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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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Kikanme KN, Dennis NM, Orikpete OF, Ewim DRE. PFAS in Nigeria: Identifying data gaps that hinder assessments of ecotoxicological and human health impacts. Heliyon 2024; 10:e29922. [PMID: 38694092 PMCID: PMC11061687 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29922] [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: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024] Open
Abstract
This review examines the extensive use and environmental consequences of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) on a global scale, specifically emphasizing their potential impact in Nigeria. Recognized for their resistance to water and oil, PFAS are under increased scrutiny for their persistent nature and possible ecotoxicological risks. Here, we consolidate existing knowledge on the ecological and human health effects of PFAS in Nigeria, focusing on their neurological effects and the risks they pose to immune system health. We seek to balance the advantages of PFAS with their potential ecological and health hazards, thereby enhancing understanding of PFAS management in Nigeria and advocating for more effective policy interventions and the creation of safer alternatives. The review concludes with several recommendations: strengthening regulatory frameworks, intensifying research into the ecological and health impacts of PFAS, developing new methodologies and longitudinal studies, fostering collaborative efforts for PFAS management, and promoting public awareness and education to support sustainable environmental practices and healthier communities in Nigeria.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicole M. Dennis
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of California, Riverside, USA
| | - Ochuko Felix Orikpete
- Centre for Occupational Health, Safety and Environment (COHSE), University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria
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Gonkowski S, Ochoa-Herrera V. Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in amphibians and reptiles - exposure and health effects. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2024; 270:106907. [PMID: 38564994 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2024.106907] [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: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are commonly used in various industries and everyday products, including clothing, electronics, furniture, paints, and many others. PFASs are primarily found in aquatic environments, but also present in soil, air and plants, making them one of the most important and dangerous pollutants of the natural environment. PFASs bioaccumulate in living organisms and are especially dangerous to aquatic and semi-aquatic animals. As endocrine disruptors, PFASs affect many internal organs and systems, including reproductive, endocrine, nervous, cardiovascular, and immune systems. This manuscript represents the first comprehensive review exclusively focusing on PFASs in amphibians and reptiles. Both groups of animals are highly vulnerable to PFASs in the natural habitats. Amphibians and reptiles, renowned for their sensitivity to environmental changes, are often used as crucial bioindicators to monitor ecosystem health and environmental pollution levels. Furthermore, the decline in amphibian and reptile populations worldwide may be related to increasing environmental pollution. Therefore, studies investigating the exposure of amphibians and reptiles to PFASs, as well as their impacts on these organisms are essential in modern toxicology. Summarizing the current knowledge on PFASs in amphibians and reptiles in a single manuscript will facilitate the exploration of new research topics in this field. Such a comprehensive review will aid researchers in understanding the implications of PFASs exposure on amphibians and reptiles, guiding future investigations to mitigate their adverse effects of these vital components of ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Slawomir Gonkowski
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 13, 10-957 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Valeria Ochoa-Herrera
- Colegio de Ciencias e Ingeniería, Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), Quito, 170901, Ecuador; Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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Degitz SJ, Degoey PP, Haselman JT, Olker JH, Stacy EH, Blanksma C, Meyer S, Mattingly KZ, Blackwell B, Opseth AS, Hornung MW. Evaluating potential developmental toxicity of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in Xenopus laevis embryos and larvae. J Appl Toxicol 2024. [PMID: 38531109 DOI: 10.1002/jat.4599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
