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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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Chu C, Ran H, Zhou Y, Zhao K, Zhang YT, Fan YY, Wu LY, Liang LX, Huang JW, Guo LH, Zhou JX, Lin LZ, Ma JH, Zhang CF, Yu YJ, Dong GH, Zhao XM. Placental inflammatory injury induced by chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate (F-53B) through NLRP3 inflammasome activation. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 279:116453. [PMID: 38772139 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
Chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate, commercially known as F-53B, has been associated with adverse birth outcomes. However, the reproductive toxicology of F-53B on the placenta remains poorly understood. To address this gap, we examined the impact of F-53B on placental injury and its underlying molecular mechanisms in vivo. Pregnant C57BL/6 J female mice were randomly allocated to three groups: the control group, F-53B 0.8 µg/kg/day group, and F-53B 8 µg/kg/day group. After F-53B exposure through free drinking water from gestational day (GD) 0.5-14.5, the F-53B 8 µg/kg/day group exhibited significant increases in placental weights and distinctive histopathological alterations, including inflammatory cell infiltration, heightened syncytiotrophoblast knots, and a loosened trophoblastic basement membrane. Within the F-53B 8 µg/kg/day group, placental tissue exhibited increased apoptosis, as indicated by increased caspase3 activation. Furthermore, F-53B potentially induced the NF-κB signaling pathway activation through IκB-α phosphorylation. Subsequently, this activation upregulated the expression of inflammatory cytokines and components of the NLRP3 inflammasome, including activated caspase1, IL-1β, IL-18, and cleaved gasdermin D (GSDMD), ultimately leading to pyroptosis in the mouse placenta. Our findings reveal a pronounced inflammatory injury in the placenta due to F-53B exposure, suggesting potential reproductive toxicity at concentrations relevant to the human population. Further toxicological and epidemiological investigations are warranted to conclusively assess the reproductive health risks posed by F-53B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chu Chu
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, 106 Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou 510080, China; Department of Reproductive Medicine, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 106 Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou 510080, China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education,Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Hao Ran
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China; Myasthenia Gravis Clinical Specialized Study Centre, Department of Neurology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Diseases, National Key Clinical Department and Key Discipline of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Yang Zhou
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education,Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Kun Zhao
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 106 Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou 510080, China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education,Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Yun-Ting Zhang
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education,Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Fan
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education,Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Lu-Yin Wu
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education,Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Li-Xia Liang
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education,Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Jing-Wen Huang
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education,Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Li-Hao Guo
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education,Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Jia-Xin Zhou
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education,Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Li-Zi Lin
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education,Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Jun-Heng Ma
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Chao-Fan Zhang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 106 Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Yun-Jiang Yu
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510655, China.
| | - Guang-Hui Dong
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education,Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
| | - Xiao-Miao Zhao
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 106 Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou 510080, China.
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Klingelhöfer D, Braun M, Groneberg DA, Brüggmann D. The "forever" per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): A critical accounting of global research on a major threat under changing regulations. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 354:141694. [PMID: 38484998 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141694] [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: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
The European Commission's current efforts to launch the largest proposal to restrict per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in history reflect the dire global plight of PFAS accumulation in the environment and their health impacts. While there are existing studies on PFAS research, there is a lack of comprehensive analysis that both covers the entire research period and provides deep insights into global research patterns, incentives, and barriers based on various parameters. We have been able to demonstrate the increasing interest in PFAS research, although citation numbers are declining prematurely. Policy regulations based on proving and establishing the toxicity of PFASs have stimulated research in developed countries and vice versa, with increasing emphasis on ecological aspects. China, in particular, is investing increasingly in PFAS research, but without defining or implementing regulations - with devastating effects. The separation of industrial and environmental research interests is clear, with little involvement of developing countries, even though their exposure to PFAS is devastating. It, therefore, requires increased globally networked and multidisciplinary approaches to address PFAS contamination challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doris Klingelhöfer
- Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Markus Braun
- Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - David A Groneberg
- Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Dörthe Brüggmann
- Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany.
