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Tursi AR, Lindeman B, Kristoffersen AB, Hjertholm H, Bronder E, Andreassen M, Husøy T, Dirven H, Andorf S, Nygaard UC. Immune cell profiles associated with human exposure to perfluorinated compounds (PFAS) suggest changes in natural killer, T helper, and T cytotoxic cell subpopulations. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 256:119221. [PMID: 38795951 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) constitutes a group of highly persistent man-made substances. Recent evidence indicates that PFAS negatively impact the immune system. However, it remains unclear how different PFAS are associated with alterations in circulating leukocyte subpopulations. More detailed knowledge of such potential associations can provide better understanding into mechanisms of PFAS immunotoxicity in humans. In this exploratory study, associations of serum levels of common PFAS (perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS)) and immune cell profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, both with and without immunostimulation, were investigated. High-dimensional single cell analysis by mass cytometry was done on blood leukocytes from fifty participants in the Norwegian human biomonitoring EuroMix study. Different PFAS were associated with changes in various subpopulations of natural killer (NK), T helper (Th), and cytotoxic T (Tc) cells. Broadly, PFAS concentrations were related to increased frequencies of NK cells and activated subpopulations of NK cells. Additionally, increased levels of activated T helper memory cell subpopulations point to Th2/Th17 and Treg-like skewed profiles. Finally, PFAS concentrations were associated with decreased frequencies of T cytotoxic cell subpopulations with CXCR3+ effector memory (EM) phenotypes. Several of these observations point to biologically plausible mechanisms that may contribute to explaining the epidemiological reports of immunosuppression by PFAS. Our results suggest that PFAS exposures even at relatively low levels are associated with changes in immune cell subpopulations, a finding which should be explored more thoroughly in a larger cohort. Additionally, causal relationships should be confirmed in experimental studies. Overall, this study demonstrates the strength of profiling by mass cytometry in revealing detailed changes in immune cells at a single cell level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda R Tursi
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Trine Husøy
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Sandra Andorf
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Division of Allergy and Immunology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
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Pomazal R, Malecki K, Stanton N, Shelton B, Lange M, Irving R, Meiman J, Remucal CK, Cochran A, Schultz AA. Determinants of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure among Wisconsin residents. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 254:119131. [PMID: 38759771 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) include thousands of manufactured compounds with growing public health concerns due to their potential for widespread human exposure and adverse health outcomes. While PFAS contamination remains a significant concern, especially from ingestion of contaminated food and water, determinants of the variability in PFAS exposure among regional and statewide populations in the United States remains unclear. OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to leverage The Survey of the Health of Wisconsin (SHOW), the only statewide representative cohort in the US, to assess and characterize the variability of PFAS exposure in a general population. METHODS This study sample included a sub-sample of 605 adult participants from the 2014-2016 tri-annual statewide representative sample. Geometric means for PFOS, PFOA, PFNA, PFHxS, PFPeS, PFHpA, and a summed measure of 38 analyzed serum PFAS were presented by demographic, diet, behavioral, and residential characteristics. Multivariate linear regression was used to determine significant predictors of serum PFAS after adjustment. RESULTS Overall, higher serum concentrations of long-chain PFAS were observed compared with short-chain PFAS. Older adults, males, and non-Hispanic White individuals had higher serum PFAS compared to younger adults, females, and non-White individuals. Eating caught fish in the past year was associated with elevated levels of several PFAS. DISCUSSION This is among the first studies to characterize serum PFAS among a representative statewide sample in Wisconsin. Both short- and long-chain serum PFAS were detectable for six prominent PFAS. Age and consumption of great lakes fish were the most significant predictors of serum PFAS. State-level PFAS biomonitoring is important for identifying high risk populations and informing state public health standards and interventions, especially among those not living near known contamination sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Pomazal
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Population Health Sciences, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Kristen Malecki
- Division of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Noel Stanton
- Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene, Madison, WI, USA
| | | | - Meshel Lange
- Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Roy Irving
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services Madison, WI, USA
| | | | - Christina K Remucal
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Amy Cochran
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Population Health Sciences, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Amy A Schultz
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Population Health Sciences, Madison, WI, USA.
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Holder C, Cohen Hubal EA, Luh J, Lee MG, Melnyk LJ, Thomas K. Systematic evidence mapping of potential correlates of exposure for per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) based on measured occurrence in biomatrices and surveys of dietary consumption and product use. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2024; 259:114384. [PMID: 38735219 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2024.114384] [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: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely observed in environmental media and often are found in indoor environments as well as personal-care and consumer products. Humans may be exposed through water, food, indoor dust, air, and the use of PFAS-containing products. Information about relationships between PFAS exposure sources and pathways and the amounts found in human biomatrices can inform source-contribution assessments and provide targets for exposure reduction. This work collected and collated evidence for correlates of PFAS human exposure as measured through sampling of biomatrices and surveys of dietary consumption and use of consumer products and articles. A systematic evidence mapping approach was applied to perform a literature search, conduct title-abstract and full-text screening, and to extract primary data into a comprehensive database for 16 PFAS. Parameters of interest included: sampling dates and locations, cohort descriptors, PFAS measured in a human biomatrix, information about food consumption in 11 categories, use of products/articles in 11 categories, and reported correlation values (and their statistical strength). The literature search and screening process yielded 103 studies with information for correlates of PFAS exposures. Detailed data were extracted and compiled on measures of PFAS correlations between biomatrix concentrations and dietary consumption and other product/article use. A majority of studies (61/103; 59%) were published after 2015 with few (8/103; 8%) prior to 2010. Studies were most abundant for dietary correlates (n = 94) with fewer publications reporting correlate assessments for product use (n = 56), while some examined both. PFOA and PFOS were assessed in almost all studies, followed by PFHxS, PFNA, and PFDA which were included in >50% of the studies. No relevant studies included PFNS or PFPeS. Among the 94 studies of dietary correlates, significant correlations were reported in 83% of the studies for one or more PFAS. The significant dietary correlations most commonly were for seafood, meats/eggs, and cereals/grains/pulses. Among the 56 studies of product/article correlates, significant correlations were reported in 70% of the studies. The significant product/article correlations most commonly were for smoking/tobacco, cosmetics/toiletries, non-stick cookware, and carpet/flooring/furniture and housing. Six of 11 product/article categories included five or fewer studies, including food containers and stain- and water-resistant products. Significant dietary and product/article correlations most commonly were positive. Some studies found a mix of positive and negative correlations depending on the PFAS, specific correlate, and specific response level, particularly for fats/oils, dairy consumption, food containers, and cosmetics/toiletries. Most of the significant findings for cereals/grains/pulses were negative correlations. Substantial evidence was found for correlations between dietary intake and biomatrix levels for several PFAS in multiple food groups. Studies examining product/article use relationships were relatively sparse, except for smoking/tobacco, and would benefit from additional research. The resulting database can inform further assessments of dietary and product use exposure relationships and can inform new research to better understand PFAS source-to-exposure relationships. The search strategy should be extended and implemented to support living evidence review in this rapidly advancing area.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elaine A Cohen Hubal
- U.S. EPA, Office of Research and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA, 27711.
| | | | | | - Lisa Jo Melnyk
- U.S. EPA, Office of Research and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Cincinnati, OH, 45268, USA.
| | - Kent Thomas
- U.S. EPA, Office of Research and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA, 27711.
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Minucci JM, DeLuca NM, Durant JT, Goodwin B, Kowalski P, Scruton K, Thomas K, Cohen Hubal EA. Linking exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in house dust and biomonitoring data in eight impacted communities. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 188:108756. [PMID: 38795657 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely used in industry and have been linked to various adverse health effects. Communities adjacent to sites where PFAS are manufactured, stored, or used may be at elevated risk. In these impacted communities, significant exposure often occurs through contaminated drinking water, yet less is known about the role of other pathways such as residential exposure through house dust. We analyzed a paired serum and house dust dataset from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry's PFAS Exposure Assessments, which sampled eight United States communities with a history of drinking water contamination due to aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) use at nearby military bases. We found that serum PFAS levels of residents were significantly positively associated with the dust PFAS levels in their homes, for three of seven PFAS analyzed, when accounting for site and participant age. We also found that increased dust PFAS levels were associated with a shift in the relative abundance of PFAS in serum towards those chemicals not strongly linked to AFFF contamination, which may suggest household sources. Additionally, we analyzed participant responses to exposure questionnaires to identify factors associated with dust PFAS levels. Dust PFAS levels for some analytes were significantly elevated in households where participants were older and had lived at the home longer, cleaned less frequently, used stain resistant products, and had carpeted living rooms. Our results suggest that residential exposure to PFAS via dust or other indoor pathways may contribute to overall exposure and body burden, even in communities impacted by AFFF contamination of drinking water, and the magnitude of this exposure may also be influenced by demographic, behavioral, and housing factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey M Minucci
- U.S. EPA, Office of Research and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, United States.
| | - Nicole M DeLuca
- U.S. EPA, Office of Research and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, United States
| | - James T Durant
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Office of Community Health Hazard Assessment, United States
| | - Bradley Goodwin
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Office of Community Health Hazard Assessment, United States
| | - Peter Kowalski
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Office of Community Health Hazard Assessment, United States
| | - Karen Scruton
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Office of Community Health Hazard Assessment, United States
| | - Kent Thomas
- U.S. EPA, Office of Research and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, United States
| | - Elaine A Cohen Hubal
- U.S. EPA, Office of Research and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, United States
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Pan J, Ouyang C, Zhou S, Wang X, Liu H, Zhang J, Wang X, Shi X, Yang A, Hu X. Temporal Trend of Serum Perfluorooctanoic Acid and Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid among U.S. Adults with or without Comorbidities in NHANES 1999-2018. TOXICS 2024; 12:314. [PMID: 38787093 PMCID: PMC11125848 DOI: 10.3390/toxics12050314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are associated with adverse health effects. This study examined the trend of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) levels in individuals with and without pre-existing comorbidities. We analyzed the characteristics of 13,887 participants across nine U.S. NHANES cycles (1999-2000 to 2017-2018) and calculated the geometric mean (GM) of PFOA and PFOS levels, standardized by sex and age. A joinpoint regression model was used to analyze the temporal trends of serum PFOA and PFOS levels. We observed declining PFOA and PFOS serum levels among adults in NHANES from 1999-2000 to 2017-2018. Serum PFOA and PFOS concentrations were higher in men, smokers, and individuals with pre-existing CKD, hyperlipidemia, CVD, and cancer. We observed faster decline rates in PFOA levels among individuals with diabetes and CKD and faster decline rates in PFOS levels among individuals with diabetes and those without CKD. This study provided evidence of varying levels and changing trends of PFOA and PFOS between groups with and without established chronic disease, highlighting the role of environmental chemicals in the onset and development of chronic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhua Pan
- Institute of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; (J.P.); (C.O.); (S.Z.); (X.W.); (H.L.); (J.Z.); (X.W.); (X.S.)
| | - Changping Ouyang
- Institute of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; (J.P.); (C.O.); (S.Z.); (X.W.); (H.L.); (J.Z.); (X.W.); (X.S.)
| | - Shengze Zhou
- Institute of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; (J.P.); (C.O.); (S.Z.); (X.W.); (H.L.); (J.Z.); (X.W.); (X.S.)
| | - Xuemei Wang
- Institute of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; (J.P.); (C.O.); (S.Z.); (X.W.); (H.L.); (J.Z.); (X.W.); (X.S.)
| | - Heming Liu
- Institute of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; (J.P.); (C.O.); (S.Z.); (X.W.); (H.L.); (J.Z.); (X.W.); (X.S.)
| | - Jia Zhang
- Institute of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; (J.P.); (C.O.); (S.Z.); (X.W.); (H.L.); (J.Z.); (X.W.); (X.S.)
| | - Xiao Wang
- Institute of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; (J.P.); (C.O.); (S.Z.); (X.W.); (H.L.); (J.Z.); (X.W.); (X.S.)
| | - Xiaoru Shi
- Institute of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; (J.P.); (C.O.); (S.Z.); (X.W.); (H.L.); (J.Z.); (X.W.); (X.S.)
| | - Aimin Yang
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong 999077, China
- Hong Kong Institute of Diabetes and Obesity, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Xiaobin Hu
- Institute of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; (J.P.); (C.O.); (S.Z.); (X.W.); (H.L.); (J.Z.); (X.W.); (X.S.)