As part of the US Environmental Protection Agency's perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) Action Plan, the agency is committed to increasing our understanding of the potential ecological effects of PFAS. The objective of these studies was to examine the developmental toxicity of PFAS using the laboratory model amphibian species Xenopus laevis. We had two primary aims: (1) to understand the developmental toxicity of a structurally diverse set of PFAS compounds in developing embryos and (2) to characterize the potential impacts of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and hexafluoropropylene oxide-dimer acid (HFPO-DA a.k.a. GenX), on growth and thyroid hormone-controlled metamorphosis. We employed a combination of static renewal and flow-through exposure designs. Embryos were exposed to 17 structurally diverse PFAS starting at the midblastula stage through the completion of organogenesis (96 h). To investigate impacts on PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS, and HFPO-DA on development and metamorphosis, larvae were exposed from premetamorphosis (Nieuwkoop Faber stage 51 or 54) through pro metamorphosis. Of the PFAS tested in embryos, only 1H,1H,10H,10H-perfluorodecane-1,10-diol (FC10-diol) and perfluorohexanesulfonamide (FHxSA) exposure resulted in clear concentration-dependent developmental toxicity. For both of these PFAS, a significant increase in mortality was observed at 2.5 and 5 mg/L. For FC10-diol, 100% of the surviving embryos were malformed at 1.25 and 2.5 mg/L, while for FHxSA, a significant increase in malformations (100%) was observed at 2.5 and 5 mg/L. Developmental stage achieved was the most sensitive endpoint with significant effects observed at 1.25 and 0.625 mg/L for FC10-diol and FHxSA, respectively. In larval studies, we observed impacts on growth following exposure to PFHxS and PFOS at concentrations of 100 and 2.5 mg/L, respectively, while no impacts were observed in larvae when exposed to PFOA and HFPO-DA at concentration of 100 mg/L. Further, we did not observe impacts on thyroid endpoints in exposed larvae. These experiments have broadened our understanding of the impact of PFAS on anuran development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigmund J Degitz
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure (CCTE), Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division (GLTED), Duluth, Minnesota, USA
| | - Philip P Degoey
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure (CCTE), Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division (GLTED), Duluth, Minnesota, USA
| | - Jonathan T Haselman
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure (CCTE), Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division (GLTED), Duluth, Minnesota, USA
| | - Jennifer H Olker
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure (CCTE), Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division (GLTED), Duluth, Minnesota, USA
| | - Emma H Stacy
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure (CCTE), Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division (GLTED), Duluth, Minnesota, USA
| | - Chad Blanksma
- SpecPro Professional Services, c/o US EPA, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, Minnesota, USA
| | - Scott Meyer
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure (CCTE), Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division (GLTED), Duluth, Minnesota, USA
- California Department of Water Resources, West Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Kali Z Mattingly
- SpecPro Professional Services, c/o US EPA, Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Duluth, Minnesota, USA
| | - Brett Blackwell
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure (CCTE), Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division (GLTED), Duluth, Minnesota, USA
- Biochemistry and Biotechnology Group, Bioscience Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA
| | - Anne S Opseth
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure (CCTE), Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division (GLTED), Duluth, Minnesota, USA
| | - Michael W Hornung
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure (CCTE), Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division (GLTED), Duluth, Minnesota, USA
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Coperchini F, Greco A, Rotondi M. Changing the structure of PFOA and PFOS: a chemical industry strategy or a solution to avoid thyroid-disrupting effects? J Endocrinol Invest 2024:10.1007/s40618-024-02339-w. [PMID: 38522066 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-024-02339-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The family of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) raised concern for their proven bioaccumulation and persistence in the environment and animals as well as for their hazardous health effects. As a result, new congeners of PFAS have rapidly replaced the so-called "old long-chain PFAS" (mainly PFOA and PFOS), currently out-of-law and banned by most countries. These compounds derive from the original structure of "old long-chain PFAS", by cutting or making little conformational changes to their structure, thus obtaining new molecules with similar industrial applications. The new congeners were designed to obtain "safer" compounds. Indeed, old-long-chain PFAS were reported to exert thyroid disruptive effects in vitro, and in vivo in animals and humans. However, shreds of evidence accumulated so far indicate that the "restyling" of the old PFAS leads to the production of compounds, not only functionally similar to the previous ones but also potentially not free of adverse health effects and bioaccumulation. Studies aimed at characterizing the effects of new-PFAS congeners on thyroid function indicate that some of these new-PFAS congeners showed similar effects. PURPOSE The present review is aimed at providing an overview of recent data regarding the effects of novel PFAS alternatives on thyroid function. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS An extensive review of current legislation and of the shreds of evidence obtained from in vitro and in vivo studies evaluating the effects of the exposure to novel PFOA and PFOS alternatives, as well as of PFAS mixture on thyroid function will be provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Coperchini
