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Yao D, Shao J, Jia D, Sun W. Immunotoxicity of legacy and alternative per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances on zebrafish larvae. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 358:124511. [PMID: 38977121 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2024] [Revised: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA) and perfluoroethylcyclohexane sulfonate (PFECHS) are increasingly used as alternatives for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). However, their immunotoxicity and underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, to assess immunotoxic effects, zebrafish embryos were exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of PFOA, PFOS, HFPO-DA, and PFECHS for four days. Results revealed that all four per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) resulted in decreased heart rate and spontaneous movement, and induced oxidative stress in zebrafish larvae. Notably, HFPO-DA exhibited more severe oxidative stress than PFOA. Immune dysfunction was observed, characterized by elevated cytokine, complement factor, nitric oxide, and neutrophil content, along with a significant decrease in lysozyme content. Transcriptomic analysis revealed the activation of Toll-like receptor (TLR)/NOD-like receptor (NLR)/RIG-I-like receptor (RLR) and associated downstream genes, indicating their pivotal role in PFAS-induced immunomodulation. Molecular docking simulations demonstrated stable interactions between PFAS and key receptors (TLR2, NOD2 and RIG-I). Overall, HFPO-DA and PFECHS exhibited immunotoxic effects in zebrafish larvae similar to legacy PFAS, providing important information for understanding the toxic mode of action of these emerging alternatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dengdiao Yao
- College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, The Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region, Ministry of Education, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, China.
| | - Jian Shao
- College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, The Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region, Ministry of Education, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, China
| | - Dantong Jia
- Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of All Material Fluxes in River Ecosystems, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Weiling Sun
- Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of All Material Fluxes in River Ecosystems, Beijing, 100871, China.
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2
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Gonzalez de Vega R, Plassmann M, Clases D, Zangger K, Müller V, Rosenberg E, Reimann A, Skedung L, Benskin JP, Feldmann J. A multi-platform approach for the comprehensive analysis of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and fluorine mass balance in commercial ski wax products. Anal Chim Acta 2024; 1314:342754. [PMID: 38876512 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2024.342754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
The unique properties of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have led to their extensive use in consumer products, including ski wax. Based on the risks associated with PFAS, and to align with PFAS regulations, the international ski federation (FIS) implemented a ban on products containing "C8 fluorocarbons/perfluorooctanoate (PFOA)" at all FIS events from the 2021/2022 season, leading manufactures to shift their formulations towards short-chain PFAS chemistries. To date, most studies characterising PFAS in ski waxes have measured a suite of individual substances using targeted analytical approaches. However, the fraction of total fluorine (TF) in the wax accounted for by these substances remains unclear. In this study, we sought to address this question by applying a multi-platform, fluorine mass balance approach to a total of 10 commercially available ski wax products. Analysis of TF by combustion ion chromatography (CIC) revealed concentrations of 1040-51700 μg F g-1 for the different fluorinated waxes. In comparison, extractable organic fluorine (EOF) determined in methanol extracts by CIC (and later confirmed by inductively-coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and 19F- nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy) ranged from 92 to 3160 μg g-1, accounting for only 3-8.8 % of total fluorine (TF). Further characterisation of extracts by cyclic ion mobility-mass spectrometry (IMS) revealed 15 individual PFAS with perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acid concentrations up to 33 μg F g-1, and 3 products exceeding the regulatory limit for PFOA (0.025 μg g-1) by a factor of up to 100. The sum of all PFAS accounted for only 0.01-1.0 % of EOF, implying a high percentage of unidentified PFAS, thus, pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to provide evidence of the nature of the non-extractable fluorine present in the ski wax products.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Merle Plassmann
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - David Clases
- Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Klaus Zangger
- Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Viktoria Müller
- Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Graz, Graz, Austria; The James Hutton Institute, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Erwin Rosenberg
- Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics, TU Wien, Wien, Austria
| | - Anders Reimann
- Department Materials and Surface Design, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lisa Skedung
- Department Materials and Surface Design, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jonathan P Benskin
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jörg Feldmann
- Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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3
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Cioni L, Nikiforov V, Benskin JP, Coêlho ACM, Dudášová S, Lauria MZ, Lechtenfeld OJ, Plassmann MM, Reemtsma T, Sandanger TM, Herzke D. Combining Advanced Analytical Methodologies to Uncover Suspect PFAS and Fluorinated Pharmaceutical Contributions to Extractable Organic Fluorine in Human Serum (Tromsø Study). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:12943-12953. [PMID: 38985529 PMCID: PMC11271008 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c03758] [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: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
A growing number of studies have reported that routinely monitored per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are not sufficient to explain the extractable organic fluorine (EOF) measured in human blood. In this study, we address this gap by screening pooled human serum collected over 3 decades (1986-2015) in Tromsø (Norway) for >5000 PFAS and >300 fluorinated pharmaceuticals. We combined multiple analytical techniques (direct infusion Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography-Orbitrap-high-resolution mass spectrometry, and total oxidizable precursors assay) in a three-step suspect screening process which aimed at unequivocal suspect identification. This approach uncovered the presence of one PFAS and eight fluorinated pharmaceuticals (including some metabolites) in human serum. While the PFAS suspect only accounted for 2-4% of the EOF, fluorinated pharmaceuticals accounted for 0-63% of the EOF, and their contribution increased in recent years. Although fluorinated pharmaceuticals often contain only 1-3 fluorine atoms, our results indicate that they can contribute significantly to the EOF. Indeed, the contribution from fluorinated pharmaceuticals allowed us to close the organofluorine mass balance in pooled serum from 2015, indicating a good understanding of organofluorine compounds in humans. However, a portion of the EOF in human serum from 1986 and 2007 still remained unexplained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Cioni
- NILU,
Fram Centre, Tromsø NO-9296, Norway
- Department
of Community Medicine, UiT—the Arctic
University of Norway, Tromsø NO-9037, Norway
| | | | - Jonathan P. Benskin
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Stockholm SE-10691, Sweden
| | | | - Silvia Dudášová
- Helmholtz
Centre for Environmental Research—UFZ, Leipzig DE-04103, Germany
| | - Melanie Z. Lauria
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Stockholm SE-10691, Sweden
| | | | - Merle M. Plassmann