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Nematollahi AJ, Fisher JM, Furlong MA, Beamer PI, Goodrich JM, Graber JM, Calafat AM, Botelho JC, Beitel SC, Littau SR, Gulotta JJ, Wallentine DD, Burgess JL. Comparison of Serum Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Concentrations in Incumbent and Recruit Firefighters and Longitudinal Assessment in Recruits. J Occup Environ Med 2024; 66:202-211. [PMID: 38013397 PMCID: PMC10916718 DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000003020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Firefighters are occupationally exposed to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This study objective was to compare serum PFAS concentrations in incumbent and recruit firefighters and evaluate temporal trends among recruits. METHODS Serum PFAS concentrations were measured in 99 incumbent and 55 recruit firefighters at enrollment in 2015-2016, with follow-up 20 to 37 months later for recruits. Linear and logistic regression and linear mixed-effects models were used for analyses. Fireground exposure impact on PFAS concentrations was investigated using adjusted linear and logistic regression models. RESULTS Incumbents had lower n-PFOA and PFNA than recruits and most PFAS significantly decreased over time among male recruits. No significant links were found between cumulative fireground exposures and PFAS concentrations. CONCLUSIONS Serum PFAS concentrations were not increased in incumbent firefighters compared with recruits and were not associated with cumulative fireground exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy J. Nematollahi
- Environmental Health Sciences, Mel and Enid Zuckerman School of Public Health, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Julia M. Fisher
- BIO5 Institute, Statistics Consulting Laboratory, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Melissa A. Furlong
- Environmental Health Sciences, Mel and Enid Zuckerman School of Public Health, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Paloma I. Beamer
- Environmental Health Sciences, Mel and Enid Zuckerman School of Public Health, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Jaclyn M. Goodrich
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Judith M. Graber
- School of Public Health, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Antonia M. Calafat
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Julianne Cook Botelho
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Shawn C. Beitel
- Environmental Health Sciences, Mel and Enid Zuckerman School of Public Health, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Sally R. Littau
- Environmental Health Sciences, Mel and Enid Zuckerman School of Public Health, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | | | | | - Jefferey L. Burgess
- Environmental Health Sciences, Mel and Enid Zuckerman School of Public Health, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
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Kotlarz N, Guillette T, Critchley C, Collier D, Lea CS, McCord J, Strynar M, Cuffney M, Hopkins ZR, Knappe DRU, Hoppin JA. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl ether acids in well water and blood serum from private well users residing by a fluorochemical facility near Fayetteville, North Carolina. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2024; 34:97-107. [PMID: 38195989 PMCID: PMC10976930 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-023-00626-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A fluorochemical facility near Fayetteville, North Carolina, emitted per- and polyfluoroalkyl ether acids (PFEAs), a subgroup of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), to air. OBJECTIVE Analyze PFAS in private wells near the facility and in blood from well users to assess relationships between PFEA levels in water and serum. METHODS In 2019, we recruited private well users into the GenX Exposure Study and collected well water and blood samples. We targeted 26 PFAS (11 PFEAs) in water and 27 PFAS (9 PFEAs) in serum using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. We used regression modeling to explore relationships between water and serum PFAS. For the only PFEA detected frequently in water and serum, Nafion byproduct 2, we used generalized estimating equation (GEE) models to assess well water exposure metrics and then adjusted for covariates that may influence Nafion byproduct 2 serum concentrations. RESULTS We enrolled 153 participants ages 6 and older (median = 56 years) using 84 private wells. Most wells (74%) had ≥6 detectable PFEAs; median ∑PFEAs was 842 ng/L (interquartile range = 197-1760 ng/L). Low molecular weight PFEAs (PMPA, HFPO-DA [GenX], PEPA, PFO2HxA) were frequently detected in well water, had the highest median concentrations, but were not detectable in serum. Nafion byproduct 2 was detected in 73% of wells (median = 14 ng/L) and 56% of serum samples (median = 0.2 ng/mL). Cumulative dose (well concentration × duration at address) was positively associated with Nafion byproduct 2 serum levels and explained the most variability (10%). In the adjusted model, cumulative dose was associated with higher Nafion byproduct 2 serum levels while time outside the home was associated with lower levels. IMPACT PFAS are a large class of synthetic, fluorinated chemicals. Fluorochemical facilities are important sources of environmental PFAS contamination globally. The fluorochemical industry is producing derivatives of perfluoroalkyl acids, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl ether acids (PFEAs). PFEAs have been detected in various environmental samples but information on PFEA-exposed populations is limited. While serum biomonitoring is often used for PFAS exposure assessment, serum biomarkers were not good measures of long-term exposure to low molecular weight PFEAs in a private well community. Environmental measurements and other approaches besides serum monitoring will be needed to better characterize PFEA exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Kotlarz
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University (NC State), Raleigh, NC, USA.
- Department of Biological Sciences, NC State, Raleigh, NC, USA.
| | - Theresa Guillette
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education Research Participation Program, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | | | - David Collier
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University (NC State), Raleigh, NC, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University (ECU), Greenville, NC, USA
| | - C Suzanne Lea
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University (NC State), Raleigh, NC, USA
- Department of Public Health, Brody School of Medicine, ECU, Greenville, NC, USA
| | - James McCord
- Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Mark Strynar
- Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Michael Cuffney
- Department of Biological Sciences, NC State, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Zachary R Hopkins
- Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, NC State, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Detlef R U Knappe
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University (NC State), Raleigh, NC, USA
- Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, NC State, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Jane A Hoppin
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University (NC State), Raleigh, NC, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, NC State, Raleigh, NC, USA
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Cuffney M, Wilkie AA, Kotlarz N, Knappe D, Lea CS, Collier DN, DeWitt J, Hoppin JA. Factors associated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) serum concentrations in residents of New Hanover County, North Carolina: The GenX exposure study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 237:117020. [PMID: 37673120 PMCID: PMC10591865 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
In 2017, people living in New Hanover County, North Carolina, learned that for ∼40 years they were unknowingly exposed to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) through drinking water sourced by the Cape Fear River. Using data from the GenX Exposure Study, which measured serum PFAS levels in county residents, we aimed to understand questionnaire-measured factors associated with serum PFAS levels. Because most residents were served by the same municipal water source, we focused on surrogate factors of drinking water exposure that may contribute to variability in PFAS levels. Our analysis included 335 participants aged 6 and older. We included seven chemicals detected in ≥75% of the study population: four well-studied perfluoroalkyl acids (PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS) and three understudied fluoroethers (Nafion byproduct 2, PFO4DA, PFO5DoA). For each PFAS, we evaluated associations of variables with serum PFAS levels adjusting for key demographic characteristics. Additionally, we developed predictive models for each PFAS. We used years of residence in the lower Cape Fear Region as a surrogate for water consumption. Duration of drinking water exposure was associated with higher serum levels of all seven PFAS. Drinking municipal water treated by home filters or other sources of water (non-city) were associated with lower PFAS concentrations for all seven PFAS compared to drinking municipal water without additional filtration. Males had higher levels of well-studied PFAS, but there was no difference for fluoroethers. For six PFAS, the predictive models explained ≥30% of the variance in serum PFAS levels. While some factors were significantly associated with levels of individual PFAS, their relative importance to overall prediction was low, such as microwave popcorn consumption. Consistently, water consumption-related variables were important for both the association and predictive investigations. These analyses provide additional evidence that drinking water is a primary source for serum PFAS concentrations among New Hanover County residents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Cuffney
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, United States
| | - Adrien A Wilkie
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, United States
| | - Nadine Kotlarz
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, United States; Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, United States
| | - Detlef Knappe
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, United States; Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, North Carolina State University, United States; Center for Environmental and Health Effects of PFAS, North Carolina State University, United States
| | - C Suzanne Lea
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, United States; Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, United States; Center for Environmental and Health Effects of PFAS, North Carolina State University, United States
| | - David N Collier
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, United States; Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, United States; Center for Environmental and Health Effects of PFAS, North Carolina State University, United States
| | - Jamie DeWitt
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, United States; Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, United States; Center for Environmental and Health Effects of PFAS, North Carolina State University, United States
| | - Jane A Hoppin
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, United States; Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, United States; Center for Environmental and Health Effects of PFAS, North Carolina State University, United States.
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Hall SM, Zhang S, Tait GH, Hoffman K, Collier DN, Hoppin JA, Stapleton HM. PFAS levels in paired drinking water and serum samples collected from an exposed community in Central North Carolina. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 895:165091. [PMID: 37355130 PMCID: PMC10529814 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
The community of Pittsboro, North Carolina has been documented to have extensive per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination in its drinking water source, the Haw River, over the last 20 years. However, a detailed exposure assessment has never been conducted. In this study, we sought to characterize the PFAS in paired drinking water and blood samples collected from a small cohort of Pittsboro residents (n = 49). Drinking water and serum from blood were collected from adults in late 2019 and early 2020 and were analyzed to quantify 13 PFAS analytes. In order to explore potential health effects of PFAS exposure, serum was further analyzed for clinical chemistry endpoints that could be potentially associated with PFAS (e.g., cholesterol, liver function biomarkers). PFAS were detected in all serum samples, and some serum PFAS concentrations were 2 to 4 times higher than the median U.S. serum concentrations reported in the general U.S. population. Of the 13 PFAS in drinking water, perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) was measured at the highest concentrations. PFAS levels in the current drinking water were not associated with current serum PFAS, suggesting that the serum PFAS in this cohort likely reflects historical exposure to PFAS with long half-lives (e.g., PFOS and PFOA). However, one PFAS with a shorter half-life (PFHxA) was observed to increase in serum, reflecting the temporal variability of PFHxA in river and drinking water. Statistical analyses indicated that serum PFOA and PFHxS were positively associated with total cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol. No serum PFAS was associated with HDL cholesterol. In the clinical chemistry analyses, serum PFHxA was found to be negatively associated with electrolytes and liver enzymes (e.g., AST and ALT), and serum PFOS was found to be positively associated with the ratio of blood urea nitrogen to creatinine (BUN:Cre). While small in size, this study revealed extensive exposure to PFAS in Pittsboro and associations with clinical blood markers, suggesting potential health impacts in community residents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha M Hall
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham 27710, NC, USA.
| | - Sharon Zhang
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham 27710, NC, USA.
| | - George H Tait
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham 27710, NC, USA
| | - Kate Hoffman
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham 27710, NC, USA.
| | - David N Collier
- Center for Human Health and the Environment (CHHE), North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University (ECU), Greenville, NC 27834, USA.
| | - Jane A Hoppin
- Center for Human Health and the Environment (CHHE), North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA.