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Via S. Maugeri 4, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - A Greco
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Via S. Maugeri 4, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - M Rotondi
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Via S. Maugeri 4, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
- Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, Unit of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
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Rohonczy J, Robinson SA, Forbes MR, De Silva AO, Brinovcar C, Bartlett AJ, Gilroy ÈAM. The effects of two short-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) on northern leopard frog (Rana pipiens) tadpole development. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2024; 33:177-189. [PMID: 38315267 PMCID: PMC10940426 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-024-02737-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Short-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) have been detected in the environment globally. The presence and persistence of these compounds in the environment may lead to chronic wildlife exposure. We used northern leopard frog (Rana pipiens) tadpoles to investigate the chronic toxicity and the bioconcentration of two short-chain PFCAs, perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) and perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA). We exposed Gosner stage 25 tadpoles to PFBA and PFHxA (as individual chemicals) at nominal concentrations of 0.1, 1, 10, 100, and 1000 µg/L for 43-46 days. Tadpoles exposed to 0.1 to 100 µg/L of PFBA and PFHxA had significantly higher mean snout-to-vent lengths, mean masses, and scaled mass indexes than control tadpoles. These results indicate that exposure to short-chain PFCAs influences tadpole growth. Further investigation into the mechanism(s) causing the observed changes in tadpole growth is warranted. We observed a significantly higher proportion of males in the PFBA 1 µg/L treatment group, however further histological analyses are required to confirm visual sex identification before making concrete conclusions on the effects of PFCAs on amphibian sex ratios. PFBA concentrations in tissues were higher than PFHxA concentrations; a pattern that contrasts with previously published studies using fish, suggesting potential differences between taxa in PFBA and PFHxA bioconcentration. Bioconcentration factors were <10 L/kg wet weight, indicating low bioconcentration potential in tadpoles. Our results suggest that PFBA and PFHxA may have effects at environmentally-relevant concentrations (0.1-10 µg/L) and further investigation is required before these compounds can be deemed a "safe" alternative to their long-chain counterparts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jillian Rohonczy
- Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Stacey A Robinson
- Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6, Canada.
- Wildlife and Landscape Science Directorate, Environment and Climate Change, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0H3, Canada.
| | - Mark R Forbes
- Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Amila O De Silva
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, ON, L7S 1A1, Canada
| | - Cassandra Brinovcar
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, ON, L7S 1A1, Canada
| | - Adrienne J Bartlett
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, ON, L7S 1A1, Canada
| | - Ève A M Gilroy
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, ON, L7S 1A1, Canada
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Antonopoulou M, Spyrou A, Tzamaria A, Efthimiou I, Triantafyllidis V. Current state of knowledge of environmental occurrence, toxic effects, and advanced treatment of PFOS and PFOA. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 913:169332. [PMID: 38123090 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169332] [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: 09/23/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are anthropogenic synthetic compounds, with high chemical and thermal stability and a persistent, stable and bioaccumulative nature that renders them a potential hazard for the environment, its organisms, and humans alike. Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are the most well-known substances of this category and even though they are phased out from production they are still highly detectable in several environmental matrices. As a result, they have been spread globally in water sources, soil and biota exerting toxic and detrimental effects. Therefore, up and coming technologies, namely advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) and advanced reduction processes (ARPs) are being tested for their implementation in the degradation of these pollutants. Thus, the present review compiles the current knowledge on the occurrence of PFOS and PFOA in the environment, the various toxic effects they have induced in different organisms as well as the ability of AOPs and ARPs to diminish and/or eliminate them from the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Antonopoulou
- Department of Sustainable Agriculture, University of Patras, 30131 Agrinio, Greece.