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Stockholm SE-10691, Sweden
| | - Thorsten Reemtsma
- Helmholtz
Centre for Environmental Research—UFZ, Leipzig DE-04103, Germany
| | - Torkjel M. Sandanger
- NILU,
Fram Centre, Tromsø NO-9296, Norway
- Department
of Community Medicine, UiT—the Arctic
University of Norway, Tromsø NO-9037, Norway
| | - Dorte Herzke
- NILU,
Fram Centre, Tromsø NO-9296, Norway
- Norwegian
Institute for Public Health, Oslo NO-0213, Norway
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4
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Solan ME, Park JA. Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) effects on lung health: a perspective on the current literature and future recommendations. FRONTIERS IN TOXICOLOGY 2024; 6:1423449. [PMID: 39092081 PMCID: PMC11291370 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2024.1423449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a broad class of synthetic compounds widely used in commercial applications. The persistent nature of PFAS in the environment has earned them the epithet "forever chemicals." Concerns arise from widespread exposure to PFAS from occupational, household, and environmental sources. This widespread use of PFAS is particularly concerning, as emerging epidemiological evidence highlights their adverse effects on lung health. Such adverse impacts include impaired fetal lung development, reduced immune function in children, and potential links to lung cancer. Both in vivo and in vitro studies illuminate potential mechanisms underlying such adverse health outcomes subsequent to PFAS inhalation exposure, which may include immunomodulation, oxidative stress, and disruptions to epithelial barriers. However, evidence-based information focusing on the mechanisms of PFAS-mediated lung injury is lacking. Additionally, the discrepancies between data collected from animal and epidemiological studies highlight the need for improved approaches to better understand the toxicity results of PFAS exposure. To address these gaps, we recommend leveraging route-to-route extrapolation for risk assessment, prioritizing research on understudied PFAS, and adopting physiologically relevant, high-throughput approaches. These strategies are aimed at enhancing our understanding of PFAS inhalation effects, aiding in more informed risk management decisions. In this review, we summarize the current literature on PFAS exposure, emphasizing its adverse effects on lung health, particularly through inhalation. We then discuss the current knowledge on mechanisms underlying tissue- and cellular-level adverse outcomes caused by PFAS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jin-Ah Park
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
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5
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Zhu Y, Yang X, Song X, Jia Y, Zhang Y, Zhu L. Insights into the Enhanced Bioavailability of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Food Caused by Chronic Inflammatory Bowel Disease. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:11912-11922. [PMID: 38934536 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c01511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the bioavailability of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food is essential for accurate human health risk assessment. Given the rising incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), this study aimed to investigate the impacts of IBD on the bioavailability of PFAS in food using mice models. The relative bioavailability (RBA) of PFAS was the highest in the chronic IBD mice (64.3-144%), followed by the healthy (60.8-133%) and acute IBD mice (41.5-121%), suggesting that chronic IBD enhanced the PFAS exposure risk. In vitro tests showed that the intestinal micelle stability increased as a result of reduced content of short-chain fatty acids, thus promoting the PFAS bioaccessibility in the digestive fluid of chronic IBD. Additionally, increased pathogenic and decreased beneficial bacteria in the gut of IBD groups facilitated the intestinal permeability, thus enhancing PFAS absorption. These together explained the higher RBA of PFAS in the chronic IBD. However, remarkably lower enzymatic activities suggested severely impaired digestive ability in the acute IBD, which facilitated the excretion of PFAS from feces, thus lowering the RBA. Conversely, PFAS exposure might exacerbate IBD by changing the gut microbiota structures. This study hints that individuals with chronic intestinal inflammation might have higher PFAS exposure risk than the healthy population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumin Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, PR China
| | - Xin Yang
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, PR China
| | - Xiaohua Song
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, PR China
| | - Yibo Jia
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, PR China
| | - Yanfeng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, PR China
| | - Lingyan Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, PR China
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Baumert BO, Wang H, Samy S, Park SK, Lam CN, Dunn K, Pinto-Pacheco B, Walker D, Landero J, Conti D, Chatzi L, Hu H, Goodrich JA. Environmental pollutant risk factors for worse COVID-19 related clinical outcomes in predominately hispanic and latino populations. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 252:119072. [PMID: 38729411 PMCID: PMC11198996 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and poly-fluorinated compounds (PFAS) and heavy metals constitute two classes of environmental exposures with known immunotoxicant effects. In this pilot study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of exposure to heavy metals and PFAS on COVID-19 severity. We hypothesized that elevated plasma-PFAS concentrations and urinary heavy metal concentrations would be associated with increased odds of ICU admission in COVID-19 hospitalized individuals. METHODS Using the University of Southern California Clinical Translational Sciences Institute (SC-CTSI) biorepository of hospitalized COVID-19 patients, urinary concentrations of 15 heavy metals and urinary creatinine were measured in n = 101 patients and plasma concentrations of 13 PFAS were measured in n = 126 patients. COVID-19 severity was determined based on whether a patient was admitted to the ICU during hospitalization. Associations of metals and PFAS with ICU admission were assessed using logistic regression models, controlling for age, sex, ethnicity, smoking status, and for metals, urinary dilution. RESULTS The average age of patients was 55 ± 14.2 years. Among SC-CTSI participants with urinary measurement of heavy metals and blood measures of PFAS, 54.5% (n = 61) and 54.8% (n = 80) were admitted to the ICU, respectively. For heavy metals, we observed higher levels of Cd, Cr, and Cu in ICU patients. The strongest associations were with Cadmium (Cd). After accounting for covariates, each 1 SD increase in Cd resulted in a 2.00 (95% CI: 1.10-3.60; p = 0.03) times higher odds of admission to the ICU. When including only Hispanic or Latino participants, the effect estimates between cadmium and ICU admission remained similar. Results for PFAS were less consistent, with perfluorodecanesulfonic acid (PFDS) exhibiting a positive but non-significant association with ICU admission (Odds ratio, 95% CI: 1.50, 0.97-2.20) and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) exhibiting a negative association with ICU admission (0.53, 0.31-0.88). CONCLUSIONS This study supports the hypothesis that environmental exposures may impact COVID-19 severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittney O Baumert
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Hongxu Wang
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Shar Samy
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Sung Kyun Park
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Chun Nok Lam
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Kathryn Dunn
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Brismar Pinto-Pacheco
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Douglas Walker
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Julio Landero
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - David Conti
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Leda Chatzi
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Howard Hu
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States.
| | - Jesse A Goodrich
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States.