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10
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Law HD, Randall DA, Armstrong BK, D’este C, Lazarevic N, Hosking R, Smurthwaite KS, Trevenar SM, Lucas RM, Clements ACA, Kirk MD, Korda RJ. Relative Risks of Adverse Perinatal Outcomes in Three Australian Communities Exposed to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances: Data Linkage Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6886. [PMID: 37835156 PMCID: PMC10572760 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20196886] [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: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Firefighting foams containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have caused environmental contamination in several Australian residential areas, including Katherine in the Northern Territory (NT), Oakey in Queensland (Qld), and Williamtown in New South Wales (NSW). We examined whether the risks of adverse perinatal outcomes were higher in mothers living in these exposure areas than in selected comparison areas without known contamination. METHODS We linked residential addresses in exposure areas to addresses collected in the jurisdictional Perinatal Data Collections of the NT (1986-2017), Qld (2007-2018), and NSW (1994-2018) to select all pregnancies from mothers who gave birth while living in these areas. We also identified one comparison group for each exposure area by selecting pregnancies where the maternal address was in selected comparison areas. We examined 12 binary perinatal outcomes and three growth measurements. For each exposure area, we estimated relative risks (RRs) of adverse outcomes and differences in means of growth measures, adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and other potential confounders. RESULTS We included 16,970 pregnancies from the NT, 4654 from Qld, and 7475 from NSW. We observed elevated risks of stillbirth in Oakey (RR = 2.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25 to 5.39) and of postpartum haemorrhage (RR = 1.94, 95% CI 1.13 to 3.33) and pregnancy-induced hypertension (RR = 1.88, 95% CI 1.30 to 2.73) in Williamtown. The risks of other perinatal outcomes were not materially different from those in the relevant comparison areas or were uncertain due to small numbers of events. CONCLUSIONS There was limited evidence for increased risks of adverse perinatal outcomes in mothers living in areas with PFAS contamination from firefighting foams. We found higher risks of some outcomes in individual areas, but these were not consistent across all areas under study and could have been due to chance, bias, or confounding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsei Di Law
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Deborah A. Randall
- Women and Babies Research, Northern Clinical School, The University of Sydney, St Leonards, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Bruce K. Armstrong
- School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Catherine D’este
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Nina Lazarevic
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Rose Hosking
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Kayla S. Smurthwaite
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Susan M. Trevenar
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Robyn M. Lucas
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | | | - Martyn D. Kirk
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Rosemary J. Korda
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
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11
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Casey JA, Daouda M, Babadi RS, Do V, Flores NM, Berzansky I, González DJ, Van Horne YO, James-Todd T. Methods in Public Health Environmental Justice Research: a Scoping Review from 2018 to 2021. Curr Environ Health Rep 2023; 10:312-336. [PMID: 37581863 PMCID: PMC10504232 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-023-00406-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The volume of public health environmental justice (EJ) research produced by academic institutions increased through 2022. However, the methods used for evaluating EJ in exposure science and epidemiologic studies have not been catalogued. Here, we completed a scoping review of EJ studies published in 19 environmental science and epidemiologic journals from 2018 to 2021 to summarize research types, frameworks, and methods. RECENT FINDINGS We identified 402 articles that included populations with health disparities as a part of EJ research question and met other inclusion criteria. Most studies (60%) evaluated EJ questions related to socioeconomic status (SES) or race/ethnicity. EJ studies took place in 69 countries, led by the US (n = 246 [61%]). Only 50% of studies explicitly described a theoretical EJ framework in the background, methods, or discussion and just 10% explicitly stated a framework in all three sections. Among exposure studies, the most common area-level exposure was air pollution (40%), whereas chemicals predominated personal exposure studies (35%). Overall, the most common method used for exposure-only EJ analyses was main effect regression modeling (50%); for epidemiologic studies the most common method was effect modification (58%), where an analysis evaluated a health disparity variable as an effect modifier. Based on the results of this scoping review, current methods in public health EJ studies could be bolstered by integrating expertise from other fields (e.g., sociology), conducting community-based participatory research and intervention studies, and using more rigorous, theory-based, and solution-oriented statistical research methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan A. Casey
- University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, WA USA
- Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY USA
| | - Misbath Daouda
- Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY USA
| | - Ryan S. Babadi
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA
| | - Vivian Do
- Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY USA
| | - Nina M. Flores
- Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY USA
| | - Isa Berzansky
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA
| | - David J.X. González
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy & Management and School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | | | - Tamarra James-Todd
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA
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12
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DeLuca NM, Thomas K, Mullikin A, Slover R, Stanek LW, Pilant AN, Cohen Hubal EA. Geographic and demographic variability in serum PFAS concentrations for pregnant women in the United States. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2023; 33:710-724. [PMID: 36697764 PMCID: PMC10541323 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-023-00520-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While major pathways of human PFAS exposure are thought to be drinking water and diet, other pathways and sources have also been shown to contribute to a person's cumulative exposure. However, the degree of contribution of these other sources to PFAS body burdens is still not well understood and occurrence data for PFAS in conssumer products and household materials are sparse. Questionnaire data concordant with biomonitoring may improve understanding of associations between other PFAS exposure pathways and exposure in human populations. OBJECTIVE This study aims to better understand maternal and early-life exposures to PFAS from various potential sources and pathways in the context of household and community level characteristics. METHODS PFAS data from the National Children's Study (NCS) Vanguard Data and Sample Archive Access System were analyzed from serum of 427 pregnant women residing in 7 counties throughout the United States. Location and self-reported questionnaire responses were used to analyze variability in serum concentrations based on demographics, housing characteristics, behaviors, and geography. Spatial mapping analyses incorporated publicly available data to further hypothesize potential sources of exposure in two NCS counties. RESULTS Location was associated with serum concentrations for all PFAS chemicals measured. Questionnaire responses for race/ethnicity, income, education level, number of household members, drinking water source, home age, and fast-food consumption were associated with PFAS levels. Statistical differences were observed between participants with the same questionnaire responses but in different locations. Spatial mapping analyses suggested that participants' proximity to local point sources can overshadow expected trends with demographic information. SIGNIFICANCE By increasing understanding of maternal and early-life PFAS exposures from various potential sources and pathways, as well as highlighting the importance of proximity to potential sources in identifying vulnerable populations and locations, this work reveals environmental justice considerations and contributes to risk management strategies that maximize public health protection. IMPACT This work increases understanding of maternal and early-life PFAS exposures, reveals environmental justice considerations, and contributes to study design and risk management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole M DeLuca
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
| | - Kent Thomas
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Ashley Mullikin
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Rachel Slover
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Lindsay W Stanek
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Andrew N Pilant
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Elaine A Cohen Hubal
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
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13
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Davalos JCQ, Michaud MA, Lowe LE, Hanson EN, Gaulke EP, Owens JE. Dataset of surveyed PFAS in water, sediment, and soil of Fountain Creek Watershed, Colorado, USA. Data Brief 2023; 49:109280. [PMID: 37600128 PMCID: PMC10439269 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2023.109280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widespread and highly persistent organic chemicals with adverse health effects. The US Environmental Protection Agency has issued health advisory limits of 70 ng/L for aqueous concentrations of PFOA + PFOS. In the Colorado Springs, Colorado (USA), metro area, the Widefield Aquifer (groundwater) and Fountain Creek Watershed (surface water) have been contaminated by PFAS from aqueous film-forming foams. Here we present the concentrations of selected linear and branched isomers of legacy PFAS found in surface water (n = 95), soil (n = 83), and sediment (n = 34) samples collected from several creeks of the Fountain Creek Watershed. Collected samples were prepared for high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) analysis via liquid/liquid extraction and/or solid phase extraction (SPE). This dataset includes the geographic locations of sampled creeks, LC/MS/MS instrumental conditions, method verification data including percent recovery to assess method accuracy and background contamination of PFAS in laboratory reagents and supplies, and determined concentrations of PFAS in water, soil, and sediment samples. These locations were surveyed monthly for a full year and provide a rich dataset to assess influence of sampling location, temporal variability in concentration, and overall contaminant persistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Caleb Quezada Davalos
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, 1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway, Colorado Springs, CO 80918, United States
- Fountain-Fort Carson High School, 900 Jimmy Camp Rd, Fountain, CO 80917, United States
| | - Michael A. Michaud
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, 1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway, Colorado Springs, CO 80918, United States
- Ultradent Products, Inc., 505 W 10200 S, South Jordan, UT 84095, United States
| | - Luis E. Lowe
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, 1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway, Colorado Springs, CO 80918, United States
| | - Emily N. Hanson
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, 1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway, Colorado Springs, CO 80918, United States
| | - Eric P. Gaulke
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, 1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway, Colorado Springs, CO 80918, United States
- Compounder's International Analytical Laboratory, 4760 Castleton Way Suite A, Castle Rock, CO 80109, United States
| | - Janel E. Owens
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, 1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway, Colorado Springs, CO 80918, United States
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14
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Carignan CC, Bauer RA, Patterson A, Phomsopha T, Redman E, Stapleton HM, Higgins CP. Self-Collection Blood Test for PFASs: Comparing Volumetric Microsamplers with a Traditional Serum Approach. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:7950-7957. [PMID: 37189231 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c09852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
A remote sampling approach was developed at Eurofins for quantifying per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in whole blood samples collected using volumetric absorptive microsamplers (VAMSs), which allow for self-collection of blood using a finger prick. This study compares PFAS exposure measured by self-collection of blood using VAMSs to the standard venous serum approach. Blood samples were collected from participants (n = 53) in a community with prior PFAS drinking water contamination using a venous blood draw as well as participant self-collection using VAMSs. Whole blood from the venous tubes was also loaded onto VAMSs to compare differences in capillary vs venous whole blood PFAS levels. Samples were quantified for PFASs using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and online solid-phase extraction. PFAS levels in serum were highly correlated with measurements in capillary VAMSs (r ≥ 0.91 and p < 0.05). Serum PFAS levels were generally twofold higher than whole blood, reflecting expected differences in their composition. Of interest, FOSA was detected in whole blood (both venous and capillary VAMSs) but not in serum. Overall, these findings indicate that VAMSs are useful self-collection tools for assessing elevated human exposure to PFASs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney C Carignan
- Department Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48864, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48864, United States
| | - Rachel A Bauer
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48864, United States
| | - Andrew Patterson
- Eurofins Environment Testing America, West Sacramento, California 95605, United States
| | - Thep Phomsopha
- Eurofins Environment Testing America, West Sacramento, California 95605, United States
| | - Eric Redman
- Eurofins Environment Testing America, West Sacramento, California 95605, United States
| | - Heather M Stapleton
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Christopher P Higgins
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
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15
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McAdam J, Bell EM. Determinants of maternal and neonatal PFAS concentrations: a review. Environ Health 2023; 22:41. [PMID: 37161484 PMCID: PMC10170754 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-023-00992-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are used for their properties such as stain and water resistance. The substances have been associated with adverse health outcomes in both pregnant mothers and infants, including pre-eclampsia and low birthweight. A growing body of research suggests that PFAS are transferred from mother to fetus through the placenta, leading to in utero exposure. A systematic review was performed using the PubMed database to search for studies evaluating determinants of PFAS concentrations in blood matrices of pregnant mothers and neonates shortly after birth. Studies were included in this review if an observational study design was utilized, exposure to at least one PFAS analyte was measured, PFAS were measured in maternal or neonatal matrices, at least one determinant of PFAS concentrations was assessed, and results such as beta estimates were provided. We identified 35 studies for inclusion in the review and evaluated the PFAS and determinant relationships among the factors collected in these studies. Parity, breastfeeding history, maternal race and country of origin, and household income had the strongest and most consistent evidence to support their roles as determinants of certain PFAS concentrations in pregnant mothers. Reported study findings on smoking status, alcohol consumption, and pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) suggest that these factors are not important determinants of PFAS concentrations in pregnant mothers or neonates. Further study into informative factors such as consumer product use, detailed dietary information, and consumed water sources as potential determinants of maternal or neonatal PFAS concentrations is needed. Research on determinants of maternal or neonatal PFAS concentrations is critical to estimate past PFAS exposure, build improved exposure models, and further our understanding on dose-response relationships, which can influence epidemiological studies and risk assessment evaluations. Given the potential for adverse outcomes in pregnant mothers and neonates exposed to PFAS, it is important to identify and understand determinants of maternal and neonatal PFAS concentrations to better implement public health interventions in these populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan McAdam
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University at Albany, Rensselaer, NY, USA
| | - Erin M Bell
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University at Albany, Rensselaer, NY, USA.
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University at Albany, Rensselaer, NY, USA.
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16
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Meeks J, Mass S, Adgate JL, Barton K, Singha K, McCray JE, Starling AP, Higgins CP. Estimating historical exposure to perfluoroalkyl acids in Security, Fountain, and Widefield Colorado: use of water-infrastructure blending and toxicokinetic models. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2023; 25:996-1006. [PMID: 37133397 DOI: 10.1039/d2em00337f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Drinking water can be a major source of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) exposure for humans. The lack of historic data on PFAS drinking-water concentrations and consumption patterns are a limiting factor for developing estimates of past exposure. Here, in contribution to a community-scale PFAS health effects study near fire training facilities that contaminated a local aquifer with PFASs, we present a novel water-infrastructure, mass-balance mixing model coupled to a non-steady state, single-compartment toxicokinetic model that used Monte Carlo simulations to estimate the start of PFAS exposure in drinking water for individuals within three PFAS-impacted communities in El Paso County, Colorado. Our modeling focused on perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) because median serum PFHxS concentrations in a sample of local residents (n = 213) were twelve times the median observed in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2015-2016). Modeling results for study participants were grouped according to their community of residence, revealing a median start of exposure for the town of Fountain of 1998 (25-75% interquartile range [IQR], 1992 to 2010), 2006 (IQR 1995 to 2012) for Security, and 2009 (IQR 1996-2012) for Widefield. Based on the towns' locations relative to an identified hydraulically upgradient PFAS source, the modeled exposure sequencing does not completely align with this conceptual flow model, implying the presence of an additional PFAS source for the groundwater between Widefield and Fountain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Meeks
- Hydrologic Science and Engineering Program, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois St, Golden, CO 80401, USA.
- Department of Geology and Geological Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois St, Golden, CO 80401, USA
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois St., Golden, CO 80401, USA
| | - Sarah Mass
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois St., Golden, CO 80401, USA
| | - John L Adgate
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Campus, 13001 East 17th Place, Mail Stop B119, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Kelsey Barton
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Campus, 13001 East 17th Place, Mail Stop B119, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Kamini Singha
- Hydrologic Science and Engineering Program, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois St, Golden, CO 80401, USA.
- Department of Geology and Geological Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois St, Golden, CO 80401, USA
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois St., Golden, CO 80401, USA
| | - John E McCray
- Hydrologic Science and Engineering Program, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois St, Golden, CO 80401, USA.
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois St., Golden, CO 80401, USA
| | - Anne P Starling
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Campus, 13001 East 17th Place, Mail Stop B119, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Christopher P Higgins
- Hydrologic Science and Engineering Program, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois St, Golden, CO 80401, USA.
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois St., Golden, CO 80401, USA
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17
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Kim OJ, Kim S, Park EY, Oh JK, Jung SK, Park S, Hong S, Jeon HL, Kim HJ, Park B, Park B, Kim S, Kim B. Exposure to serum perfluoroalkyl substances and biomarkers of liver function: The Korean national environmental health survey 2015-2017. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 322:138208. [PMID: 36822523 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may increase the risk of liver disease by disrupting cholesterol and lipid synthesis/metabolism, leading to higher liver-enzyme concentrations. However, most studies assessing association between PFAS and liver enzymes focused on individual PFAS. Moreover, PFAS concentrations differ based on sex and obesity status, and it remains unclear whether these factors affect associations with liver function. Therefore, we examined the association between exposure to both individual and combined PFAS and liver-function biomarkers and assessed sex and obesity as effect modifiers in Korean adults. METHODS We measured serum concentrations of the five most abundant PFAS (PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFDA, PFNA) and three liver enzymes (alanine transaminase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase [AST], γ-glutamyl transferase [GGT]) in 1404 adults from the Korean National Environmental Health Survey Cycle 3, 2015-2017. We used linear regression to evaluate associations between individual PFAS and liver-function biomarkers, assessing sex and obesity as possible effect modifiers, and performed Bayesian kernel machine regression and quantile g-computation to evaluate the overall effect of PFAS mixture on biomarkers of liver function. RESULTS Among 1404 Korean adults, all five PFAS were detected. Geometric mean concentration was highest for PFOS (16.11 μg/L), followed by PFOA (5.83 μg/L), PFHxS (2.21 μg/L), PFNA (2.03 μg/L), and PFDA (1.06 μg/L). In multivariable linear regression, all PFAS were positively associated with ALT, AST, and GGT; 2-fold increase in each PFAS was associated with 3.4-8.6% higher ALT, 2.4-4.6% higher AST, and 4.6-11.1% higher GGT (all p < 0.05). Positive associations for PFOA, PFDA, and PFNA with AST were stronger in men, and positive associations for PFOS with ALT and GGT were stronger in women. Compared to obese participants, nonobese participants had higher average percent changes in each enzyme, particularly GGT, when individual PFAS concentration doubled. Additionally, increased exposure to PFAS mixtures was associated with higher ALT, AST, and GGT. In quantile g-computations, simultaneous quartile increase in all PFAS was significantly associated with 6.9% (95%CI: 3.7, 10.2) higher ALT, 4.5% (95%CI: 2.4, 6.6) higher AST, and 8.3% (95%CI: 3.7, 13.1) higher GGT levels, on average. CONCLUSIONS Exposure to individual and combined PFAS is associated with higher liver enzymes in Korean adults, providing additional evidence for the association between PFAS exposure and risk of liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ok-Jin Kim
- Environmental Health Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research, Incheon, 22689, Republic of Korea
| | - Seyoung Kim
- National Cancer Control Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 10408, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Young Park
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Kyoung Oh
- National Cancer Control Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 10408, Republic of Korea; Department of Cancer Control and Population Health, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 10408, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun Kyoung Jung
- Environmental Health Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research, Incheon, 22689, Republic of Korea
| | - Soyoung Park
- Environmental Health Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research, Incheon, 22689, Republic of Korea
| | - Sooyeon Hong
- Environmental Health Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research, Incheon, 22689, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye Li Jeon
- Environmental Health Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research, Incheon, 22689, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-Jin Kim
- National Cancer Control Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 10408, Republic of Korea; Department of Cancer Control and Population Health, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 10408, Republic of Korea
| | - Bohyun Park
- National Cancer Control Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 10408, Republic of Korea
| | - Bomi Park
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Suejin Kim
- Environmental Health Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research, Incheon, 22689, Republic of Korea.
| | - Byungmi Kim
- National Cancer Control Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 10408, Republic of Korea; Department of Cancer Control and Population Health, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 10408, Republic of Korea.