| | - Alexandra Spyrou
- Department of Sustainable Agriculture, University of Patras, 30131 Agrinio, Greece
| | - Anna Tzamaria
- Department of Sustainable Agriculture, University of Patras, 30131 Agrinio, Greece
| | - Ioanna Efthimiou
- Department of Biology, Section of Genetics Cell Biology and Development, University of Patras, 26500 Patras, Greece
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Li C, Zhong H, Wu J, Meng L, Wang Y, Liao C, Wang Y, He Y. Migration mechanism and risk assessment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in the Ya'Er Lake oxidation pond area, China. J Environ Sci (China) 2024; 136:301-312. [PMID: 37923440 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2022.12.008] [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: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
The migration mechanisms, sources, and environmental risks of 29 legacy and emerging perfluorinated and polyfluoroalkyl species present in an oxidation pond (Ya'Er Lake) were investigated for treating sewage based on the analysis of their occurrence and distribution. The concentration of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in pond area was between 0.30 and 63.2 ng/g dw (dry weight), with the overall average concentration of 8.00 ng/g dw. Notably, the PFAS concentrations in the surface sediments near the sewage outlet in Pond-1 (50.2 ng/g dw) and Pond-5 (average 15.1 ng/g dw) were 1-2 orders of magnitude higher than those in other areas. In general, the legacy PFAS, i.e., perfluorooctane sulfonic acid was considered to be the major pollutant in the polluted area, on average, accounting for 73.0% of the total concentration of PFAS pollutants. By evaluating the regional distribution of different PFAS homologs, the short-chain PFAS pollutants with lower Kow were found to migrate farther in both horizontal and vertical directions. The sewage outlets in Pond-1 and Pond-5 are the main pollution sources in polluted area and the emerging PFAS pollutants in Pond-5 have replaced the legacy PFAS pollutants as the main pollutants. Based on positive matrix factorization analysis, three main industrial sources of PFAS pollutants in the study area were identified: protective coating, fire-fighting, and food packaging sources. Moreover, the environmental risk assessment results showed that most study areas exhibited medium environmental risk (0.01 ≤ Risk quotient (RQ) < 1), indicating that the ecological environment risks in this area need further attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Li
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Huifang Zhong
- Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jing Wu
- China National Environmental Monitoring Centre, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Lingyi Meng
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Yingjun Wang
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Chunyang Liao
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Yawei Wang
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental and Health Effects of Persistent Toxic Substances, Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China.
| | - Yujian He
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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Xing Y, Zhou Y, Zhang X, Lin X, Li J, Liu P, Lee HK, Huang Z. The sources and bioaccumulation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in animal-derived foods and the potential risk of dietary intake. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 905:167313. [PMID: 37742961 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167313] [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: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have attracted increasing attention due to their environmental persistence and potential toxicity. Diet is one of the main routes of human exposure to PFAS, particularly through the consumption of animal-derived foods (e.g., aquatic products, livestock and poultry, and products derived from them). This review summarizes the source, bioaccumulation, and distribution of PFAS in animal-derived foods and key influential factors. In most environmental media, perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonate are the dominant PFAS, with the levels of short-chain PFAS such as perfluorobutyric acid and perfluorohexane sulfonate surpassing them in some watersheds and coastal areas. The presence of PFAS in environmental media is mainly influenced by suspended particulate matter, microbial communities as well as temporal and spatial factors, such as season and location. Linear PFAS with long carbon chains (C ≥ 7) and sulfonic groups tend to accumulate in organisms and contribute significantly to the contamination of animal-derived foods. Furthermore, PFAS, due to their protein affinity, are prone to accumulate in the blood and protein-rich tissues such as the liver and kidney. Species differences in PFAS bioaccumulation are determined by diet, variances in protein content in the blood and tissues and species-specific activity of transport proteins. Carnivorous fish usually show higher PFAS accumulation than omnivorous fish. Poultry typically metabolize PFAS more rapidly than mammals. PFAS exposures in the processing of animal-derived foods are also attributable to the migration of PFAS from food contact materials, especially those in higher-fat content foods. The human health risk assessment of PFAS exposure from animal-derived foods suggests that frequent consumption of aquatic products potentially engender greater risks to women and minors than to adult males. The information and perspectives from this review would help to further identify the toxicity and migration mechanism of PFAS in animal-derived foods and provide information for food safety management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yudong Xing
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, PR China
| | - Yan Zhou
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, PR China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, PR China
| | - Xia Lin
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, PR China
| | - Jiaoyang Li
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, PR China
| | - Peng Liu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, PR China
| | - Hian Kee Lee
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117543, Singapore
| | - Zhenzhen Huang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, PR China.
