolled urban drainage, a result that encourages development of further wastewater infrastructures. Matching of deconvoluted MS2 spectra to public libraries resulted in 62 confident annotations (i.e., Level 1-2a) and allowed semiquantification of 42 analytes including pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and personal care products. In silico structure prediction for the top 100 unknown molecular features associated with an urban source allowed 15 additional chemicals of anthropogenic origin to be annotated (i.e., Level 3). The authentic MS2 spectra were uploaded to MassBank Europe, mass spectral data were openly shared on the MassIVE repository, a tool (i.e., MASST) that could be used for community science environmental surveillance was demonstrated, and current limitations were discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bénilde Bonnefille
- Department of Environmental Science, Exposure and Effects Unit, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, Stockholm 106 91, Sweden
| | - Oskar Karlsson
- Department of Environmental Science, Exposure and Effects Unit, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, Stockholm 106 91, Sweden
| | - May Britt Rian
- Department of Environmental Science, Exposure and Effects Unit, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, Stockholm 106 91, Sweden
| | - Rubhana Raqib
- Immunobiology, Nutrition and Toxicology Unit, Infectious Diseases Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Faruque Parvez
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Stefano Papazian
- Department of Environmental Science, Exposure and Effects Unit, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, Stockholm 106 91, Sweden
- National Facility for Exposomics, Metabolomics Platform, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, Solna 171 65, Sweden
| | - M Sirajul Islam
- Laboratory of Food Safety and One Health, Laboratory Sciences and Services Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Jonathan W Martin
- Department of Environmental Science, Exposure and Effects Unit, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, Stockholm 106 91, Sweden
- National Facility for Exposomics, Metabolomics Platform, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, Solna 171 65, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Dunn M, Becanova J, Snook J, Ruyle B, Lohmann R. Calibration of Perfluorinated Alkyl Acid Uptake Rates by a Tube Passive Sampler in Water. ACS ES&T WATER 2023; 3:332-341. [PMID: 37006340 PMCID: PMC10062324 DOI: 10.1021/acsestwater.2c00384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of 4000+ man-made compounds of great concern due to their environmental ubiquity and adverse effects. Despite a general interest, few reliable detection tools for integrative passive sampling of PFAS in water are available. A microporous polyethylene tube with a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance sorbent could serve as a flow-resistant passive sampler for PFAS. The tube's sampling rate, Rs, was predicted based on either partitioning and diffusion, or solely diffusion. At 15 °C, the laboratory measured Rs for perfluorohexanoic acid of 100+/-81 mL day-1 were better predicted by a partitioning and diffusion model (48+/-1.8 mL day-1) across 10-60 cm s-1 water flow speeds (15+/-4.2 mL day-1 diffusion only). For perfluorohexane sulfonate, Rs at 15°C were similarly different (110+/-60 mL day-1 measured, 120+/- 63 versus 12+/-3.4 mL day-1 in respective models). Rs values from field deployments were in-between these estimates (46 +/-40 mL day-1 for perfluorohexanoic acid). PFAS uptake was not different for previously biofouled membranes in the laboratory, suggesting the general applicability of the sampler in environmental conditions. This research demonstrates that the polyethylene tube's sampling rates are sensitive to the parameterization of the models used here and partitioning-derived values should be used.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matt Dunn
- Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, 215 South Ferry Rd, Narragansett, 02882 RI, USA
| | - Jitka Becanova
- Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, 215 South Ferry Rd, Narragansett, 02882 RI, USA
| | - Jarod Snook
- Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, 215 South Ferry Rd, Narragansett, 02882 RI, USA
| | - Bridger Ruyle
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Rainer Lohmann
- Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, 215 South Ferry Rd, Narragansett, 02882 RI, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Lalonde B, Garron C. Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) in the Canadian Freshwater Environment. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2022; 82:581-591. [PMID: 35347351 PMCID: PMC9079020 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-022-00922-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are anthropogenic substances that are very stable in the receiving environment. Legacy perfluoroalkane sulfonates (PFSAs) and perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) are especially persistent and resistant to typical environmental degradation processes and therefore are distributed across all trophic levels and environmental compartments (soil, air, water). Since most uses of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and LC-long-chain PFCAs are banned in Canada, alternative PFASs have been in use for a number of years. Twenty-nine sites across Canada were sampled for PFASs to determine concentrations and trends. Overall, 13 PFASs were measured in 566 Canadian freshwater samples from 2013 to 2020 with a range from below the detection limit (LOD range: 0.4-1.6 ng/L) of the laboratory to a maximum of 138 ng/L (for PFBS). While PFOS and PFOA concentrations are declining significantly over time, other compounds such as PFPeA and PFBA have increased significantly over 2013-2020. Overall, the range of concentrations found in this study was similar to that of other Canadian and international studies. However, this study also found a higher frequency of detections of the replacement PFASs than that of the other, older, Canadian studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benoit Lalonde
- Water Quality Monitoring and Surveillance Division, Water Science and Technology, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 45 Alderney Drive, Dartmouth, NS, B2Y 2N6, Canada.
| | - Christine Garron
- Water Quality Monitoring and Surveillance Division, Water Science and Technology, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 45 Alderney Drive, Dartmouth, NS, B2Y 2N6, Canada
| |
Collapse
|