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Zhang J, Hu L, Xu H. Dietary exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances: Potential health impacts on human liver. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 907:167945. [PMID: 37871818 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167945] [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: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), dubbed "forever chemicals", are widely present in the environment. Environmental contamination and food contact substances are the main sources of PFAS in food, increasing the risk of human dietary exposure. Numerous epidemiological studies have established the link between dietary exposure to PFAS and liver disease. Correspondingly, PFAS induced-hepatotoxicity (e.g., hepatomegaly, cell viability, inflammation, oxidative stress, bile acid metabolism dysregulation and glycolipid metabolism disorder) observed from in vitro models and in vivo rodent studies have been extensively reported. In this review, the pertinent literature of the last 5 years from the Web of Science database was researched. This study summarized the source and fate of PFAS, and reviewed the occurrence of PFAS in food system (natural and processed food). Subsequently, the characteristics of human dietary exposure PFAS (population characteristics, distribution trend, absorption and distribution) were mentioned. Additionally, epidemiologic evidence linking PFAS exposure and liver disease was alluded, and the PFAS-induced hepatotoxicity observed from in vitro models and in vivo rodent studies was comprehensively reviewed. Lastly, we highlighted several critical knowledge gaps and proposed future research directions. This review aims to raise public awareness about food PFAS contamination and its potential risks to human liver health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinfeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, China
| | - Liehai Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, China
| | - Hengyi Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, China; International Institute of Food Innovation, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330299, China.
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5
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Hamid N, Junaid M, Manzoor R, Sultan M, Chuan OM, Wang J. An integrated assessment of ecological and human health risks of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances through toxicity prediction approaches. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 905:167213. [PMID: 37730032 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167213] [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: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are also known as "forever chemicals" due to their persistence and ubiquitous environmental distribution. This review aims to summarize the global PFAS distribution in surface water and identify its ecological and human risks through integrated assessment. Moreover, it provides a holistic insight into the studies highlighting the human biomonitoring and toxicological screening of PFAS in freshwater and marine species using quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) based models. Literature showed that PFOA and PFOS were the most prevalent chemicals found in surface water. The highest PFAS levels were reported in the US, China, and Australia. The TEST model showed relatively low LC50 of PFDA and PFOS for Pimephales promelas (0.36 and 0.91 mg/L) and high bioaccumulation factors (518 and 921), revealing an elevated associated toxicity. The risk quotients (RQs) values for P. promelas and Daphnia magna were found to be 269 and 23.7 for PFOS. Studies confirmed that long-chain PFAS such as PFOS and PFOA undergo bioaccumulation in aquatic organisms and induce toxicological effects such as oxidative stress, transgenerational epigenetic effects, disturbed genetic and enzymatic responses, perturbed immune system, hepatotoxicity, neurobehavioral toxicity, altered genetic and enzymatic responses, and metabolism abnormalities. Human biomonitoring studies found the highest PFOS, PFOA, and PFHxS levels in urine, cerebrospinal fluid, and serum samples. Further, long-chain PFOA and PFOS exposure create severe health implications such as hyperuricemia, reduced birth weight, and immunotoxicity in humans. Molecular docking analysis revealed that short-chain PFBS (-11.84 Kcal/mol) and long-chain PFUnDA (-10.53 Kcal/mol) displayed the strongest binding interactions with human serum albumin protein. Lastly, research challenges and future perspectives for PFAS toxicological implications were also discussed, which helps to mitigate associated pollution and ecological risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naima Hamid
- Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia; Ocean Pollution and Ecotoxicology (OPEC) Research Group, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Muhammad Junaid
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510641, China
| | - Rakia Manzoor
- State key Laboratory of Molecular Development Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Marriya Sultan
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
| | - Ong Meng Chuan
- Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia; Ocean Pollution and Ecotoxicology (OPEC) Research Group, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Jun Wang
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510641, China.