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Andrews DQ, Stoiber T, Temkin AM, Naidenko OV. Discussion. Has the human population become a sentinel for the adverse effects of PFAS contamination on wildlife health and endangered species? THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 901:165939. [PMID: 37769722 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165939] [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: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Global contamination with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) poses a threat to both human health and the environment, with significant implications for ecological conservation policies. A growing list of peer-reviewed publications indicates that PFAS can harm wildlife health and that the adverse effects associated with PFAS exposure in wildlife are in concordance with human epidemiological studies. The correlation of cross-species data supports a unique perspective that humans can be regarded as a sentinel for PFAS effects in other species. The health harms due to PFAS are potentially most concerning for populations of endangered and threatened species that are simultaneously exposed to PFAS and other toxic pollutants, and also face threats to their survival due to habitat loss, degradation of ecosystems, and over-harvesting. Human epidemiological studies on the PFAS doses associated with health harm present a rich source of information about potential impacts on wildlife health due to PFAS. Our analysis suggests that national and international efforts to restrict the discharges of PFAS into the environment and to clean up PFAS-contaminated sites present an opportunity to protect wildlife from chemical pollution and to advance species conservation worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Q Andrews
- Environmental Working Group, 1250 I Street NW Suite 1000, Washington DC 20005, United States of America.
| | - Tasha Stoiber
- Environmental Working Group, 1250 I Street NW Suite 1000, Washington DC 20005, United States of America
| | - Alexis M Temkin
- Environmental Working Group, 1250 I Street NW Suite 1000, Washington DC 20005, United States of America
| | - Olga V Naidenko
- Environmental Working Group, 1250 I Street NW Suite 1000, Washington DC 20005, United States of America
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11
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Pandelides Z, Conder J, Choi Y, Allmon E, Hoskins T, Lee L, Hoverman J, Sepúlveda M. A Critical Review of Amphibian Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Ecotoxicity Research Studies: Identification of Screening Levels in Water and Other Useful Resources for Site-Specific Ecological Risk Assessments. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2023; 42:2078-2090. [PMID: 37314102 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5695] [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: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
With the goal of aiding risk assessors conducting site-specific risk assessments at per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS)-contaminated sites, this critical review synthesizes information on the ecotoxicity of PFAS to amphibians in 10 amphibian species and 16 peer-reviewed publications. The studies in this review consisted of spiked-PFAS chronic toxicity experiments with perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), and 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate (6:2 FTS) that evaluated apical endpoints typical of ecological risk-based decision making (survival, growth, and development). Body mass was the most sensitive endpoint, showing clear and biologically meaningful population level adverse effect sizes (≥20% adverse effects). From these results, we recommend chronic no observed effect concentration (NOEC) screening levels of 590 µg/L for PFOS and 130 µg/L for PFOA. At or above recommended chronic lowest observed effect concentration screening levels of 1100 µg/L PFOS and 1400 µg/L PFOA, there is an increased chance of adverse biologically relevant chronic effects. Biologically relevant adverse effects were not observed for PFHxS and 6:2 FTS, so unbounded NOECs of 1300 µg/L PFHxS and 1800 µg/L 6:2 FTS are recommended. Screening levels are also provided for the concentration of PFAS in an amphibian diet, amphibian tissue, and moss substrate. In addition, we recommend bioconcentration factors that can be useful to predict concentrations of PFAS in amphibians using concentrations in water; these values are useful for food web modeling to understand risks to vertebrate wildlife that prey on amphibians. Overall, the present study provides a guide to the wealth of ecotoxicological research on PFAS conducted by our research group and highlights the need for additional work that would improve the understanding of chemical risks to amphibians. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:2078-2090. © 2023 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jason Conder
- Geosyntec Consultants, Costa Mesa, California, USA
| | - Youn Choi
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Elizabeth Allmon
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Tyler Hoskins
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Linda Lee
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Jason Hoverman
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Maria Sepúlveda
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
- Sustainability Research Center and PhD in Conservation Medicine, Life Sciences Faculty, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
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12
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Jeong Y, Vyas K, Irudayaraj J. Toxicity of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances to microorganisms in confined hydrogel structures. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 456:131672. [PMID: 37236111 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as a group of environmentally persistent synthetic chemicals has been widely used in industrial and consumer products. Bioaccumulation studies have documented the adverse effects of PFAS in various living organisms. Despite the large number of studies, experimental approaches to evaluate the toxicity of PFAS on bacteria in a biofilm-like niche as structured microbial communities are sparse. This study suggests a facile approach to query the toxicity of PFOS and PFOA on bacteria (Escherichia coli K12 MG1655 strain) in a biofilm-like niche provided by hydrogel-based core-shell beads. Our study shows that E. coli MG1655 upon complete confinement in hydrogel beads exhibit altered physiological characteristics of viability, biomass, and protein expression, compared to their susceptible counterpart cultivated under planktonic conditions. We find that soft-hydrogel engineering platforms may provide a protective role for microorganisms from environmental contaminants, depending on the size or thickness of the protective/barrier layer. We expect our study to provide insights on the toxicity of environmental contaminants on organisms under encapsulated conditions that could potentially be useful for toxicity screening and in evaluating ecological risk of soil, plant, and mammalian microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoon Jeong
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Biomedical Research Center, Mills Breast Cancer Institute, Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Khushali Vyas
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Joseph Irudayaraj
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Biomedical Research Center, Mills Breast Cancer Institute, Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana, IL, USA; Carle R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, Beckman Institute, Holonyak Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory, Urbana, IL, USA.