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Sidossis A, Lan FY, Hershey MS, Hadkhale K, Kales SN. Cancer and Potential Prevention with Lifestyle among Career Firefighters: A Narrative Review. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15092442. [PMID: 37173909 PMCID: PMC10177420 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15092442] [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: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Career firefighters are at considerable risk for chronic diseases, including an increased risk of various cancers, compared to the general population. Over the last two decades, several systematic reviews and large cohort studies have demonstrated that firefighters have statistically significant increases in overall and site-specific cancer incidence and site-specific cancer mortality compared to the general population. Exposure assessment and other studies have documented exposures to a variety of carcinogens in fire smoke and within the fire station. Other occupational factors such as shift work, sedentary behavior, and the fire service food culture may also contribute to this working population's increased cancer risk. Furthermore, obesity and other lifestyle behaviors such as tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, poor diet, inadequate physical activity, and short sleep duration have also been associated with an increased risk of certain firefighting-associated cancers. Putative prevention strategies are proposed based on suspected occupational and lifestyle risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amalia Sidossis
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02138, USA
| | - Fan-Yun Lan
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02138, USA
- Division of Occupational Medicine, Cambridge Health Alliance/Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Institute of Health and Welfare Policy, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University Hospital, Yilan 260, Taiwan
| | - Maria S Hershey
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02138, USA
| | - Kishor Hadkhale
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02138, USA
- Division of Occupational Medicine, Cambridge Health Alliance/Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Faculty of Social Sciences Health Sciences (Epidemiology), Tampere University, 33100 Tampere, Finland
| | - Stefanos N Kales
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02138, USA
- Division of Occupational Medicine, Cambridge Health Alliance/Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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Barros B, Oliveira M, Morais S. Biomonitoring of firefighting forces: a review on biomarkers of exposure to health-relevant pollutants released from fires. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART B, CRITICAL REVIEWS 2023; 26:127-171. [PMID: 36748115 DOI: 10.1080/10937404.2023.2172119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Occupational exposure as a firefighter has recently been classified as a carcinogen to humans by International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Biomonitoring has been increasingly used to characterize exposure of firefighting forces to contaminants. However, available data are dispersed and information on the most relevant and promising biomarkers in this context of firefighting is missing. This review presents a comprehensive summary and critical appraisal of existing biomarkers of exposure including volatile organic compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, several other persistent other organic pollutants as well as heavy metals and metalloids detected in biological fluids of firefighters attending different fire scenarios. Urine was the most characterized matrix, followed by blood. Firefighters exhaled breath and saliva were poorly evaluated. Overall, biological levels of compounds were predominantly increased in firefighters after participation in firefighting activities. Biomonitoring studies combining different biomarkers of exposure and of effect are currently limited but exploratory findings are of high interest. However, biomonitoring still has some unresolved major limitations since reference or recommended values are not yet established for most biomarkers. In addition, half-lives values for most of the biomarkers have thus far not been defined, which significantly hampers the design of studies. These limitations need to be tackled urgently to improve risk assessment and support implementation of better more effective preventive strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bela Barros
- REQUIMTE-LAQV,Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Marta Oliveira
- REQUIMTE-LAQV,Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Simone Morais
- REQUIMTE-LAQV,Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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20
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Warren-Vega WM, Campos-Rodríguez A, Zárate-Guzmán AI, Romero-Cano LA. A Current Review of Water Pollutants in American Continent: Trends and Perspectives in Detection, Health Risks, and Treatment Technologies. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:4499. [PMID: 36901509 PMCID: PMC10001968 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20054499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Currently, water pollution represents a serious environmental threat, causing an impact not only to fauna and flora but also to human health. Among these pollutants, inorganic and organic pollutants are predominantly important representing high toxicity and persistence and being difficult to treat using current methodologies. For this reason, several research groups are searching for strategies to detect and remedy contaminated water bodies and effluents. Due to the above, a current review of the state of the situation has been carried out. The results obtained show that in the American continent a high diversity of contaminants is present in the water bodies affecting several aspects, in which in some cases, there exists alternatives to realize the remediation of contaminated water. It is concluded that the actual challenge is to establish sanitation measures at the local level based on the specific needs of the geographical area of interest. Therefore, water treatment plants must be designed according to the contaminants present in the water of the region and tailored to the needs of the population of interest.
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Johanson G, Gyllenhammar I, Ekstrand C, Pyko A, Xu Y, Li Y, Norström K, Lilja K, Lindh C, Benskin JP, Georgelis A, Forsell K, Jakobsson K, Glynn A, Vogs C. Quantitative relationships of perfluoroalkyl acids in drinking water associated with serum concentrations above background in adults living near contamination hotspots in Sweden. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 219:115024. [PMID: 36535390 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.115024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Contaminated drinking water (DW) is a major source of exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at locations around PFAS production/use facilities and military airports. This study aimed to investigate quantitative relationships between concentrations in DW and serum of nine perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in Swedish adult populations living near contamination hotspots. Short-chained (PFPeA, PFHxA, PFHpA, and PFBS) and long-chained PFAAs (PFOA, PFNA, PFDA, PFHxS and PFOS) were measured in DW and serum. We matched DW and serum concentrations for a total of 398 subjects living or working in areas receiving contaminated DW and in one non-contaminated area. Thereafter, linear regression analysis with and without adjustments for co-variates was conducted. This enabled to derive (i) serum concentrations at background exposure (CB) from sources other than local DW exposure (i.e. food, dust and textiles) at 0 ng/L DW concentration, (ii) population-mean PFAA serum:water ratios (SWR) and (iii) PFAA concentrations in DW causing observable elevated serum PFAA concentrations above background variability. Median concentrations of the sum of nine PFAAs ranged between 2.8 and 1790 ng/L in DW and between 7.6 and 96.9 ng/mL in serum. DW concentration was the strongest predictor, resulting in similar unadjusted and adjusted regression coefficients. Mean CB ranged from <0.1 (PFPeA, PFHpA, PFBS) to 5.1 ng/mL (PFOS). Serum concentrations increased significantly with increasing DW concentrations for all PFAAs except for PFPeA with SWRs ranging from <10 (PFHxA, PFHpA and PFBS) to 111 (PFHxS). Observed elevated serum concentrations above background variability were reached at DW concentrations between 24 (PFOA) and 357 ng/L (PFHxA). The unadjusted linear regression predictions agreed well with serum concentrations previously reported in various populations exposed to low and high DW levels of PFOA, PFHxS and PFOS. The quantitative relationships derived herein should be helpful to translate PFAA concentrations in DW to concentrations in serum at the population level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunnar Johanson
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 7028, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden; Unit of Integrative Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, P.O. Box 210, SE 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Irina Gyllenhammar
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 7028, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden; Swedish Food Agency, Box 622, 751 26, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Carl Ekstrand
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 7028, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Andrei Pyko
- Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, Region Stockholm, Sweden; Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Yiyi Xu
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, P.O Box 414, 405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ying Li
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, P.O Box 414, 405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Karin Norström
- Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, Circular Economy Department, 106 48, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karl Lilja
- Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, Circular Economy Department, 106 48, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christian Lindh
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Antonios Georgelis
- Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, Region Stockholm, Sweden; Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karl Forsell
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Norrland University Hospital, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Kristina Jakobsson
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, P.O Box 414, 405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden; Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Box 414, 405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Anders Glynn
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 7028, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Carolina Vogs
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Box 7028, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden.
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22
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Jain RB. Serum concentrations of perfluoro-1-heptane sulfonate (PFHpS) among US adults: variabilities across different stages of kidney function. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:23184-23191. [PMID: 36316548 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-23881-1] [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: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
For the first time, data (N = 1311) from US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for 2017-2018 were analyzed for gender and racial/ethnic differences for perfluoro-1-heptane sulfonate (PFHpS) for US adults aged ≥ 20 years. In addition, variability in adjusted concentrations across various stages of glomerular filtration (GF) was also studied. While no racial/ethnic differences were observed, males had statistically significantly higher concentrations of PFHpS than females (0.30 vs. 0.19 ng/mL, p < 0.01). Concentrations of PFHpS across various stages of kidney function were located on inverted U-shaped curves with point of inflection located at GF-3A (45 ≤ eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) for all participants, males, as well as females. After moderate increase from GF-1 (eGFR ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) to GF-2 (60 ≤ eGFR < 90 mL/min/1.73 m2), the increase in PFHpS concentration from GF-2 to GF-3A was quite steep. For example, for females, concentration from GF-1 to GF-2 increased from 0.17 ng/mL to 0.23 ng/mL for an increase of 35% but from GF-2 to GF-3A, concentrations of PFHpS increased from 0.23 ng/mL to 0.43 ng/mL for an increase of about 87%. Following this, at GF-3B/4 (15 ≤ eGFR < 45 mL/min/1.73 m2), concentrations decreased sharply to the almost the same levels as for GF-1. For example, for males, the decrease from GF-3A (0.67 ng/mL) to GF-3B/4 (0.21 ng/mL) was about 69%. Concentration curves for each race/ethnicity were also located on inverted U-shaped curves but relatively very small sample sizes for Hispanics and non-Hispanic Asians, and others at GF-3A and GF-3B/4 lead to substantial variability. The balance between reabsorption-excretion in favor of reabsorption at GF-1 and GF-2 switched to in favor of excretion starting at the end of GF-3A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ram B Jain
- , 4331 Kendrick Circle, Loganville, Ga, USA.