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Soerensen AL, Benskin JP, Faxneld S. Four Decades of Spatiotemporal Variability of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) in the Baltic Sea. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:10806-10816. [PMID: 38829301 PMCID: PMC11192033 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c03031] [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: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Temporal and spatial variability of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in herring, cod, eelpout, and guillemot covering four decades and more than 1000 km in the Baltic Sea was investigated to evaluate the effect of PFAS regulations and residence times of PFASs. Overall, PFAS concentrations responded rapidly to recent regulations but with some notable basin- and homologue-specific variability. The well-ventilated Kattegat and Bothnian Bay showed a faster log-linear decrease for most PFASs than the Baltic Proper, which lacks a significant loss mechanism. PFOS and FOSA, for example, have decreased with 0-7% y-1 in the Baltic Proper and 6-16% y-1 in other basins. PFNA and partly PFOA are exceptions and continue to show stagnant or increasing concentrations. Further, we found that Bothnian Bay herring contained the highest concentrations of >C12 perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs), likely from rivers with high loads of dissolved organic carbon. In the Kattegat, low PFAS concentrations, but a high FOSA fraction, could be due to influence from the North Sea inflow below the halocline and possibly a local source of FOSA and/or isomer-specific biotransformation. This study represents the most comprehensive spatial and temporal investigation of PFASs in Baltic wildlife while providing new insights into cycling of PFASs within the Baltic Sea ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne L. Soerensen
- Department
of Environmental Monitoring and Research, Swedish Museum of Natural History, 114 18 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jonathan P. Benskin
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Suzanne Faxneld
- Department
of Environmental Monitoring and Research, Swedish Museum of Natural History, 114 18 Stockholm, Sweden
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8
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Säve-Söderbergh M, Gyllenhammar I, Schillemans T, Lindfeldt E, Vogs C, Donat-Vargas C, Halldin Ankarberg E, Glynn A, Ahrens L, Helte E, Åkesson A. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and fetal growth: A nation-wide register-based study on PFAS in drinking water. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 187:108727. [PMID: 38735074 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is inconclusive evidence for an association between per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and fetal growth. OBJECTIVES We conducted a nation-wide register-based cohort study to assess the associations of the estimated maternal exposure to the sum (PFAS4) of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) with birthweight as well as risk of small- (SGA) and large-for-gestational-age (LGA). MATERIALS AND METHODS We included all births in Sweden during 2012-2018 of mothers residing ≥ four years prior to partus in localities served by municipal drinking water where PFAS were measured in raw and drinking water. Using a one-compartment toxicokinetic model we estimated cumulative maternal blood levels of PFAS4 during pregnancy by linking residential history, municipal PFAS water concentration and year-specific background serum PFAS concentrations in Sweden. Individual birth outcomes and covariates were obtained via register linkage. Mean values and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) of β coefficients and odds ratios (OR) were estimated by linear and logistic regressions, respectively. Quantile g-computation regression was conducted to assess the impact of PFAS4 mixture. RESULTS Among the 248,804 singleton newborns included, no overall association was observed for PFAS4 and birthweight or SGA. However, an association was seen for LGA, multivariable-adjusted OR 1.08 (95% CI: 1.01-1.16) when comparing the highest PFAS4 quartile to the lowest. These associations remained for mixture effect approach where all PFAS, except for PFOA, contributed with a positive weight. DISCUSSIONS We observed an association of the sum of PFAS4 - especially PFOS - with increased risk of LGA, but not with SGA or birthweight. The limitations linked to the exposure assessment still require caution in the interpretation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melle Säve-Söderbergh
- Risk- and Benefit Assessment Department, Swedish Food Agency, Uppsala, Sweden; Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Irina Gyllenhammar
- Risk- and Benefit Assessment Department, Swedish Food Agency, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Tessa Schillemans
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Emelie Lindfeldt
- Risk- and Benefit Assessment Department, Swedish Food Agency, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Carolina Vogs
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Carolina Donat-Vargas
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Barcelona Intitute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Anders Glynn
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lutz Ahrens
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Emilie Helte
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Agneta Åkesson
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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9
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Lauria MZ, Sepman H, Ledbetter T, Plassmann M, Roos AM, Simon M, Benskin JP, Kruve A. Closing the Organofluorine Mass Balance in Marine Mammals Using Suspect Screening and Machine Learning-Based Quantification. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:2458-2467. [PMID: 38270113 PMCID: PMC10851419 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c07220] [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: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
High-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS)-based suspect and nontarget screening has identified a growing number of novel per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in the environment. However, without analytical standards, the fraction of overall PFAS exposure accounted for by these suspects remains ambiguous. Fortunately, recent developments in ionization efficiency (IE) prediction using machine learning offer the possibility to quantify suspects lacking analytical standards. In the present work, a gradient boosted tree-based model for predicting log IE in negative mode was trained and then validated using 33 PFAS standards. The root-mean-square errors were 0.79 (for the entire test set) and 0.29 (for the 7 PFASs in the test set) log IE units. Thereafter, the model was applied to samples of liver from pilot whales (n = 5; East Greenland) and white beaked dolphins (n = 5, West Greenland; n = 3, Sweden) which contained a significant fraction (up to 70%) of unidentified organofluorine and 35 unquantified suspect PFASs (confidence level 2-4). IE-based quantification reduced the fraction of unidentified extractable organofluorine to 0-27%, demonstrating the utility of the method for closing the fluorine mass balance in the absence of analytical standards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Z. Lauria
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 8, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Helen Sepman
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 8, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department
of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 16, 106
91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Thomas Ledbetter
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 8, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department
of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 16, 106
91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Merle Plassmann
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 8, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna M. Roos
- Department
of Environmental Research and Monitoring, Swedish Museum of Natural History, 104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Malene Simon
- Greenland
Climate Research Centre, Greenland Institute
of Natural Resources, 3900 Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Jonathan P. Benskin
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 8, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anneli Kruve
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 8, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department
of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 16, 106
91 Stockholm, Sweden
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10
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Fischer FC, Ludtke S, Thackray C, Pickard HM, Haque F, Dassuncao C, Endo S, Schaider L, Sunderland EM. Binding of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) to Serum Proteins: Implications for Toxicokinetics in Humans. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:1055-1063. [PMID: 38166384 PMCID: PMC11149785 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c07415] [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] [Indexed: 01/04/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a diverse class of highly persistent anthropogenic chemicals that are detectable in the serum of most humans. PFAS exposure has been associated with many adverse effects on human health including immunotoxicity, increased risk of certain cancers, and metabolic disruption. PFAS binding to the most abundant blood serum proteins (human serum albumin [HSA] and globulins) is thought to affect transport to active sites, toxicity, and elimination half-lives. However, few studies have investigated the competitive binding of PFAS to these proteins in human serum. Here, we use C18 solid-phase microextraction fibers to measure HSA-water and globulin-water distribution coefficients (DHSA/w, Dglob/w) for PFAS with carbon chains containing 4 to 13 perfluorinated carbons (ηpfc = 4-13) and several functional head-groups. PFAS with ηpfc < 7 were highly bound to HSA relative to globulins, whereas PFAS with ηpfc ≥ 7 showed a greater propensity for binding to globulins. Experimentally measured DHSA/w and Dglob/w and concentrations of serum proteins successfully predicted the variability in PFAS binding in human serum. We estimated that the unbound fraction of serum PFAS varied by up to a factor of 2.5 among individuals participating in the 2017-2018 U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. These results suggest that serum HSA and globulins are important covariates for epidemiological studies aimed at understanding the effects of PFAS exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Christoph Fischer
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Sophia Ludtke
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Colin Thackray
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Heidi M Pickard
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Faiz Haque
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Clifton Dassuncao
- Eastern Research Group, Inc. (ERG), Arlington, Virginia 22201, United States
| | - Satoshi Endo
- National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), Health and Environmental Risk Division, Onogawa 16-2, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8506, Japan
| | - Laurel Schaider
- Silent Spring Institute, Newton, Massachusetts 02460, United States
| | - Elsie M Sunderland
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
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11