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13
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Mahoney H, Cantin J, Rybchuk J, Xie Y, Giesy JP, Brinkmann M. Acute Exposure of Zebrafish ( Danio rerio) to the Next-Generation Perfluoroalkyl Substance, Perfluoroethylcyclohexanesulfonate, Shows Similar Effects as Legacy Substances. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:4199-4207. [PMID: 36854060 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c08463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Perfluoroethylcyclohexanesulfonate (PFECHS) is an emerging perfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) that has been considered a potential replacement for perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS). However, there is little information characterizing the toxic potency of PFECHS to zebrafish embryos and its potential for effects in aquatic environments. This study assessed toxic potency of PFECHS in vivo during both acute (96-hour postfertilization) and chronic (21-day posthatch) exposures and tested concentrations of PFECHS from 500 ng/L to 2 mg/L. PFECHS was less likely to cause mortalities than PFOS for both the acute and chronic experiments based on previously published values for PFOS exposure, but exposure resulted in a similar incidence of deformities. Exposure to PFECHS also resulted in significantly increased abundance of transcripts of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (pparα), cytochrome p450 1a1 (cyp1a1), and apolipoprotein IV (apoaIV) at concentrations nearing those of environmental relevance. Overall, these results provide further insight into the safety of an emerging PFAS alternative in the aquatic environment and raise awareness that previously considered "safer" alternatives may show similar effects as legacy PFASs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Mahoney
- Toxicology Center, University of Saskatchewan, 44 Campus Dr, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B3, Canada
| | - Jenna Cantin
- Toxicology Center, University of Saskatchewan, 44 Campus Dr, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B3, Canada
| | - Josephine Rybchuk
- Toxicology Center, University of Saskatchewan, 44 Campus Dr, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B3, Canada
- Health Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, 107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Yuwei Xie
- Toxicology Center, University of Saskatchewan, 44 Campus Dr, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B3, Canada
- Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing 210042, China
| | - John P Giesy
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4, Canada
- Department of Integrative Biology and Center for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan48824, United States
- Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97266, Waco, Texas 76798-7266, United States
| | - Markus Brinkmann
- Toxicology Center, University of Saskatchewan, 44 Campus Dr, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B3, Canada
- School of Environment and Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan, 117 Science Pl, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5C8, Canada
- Global Institute for Water Security, University of Saskatchewan, 11 Innovation Blvd, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 3H5, Canada
- Centre for Hydrology, University of Saskatchewan, 121 Research Dr, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 1K2, Canada
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14
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Wu YL, Xiong Q, Wang B, Liu YS, Zhou PL, Hu LX, Liu F, Ying GG. Screening of structural and functional alterations in duckweed (Lemna minor) induced by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) with FTIR spectroscopy. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 317:120671. [PMID: 36436661 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
As a class of common emerging pollutants, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and their alternatives have been widely detected in various environmental matrices, exhibiting a great threat to the ecological environment and human health. Nevertheless, changes in biomolecular structure and function of duckweed caused by PFASs and their alternatives remain unknown thus far. Herein, the effects of four PFASs, including two common legacy PFASs (perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)) and two PFASs alternatives (perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS) and 1H,1H,2H, 2H-perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (6:2 FTS)) on duckweed (Lemna minor) at biochemical level were investigated with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Although no obvious inhibitions were observed in the growth of L. minor with PFASs exposure at three levels of 1 μg L-1, 100 μg L-1, and 10 mg L-1, significant structural and functional alterations were induced at the biochemical level. In response to PFASs exposure, lipid peroxidation, proteins aggregation and α-helix to β-sheet transformation of the protein conformation, as well as changes of DNA conformations were detected. Moreover, alterations in lipid, protein, and DNA were proved to be concentration-related and compound-specific. Compared to the two legacy PFASs (PFOS and PFOA), alternative ones exhibited greater effects on the biological macromolecules of L. minor. The findings of this study firstly reveal structural and functional alterations in L. minor induced by PFASs exposure, providing further understanding of their toxicity effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Lin Wu
- 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
| | - Qian Xiong