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23
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Wallis DJ, Barton KE, Knappe DRU, Kotlarz N, McDonough CA, Higgins CP, Hoppin JA, Adgate JL. Source apportionment of serum PFASs in two highly exposed communities. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 855:158842. [PMID: 36122706 PMCID: PMC10564447 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are synthetic chemicals that are ubiquitous in environmental and biological systems, including human serum. PFASs are used in many products and industrial processes and are tied to numerous health effects. Due to multiple sources and exposure pathways, methods are needed to identify PFAS sources in communities to develop targeted interventions. We assessed effectiveness of three source apportionment methods (UNMIX, positive matrix factorization [PMF], and principal component analysis - multiple linear regression [PCA-MLR]) for identifying contributors to human serum PFAS concentrations in two highly exposed populations in Colorado and North Carolina where drinking water was contaminated via upstream sources, including a Space Force base and a fluorochemical manufacturing plant. UNMIX and PMF models extracted three to four potential PFAS exposure sources in the Colorado and North Carolina cohorts while PCA-MLR classified two in each cohort. No sources were characterized in NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Study). Results suggest that these three methods can successfully identify sources in highly exposed populations. Future PFAS exposure research should focus on analyzing serum for an expanded PFAS panel, identifying cohorts with other distinct point source exposures, and combining biological and environmental data to better understand source apportionment results in the context of PFAS toxicokinetic behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan J Wallis
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
| | - Kelsey E Barton
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Detlef R U Knappe
- Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7908, USA; Center for Human Health and the Environment (CHHE), North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Nadine Kotlarz
- Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7908, USA; Center for Human Health and the Environment (CHHE), North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Carrie A McDonough
- Department of Civil Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Christopher P Higgins
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO, USA
| | - Jane A Hoppin
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA; Center for Human Health and the Environment (CHHE), North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - John L Adgate
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
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East A, Egeghy PP, Hubal EAC, Slover R, Vallero DA. Computational estimates of daily aggregate exposure to PFOA/PFOS from 2011 to 2017 using a basic intake model. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2023; 33:56-68. [PMID: 34373583 PMCID: PMC10568366 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-021-00374-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances has been modeled to estimate serum concentrations. Given that the production and use of these compounds have decreased in recent years, especially PFOA and PFOS, and that additional concentration data have become available from the US and other industrialized countries over the past decade, aggregate median intakes of these two compounds were estimated using more recent data. METHODS Summary statistics from secondary sources were collected, averaged, and mapped for indoor and outdoor air, water, dust, and soil for PFOA and PFOS to estimate exposures for adults and children. European dietary intake estimates were used to estimate daily intake from food. RESULTS In accordance with decreased concentrations in media, daily intake estimates among adults, i.e., 40 ng/day PFOA and 40 ng/day PFOS, are substantially lower than those reported previously, as are children's estimates of 14 ng/day PFOA and 17 ng/day PFOS. Using a first-order pharmacokinetic model, these results compare favorably to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey serum concentration measurements. CONCLUSION Concomitant blood concentrations support this enhanced estimation approach that captures the decline of PFOA/PFOS serum concentration over a decade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander East
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Peter P Egeghy
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Elaine A Cohen Hubal
- U.S. EPA, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Rachel Slover
- U.S. EPA, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Daniel A Vallero
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
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Blomberg AJ, Norén E, Haug LS, Lindh C, Sabaredzovic A, Pineda D, Jakobsson K, Nielsen C. Estimated Transfer of Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) from Maternal Serum to Breast Milk in Women Highly Exposed from Contaminated Drinking Water: A Study in the Ronneby Mother-Child Cohort. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2023; 131:17005. [PMID: 36688826 PMCID: PMC9869870 DOI: 10.1289/ehp11292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infancy perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure from breastfeeding is partially determined by the transfer efficiencies (TEs) of PFAS from maternal serum into breast milk. However, to our knowledge there are no studies of such TEs in highly exposed populations. OBJECTIVES We estimated the TEs of PFAS from maternal serum into colostrum and breast milk in a cohort of women with a wide range of PFAS exposures. METHODS The Ronneby Mother-Child Cohort was established in 2015 after PFAS contamination was discovered in the public drinking water of Ronneby, Sweden. We measured seven PFAS in matched samples of maternal serum at delivery and colostrum and breast milk. We calculated the TE (in percentage) as the ratio of PFAS in colostrum or breast milk to serum multiplied by 100 and evaluated whether TEs varied by PFAS, lactation stage, or exposure level using a series of linear mixed-effects models with a random intercept for each woman. RESULTS This study included 126 mothers. PFAS associated with firefighting foams [i.e., perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS)] were substantially elevated in the serum, colostrum, and breast milk samples of highly exposed women in the cohort and showed strong correlation. PFHxS and PFOS also contributed the largest fraction of total PFAS on average in colostrum and breast milk. Median TEs varied from 0.9% to 4.3% and were higher for perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids, including perfluorooctanoic acid, than perfluoroalkane sulfonic acids, including PFHxS and PFOS. TEs varied by exposure level, but there was not a consistent pattern in this variation. DISCUSSION PFAS concentrations in the colostrum and breast milk of highly exposed women were higher than the concentrations in low-exposed women, and TEs were of a similar magnitude across exposure categories. This implies that breastfeeding may be an important route of PFAS exposure for breastfeeding infants with highly exposed mothers, although the relative contribution of breastfeeding vs. prenatal transplacental transfer remains to be clarified. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP11292.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annelise J. Blomberg
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Erika Norén
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Line S. Haug
- Department of Food Safety, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Christian Lindh
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Daniela Pineda
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Kristina Jakobsson
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Christel Nielsen
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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26
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Lucas K, Gaines LGT, Paris-Davila T, Nylander-French LA. Occupational exposure and serum levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): A review. Am J Ind Med 2022; 66:379-392. [PMID: 36573587 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.23454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are a class of chemicals used in nearly all sectors of industry and many consumer products. Their resistance to degradation, however, means that PFAS are ubiquitous in the environment and bioaccumulate. PFAS exposure has also been linked to a variety of adverse health effects. Occupational PFAS exposure is of particular concern as research on PFAS exposure in worker populations has historically been limited and generally restricted to fluorochemical plant workers involved in PFAS production. METHODS A comprehensive review of peer-reviewed scientific literature was conducted to investigate which worker populations may experience occupational exposure to PFAS. Serum PFAS levels reported in various occupations were analyzed and compared to serum PFAS levels published on the general public exposed to PFAS-contaminated drinking water and the study population of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). RESULTS Our analysis indicates that professional ski waxers and firefighters may be exposed to several different PFAS at levels often similar to or higher than levels among fluorochemical plant workers and individuals in communities with PFAS-contaminated drinking water, and higher than levels in the general public. PFAS serum level data on other occupations were largely absent. CONCLUSIONS Results highlight a need for additional research on occupational PFAS exposures and concomitant environmental exposures in these populations. Research on exposure levels in occupations and industries known or suspected to utilize PFAS is critically needed to foster informed recommendations for exposure mitigation measures to protect workers from adverse health effects of PFAS exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Lucas
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Linda G T Gaines
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Tamara Paris-Davila
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Leena A Nylander-French
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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27
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Ojo AF, Peng C, Annamalai P, Megharaj M, Ng JC. Toxicity assessment of historical aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) using cell-based assays. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 310:119806. [PMID: 35868471 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) has historically contained high concentrations of long-chain per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which have been linked with adverse health outcomes. However, the toxicity of historical AFFFs remains largely unknown, presenting uncertainties in their risk assessment. This study assessed the toxicity of historical AFFFs by exposing human liver cells (HepG2) to various dilutions of 3M Light Water AFFF or Ansulite AFFF (0.001%, 0.002%, 0.005%, 0.009%, 0.019%, 0.038%, 0.075%, 0.15%, and 0.3%) for 24 h. The effects of the two AFFF formulations on the cell viability, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, Nrf2-ARE activity, and DNA damage were assessed by CellTiter 96® Aqueous One Solution Cell Proliferation Assay (MTS kit), dichlorofluorescein diacetate assay, luciferase assay, and alkaline Comet assay, respectively. The results revealed that the two brands of AFFFs tested were toxic to HepG2 cells at dilutions lower than the recommended 3% application formulation. Specifically, exposure to 3M Light Water AFFF or Ansulite AFFF induced a dilution-dependent decrease in cell viability, increased intracellular ROS production, and increased Nrf2-ARE activity. However, except for the highest concentration (lowest dilution) of 3M Light Water AFFF tested (0.038%.), both 3M Light Water AFFF and Ansulite AFFF did not significantly induce cellular DNA damage. Overall, 3M Light Water AFFF was more toxic than Ansulite AFFF. The findings from this study provided valuable in vitro toxicity data that may better inform the health risk assessment of these historical AFFFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atinuke F Ojo
- The University of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Cheng Peng
- The University of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Prasath Annamalai
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation, School of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Mallavarapu Megharaj
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation, School of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Jack C Ng
- The University of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia.
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Su F, Zeeshan M, Xiong LH, Lv JY, Wu Y, Tang XJ, Zhou Y, Ou YQ, Huang WZ, Feng WR, Zeng XW, Dong GH. Co-exposure to perfluoroalkyl acids and heavy metals mixtures associated with impaired kidney function in adults: A community-based population study in China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 839:156299. [PMID: 35643130 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have separately linked either perfluoroalkyl acid (PFAA) or heavy metal exposure with kidney dysfunction. However, the relationships of co-exposure to PFAAs and heavy metals with kidney function are still unclear. OBJECTIVES To explore the associations between exposure to PFAAs and heavy metals mixtures and kidney function in adults. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional community-based population study in Guangzhou, China, enrolling 1312 adults from November 2018 to August 2019. We quantified 13 PFAAs in serum and 14 heavy metals in plasma. We chose estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) as outcomes of interest. Distributed lag non-linear models (DLNMs) were used to check nonlinearity of individual pollutant with kidney function. Joint associations of pollutant mixtures on kidney function were assessed by Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) models. We further explored modification effects of gender. RESULTS Most individual PFAA and heavy metal were associated with declined kidney function in single-pollutant models. We also observed significant dose-response relationships of pollutant mixtures with reduced eGFR levels and increased odds of CKD in BKMR models. Perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS), arsenic (As) and strontium (Sr) were the predominant contributors among pollutant mixtures. A change in log PFHpS, As and Sr concentrations from the 25th to the 75th percentile were associated with a decrease in eGFR of -5.42 (95% confidence interval (CI): -6.86, -3.98), -2.14 (95% CI: -3.70, -0.58) and -1.87 (95% CI: -3.03, -0.72) mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively, when other pollutants were at their median values. In addition, the observed associations were more obvious in females. CONCLUSIONS We provided new evidence that co-exposure to PFAAs and heavy metals mixtures was associated with reduced kidney function in adults and PFHpS, As and Sr appeared to be the major contributors. Further studies are warranted to confirm our findings and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Su
- 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
| | - Mohammed Zeeshan
- 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-Hua Xiong
- Department of Environmental Health, Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou 510440, China
| | - Jia-Yun Lv
- Department of Environmental Health, Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou 510440, China
| | - Yan Wu
- Department of Environmental Health, Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou 510440, China
| | - Xiao-Jiang Tang
- Guangzhou JES+US Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd., Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Yang Zhou
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Environmental Protection, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Yan-Qiu Ou
- Department of Epidemiology, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, WHO Collaborating Center for Research and Training in Cardiovascular Diseases, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Wen-Zhong Huang
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Wen-Ru Feng
- Department of Environmental Health, Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou 510440, China.
| | - Xiao-Wen Zeng
- 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.
| | - Guang-Hui Dong
- 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.
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Cai L, Hu J, Li J, Cao X, Lyu Y, Sun W. Occurrence, source apportionment, and pollution assessment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in a river across rural and urban areas. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 835:155505. [PMID: 35487461 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Forty-three novel and legacy per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in water and sediments from the Chaobai River (Beijing) were quantified. The total PFASs concentrations varied from 0.04 to 31.3 ng/L in water with significant spatial but insignificant seasonal variations, and changed from 0.03 to 4.29 ng/g in sediment with insignificant spatial but significant seasonal variations. The PFASs concentrations in water from the upstream across the rural area reflected the background level due to the extremely low concentration and very few detected PFASs. The consumer products and metal plating/textile were the predominant pollution sources of PFASs in winter and summer, respectively, for both water and sediment samples. Integrating the determined baseline value, the distribution of PFASs concentrations, and the ecological risks of PFASs, three criteria were proposed, which divide the PFASs concentrations in water into four pollution levels, i.e., insignificant, low, medium, and high. According to the suggested criteria, 96.4% of the PFASs levels in upstream was insignificant pollution, which decreased to 50.4% in downstream and 50.8% in reservoirs. The PFASs in China's and world's surface waters demonstrated similar pollution patterns, with PFOA, PFOS, and PFHxA being the top 3 polluted PFASs. This study makes a small step forward the development of water quality standard for PFASs, which is of great importance for pollution control and risk management of PFASs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leilei Cai
- College of Safety and Environmental Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong 266590, China
| | - Jingrun Hu
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, The Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100871, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of All Material Fluxes in River Ecosystems, International Joint Laboratory for Regional Pollution Control, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Jie Li
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, The Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100871, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of All Material Fluxes in River Ecosystems, International Joint Laboratory for Regional Pollution Control, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Xiaoqiang Cao
- College of Safety and Environmental Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong 266590, China
| | - Yitao Lyu
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, The Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100871, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of All Material Fluxes in River Ecosystems, International Joint Laboratory for Regional Pollution Control, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Weiling Sun
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, The Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100871, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of All Material Fluxes in River Ecosystems, International Joint Laboratory for Regional Pollution Control, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100871, China.