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Chen X, Lv Z, Yang Y, Yang R, Shan G, Zhu L. Screening Novel Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Human Blood Based on Nontarget Analysis and Underestimated Potential Health Risks. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:150-159. [PMID: 38153813 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c06675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Nontarget analysis has gained prominence in screening novel perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in the environment, yet remaining limited in human biological matrices. In this study, 155 whole blood samples were collected from the general population in Shijiazhuang City, China. By nontarget analysis, 31 legacy and novel PFASs were assigned with the confidence level of 3 or above. For the first time, 11 PFASs were identified in human blood, including C1 and C3 perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSAs), C4 ether PFSA, C8 ether perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acid (ether PFCA), C4-5 unsaturated perfluoroalkyl alcohols, C9-10 carboxylic acid-perfluoroalkyl sulfonamides (CA-PFSMs), and C1 perfluoroalkyl sulfonamide. It is surprising that the targeted PFASs were the highest in the suburban population which was impacted by industrial emission, while the novel PFASs identified by nontarget analysis, such as C1 PFSA and C9-11 CA-PFSMs, were the highest in the rural population who often drank contaminated groundwater. Combining the toxicity prediction results of the bioaccumulation potential, lethality to rats, and binding affinity to target proteins, C3 PFSA, C4 and C7 ether PFSAs, and C9-11 CA-PFSMs exhibit great health risks. These findings emphasize the necessity of broadening nontarget analysis in assessing the PFAS exposure risks, particularly in rural populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, P. R. China
| | - Zixuan Lv
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, P. R. China
| | - Yi Yang
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, P. R. China
| | - Rongyan Yang
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, P. R. China
| | - Guoqiang Shan
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, P. R. China
| | - Lingyan Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, P. R. China
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12
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Lertassavakorn T, Pholphana N, Rangkadilok N, Suriyo T, Teeyapant P, Satayavivad J. Method Validation for Quantification of PFOS and PFOA in Human Plasma and a Pilot Study in Blood Donors from Thai Red Cross Society. TOXICS 2023; 11:1015. [PMID: 38133417 PMCID: PMC10747079 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11121015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Information regarding per- and polyfluorinated substances concentrations in biological samples from the Thai population was still lacking. A sensitive bioanalytical method was developed and validated for the quantification of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) levels in human plasma. Simple protein precipitation and LC-MS/MS techniques were used with stable isotope internal standards of 13C8-PFOS and 13C8-PFOA. The validated method followed the ICH bioanalytical validation guideline, and the results showed good accuracy, precision, and reproducibility. The validated analytical method was then applied to determine PFOS and PFOA concentrations in 50 human plasma samples from the National Blood Center, Thai Red Cross Society. The concentrations were found to be in ranges of <0.91-6.27 ng/mL for PFOS and <0.49-2.72 ng/mL for PFOA. PFOS was also measured separately for its isomers, and the geometric means of the linear isomer (L-PFOS) and branched isomer (br-PFOS) in plasma samples were at 1.85 and 0.41 ng/mL, respectively. Both PFOS and PFOA concentrations were lower in comparison to previous reports from other countries. The present study showed the application of our reliable method to determine PFOS and PFOA in biological samples in order to monitor the human exposure of both chemicals in Thailand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teerapong Lertassavakorn
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Chulabhorn Research Institute, Bangkok 10210, Thailand; (T.L.); (N.P.); (N.R.); (T.S.)
| | - Nanthanit Pholphana
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Chulabhorn Research Institute, Bangkok 10210, Thailand; (T.L.); (N.P.); (N.R.); (T.S.)
- Center of Excellence on Environmental Health and Toxicology (EHT), OPS, MHESI, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Nuchanart Rangkadilok
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Chulabhorn Research Institute, Bangkok 10210, Thailand; (T.L.); (N.P.); (N.R.); (T.S.)
- Center of Excellence on Environmental Health and Toxicology (EHT), OPS, MHESI, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Tawit Suriyo
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Chulabhorn Research Institute, Bangkok 10210, Thailand; (T.L.); (N.P.); (N.R.); (T.S.)
- Center of Excellence on Environmental Health and Toxicology (EHT), OPS, MHESI, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Punthip Teeyapant
- Translational Research Unit, Chulabhorn Research Institute, Bangkok 10210, Thailand;
| | - Jutamaad Satayavivad
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Chulabhorn Research Institute, Bangkok 10210, Thailand; (T.L.); (N.P.); (N.R.); (T.S.)
- Center of Excellence on Environmental Health and Toxicology (EHT), OPS, MHESI, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
- Environmental Toxicology Program, Chulabhorn Graduate Institute (CGI), Bangkok 10210, Thailand
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13
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Ruyle BJ, Pickard HM, Schultes L, Fredriksson F, Heffernan AL, Knappe DRU, Lord HL, Meng P, Mills MA, Ndungu K, Roesch P, Rundberget JT, Tettenhorst DR, Van Buren J, Vogel C, Westerman DC, Yeung LWY, Sunderland EM. Interlaboratory Comparison of Extractable Organofluorine Measurements in Groundwater and Eel ( Anguilla rostrata): Recommendations for Methods Standardization. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:20159-20168. [PMID: 37934924 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c04560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Research on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) frequently incorporates organofluorine measurements, particularly because they could support a class-based approach to regulation. However, standardized methods for organofluorine analysis in a broad suite of matrices are currently unavailable, including a method for extractable organofluorine (EOF) measured using combustion ion chromatography (CIC). Here, we report the results of an international interlaboratory comparison. Seven laboratories representing academia, government, and the private sector measured paired EOF and PFAS concentrations in groundwater and eel (Anguilla rostrata) from a site contaminated by aqueous film-forming foam. Among all laboratories, targeted PFAS could not explain all EOF in groundwater but accounted for most EOF in eel. EOF results from all laboratories for at least one replicate extract fell within one standard deviation of the interlaboratory mean for groundwater and five out of seven laboratories for eel. PFAS spike mixture recoveries for EOF measurements in groundwater and eel were close to the criterion (±30%) for standardized targeted PFAS methods. Instrumental operation of the CIC such as replicate sample injections was a major source of measurement uncertainty. Blank contamination and incomplete inorganic fluorine removal may introduce additional uncertainties. To elucidate the presence of unknown organofluorine using paired EOF and PFAS measurements, we recommend that analysts carefully consider confounding methodological uncertainties such as differences in precision between measurements, data processing steps such as blank subtraction and replicate analyses, and the relative recoveries of PFAS and other fluorine compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridger J Ruyle
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Heidi M Pickard
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Lara Schultes
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Felicia Fredriksson
- MTM Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, Örebro 701 82, Sweden
| | - Amy L Heffernan
- Eurofins Environment Testing Australia, Murarrie 2066, Queensland, Australia
| | - Detlef R U Knappe
- Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
| | | | - Pingping Meng
- Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
| | - Marc A Mills
- Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, Office of Research and Development, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio 45268, United States
| | - Kuria Ndungu
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Oslo N-0349, Norway
| | - Philipp Roesch
- Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, Berlin 12205, Germany
| | | | - Daniel R Tettenhorst
- Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, Office of Research and Development, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio 45268, United States
| | - Jean Van Buren
- Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, Office of Research and Development, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio 45268, United States
| | - Christian Vogel
- Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, Berlin 12205, Germany
| | - Danielle C Westerman
- Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
| | - Leo W Y Yeung
- MTM Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, Örebro 701 82, Sweden
| | - Elsie M Sunderland
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
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14
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Comito R, Porru E, Violante FS. Analytical methods employed in the identification and quantification of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in human matrices - A scoping review. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 345:140433. [PMID: 37832886 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) represent a possible hazard for the ecosystems, with adverse outcomes on wildlife and humans. POPs have always received interest from the scientific community, and they have also been subject to legal restrictions worldwide on their application and commercialization. Among the broad spectrum of POPs, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are considered emerging contaminants due to their potential effect on the ecosystem and human health. These contaminants are widely employed in countless applications, from surfactants and building materials to food packaging. On the other hand, their chemical structure gives them the ability to interact with the environment, causing possible toxic effects for humans and environment. Human biomonitoring is a necessary instrument to indagate the impact of PFASs on human health: in recent years several studies have found detectable levels of PFASs in several biological matrices in humans (blood, hair, nails, and urine). Here, we review the most recent scientific literature concerning analytical methods employed in the identification and quantification of PFASs focusing on biological matrices. It has been noted that liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry is the main analytical instrumentation employed, while blood and/or serum samples are the main employed human matrices whereas the use of non-invasive matrices is still at the beginning. Various issues directly related to human metabolism of PFASs and the effective amount of PFAS absorbed from the environment still need to be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossana Comito
- Occupational Medicine Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Science, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, 40138, Italy
| | - Emanuele Porru
- Occupational Medicine Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Science, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, 40138, Italy
| | - Francesco Saverio Violante
- Occupational Medicine Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Science, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, 40138, Italy; Division of Occupational Medicine, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, 40138, Italy.