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Sprong RC, van den Brand AD, van Donkersgoed G, Blaznik U, Christodoulou D, Crépet A, da Graça Dias M, Hamborg Jensen B, Morretto A, Rauscher-Gabernig E, Ruprich J, Sokolić D, van Klaveren JD, Luijten M, Mengelers MJB. Combined chronic dietary exposure to four nephrotoxic metals exceeds tolerable intake levels in the adult population of 10 European countries. Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess 2023; 40:1568-1588. [PMID: 37922338 DOI: 10.1080/19440049.2023.2272716] [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: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/05/2023]
Abstract
A mixture risk assessment (MRA) for four metals relevant to chronic kidney disease (CKD) was performed. Dietary exposure to cadmium or lead alone exceeded the respective reference values in the majority of the 10 European countries included in our study. When the dietary exposure to those metals and inorganic mercury and inorganic arsenic was combined following a classical or personalised modified reference point index (mRPI) approach, not only high exposure (95th percentile) estimates but also the mean exceeded the tolerable intake of the mixture in all countries studied. Cadmium and lead contributed most to the combined exposure, followed by inorganic arsenic and inorganic mercury. The use of conversion factors for inorganic arsenic and inorganic mercury from total arsenic and total mercury concentration data was a source of uncertainty. Other uncertainties were related to the use of different principles to derive reference points. Yet, MRA at the target organ level, as performed in our study, could be used as a way to efficiently prioritise assessment groups for higher-tier MRA. Since the combined exposure to the four metals exceeded the tolerable intake, we recommend a refined MRA based on a common, specific nephrotoxic effect and relative potency factors (RPFs) based on a similar effect size.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Corinne Sprong
- Department of Chemical Food Safety, RIVM, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Annick D van den Brand
- Centre for Health Protection, RIVM, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Gerda van Donkersgoed
- Department of Chemical Food Safety, RIVM, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Urska Blaznik
- National Institute of Public Health, Environmental Health Centre, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Amélie Crépet
- Risk Assessment Department, Methodology and Studies Unit, ANSES, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | | | - Bodil Hamborg Jensen
- Technical University of Denmark, National Food Institute, Research group for Chemical Risk Assessment and GMO, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Angelo Morretto
- Department of Cardiac Thoracic Vascular and Public Health Sciences, University of Padova and Occupational Health Unit, Padova University Hospital, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Jiri Ruprich
- National Institute of Public Health in Prague, Centre for Health, Nutrition and Food, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Darja Sokolić
- HAPIH, Croatian Agency for Agriculture and Food, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Jacob D van Klaveren
- Department of Chemical Food Safety, RIVM, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Mirjam Luijten
- Centre for Health Protection, RIVM, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Marcel J B Mengelers
- Department of Chemical Food Safety, RIVM, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands
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Conley JM, Lambright CS, Evans N, Farraj AK, Smoot J, Grindstaff RD, Hill D, McCord J, Medlock-Kakaley E, Dixon A, Hines E, Gray LE. Dose additive maternal and offspring effects of oral maternal exposure to a mixture of three PFAS (HFPO-DA, NBP2, PFOS) during pregnancy in the Sprague-Dawley rat. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 892:164609. [PMID: 37271399 PMCID: PMC10681034 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Simultaneous exposure to multiple per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is common in humans across the globe. Individual PFAS are associated with adverse health effects, yet the nature of mixture effects after exposure to two or more PFAS remains unclear. Previously we reported that oral administration of hexafluoropropylene oxide-dimer acid (HFPO-DA, or GenX), Nafion byproduct 2 (NBP2), or perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) individually during pregnancy produced maternal and F1 effects. Here, we hypothesized that responses to the combined exposure to these three PFAS would be dose additive. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to a fixed-ratio equipotent mixture where the top dose contained each PFAS at their ED50 for neonatal mortality (100 % dose = PFOS 3 mg/kg; NBP2 10 mg/kg; HFPO-DA 110 mg/kg), followed by a dilution series (33.3, 10, 3.3, and 1 %) and vehicle controls (0 % dose). Consistent with the single chemical studies, dams were exposed from gestation day (GD)14-18 or from GD8-postnatal day (PND2). Fetal and maternal livers on GD18 displayed multiple significantly upregulated genes associated with lipid and carbohydrate metabolism at all dose levels, while dams displayed significantly increased liver weight (≥3.3 % dose) and reduced serum thyroid hormones (≥33.3 % dose). Maternal exposure from GD8-PND2 significantly reduced pup bodyweights at birth (≥33.3 % dose) and PND2 (all doses), increased neonatal liver weights (≥3.3 % dose), increased pup mortality (≥3.3 % dose), and reduced maternal bodyweights and weight gain at the top dose. Echocardiography of adult F1 males and females identified significantly increased left ventricular anterior wall thickness (~10 % increase), whereas other cardiac morphological, functional, and transcriptomic measures were unaffected. Mixture effects in maternal and neonatal animals conformed to dose addition using a relative potency factor (RPF) analysis. Results support dose addition-based cumulative assessment approaches for estimating combined effects of PFAS co-exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin M Conley
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research & Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
| | - Christy S Lambright
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research & Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
| | - Nicola Evans
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research & Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
| | - Aimen K Farraj
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research & Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
| | - Jacob Smoot
- ORISE Participant, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research & Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
| | - Rachel D Grindstaff
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research & Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Donna Hill
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research & Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
| | - James McCord
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research & Development, Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
| | - Elizabeth Medlock-Kakaley
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research & Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
| | - Aaron Dixon
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research & Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
| | - Erin Hines
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research & Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
| | - L Earl Gray
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research & Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
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8
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Ring C, Blanchette A, Klaren WD, Fitch S, Haws L, Wheeler MW, DeVito M, Walker N, Wikoff D. A multi-tiered hierarchical Bayesian approach to derive toxic equivalency factors for dioxin-like compounds. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2023; 143:105464. [PMID: 37516304 PMCID: PMC11110530 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2023.105464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
In 2005, the World Health Organization (WHO) re-evaluated Toxic Equivalency factors (TEFs) developed for dioxin-like compounds believed to act through the Ah receptor based on an updated database of relative estimated potency (REP)(REP2004 database). This re-evalution identified the need to develop a consistent approach for dose-response modeling. Further, the WHO Panel discussed the significant heterogeneity of experimental datasets and dataset quality underlying the REPs in the database. There is a critical need to develop a quantitative, and quality weighted approach to characterize the TEF for each congener. To address this, a multi-tiered approach that combines Bayesian dose-response fitting and meta-regression with a machine learning model to predict REPS' quality categorizations was developed to predict the most likely relationship between each congener and its reference and derive model-predicted TEF uncertainty distributions. As a proof of concept, this 'Best-Estimate TEF workflow' was applied to the REP2004 database to derive TEF point-estimates and characterizations of uncertainty for all congeners. Model-TEFs were similar to the 2005 WHO TEFs, with the data-poor congeners having larger levels of uncertainty. This transparent and reproducible computational workflow incorporates WHO expert panel recommendations and represents a substantial improvement in the TEF methodology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Matthew W Wheeler
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences/National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
| | - Michael DeVito
- Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
| | - Nigel Walker
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences/National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
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Spyrakis F, Dragani TA. The EU's Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Ban: A Case of Policy over Science. TOXICS 2023; 11:721. [PMID: 37755732 PMCID: PMC10536631 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11090721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