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Burgess JL, Fisher JM, Nematollahi A, Jung AM, Calkins MM, Graber JM, Grant CC, Beitel SC, Littau SR, Gulotta JJ, Wallentine DD, Hughes RJ, Popp C, Calafat AM, Botelho JC, Coleman AD, Schaefer-Solle N, Louzado-Feliciano P, Oduwole SO, Caban-Martinez AJ. Serum per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance concentrations in four municipal US fire departments. Am J Ind Med 2022; 66:411-423. [PMID: 35864570 PMCID: PMC9859935 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.23413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Revised: 06/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Firefighters have occupational and environmental exposures to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The goal of this study was to compare serum PFAS concentrations across multiple United States fire departments to National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) participants. METHODS Nine serum PFAS were compared in 290 firefighters from four municipal fire departments (coded A-D) and three NHANES participants matched to each firefighter on sex, ethnicity, age, and PFAS collection year. Only Departments A and C had sufficient women study participants (25 and six, respectively) to compare with NHANES. RESULTS In male firefighters compared with NHANES, geometric mean perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) was elevated in Departments A-C, sum of branched perfluoromethylheptane sulfonate isomers (Sm-PFOS) was elevated in all four departments, linear perfluorooctane sulfonate (n-PFOS) was elevated in Departments B and C, linear perfluorooctanoate (n-PFOA) was elevated in Departments B-D, and perfluorononanoate (PFNA) was elevated in Departments B-D, but lower in A. In male firefighters compared with NHANES, perfluoroundecanoate (PFUnDA) was more frequently detected in Departments B and D, and 2-(N-methyl-perfluorooctane sulfonamido) acetate (MeFOSAA) was less frequently detected in Departments B-D. In female firefighters compared with NHANES, PFHxS and Sm-PFOS concentrations were elevated in Departments A and C. Other PFAS concentrations were elevated and/or reduced in only one department or not significantly different from NHANES in any department. CONCLUSIONS Serum PFHxS, Sm-PFOS, n-PFOS, n-PFOA, and PFNA concentrations were increased in at least two of four fire departments in comparison to NHANES.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jefferey L. Burgess
- Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Julia M. Fisher
- Statistics Consulting Laboratory, BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Amy Nematollahi
- Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Alesia M. Jung
- Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Miriam M. Calkins
- Division of Field Studies and Engineering, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Judith M. Graber
- Rutgers the State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Casey C. Grant
- D&S Research Associates & Engineers, LLC, Belmont, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Shawn C. Beitel
- Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Sally R. Littau
- Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | | | | | | | - Charles Popp
- Boston Fire Department, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Antonia M. Calafat
- National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Julianne C. Botelho
- National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Alissa D. Coleman
- Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | | | | | - Simi O. Oduwole
- Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
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Babayev M, Capozzi SL, Miller P, McLaughlin KR, Medina SS, Byrne S, Zheng G, Salamova A. PFAS in drinking water and serum of the people of a southeast Alaska community: A pilot study. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 305:119246. [PMID: 35367506 PMCID: PMC9090981 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119246] [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: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have become a target of rigorous scientific research due to their ubiquitous nature and adverse health effects. However, there are still gaps in knowledge about their environmental fate and health implications. More attention is needed for remote locations with source exposures. This study focuses on assessing PFAS exposure in Gustavus, a small Alaska community, located near a significant PFAS source from airport operations and fire training sites. Residential water (n = 25) and serum (n = 40) samples were collected from Gustavus residents and analyzed for 39 PFAS compounds. In addition, two water samples were collected from the previously identified PFAS source near the community. Fourteen distinct PFAS were detected in Gustavus water samples, including 6 perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs), 7 perfluorosulfonic acids (PFSAs), and 1 fluorotelomer sulfonate (FTS). ΣPFAS concentrations in residential drinking water ranged from not detected to 120 ng/L. High ΣPFAS levels were detected in two source samples collected from the Gustavus Department of Transportation (14,600 ng/L) and the Gustavus Airport (228 ng/L), confirming these two locations as a nearby major source of PFAS contamination. Seventeen PFAS were detected in serum and ΣPFAS concentrations ranged from 0.0170 to 13.1 ng/mL (median 0.0823 ng/mL). Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) were the most abundant PFAS in both water and serum samples and comprised up to 70% of ΣPFAS concentrations in these samples. Spearman's correlation analysis revealed PFAS concentrations in water and sera were significantly and positively correlated (r = 0.495; p = 0.0192). Our results confirm a presence of a significant PFAS source near Gustavus, Alaska and suggest that contaminated drinking water from private wells contributes to the overall PFAS body burden in Gustavus residents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maksat Babayev
- School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, United States
| | - Staci L Capozzi
- O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Bloomington, Indiana 47405 United States
| | - Pamela Miller
- Alaska Community Action on Toxics, Anchorage, AK 99518, United States
| | | | | | - Samuel Byrne
- Department of Biology, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT 05753, United States
| | - Guomao Zheng
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Amina Salamova
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States.
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Li J, Luo K, Liu X, Tang S, Zhang J, Chen D. Chemical-specific determinants for pre-conceptional exposure to emerging and legacy per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 819:152501. [PMID: 34968602 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The exposure of preconception women to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) could negatively affect her reproductive health. However, chemical-specific determinants for pre-conceptional exposure to PFASs, particularly the emerging ones, remain poorly understood. In the present study, it was found that the total PFAS concentration ranged from 8.9 to 440.3 ng/mL (median: 49.6 ng/mL) in 1060 preconception women. The PFAS exposure profile was dominated by PFOA (16.8 ng/mL), followed by PFOS (13.3 ng/mL), 6:2 Cl-PFESA (8.9 ng/mL), PFDA (2.4 ng/mL), PFNA (2.1 ng/mL), and others. The pre-conceptional exposure to the selected PFASs was significantly associated, in a chemical-specific pattern, with multiple demographic characteristics and the consumption frequency of different types of food. In particular, the exposure to 6:2 Cl-PFESA was associated with age, parity, alcohol drinking, educational level, household income, and the consumption frequency of red meat, marine and freshwater fish, shellfish, and shrimp. However, our analysis revealed that the investigated sociodemographic and diet variables only explained a relatively small proportion (1.3%-18.7%) of PFAS concentration variations, raising the need of exploring additional factors critical to pre-conceptional PFAS exposure. Overall, the identification of chemical-specific determinants would greatly facilitate the understanding of the link between pre-conceptional exposure and health outcomes, and the mitigation of human exposure to PFAS, particularly the emerging ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- School of Environment and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Kai Luo
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xiaotu Liu
- School of Environment and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Shuqin Tang
- School of Environment and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Da Chen
- School of Environment and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
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Bashir T, Obeng-Gyasi E. Interaction of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Allostatic Load among Adults in Various Occupations. Diseases 2022; 10:26. [PMID: 35645247 PMCID: PMC9149876 DOI: 10.3390/diseases10020026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: This study sought to assess the associations between occupation, serum concentrations of selected of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), and chronic physiological stress, as operationalized by Allostatic Load (AL), among adults aged ≥20 years. Methods: To explore the interactions of occupation with PFAS levels and AL, data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007−2014 were used. We performed Poisson regression modeling to evaluate AL’s relationships with PFAS concentrations and occupations on weighted data. Results: The results demonstrated that increased AL was positively associated with different occupation groups such as a) Public Administration and b) Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (p-values 0.018 and 0.002, respectively), and with certain PFAS concentrations (Perfluorooctanoic acid, PFOA, p-value = 0.002). Finally, AL had a strong association with the interaction of some PFAS such as Perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS) and occupation (AL: PFBS: occupation, p-value < 0.0001), with different association measures existing across varying occupations. Conclusions: Occupation and PFOA seem to be associated with AL. This suggests the need of implementing further strategies to limit the exposure to stressors and PFAS in the work environment to promote longevity among the workforce in the U.S. Finally, policymakers must do more to clearly define standards and regulations in the work environment related to PFAS exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahir Bashir
- Department of Built Environment, North Carolina A & T State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA;
- Environmental Health and Disease Laboratory, North Carolina A & T State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA
| | - Emmanuel Obeng-Gyasi
- Department of Built Environment, North Carolina A & T State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA;
- Environmental Health and Disease Laboratory, North Carolina A & T State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA
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Luo D, Wu W, Pan Y, Du B, Shen M, Zeng L. Response to Comment on "Associations of Prenatal Exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances with the Neonatal Birth Size and Hormones in the Growth Hormone/Insulin-Like Growth Factor Axis": What Is the Origin of PFHxS Found in the Human Body? ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:5285-5286. [PMID: 35369693 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c01324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Dan Luo
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Joint Laboratory of Collaborative Innovation for Environmental Quality, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Weixiang Wu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Yanan Pan
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Joint Laboratory of Collaborative Innovation for Environmental Quality, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Bibai Du
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Joint Laboratory of Collaborative Innovation for Environmental Quality, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Mingjie Shen
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Joint Laboratory of Collaborative Innovation for Environmental Quality, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Lixi Zeng
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Joint Laboratory of Collaborative Innovation for Environmental Quality, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
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Barton KE, Zell-Baran LM, DeWitt JC, Brindley S, McDonough CA, Higgins CP, Adgate JL, Starling AP. Cross-sectional associations between serum PFASs and inflammatory biomarkers in a population exposed to AFFF-contaminated drinking water. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2022; 240:113905. [PMID: 35065522 PMCID: PMC9394217 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2021.113905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are widespread and persistent environmental contaminants. Exposure to several PFASs has been associated with altered immune function in humans, including autoimmune disease and impaired response to vaccination. However, changes to the profile of inflammatory biomarkers in adults exposed to PFASs has not been extensively described. OBJECTIVE To estimate cross-sectional associations between serum PFASs and markers of inflammation among adults in a population exposed to aqueous film forming foam (AFFF)-contaminated drinking water. METHODS We quantified concentrations of 48 PFASs in non-fasting serum samples from 212 non-smoking adults. In the same serum samples, we measured concentrations of ten pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. We restricted analysis to seven PFASs detected in >85% of participants and the following four cytokines detected in ≥30% of participants: interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α. We fit multiple linear regression or logistic regression models, adjusted for potential confounders, to estimate associations between concentrations of each PFAS and either continuous or categorical (above vs below limit of detection) concentrations of each cytokine. We additionally applied Bayesian kernel machine regression to describe the combined effect of the PFAS mixture on each cytokine outcome. RESULTS Certain PFAS concentrations in this sample were elevated compared to a US nationally representative sample; median levels of PFHxS, ΣPFOS and ΣPFOA in this sample were 13.8, 2.1 and 1.7 times higher, respectively, than medians observed in the U.S. SAMPLE Higher concentrations of multiple PFASs were significantly associated with lower odds of detectable IL-1β. Weaker associations were observed with other cytokines. In general, perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids had inverse associations with TNF-α, whereas the perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids showed positive associations. CONCLUSIONS We observed preliminary evidence of altered inflammatory profiles among adults with elevated serum concentrations of PFASs due to contaminated drinking water. Modifications to inflammatory pathways may be one mechanism by which PFAS exposures produce adverse health effects in humans, but this finding requires verification in longitudinal studies as well as phenotypic anchoring to immune function outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey E. Barton
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA,Corresponding author. Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, 13001 E 17th Pl, Campus Box B119, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA. (K.E. Barton)
| | - Lauren M. Zell-Baran
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA,Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Jamie C. DeWitt
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
| | - Stephen Brindley
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Carrie A. McDonough
- Department of Civil Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA,Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO, USA
| | - Christopher P. Higgins
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO, USA
| | - John L. Adgate
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Anne P. Starling
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA,Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Engström K, Axmon A, Nielsen C, Rignell-Hydbom A. High in Utero Exposure to Perfluoroalkyl Substances from Drinking Water and Birth Weight: A Cohort Study among Infants in Ronneby, Sweden. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19042385. [PMID: 35206572 PMCID: PMC8871928 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19042385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
In 2013, the drinking water for one-third of the households in Ronneby, Sweden, was found to be contaminated by perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS, >10,000 ng/L) from Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF). In utero PFAS exposure can influence birth weight, but little is known about the effects at very high levels. This study aimed to examine the association between in utero PFAS exposure and birth weight. Infants with mothers from Ronneby exposed to contaminated water at home (high exposure) and infants with mothers from Ronneby not exposed to contaminated water at home (low exposure) were compared to infants with mothers from Blekinge county excluding Ronneby (referents). All infants born in Blekinge county 1995–2013 were included (n = 30,360). Differences in birth weight were only seen among infants born after 2005. For boys, Ronneby high exposure had a lower mean birth weight than referents (−54 g, 95% CI −97; −11). For girls, Ronneby high exposure had a higher mean birth weight than referents (47 g, 95% CI 4; 90). There were no differences in birth weight between referents and Ronneby low exposure. In conclusion, high exposure to PFAS may influence birth weight in a sex-specific way, although the effect estimates were relatively small.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Engström
- EPI@LUND (Epidemiology, Population Studies, and Infrastructures at Lund University), Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, 223 62 Lund, Sweden; (A.A.); (A.R.-H.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Anna Axmon
- EPI@LUND (Epidemiology, Population Studies, and Infrastructures at Lund University), Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, 223 62 Lund, Sweden; (A.A.); (A.R.-H.)
| | - Christel Nielsen
- Epidemiology, Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, 223 63 Lund, Sweden;
| | - Anna Rignell-Hydbom
- EPI@LUND (Epidemiology, Population Studies, and Infrastructures at Lund University), Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, 223 62 Lund, Sweden; (A.A.); (A.R.-H.)