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15
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Koelmel JP, Kummer M, Chevallier O, Hindle R, Hunt K, Camacho CG, Abril N, Gill EL, Beecher CWW, Garrett TJ, Yost RA, Townsend TG, Klein C, Rennie EE, Bowden JA, Godri Pollitt KJ. Expanding Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Coverage in Nontargeted Analysis Using Data-Independent Analysis and IonDecon. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY 2023; 34:2525-2537. [PMID: 37751518 DOI: 10.1021/jasms.3c00244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widespread, persistent environmental contaminants that have been linked to various health issues. Comprehensive PFAS analysis often relies on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC HRMS) and molecular fragmentation (MS/MS). However, the selection and fragmentation of ions for MS/MS analysis using data-dependent analysis results in only the topmost abundant ions being selected. To overcome these limitations, All Ions fragmentation (AIF) can be used alongside data-dependent analysis. In AIF, ions across the entire m/z range are simultaneously fragmented; hence, precursor-fragment relationships are lost, leading to a high false positive rate. We introduce IonDecon, which filters All Ions data to only those fragments correlating with precursor ions. This software can be used to deconvolute any All Ions files and generates an open source DDA formatted file, which can be used in any downstream nontargeted analysis workflow. In a neat solution, annotation of PFAS standards using IonDecon and All Ions had the exact same false positive rate as when using DDA; this suggests accurate annotation using All Ions and IonDecon. Furthermore, deconvoluted All Ions spectra retained the most abundant peaks also observed in DDA, while filtering out much of the artifact peaks. In complex samples, incorporating AIF and IonDecon into workflows can enhance the MS/MS coverage of PFAS (more than tripling the number of annotations in domestic sewage). Deconvolution in complex samples of All Ions data using IonDecon did retain some false fragments (fragments not observed when using ion selection, which were not isotopes or multimers), and therefore DDA and intelligent acquisition methods should still be acquired when possible alongside All Ions to decrease the false positive rate. Increased coverage of PFAS can inform on the development of regulations to address the entire PFAS problem, including both legacy and newly discovered PFAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy P Koelmel
- Department of Environmental Health Science, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
| | - Michael Kummer
- Innovative Omics, Inc., Sarasota, Florida 34235, United States
| | - Olivier Chevallier
- Agilent Technologies, Inc., Santa Clara, California 95051, United States
| | - Ralph Hindle
- Vogon Laboratory Services Ltd., Cochrane, Alberta T4C 0A3, Canada
| | - Kathy Hunt
- Vogon Laboratory Services Ltd., Cochrane, Alberta T4C 0A3, Canada
| | - Camden G Camacho
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Nandarani Abril
- Innovative Omics, Inc., Sarasota, Florida 34235, United States
| | - Emily L Gill
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | | | - Timothy J Garrett
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
| | - Richard A Yost
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Timothy G Townsend
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, P. O. Box 116450, Gainesville, Florida 32611-6450, United States
| | - Christian Klein
- Agilent Technologies, Inc., Santa Clara, California 95051, United States
| | - Emma E Rennie
- Agilent Technologies, Inc., Santa Clara, California 95051, United States
| | - John A Bowden
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology & Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
| | - Krystal J Godri Pollitt
- Department of Environmental Health Science, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
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16
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Cioni L, Plassmann M, Benskin JP, Coêlho ACM, Nøst TH, Rylander C, Nikiforov V, Sandanger TM, Herzke D. Fluorine Mass Balance, including Total Fluorine, Extractable Organic Fluorine, Oxidizable Precursors, and Target Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, in Pooled Human Serum from the Tromsø Population in 1986, 2007, and 2015. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:14849-14860. [PMID: 37747946 PMCID: PMC10569050 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c03655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Of the thousands of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) known to exist, only a small fraction (≤1%) are commonly monitored in humans. This discrepancy has led to concerns that human exposure may be underestimated. Here, we address this problem by applying a comprehensive fluorine mass balance (FMB) approach, including total fluorine (TF), extractable organic fluorine (EOF), total oxidizable precursors (TOP), and selected target PFAS, to human serum samples collected over a period of 28 years (1986, 2007, and 2015) in Tromsø, Norway. While concentrations of TF did not change between sampling years, EOF was significantly higher in 1986 compared to 2007 and 2015. The ∑12PFAS concentrations were highest in 2007 compared to 1986 and 2015, and unidentified EOF (UEOF) decreased from 1986 (46%) to 2007 (10%) and then increased in 2015 (37%). While TF and EOF were not influenced by sex, women had higher UEOF compared to men, opposite to target PFAS. This is the first FMB in human serum to include TOP, and it suggests that precursors with >4 perfluorinated carbon atoms make a minor contribution to EOF (0-4%). Additional tools are therefore needed to identify substances contributing to the UEOF in human serum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Cioni
- NILU,
Fram Centre, Tromsø NO-9296, Norway
- Department
of Community Medicine, UiT − The
Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø NO-9037, Norway
| | - Merle Plassmann
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Stockholm SE-106 91, Sweden
| | - Jonathan P. Benskin
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Stockholm SE-106 91, Sweden
| | | | - Therese H. Nøst
- Department
of Community Medicine, UiT − The
Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø NO-9037, Norway
| | - Charlotta Rylander
- Department
of Community Medicine, UiT − The
Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø NO-9037, Norway
| | | | - Torkjel M. Sandanger
- NILU,
Fram Centre, Tromsø NO-9296, Norway
- Department
of Community Medicine, UiT − The
Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø NO-9037, Norway
| | - Dorte Herzke
- NILU,
Fram Centre, Tromsø NO-9296, Norway
- Norwegian
Institute for public Health, Oslo NO-0213, Norway
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17
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Philippat C, Coiffier O, Lyon-Caen S, Boudier A, Jovanovic N, Quentin J, Gioria Y, Haug LS, Thomsen C, Bayat S, Slama R, Siroux V. In utero exposure to poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances and children respiratory health in the three first years of life. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 234:116544. [PMID: 37406719 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are used in a wide range of products. Experimental studies suggested impaired lung development and pro-inflammatory response following exposure to some PFAS. We aimed to assess the associations between prenatal exposure to PFAS and children respiratory health. METHODS The study is based on 433 mother-child pairs. 26 PFAS were measured in maternal serum collected during pregnancy. Lung function parameters were measured at 2 months using tidal breathing flow-volume loops and multiple-breath nitrogen washout and at 36 months using oscillometry. Incidence of respiratory health diseases (asthma, wheeze, bronchitis, bronchiolitis) in the first 36 months of life was assessed by repeated questionnaires. A cluster-based analysis was applied to identify prenatal PFAS exposure patterns. Adjusted linear and logistic regressions were performed to assess the associations between PFAS exposure patterns as well as individual PFAS, and each respiratory health parameter. RESULTS We excluded 13 PFAS due to low quantification (<5%). Relying on the 13 remaining PFAS, we identified three exposure clusters, characterized by low (N = 163), medium (N = 236) and high (N = 51) pregnancy PFAS concentrations. Compared to children belonging to the low exposure group, children in the moderate exposure group had higher reactance at 7 Hz (X7) and lower frequency dependence of resistance between 7 Hz and 19 Hz (R7-19) at 36 months, suggesting better lung function. No association of any exposure metric was detected with respiratory diseases in the first 3 years of life. CONCLUSIONS Our study relying on both mixture and uni-pollutant analyses, does not provide evidence for a deleterious effect of prenatal PFAS exposure on respiratory health at an early age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Philippat