- 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; Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of South China Sea Fishery Resources & Environments, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Fishery Ecology and Environment, Guangdong Province, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, 510300, China
| | - Ben Wang
- 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
| | - You-Sheng 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
| | - Pei-Liang Zhou
- 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
| | - Fang Liu
- School of Geography, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510623, 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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15
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Hoskins TD, Allmon EB, Flynn RW, Lee LS, Choi Y, Hoverman JT, Sepúlveda MS. An Environmentally Relevant Mixture of Perfluorooctanesulfonic Acid and Perfluorohexanesulfonic Acid Does Not Conform to Additivity in Northern Leopard Frogs Exposed Through Metamorphosis. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2022; 41:3007-3016. [PMID: 36165564 PMCID: PMC9828449 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are chemicals associated with adverse health effects. At aqueous film-forming foam sites, they occur as mixtures, with perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) commonly co-occurring in the highest concentrations. Although PFOS and PFHxS toxicities have been studied, few studies have tested their potential interaction. Using Rana pipiens, the present study compared toxicities of a 1:1 PFOS:PFHxS mixture to PFOS and PFHxS individually with the prediction that responses would be additive. Gosner stage 25 (GS 25) tadpoles were exposed through metamorphosis (GS 46) to 0.5 and 1 ppb PFOS or PFHxS alone or to a mixture of 0.5 ppb PFOS and 0.5 ppb PFHxS. Tadpoles were weighed and measured (snout-vent length [SVL]) at day 31, metamorphic climax (GS 42), and GS 46. These values were used to calculate the scaled mass index (SMI), a measure of body condition. Body burdens were quantified on day 31 and at GS 46. The PFOS and PFHxS body burdens were elevated relative to controls at GS 46. No effects were observed on survival, SVL, or mass. Single PFAS effects included a 17% reduction in SMI at day 31 (0.5 ppb PFHxS) and a 1.1-day longer metamorphic period (1 ppb PFHxS) relative to controls. Mixture results deviated from additivity-SMIs were higher than expected on day 31 and lower than expected at GS 42. In addition, time to GS 42 in the PFAS mixture exceeded expected additivity by 12 days. Results from a chronic exposure to a 1:1 PFOS:PFHxS mixture resulted in changes in body condition and length of metamorphosis that deviated from additivity. More PFAS mixture toxicity studies conducted at relevant ratios and concentrations are needed. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:3007-3016. © 2022 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler D. Hoskins
- Department of Forestry and Natural ResourcesPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteIndianaUSA
| | - Elizabeth B. Allmon
- Department of Forestry and Natural ResourcesPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteIndianaUSA
| | - R. Wesley Flynn
- Department of Forestry and Natural ResourcesPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteIndianaUSA
| | - Linda S. Lee
- Department of AgronomyPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteIndianaUSA
| | - Youn Choi
- Department of AgronomyPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteIndianaUSA
| | - Jason T. Hoverman
- Department of Forestry and Natural ResourcesPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteIndianaUSA
| | - Maria S. Sepúlveda
- Department of Forestry and Natural ResourcesPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteIndianaUSA
- Sustainability Research Center, Life Sciences FacultyUniversidad Andres BelloSantiagoChile
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16
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Narizzano AM, Lent EM, Hanson JM, East AG, Bohannon ME, Quinn MJ. Reproductive and developmental toxicity of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in the white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus). Reprod Toxicol 2022; 113:120-127. [PMID: 35985401 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2022.08.011] [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: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Concerns about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) stem from their ubiquitous presence in the environment, bioaccumulation, resistance to degradation, and toxicity. Previously, toxicity data relevant to ecological risk assessment has largely been aquatic, terrestrial invertebrates, or avian in origin. In this study, repeated oral exposures of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) were administered to white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) to evaluate effects on reproduction and development. Prenatal exposure to high doses of PFOS caused neonatal mortality, though growth and development were unaffected by low doses. Additionally, parental (P) generation animals exhibited increased liver:body weight, increased hepatocyte cytoplasmic vacuolization, and decreased serum thyroxine (T4) levels. Total litter loss was selected as the protective critical effect in this study resulting in a benchmark dose low (BMDL) of 0.12 mg/kg-d PFOS. Importantly, PFOS exposure has been linked to reduced adult recruitment in myriad species and at similar thresholds to this study. Similarities in critical/toxicologic effects across taxa may add confidence in risk assessments at sites with multiple taxa or environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison M Narizzano
- Toxicology Directorate, US Army Public Health Center, 5158 Blackhawk Road, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010, USA.