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Colomer-Vidal P, Jiang L, Mei W, Luo C, Lacorte S, Rigol A, Zhang G. Plant uptake of perfluoroalkyl substances in freshwater environments (Dongzhulong and Xiaoqing Rivers, China). JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 421:126768. [PMID: 34365232 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This study provides new knowledge on the mobility, behavior, and partitioning of 17 perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in the water-sediment-plant system along the Dongzhulong and Xiaoqing Rivers. The fate of PFASs in these rivers is also discussed. The study area is affected by the industrial production of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). The ∑PFASs in water and sediments close to the industrial discharge were 84,000 ± 2000 ng/L and 2300 ± 200 ng/g dw, respectively, with the concentrations decreasing along the river due to dilution. PFOA was the dominant compound (74-97% of the ∑PFASs), although other PFASs were identified close to urban areas. Principal component analysis and solid-liquid distribution coefficients revealed that long-chain PFASs accumulated in the sediment whereas short-chain PFASs remained in the water all along the river. PFASs were taken up by plants and remobilized to different plant compartments according to shoot concentration factors (SCFs), root concentration factors (RCF), and transfer factors (TFs). Among the four plant species studied, floating plants absorbed high levels of PFASs, while rooted species translocated short-chain PFASs from the roots to the shoots. Therefore, floating species, due to their high uptake capacity and large proliferation rate, could eventually be used for phytoremediation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pere Colomer-Vidal
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Science, 511 Kehua Street, Wushan, Tianhe District, Guangzhou 510640, Guangdong, China; Department of Environmental Chemistry, IDAEA-CSIC, Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Longfei Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Science, 511 Kehua Street, Wushan, Tianhe District, Guangzhou 510640, Guangdong, China
| | - Weiping Mei
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, 483 Wushan Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Chunling Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Science, 511 Kehua Street, Wushan, Tianhe District, Guangzhou 510640, Guangdong, China; College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, 483 Wushan Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou 510642, China.
| | - Silvia Lacorte
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, IDAEA-CSIC, Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Rigol
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1-11, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Gan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Science, 511 Kehua Street, Wushan, Tianhe District, Guangzhou 510640, Guangdong, China
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Vo HNP, Nguyen TMH, Ngo HH, Guo W, Shukla P. Biochar sorption of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in aqueous film-forming foams-impacted groundwater: Effects of PFASs properties and groundwater chemistry. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 286:131622. [PMID: 34303903 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The widespread use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs)-related products such as aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) has led to increasing contamination of groundwater systems. The concentration of PFASs in AFFF-impacted groundwater can be several orders of magnitude higher than the drinking water standard. There is a need for a sustainable and effective sorbent to remove PFASs from groundwater. This work aims to investigate the sorption of PFASs in groundwater by biochar column. The specific objectives are to understand the influences of PFASs properties and groundwater chemistry to PFASs sorption by biochar. The PFASs-spiked Milli-Q water (including 19 PFASs) and four aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF)-impacted groundwater were used. The partitioning coefficients (log Kd) of long chain PFASs ranged from 0.77 to 4.63 while for short chain PFASs they remained below 0.68. For long chain PFASs (C ≥ 7), log Kd increased by 0.5 and 0.8 for each CF2 moiety of PFCAs and PFSAs, respectively. Dissolved organic matter (DOM) was the most influential factor in PFASs sorption over pH, salinity, and specific ultraviolet absorbance (SUVA). DOM contained hydrophobic compounds and metal ions which can form DOM-PFASs complexes to provide more sorption sites for PFASs. The finding is useful for executing PFASs remediation by biochar filtration column, especially legacy long chain PFASs, for groundwater remediation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoang Nhat Phong Vo
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia; Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Queensland, 4102, Australia
| | - Thi Minh Hong Nguyen
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Queensland, 4102, Australia
| | - Huu Hao Ngo
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia.
| | - Wenshan Guo
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Pradeep Shukla
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Queensland, 4102, Australia
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Petriello MC, Mottaleb MA, Serio TC, Balyan B, Cave MC, Pavuk M, Birnbaum LS, Morris AJ. Serum concentrations of legacy and emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in the Anniston Community Health Surveys (ACHS I and ACHS II). ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 158:106907. [PMID: 34763231 PMCID: PMC9131314 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Residents of Anniston Alabama were highly exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) due to longstanding manufacturing in the area. The Anniston Community Health Surveys (ACHS I-2005-2007 and II, 2014) have linked these exposures with a variety of deletereous health outcomes. In addition to PCBs, these individuals were likely simultaneously exposed to other persistent organic pollutants including per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are an emerging class of ubiquitous industrial chemicals that are measurable in the blood of most individuals and have themselves been linked increased risk of some non communicable diseases. METHODS To characterize PFAS exposures in ACHS I and ACHS II, we measured eight environmentally significant PFAS in serum by UPLC coupled electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), Perfluorononanoate (PFNA), Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA), Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS), Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA), and 4:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (4.2 FTS) were extracted from matched serum samples of individuals who participated in the original ACHS I (2005-2007; n = 297) and the follow up ACHS II (2014; n = 336). Data were collected in negative multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode with monitoring of quantitation and qualifier ions for all target PFAS analytes, surrogates and internal standards. VARCLUS procedure was used to create hierarchical clusters between PFAS and other legacy persistent organic pollutants which may share similar exposure routes. RESULTS Overall, circulating PFAS levels decreased approximately 50% from ACHS I (2005-2007) to ACHS II (2014), but these changes varied by compound. Mean levels of PFOS were >3 times higher in ACHS I subjects than in conpemporaneous NHANES subjects (2005-2006; ACHS I mean: 71.1 ng/ml; NHANES mean: 20.2 ng/mL), and this relationship persisted in ACHS II subjects (2014: ACHS II mean: 34.7 ng/ml; NHANES mean: 5.92 ng/mL). PFNA was also higher in both ACHS I and ACHS II subjects in comparision to NHANES whereas levels of PFOA and PFHxS were lower than in NHANES. Finally, cluster analysis revealed that in ACHS II, most PFAS tracked with polybrominated diphenyl ethers, except PFNA and PFHpA which clustered with industrial PCBs. In ACHS I, PFAS analytes correlated more closely with industrial PCBs and chlorinated pesticides. CONCLUSIONS Participants in the Anniston Community Health Surveys have higher levels of PFOS and PFNA than the general population with average PFOS levels >3 times contemporaneous NHANES levels. Since PFAS were not known to be manufactured in the area, more work needs to be completed to determine if population demographics, proximity to a military base, or regional manufacturing can explain the elevated levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael C Petriello
- Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - M Abdul Mottaleb
- Lexington Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Lexington, KY, USA; Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | | | | | - Matthew C Cave
- Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Marian Pavuk
- CDC Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Andrew J Morris
- Lexington Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Lexington, KY, USA; Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA.
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Lin PID, Cardenas A, Hauser R, Gold DR, Kleinman KP, Hivert MF, Calafat AM, Webster TF, Horton ES, Oken E. Temporal trends of concentrations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances among adults with overweight and obesity in the United States: Results from the Diabetes Prevention Program and NHANES. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 157:106789. [PMID: 34333293 PMCID: PMC8490287 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding the temporal trends and change of concentrations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is important to evaluate the health impact of PFAS at both the individual- and population-level, however, limited information is available for pre-diabetic adults in the U.S. OBJECTIVES Determine trends and rate of change of plasma PFAS concentrations in overweight or obese U.S. adults and evaluate variation by sex, race/ethnicity, and age. METHODS We described temporal trends of plasma PFAS concentrations using samples collected in 1996-1998, 1999-2001, and 2011-2012 from 957 pre-diabetic adults enrolled in the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) trial and Outcomes Study (DPPOS) and compared to serum concentrations from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 1999-2000, 2003-2016, adults with BMI ≥ 24 kg/m2). We examined associations between participants' characteristics and PFAS concentrations and estimated the rate of change using repeated measures in DPP/DPPOS assuming a first-order elimination model. RESULTS Longitudinal measures of PFAS concentrations in DPP/DPPOS individuals were comparable to NHANES cross-sectional populational means. Plasma concentrations of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid, perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), N-ethyl-perfluorooctane sulfonamido acetic acid (EtFOSAA), and N-methylperfluorooctane sulfonamido acetic acid (MeFOSAA) started to decline after the year 2000 and concentrations of perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) increased after 2000 and, for NHANES, decreased after 2012. We consistently observed higher PFOS, PFHxS and PFNA among male, compared to female, and higher PFOS and PFNA among Black, compared to white, participants. The estimated time for concentrations to decrease by half ranged from 3.39 years for EtFOSAA to 17.56 years for PFHxS. DISCUSSION We observed a downward temporal trend in plasma PFOS concentrations that was consistent with the timing for U.S. manufacturers' phaseout. Male and Black participants consistently showed higher PFOS and PFNA than female and white participants, likely due to differences in exposure patterns, metabolism or elimination kinetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pi-I D Lin
- Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Andres Cardenas
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Center for Computational Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
| | - Russ Hauser
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Diane R Gold
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Ken P Kleinman
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Human Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Marie-France Hivert
- Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Diabetes Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Antonia M Calafat
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Thomas F Webster
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Edward S Horton
- Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Emily Oken
- Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
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Cheng B, Alapaty K, Zartarian V, Poulakos A, Strynar M, Buckley T. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances exposure science: current knowledge, information needs, future directions. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : IJEST 2021; 0:1-16. [PMID: 34956374 PMCID: PMC8697342 DOI: 10.1007/s13762-021-03710-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances have been documented at all spatial scales with concerns of adverse ecological and human health effects. Human exposures and relative pathway contributions depend on the specific population, their exposure scenarios, and pathways of local sources. OBJECTIVES Provide a narrative overview of (1) current per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances knowledge for sources, concentrations, and exposures; (2) critical per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances exposure information gaps and needs, and (3) United States Environmental Protection Agency's strategies and action plans in collaboration with other federal, industrial, and academic partners. METHODS A literature review was conducted for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (primarily perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoic acid) compounds in blood, water, soil, house dust, indoor and outdoor air, consumer products, food, and fish, as well as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances exposure modeling. RESULTS Large variability exists in measured per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances environmental concentrations and human exposures. Literature indicated that ingestion of food ("background"), drinking water ("contaminated" scenarios), and house dust (for children) are main pathways for perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoic acid. DISCUSSION Needs for addressing critical data gaps are identified. More information is available on long-chain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances than for replacement and emerging compounds. A large-scale research effort by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and other federal agencies is underway for a better understanding of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- B. Cheng
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) Postdoctoral Research Participant at U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - K. Alapaty
- Office of Research and Development, Atmospheric and Environmental Systems Modeling Division, Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 109 TW Alexander Drive, Room E211-A, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - V. Zartarian
- Office of Research and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Boston, MA, USA
| | - A. Poulakos
- Office of Research and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Boston, MA, USA
- LinTech Global, Inc., 5 Post Office Square, Boston, MA, USA
| | - M. Strynar
- Office of Research and Development, Atmospheric and Environmental Systems Modeling Division, Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 109 TW Alexander Drive, Room E211-A, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - T. Buckley
- Office of Research and Development, Atmospheric and Environmental Systems Modeling Division, Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 109 TW Alexander Drive, Room E211-A, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
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Young AS, Sparer-Fine EH, Pickard HM, Sunderland EM, Peaslee GF, Allen JG. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and total fluorine in fire station dust. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2021; 31:930-942. [PMID: 33542478 PMCID: PMC8339150 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-021-00288-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of over 4700 fluorinated compounds used in industry and consumer products. Studies have highlighted the use of aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) as an exposure source for firefighters, but little is known about PFAS occurrence inside fire stations, where firefighters spend most of their shifts. In this study, we aimed to characterize PFAS concentrations and sources inside fire stations. We measured 24 PFAS (using LC-MS/MS) and total fluorine (using particle-induced gamma ray emission) in dust from multiple rooms of 15 Massachusetts stations, many of which (60%) no longer use PFAS-containing AFFF at all and the rest of which only use it very rarely. Compared to station living rooms, turnout gear locker rooms had higher dust levels of total fluorine (p < 0.0001) and three PFAS: perfluorohexanoate (PFHxA), perfluoroheptanoate (PFHpA), and perfluorodecanoate (PFDoDA) (p < 0.05). These PFAS were also found on six wipes of station turnout gear. By contrast, the dominant PFAS in living rooms was N-ethyl perfluorooctane sulfonamidoacetic acid (N-MeFOSAA), a precursor to perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) that still persists despite phase-outs almost two decades ago. The Σ24 PFAS accounted for less than 2% of fluorine in dust (n = 39), suggesting the potential presence of unknown PFAS. Turnout gear may be an important PFAS source in stations due to intentional additives and/or contamination from firefighting activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna S Young
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | | | - Heidi M Pickard
- Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Elsie M Sunderland
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Graham F Peaslee
- Department of Physics, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - Joseph G Allen
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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Nassif J, Calafat AM, Aldous KM. The U.S. national biomonitoring network - Enhancing capability and capacity to assess human chemical exposures. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2021; 237:113828. [PMID: 34454256 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2021.113828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND With the increased use of biomonitoring in public health, biomonitoring networks are forming worldwide. The National Biomonitoring Network (NBN), created in 2018, is an interconnected system of U.S. government laboratories in collaboration with public health partners, to advance human biomonitoring science and practice. The NBN aims to harmonize biomonitoring data for use in routine public health practice. METHODS The NBN has taken a systems approach to provide high-quality biomonitoring data by establishing quality standards, mentoring nascent programs, and enhancing analytical capability and capacity through technical assistance. Guided by a multi-disciplinary Network Steering Committee (NSC), the NBN has developed an organizational framework, membership criteria, and guidance practices related to study design, quality management and analytical measurements. To facilitate the production of these resources, the NSC established interdisciplinary workgroups of subject matter experts. RESULTS To date, 20 state public health laboratories have joined the NBN. Differences in land-use practices, state and local laws and availability of resources resulted in considerable variability in the design and approach of NBN member biomonitoring programs. By contributing technical guidance, technical training, examples and templates for analytical and epidemiological practices and opportunities for collaboration and interaction, the NBN addressed some of these challenges. Important challenges remaining are to define minimum data variables for laboratory measurements, demographic and exposure information, and to identify an appropriate national repository for biomonitoring data. CONCLUSION The current NBN membership has greatly benefited from the resources, collaboration and engagement with other state and federal scientists. The NBN hopes to expand membership and increase interaction with biomonitoring networks internationally. While the objectives of biomonitoring networks around the world may differ, understanding their structures, advantages and limitations inform the NBN and provide opportunity for cross-network collaboration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julianne Nassif
- Association of Public Health Laboratories, Silver Spring, MD, USA.