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Team of Environmental Epidemiology Applied to Reproduction and Respiratory Health, Institute for Advanced Biosciences 38000, Grenoble, France.
| | - Ophélie Coiffier
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Team of Environmental Epidemiology Applied to Reproduction and Respiratory Health, Institute for Advanced Biosciences 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Sarah Lyon-Caen
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Team of Environmental Epidemiology Applied to Reproduction and Respiratory Health, Institute for Advanced Biosciences 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Anne Boudier
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Team of Environmental Epidemiology Applied to Reproduction and Respiratory Health, Institute for Advanced Biosciences 38000, Grenoble, France; Pediatrics, CHU Grenoble-Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Nicolas Jovanovic
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Team of Environmental Epidemiology Applied to Reproduction and Respiratory Health, Institute for Advanced Biosciences 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Joane Quentin
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Team of Environmental Epidemiology Applied to Reproduction and Respiratory Health, Institute for Advanced Biosciences 38000, Grenoble, France; Department of Pulmonology and Physiology, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Yoann Gioria
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Team of Environmental Epidemiology Applied to Reproduction and Respiratory Health, Institute for Advanced Biosciences 38000, Grenoble, France; Department of Pulmonology and Physiology, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Line Smastuen Haug
- Department of Food Safety, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Cathrine Thomsen
- Department of Food Safety, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Sam Bayat
- Department of Pulmonology and Physiology, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Rémy Slama
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Team of Environmental Epidemiology Applied to Reproduction and Respiratory Health, Institute for Advanced Biosciences 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Valérie Siroux
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Team of Environmental Epidemiology Applied to Reproduction and Respiratory Health, Institute for Advanced Biosciences 38000, Grenoble, France
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18
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Nyström-Kandola J, Ahrens L, Glynn A, Johanson G, Benskin JP, Gyllenhammar I, Lignell S, Vogs C. Low concentrations of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in municipal drinking water associated with serum PFAA concentrations in Swedish adolescents. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 180:108166. [PMID: 37708812 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
While highly contaminated drinking water (DW) is a major source of exposure to perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs), the contribution of low-level contaminated DW (i.e. < 10 ng/L of individual PFAAs) to PFAA body burdens has rarely been studied. To address this knowledge gap, we evaluated the association between concentrations of perflurooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), and their sum (∑4PFAAs) in DW and serum in Swedish adolescents using weighted least squares regression. We paired serum PFAA concentrations in adolescents (age 10-21 years, n = 790) from the dietary survey Riksmaten Adolescents 2016-17 (RMA) with mean PFAA concentrations in water samples collected in 2018 from waterworks (n = 45) supplying DW to the participant residential and school addresses. The median concentrations of individual PFAAs in DW were < 1 ng/L. Median concentrations of PFNA and PFHxS in serum were < 1 ng/g, while those of PFOA and PFOS were 1-2 ng/g. Significant positive associations between PFAA concentrations in DW and serum were found for all four PFAAs and ∑4PFAAs, with estimated serum/DW concentration ratios ranging from 210 (PFOA) to 670 (PFHxS), taking exposure from sources other than DW (background) into consideration. The mean concentrations of PFHxS and ∑4PFAA in DW that would likely cause substantially elevated serum concentrations above background variation were estimated to 0.9 ng/L and 2.4 ng/L, respectively. The European Food Safety Authority has determined a health concern concentration of 6.9 ng ∑4PFAAs/mL serum. This level was to a large degree exceeded by RMA participants with DW ∑4PFAA concentrations above the maximum limits implemented in Denmark (2 ng ∑4PFAAs/L) and Sweden (4 ng ∑4PFAAs/L) than by RMA participants with DW concentrations below the maximum limits. In conclusion, PFAA exposure from low-level contaminated DW must be considered in risk assessment for adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Nyström-Kandola
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P.O. Box 7028, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Lutz Ahrens
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P.O. Box 7050, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anders Glynn
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P.O. Box 7028, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Gunnar Johanson
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P.O. Box 7028, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden; Unit of Integrative Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, P.O. Box 210, SE 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jonathan P Benskin
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Irina Gyllenhammar
- Department of Risk and Benefit Assessment, Swedish Food Agency, P.O. Box 622, SE-751 26 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sanna Lignell
- Department of Risk and Benefit Assessment, Swedish Food Agency, P.O. Box 622, SE-751 26 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Carolina Vogs
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P.O. Box 7028, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
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19
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Haque F, Soerensen AL, Sköld M, Awad R, Spaan KM, Lauria MZ, Plassmann MM, Benskin JP. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in white-tailed sea eagle eggs from Sweden: temporal trends (1969-2021), spatial variations, fluorine mass balance, and suspect screening. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2023; 25:1549-1563. [PMID: 37622471 DOI: 10.1039/d3em00141e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Temporal and spatial trends of 15 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were determined in white-tailed sea eagle (WTSE) eggs (Haliaeetus albicilla) from two inland and two coastal regions of Sweden between 1969 and 2021. PFAS concentrations generally increased from ∼1969 to ∼1990s-2010 (depending on target and site) and thereafter plateaued or declined, with perfluorooctane sulfonamide (FOSA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) declining faster than most perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs). The net result was a shift in the PFAS profile from PFOS-dominant in 1969-2010 to an increased prevalence of PFCAs over the last decade. Further, during the entire period higher PFAS concentrations were generally observed in coastal populations, possibly due to differences in diet and/or proximity to more densely populated areas. Fluorine mass balance determination in pooled samples from three of the regions (2019-2021) indicated that target PFAS accounted for the vast majority (i.e. 81-100%) of extractable organic fluorine (EOF). Nevertheless, high resolution mass-spectrometry-based suspect screening identified 55 suspects (31 at a confidence level [CL] of 1-3 and 24 at a CL of 4-5), of which 43 were substances not included in the targeted analysis. Semi-quantification of CL ≤ 2 suspects increased the identified EOF to >90% in coastal samples. In addition to showing the impact of PFAS regulation and phase-out initiatives, this study demonstrates that most extractable organofluorine in WTSE eggs is made up of known (legacy) PFAS, albeit with low levels of novel substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faiz Haque
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 8, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA.