The proposal by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) to ban over 12,000 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has sparked a debate about potential consequences for the economy, industry, and the environment. Although some PFAS are known to be harmful, a blanket ban may lead to significant problems in attempting to replace PFAS-based materials for environmental transition, as well as in medical devices and everyday products. Alternative materials may potentially be less safe, as a rush to replace PFAS would reduce the time needed for toxicological analyses. Studies have shown that PFAS exhibit a diverse range of mechanisms of action, biopersistence, and bioaccumulation potential, and should thus not be treated as a single group. This is particularly true for the class of fluoropolymers. A targeted approach that considers the specific risks and benefits of each chemical may be more effective. Moreover, the proposed ban may also have unintended consequences for the environment as PFAS use is also associated with benefits such as reducing greenhouse-gas emissions and improving energy efficiency. Policymakers must carefully weigh up the potential consequences before making a final decision on the ban.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Spyrakis
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, 10125 Turin, Italy;
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Ehrlich V, Bil W, Vandebriel R, Granum B, Luijten M, Lindeman B, Grandjean P, Kaiser AM, Hauzenberger I, Hartmann C, Gundacker C, Uhl M. Consideration of pathways for immunotoxicity of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Environ Health 2023; 22:19. [PMID: 36814257 PMCID: PMC9944481 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-022-00958-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are of public health concern, because of their ubiquitous and extremely persistent occurrence, and depending on their structure, their bio-accumulative, mobile and toxic properties. Human health effects associated with exposure to PFAS include adverse effects on the immune system. In 2020, EFSA (the European Food Safety Authority) defined adverse effects on the immune system as the most critical effect for human health risk assessment, based on reduced antibody responses to childhood vaccines and similar effects observed in experimental animal studies. Likewise, the U.S. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) considers PFAS-induced immunotoxicity, especially in children, as the critical effect for risk assessment. However, the mechanisms by which antibody concentrations are impacted are not completely understood. Furthermore, other targets of the immune system functions have been reported in the literature. OBJECTIVE The aim of this review is to explore PFAS-associated immune-related effects. This includes, relevant mechanisms that may underlie the observed effects on the immune system, immunosuppression as well as immunoenhancement, such as i) modulation of cell signalling and nuclear receptors, such as NF-κB and PPARs; ii) alteration of calcium signalling and homoeostasis in immune cells; iii) modulation of immune cell populations; iv) oxidative stress and v) impact on fatty acid metabolism & secondary effects on the immune system. METHODS A literature research was conducted using three databases (Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus), which were searched in July 2021 for relevant studies published in the time frame from 2018 to 2021. In total, 487 publications were identified as potentially eligible and following expert-based judgement, articles relevant for mechanisms of PFAS induced immunotoxicity are discussed. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, we show that there is substantial evidence from both in vitro and in vivo experimental as well as epidemiological studies, supporting that various PFAS, not only PFOA and PFOS, affect multiple aspects of the immune system. Timing of exposure is critical, because the developing immune system is especially vulnerable to toxic insults, resulting in a higher risk of particularly adverse immune effects but also other organs later in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Ehrlich
- Environment Agency Austria (Umweltbundesamt GmbH), Spittelauer Lände 5, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Wieneke Bil
- Centre for Safety of Substances and Products, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Rob Vandebriel
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Berit Granum
- Division of Climate and Environment Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Mirjam Luijten
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Birgitte Lindeman
- Division of Climate and Environment Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Philippe Grandjean
- Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
| | - Andreas-Marius Kaiser
- Environment Agency Austria (Umweltbundesamt GmbH), Spittelauer Lände 5, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ingrid Hauzenberger
- Environment Agency Austria (Umweltbundesamt GmbH), Spittelauer Lände 5, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christina Hartmann
- Environment Agency Austria (Umweltbundesamt GmbH), Spittelauer Lände 5, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Claudia Gundacker
- Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Maria Uhl
- Environment Agency Austria (Umweltbundesamt GmbH), Spittelauer Lände 5, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
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