| | - Antonia M Calafat
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA; National Biomonitoring Network Steering Committee, USA
| | - Kenneth M Aldous
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, USA; National Biomonitoring Network Steering Committee, USA
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Chohan A, Petaway H, Rivera-Diaz V, Day A, Colaianni O, Keramati M. Per and polyfluoroalkyl substances scientific literature review: water exposure, impact on human health, and implications for regulatory reform. REVIEWS ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 2021; 36:235-259. [PMID: 32990652 DOI: 10.1515/reveh-2020-0049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Among other emerging contaminants in water, per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have garnered international attention from the scientific community on a global scale. Some countries, such as the United States, have found that PFASs are present in humans on a wide scale. Although two PFASs have been widely studied-Perfluorooctanoic acid and Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid-many more PFASs are being created by industry and are either not known, not studied, or both. The objective of this literature review on PFASs is to give an overview of the information available about PFASs related to human exposure. The information from this literature review on the exposure of humans to PFASs through drinking water and the lack of many conventional drinking water treatment systems' ability to remove PFASs (particularly short-chain PFASs) suggests that current regulatory limits are insufficient to adequately protect humans. This is especially true for particularly vulnerable populations such as infants, young children, and developing children (pubescent). The gaps in the current knowledge and in current regulatory approaches could have long-term effects on human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anam Chohan
- Save the WaterTM, 8723 NW 11 Street, Plantation, FL33322, USA
| | - Harry Petaway
- Save the WaterTM, 8723 NW 11 Street, Plantation, FL33322, USA
| | | | - April Day
- Save the WaterTM, 8723 NW 11 Street, Plantation, FL33322, USA
| | - Olivia Colaianni
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 633 Heron, Mukwonago, WI53149, USA
| | - Maryam Keramati
- Save the WaterTM, 8723 NW 11 Street, Plantation, FL33322, USA
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McDonough CA, Choyke S, Barton KE, Mass S, Starling AP, Adgate JL, Higgins CP. Unsaturated PFOS and Other PFASs in Human Serum and Drinking Water from an AFFF-Impacted Community. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:8139-8148. [PMID: 34029073 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c00522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Understanding how exposure to aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF)-impacted drinking water translates to bioaccumulation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) is essential to assess health risks. To investigate spatial variability of PFAS exposure in communities near an AFFF source zone, blood serum was collected in 2018 from 220 adult residents of El Paso County (Colorado), as were raw water samples from several wells. C6 and C8 perfluoroalkyl sulfonates (PFSAs) were predominant in serum and water. PFASs were most elevated in the water district nearest the source zone (median ∑PFSA of 618 ng/L in water and 33 ng/mL in serum). A novel PFAS, unsaturated perfluorooctane sulfonate, was detected in >80% of water and serum samples at low concentrations (≤1.9 ng/mL in serum). Drinking water wells nearest the source zone displayed increased prevalence of perfluoroalkyl sulfonamide precursors not detected in serum. Serum-to-water ratios were the greatest for long-chain PFASs and were elevated in the least impacted water district. Additional serum samples collected from a subset of study participants in June 2019 showed that PFAS concentrations in serum declined after exposure ceased, although declines for perfluoropentane sulfonate were minimal. Our findings demonstrate that AFFF-impacted communities are exposed to complex, spatially variable mixtures of PFASs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carrie A McDonough
- Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
- Department of Civil Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794, United States
| | - Sarah Choyke
- Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Kelsey E Barton
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado 80045, United States
| | - Sarah Mass
- Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Anne P Starling
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado 80045, United States
| | - John L Adgate
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado 80045, United States
| | - Christopher P Higgins
- Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
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Biomonitoring: A tool to assess PFNA body burdens and evaluate the effectiveness of drinking water intervention for communities in New Jersey. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2021; 235:113757. [PMID: 33962122 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2021.113757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Elevated perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) levels, one of many manmade per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), were detected in public water systems/private wells in New Jersey communities. Interventions to end exposure through drinking water were carried out from 2014 to 2016. To evaluate the effectiveness of interventions, a community biomonitoring study was conducted for the communities between 2017 and 2020. A convenience sampling design was used with 120 participants in Year 1 between ages of 20-74 who consumed PFNA-contaminated water. Three blood samples, one year apart, were drawn from each participant and completed for 99 participants. Separated serum samples were measured for 12 PFAS including PFNA. Questionnaires were administered to collect information on demographics and potential sources. Drinking water and house dust collected at the first visit were analyzed for 14 PFAS including PFNA. The PFNA sera levels (Year 1) found 84 out of 120 (70%) participants were higher than the 95th percentile of a nationally representative sample of US adults (NHANES2015-16). Current drinking water and house dust were not significant contributing sources for the study participants. On average, PFNA sera levels were 12 ± 16% (Year 2) and 27 ± 16% (Year 3) lower than the level measured in Year 1 (p < 0.01). The PFNA half-life was estimated around 3.52 years, using a mixed model from 68 high-exposed participants (>95th percentile of NHANES2015-16) with controlling for physiological covariates. The decline in adult serum PFNA levels seen in the years following a community drinking water intervention suggests the intervention effectively reduced PFNA exposure via drinking water.
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Shearer JJ, Callahan CL, Calafat AM, Huang WY, Jones RR, Sabbisetti VS, Freedman ND, Sampson JN, Silverman DT, Purdue MP, Hofmann JN. Serum Concentrations of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Risk of Renal Cell Carcinoma. J Natl Cancer Inst 2021; 113:580-587. [PMID: 32944748 DOI: 10.1289/isee.2020.virtual.o-sy-1758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are highly persistent chemicals that have been detected in the serum of over 98% of the US population. Studies among highly exposed individuals suggest an association with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) exposure and kidney cancer. It remains unclear whether PFOA or other PFAS are renal carcinogens or if they influence risk of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) at concentrations observed in the general population. METHODS We measured prediagnostic serum concentrations of PFOA and 7 additional PFAS in 324 RCC cases and 324 individually matched controls within the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial. Multivariable conditional logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) relating serum PFAS concentrations and RCC risk. Individual PFAS were modeled continuously (log2-transformed) and categorically, with adjustment for kidney function and additional potential confounders. All statistical tests were 2-sided. RESULTS We observed a positive association with RCC risk for PFOA (doubling in serum concentration, ORcontinuous = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.23 to 2.37, P = .002) and a greater than twofold increased risk among those in the highest quartile vs the lowest (OR = 2.63, 95% CI = 1.33 to 5.20, Ptrend = .007). The association with PFOA was similar after adjustment for other PFAS (ORcontinuous = 1.68, 95% CI = 1.07 to 2.63, P = .02) and remained apparent in analyses restricted to individuals without evidence of diminished kidney function and in cases diagnosed 8 or more years after phlebotomy. CONCLUSIONS Our findings add substantially to the weight of evidence that PFOA is a renal carcinogen and may have important public health implications for the many individuals exposed to this ubiquitous and highly persistent chemical.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph J Shearer
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Catherine L Callahan
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Antonia M Calafat
- National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Wen-Yi Huang
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Rena R Jones
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Neal D Freedman
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Joshua N Sampson
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Debra T Silverman
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mark P Purdue
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jonathan N Hofmann
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Shearer JJ, Callahan CL, Calafat AM, Huang WY, Jones RR, Sabbisetti VS, Freedman ND, Sampson JN, Silverman DT, Purdue MP, Hofmann JN. Serum Concentrations of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Risk of Renal Cell Carcinoma. J Natl Cancer Inst 2021; 113:580-587. [PMID: 32944748 PMCID: PMC8096365 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djaa143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are highly persistent chemicals that have been detected in the serum of over 98% of the US population. Studies among highly exposed individuals suggest an association with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) exposure and kidney cancer. It remains unclear whether PFOA or other PFAS are renal carcinogens or if they influence risk of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) at concentrations observed in the general population. METHODS We measured prediagnostic serum concentrations of PFOA and 7 additional PFAS in 324 RCC cases and 324 individually matched controls within the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial. Multivariable conditional logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) relating serum PFAS concentrations and RCC risk. Individual PFAS were modeled continuously (log2-transformed) and categorically, with adjustment for kidney function and additional potential confounders. All statistical tests were 2-sided. RESULTS We observed a positive association with RCC risk for PFOA (doubling in serum concentration, ORcontinuous = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.23 to 2.37, P = .002) and a greater than twofold increased risk among those in the highest quartile vs the lowest (OR = 2.63, 95% CI = 1.33 to 5.20, Ptrend = .007). The association with PFOA was similar after adjustment for other PFAS (ORcontinuous = 1.68, 95% CI = 1.07 to 2.63, P = .02) and remained apparent in analyses restricted to individuals without evidence of diminished kidney function and in cases diagnosed 8 or more years after phlebotomy. CONCLUSIONS Our findings add substantially to the weight of evidence that PFOA is a renal carcinogen and may have important public health implications for the many individuals exposed to this ubiquitous and highly persistent chemical.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph J Shearer
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Catherine L Callahan
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Antonia M Calafat
- National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Wen-Yi Huang
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Rena R Jones
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Neal D Freedman
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Joshua N Sampson
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Debra T Silverman
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mark P Purdue
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jonathan N Hofmann
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
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De Silva AO, Armitage JM, Bruton TA, Dassuncao C, Heiger-Bernays W, Hu XC, Kärrman A, Kelly B, Ng C, Robuck A, Sun M, Webster TF, Sunderland EM. PFAS Exposure Pathways for Humans and Wildlife: A Synthesis of Current Knowledge and Key Gaps in Understanding. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2021; 40:631-657. [PMID: 33201517 PMCID: PMC7906948 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 257] [Impact Index Per Article: 85.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
We synthesize current understanding of the magnitudes and methods for assessing human and wildlife exposures to poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Most human exposure assessments have focused on 2 to 5 legacy PFAS, and wildlife assessments are typically limited to targeted PFAS (up to ~30 substances). However, shifts in chemical production are occurring rapidly, and targeted methods for detecting PFAS have not kept pace with these changes. Total fluorine measurements complemented by suspect screening using high-resolution mass spectrometry are thus emerging as essential tools for PFAS exposure assessment. Such methods enable researchers to better understand contributions from precursor compounds that degrade into terminal perfluoroalkyl acids. Available data suggest that diet is the major human exposure pathway for some PFAS, but there is large variability across populations and PFAS compounds. Additional data on total fluorine in exposure media and the fraction of unidentified organofluorine are needed. Drinking water has been established as the major exposure source in contaminated communities. As water supplies are remediated, for the general population, exposures from dust, personal care products, indoor environments, and other sources may be more important. A major challenge for exposure assessments is the lack of statistically representative population surveys. For wildlife, bioaccumulation processes differ substantially between PFAS and neutral lipophilic organic compounds, prompting a reevaluation of traditional bioaccumulation metrics. There is evidence that both phospholipids and proteins are important for the tissue partitioning and accumulation of PFAS. New mechanistic models for PFAS bioaccumulation are being developed that will assist in wildlife risk evaluations. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:631-657. © 2020 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Carla Ng
- University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Anna Robuck
- University of Rhode Island, Graduate School of Oceanography, Narragansett, RI USA
| | - Mei Sun
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC USA
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50
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Xu Y, Nielsen C, Li Y, Hammarstrand S, Andersson EM, Li H, Olsson DS, Engström K, Pineda D, Lindh CH, Fletcher T, Jakobsson K. Serum perfluoroalkyl substances in residents following long-term drinking water contamination from firefighting foam in Ronneby, Sweden. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 147:106333. [PMID: 33360412 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In December 2013, it was discovered that drinking water supplied to one third of the households in Ronneby, southern Sweden, was highly contaminated by PFAS (sum level >10,000 ng/L) originated from firefighting foams used at a nearby military airport. OBJECTIVES To report serum PFAS levels of Ronneby residents participating in a biomonitoring program, and to describe the variation by age, sex and calendar period for residential exposure. In addition, a reference group living in a neighboring municipality without PFAS contaminated drinking water was examined. METHODS Blood samples and demographic data were collected for 3297 Ronneby residents and 226 individuals from the reference group. Yearly residence addresses were available for 3086 Ronneby residents from the national population registry. Serum concentrations of PFHxS, PFOS and PFOA were determined in all participants, with additional PFHpA, PFNA and PFDA in subsets of the participants. RESULTS The population geometric means for serum PFHxS, PFOS and PFOA were 114, 135 and 6.8 ng/mL for all Ronneby residents, i.e.135, 35 and 4.5 times higher than for the reference group. Ronneby residents who resided in the area with contaminated water supply during 2005-2013 showed much higher PFAS levels in 2014 than those exposed only before 2005. Ronneby residents who never resided in the area with contaminated water supply also had higher serum PFAS levels than the reference group. All three PFAS were highly correlated (rs > 0.9 for each pair). Serum PFAS levels were lowest in teenage years and then increased with age. Adult females had lower PFAS levels on average than males under the age of 60 but higher above 60. DISCUSSION The results reveal high serum PFAS levels dominated by PFHxS and PFOS in the Ronneby residents highly exposed to PFAS originated from firefighting foams. The PFAS exposure in Ronneby permits studies of associations to a range of health parameters, as well as studies of the toxicokinetics of PFAS exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiyi Xu
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Christel Nielsen
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Ying Li
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Sofia Hammarstrand
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Eva M Andersson
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Huiqi Li
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Daniel S Olsson
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Endocrinology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Karin Engström
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Daniela Pineda
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Christian H Lindh
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Tony Fletcher
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | - Kristina Jakobsson
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
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