| | - Anne L Soerensen
- Department of Environmental Research and Monitoring, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Box 50007, 104 05, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Martin Sköld
- Department of Environmental Research and Monitoring, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Box 50007, 104 05, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Department of Mathematics, Stockholm University, Albanovägen 28, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Raed Awad
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 8, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.
- IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, Valhallavägen 81, 114 28, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kyra M Spaan
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 8, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Mélanie Z Lauria
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 8, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Merle M Plassmann
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 8, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Jonathan P Benskin
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 8, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.
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20
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Boisacq P, De Keuster M, Prinsen E, Jeong Y, Bervoets L, Eens M, Covaci A, Willems T, Groffen T. Assessment of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in commercially available drinking straws using targeted and suspect screening approaches. Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess 2023; 40:1230-1241. [PMID: 37619405 DOI: 10.1080/19440049.2023.2240908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Many food contact materials (FCMs) and reusable plastics in the food industry contain poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of synthetic pollutants that are known to be potentially harmful for wildlife, humans, and the environment. PFAS may migrate from FCMs to food consumed by humans. As a replacement for plastics, often paper and other plant-based materials are used in commercial settings. This also applies to drinking straws, where plant-based and other presumably eco-friendly straws are increasingly used to reduce plastic pollution. In order to make these materials water-repellent, PFAS are added during manufacturing but can also already be present early in the supply chain due to the use of contaminated raw materials. In the present study, we examined the PFAS concentrations in 39 different brands of straws, made from five materials (i.e. paper, bamboo, glass, stainless steel, and plastic) commercially available on the Belgian market. We combined both targeted and suspect-screening approaches to evaluate a wide range of PFAS. PFAS were found to be present in almost all types of straws, except for those made of stainless steel. PFAS were more frequently detected in plant-based materials, such as paper and bamboo. We did not observe many differences between the types of materials, or the continents of origin. The presence of PFAS in plant-based straws shows that they are not necessarily biodegradable and that the use of such straws potentially contributes to human and environmental exposure of PFAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Boisacq
- ECOSPHERE, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Maarten De Keuster
- ECOSPHERE, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Els Prinsen
- Integrated Molecular Plant Physiology Research, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Yunsun Jeong
- Toxicological Center, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
- Division for Environmental Health, Korea Environment Institute (KEI), Sejong, Republic of Korea
| | - Lieven Bervoets
- ECOSPHERE, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Marcel Eens
- Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Center, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Tim Willems
- Integrated Molecular Plant Physiology Research, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Thimo Groffen
- ECOSPHERE, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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21
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Hallberg I, Björvang RD, Hadziosmanovic N, Koekkoekk J, Pikki A, van Duursen M, Lenters V, Sjunnesson Y, Holte J, Berglund L, Persson S, Olovsson M, Damdimopoulou P. Associations between lifestyle factors and levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), phthalates and parabens in follicular fluid in women undergoing fertility treatment. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2023; 33:699-709. [PMID: 37481638 PMCID: PMC10541317 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-023-00579-1] [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: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Concerns have been raised whether exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can alter reproductive functions and play a role in the aetiology of infertility in women. With increasing evidence of adverse effects, information on factors associated with exposure is necessary to form firm recommendations aiming at reducing exposure. OBJECTIVE Our aim was to identify associations between lifestyle factors including the home environment, use of personal care products (PCP), and dietary habits and concentrations of EDCs in ovarian follicular fluid. METHODS April-June 2016, 185 women undergoing ovum pick-up for in vitro fertilisation in Sweden were recruited. Correlation analyses were performed between self-reported lifestyle factors and concentration of EDCs analysed in follicular fluid. Habits related to cleaning, PCPs, and diet were assessed together with concentration of six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) [PFHxS, PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFDA and PFUnDA], methyl paraben and eight phthalate metabolites [MECPP, MEHPP, MEOHP, MEHP, cxMinCH, cxMiNP, ohMiNP, MEP, MOHiBP]. Spearman's partial correlations were adjusted for age, parity and BMI. RESULTS Significant associations were discovered between multiple lifestyle factors and concentrations of EDCs in ovarian follicular fluid. After correcting p values for multiple testing, frequent use of perfume was associated with MEP (correlation ρ = 0.41 (confidence interval 0.21-0.47), p < 0.001); hens' egg consumption was positively associated with PFOS (ρ = 0.30 (0.15-0.43), p = 0.007) and PFUnDA (ρ = 0.27 (0.12-0.40), p = 0.036). White fish consumption was positively associated with PFUnDA (ρ = 0.34 (0.20-0.47), p < 0.001) and PFDA (ρ = 0.27 (0.13-0.41), p = 0.028). More correlations were discovered when considering the raw uncorrected p values. Altogether, our results suggest that multiple lifestyle variables affect chemical contamination of follicular fluid. IMPACT STATEMENT This study shows how lifestyle factors correlate with the level of contamination in the ovary by both persistent and semi-persistent chemicals in women of reproductive age. Subsequently, these data can be used to form recommendations regarding lifestyle to mitigate possible negative health outcomes and fertility problems associated with chemical exposure, and to inform chemical policy decision making. Our study can also help form the basis for the design of larger observational and intervention studies to examine possible effects of lifestyle changes on exposure levels, and to unravel the complex interactions between biological factors, lifestyle and chemical exposures in more detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ida Hallberg
- Department of Women´s and Children´s Health, Uppsala University, SE-751 85, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Richelle D Björvang
- Department of Women´s and Children´s Health, Uppsala University, SE-751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-141 86, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Jacco Koekkoekk
- Environment and Health, Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anne Pikki
- Carl von Linnékliniken, SE-751 83, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Majorie van Duursen
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584 CG, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Virissa Lenters
- Environment and Health, Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584 CG, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Ylva Sjunnesson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jan Holte
- Department of Women´s and Children´s Health, Uppsala University, SE-751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
- Carl von Linnékliniken, SE-751 83, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lars Berglund
- School of Health and Welfare, Dalarna University, SE-791 88, Falun, Sweden
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Geriatrics, Uppsala University, SE-751 22, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sara Persson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Matts Olovsson
- Department of Women´s and Children´s Health, Uppsala University, SE-751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-141 86, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Pauliina Damdimopoulou