| | - Emily May Lent
- Toxicology Directorate, US Army Public Health Center, 5158 Blackhawk Road, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010, USA
| | - Jarod M Hanson
- Toxicology Directorate, US Army Public Health Center, 5158 Blackhawk Road, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010, USA
| | - Andrew G East
- Toxicology Directorate, US Army Public Health Center, 5158 Blackhawk Road, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010, USA
| | - Meredith E Bohannon
- Toxicology Directorate, US Army Public Health Center, 5158 Blackhawk Road, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010, USA
| | - Michael J Quinn
- Toxicology Directorate, US Army Public Health Center, 5158 Blackhawk Road, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010, USA
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17
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Fey ME, Goodrum PE, Razavi NR, Whipps CM, Fernando S, Anderson JK. Is Mixtures' Additivity Supported by Empirical Data? A Case Study of Developmental Toxicity of PFOS and 6:2 FTS in Wildtype Zebrafish Embryos. TOXICS 2022; 10:toxics10080418. [PMID: 35893851 PMCID: PMC9329885 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10080418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a major priority for many federal and state regulatory agencies charged with monitoring levels of emerging contaminants in environmental media and setting health-protective benchmarks to guide risk assessments. While screening levels and toxicity reference values have been developed for numerous individual PFAS compounds, there remain important data gaps regarding the mode of action for toxicity of PFAS mixtures. The present study aims to contribute whole-mixture toxicity data and advance the methods for evaluating mixtures of two key components of aqueous film-forming foams: perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), and 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (6:2 FTS). Wildtype (AB) zebrafish embryos were exposed to PFOS and 6:2 FTS, both as individual components and as binary mixtures, from 2 to 122 h post-fertilization. Five treatment levels were selected to encompass environmentally relevant exposure levels. Experimental endpoints consisted of mortality, hatching, and developmental endpoints, including swim bladder inflation, yolk sac area, and larval body length. Results from dose-response analysis indicate that the assumption of additivity using conventional points of departure (e.g., NOAEL, LOAEL) is not supported for critical effect endpoints with these PFAS mixtures, and that the interactions vary as a function of the dose range. Alternative methods for quantifying relative potency are proposed, and recommendations for additional investigations are provided to further advance assessments of the toxicity of PFAS mixtures to aquatic organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan E. Fey
- College of Environmental Science and Forestry, State University of New York, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA; (M.E.F.); (N.R.R.); (C.M.W.)
| | - Philip E. Goodrum
- College of Environmental Science and Forestry, State University of New York, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA; (M.E.F.); (N.R.R.); (C.M.W.)
- GSI Environmental Inc., Austin, TX 78759, USA;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-315-396-6655
| | - N. Roxanna Razavi
- College of Environmental Science and Forestry, State University of New York, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA; (M.E.F.); (N.R.R.); (C.M.W.)
| | - Christopher M. Whipps
- College of Environmental Science and Forestry, State University of New York, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA; (M.E.F.); (N.R.R.); (C.M.W.)
| | - Sujan Fernando
- Center for Air and Aquatic Resources Engineering and Science (CAARES), Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY 13699, USA;
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