- Uppsala clinical Research Center, Uppsala University, SE-751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, SE-14186, Stockholm, Sweden
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22
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Bailey JM, Wang L, McDonald JM, Gray JS, Petrie JG, Martin ET, Savitz DA, Karrer TA, Fisher KA, Geiger MJ, Wasilevich EA. Immune response to COVID-19 vaccination in a population with a history of elevated exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) through drinking water. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2023; 33:725-736. [PMID: 37337047 PMCID: PMC10541329 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-023-00564-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has been linked to lower vaccine-induced antibody concentrations in children, while data from adults remains limited and equivocal. Characteristics of PFAS exposure and age at vaccination may modify such effects. OBJECTIVE We used the mass administration of novel COVID-19 vaccines to test the hypothesis that prior exposure to environmentally-relevant concentrations of PFAS affect antibody response to vaccines in adolescents and adults. METHODS Between April and June 2021, 226 participants aged 12-90 years with a history of exposure to PFAS in drinking water and who received an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine participated in our prospective cohort study. SARS-CoV-2 anti-spike and anti-nucleocapsid antibodies (IgG) were quantified before the first and second vaccine doses and again at two follow-ups in the following months (up to 103 days post dose 1). Serum PFAS concentrations (n = 39 individual PFAS) were measured once for each participant during baseline, before their first vaccination. The association between PFAS exposure and immune response to vaccination was investigated using linear regression and generalized estimating equation (GEE) models with adjustment for covariates that affect antibody response. PFAS mixture effects were assessed using weighted quantile sum and Bayesian kernel machine regression methods. RESULTS The geometric mean (standard deviation) of perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoic acid serum concentrations in this population was 10.49 (3.22) and 3.90 (4.90) µg/L, respectively. PFAS concentrations were not associated with peak anti-spike antibody response, the initial increase in anti-spike antibody response following vaccination, or the waning over time of the anti-spike antibody response. Neither individual PFAS concentrations nor their evaluation as a mixture was associated with antibody response to mRNA vaccination against COVID-19. IMPACT STATEMENT Given the importance of understanding vaccine response among populations exposed to environmental contaminants and the current gaps in understanding this relationship outside of early life/childhood vaccinations, our manuscript contributes meaningful data from an adolescent and adult population receiving a novel vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan M Bailey
- Division of Environmental Health, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Lansing, MI, USA.
| | - Ling Wang
- Department of Medicine, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Jennifer M McDonald
- Division of Environmental Health, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Jennifer S Gray
- Division of Environmental Health, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Joshua G Petrie
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Population Health, Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, Marshfield, WI, USA
| | - Emily T Martin
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - David A Savitz
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Timothy A Karrer
- Division of Chemistry and Toxicology, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Keri A Fisher
- Division of Chemistry and Toxicology, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Matthew J Geiger
- Division of Chemistry and Toxicology, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Wasilevich
- Division of Environmental Health, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Lansing, MI, USA
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23
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Frigerio G, Ferrari CM, Fustinoni S. Prenatal and childhood exposure to per-/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and its associations with childhood overweight and/or obesity: a systematic review with meta-analyses. Environ Health 2023; 22:56. [PMID: 37580798 PMCID: PMC10424367 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-023-01006-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per-/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are persistent organic pollutants and suspected endocrine disruptors. OBJECTIVE The aim of this work was to conduct a systematic review with meta-analysis to summarise the associations between prenatal or childhood exposure to PFASs and childhood overweight/obesity. METHODS The search was performed on the bibliographic databases PubMed and Embase with text strings containing terms related to prenatal, breastfeeding, childhood, overweight, obesity, and PFASs. Only papers describing a biomonitoring study in pregnant women or in children up to 18 years that assessed body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), or fat mass in children were included. When the estimates of the association between a PFAS and an outcome were reported from at least 3 studies, a meta-analysis was conducted; moreover, to correctly compare the studies, we developed a method to convert the different effect estimates and made them comparable each other. Meta-analyses were performed also stratifying by sex and age, and sensitivity analyses were also performed. RESULTS In total, 484 and 779 articles were retrieved from PubMed and Embase, respectively, resulting in a total of 826 articles after merging duplicates. The papers included in this systematic review were 49: 26 evaluating prenatal exposure to PFASs, 17 childhood exposure, and 6 both. Considering a qualitative evaluation, results were conflicting, with positive, negative, and null associations. 30 papers were included in meta-analyses (19 prenatal, 7 children, and 4 both). Positive associations were evidenced between prenatal PFNA and BMI, between PFOA and BMI in children who were more than 3 years, and between prenatal PFNA and WC. Negative associations were found between prenatal PFOS and BMI in children who were 3 or less years, and between PFHxS and risk of overweight. Relatively more consistent negative associations were evidenced between childhood exposure to three PFASs (PFOA, PFOS, and PFNA) and BMI, in particular PFOS in boys. However, heterogeneity among studies was high. CONCLUSION Even though heterogeneous across studies, the pooled evidence suggests possible associations, mostly positive, between prenatal exposure to some PFASs and childhood BMI/WC; and relatively stronger evidence for negative associations between childhood exposure to PFASs and childhood BMI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianfranco Frigerio
- Environmental Cheminformatics, Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Campus Belval | House of Biomedicine II, 6 Avenue du Swing, L-4367, Belvaux, Luxembourg.
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milano, Italy.
- Occupational Health Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
| | - Chiara Matilde Ferrari
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milano, Italy
| | - Silvia Fustinoni
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milano, Italy
- Occupational Health Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
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Ogunbiyi OD, Ajiboye TO, Omotola EO, Oladoye PO, Olanrewaju CA, Quinete N. Analytical approaches for screening of per- and poly fluoroalkyl substances in food items: A review of recent advances and improvements. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 329:121705. [PMID: 37116565 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals characterized by their ubiquitous nature in all environmental compartments which makes them of increasing concern due to their persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity (PBT). Several instrumental methodologies and separation techniques have been identified in the literature for the detection and quantification of PFAS in environmental samples. In this review, we have identified and compared common separation techniques adopted for the extraction of PFAS in food items, and analytical methodologies for identification and quantification of PFAS in food items of plant and animal origin, highlighting recent advances in tandem techniques for the high selectivity and separation of PFAS related compounds as well as knowledge gaps and research needs on current analytical methodologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olutobi Daniel Ogunbiyi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St, Modesto Maidique Campus, Miami, FL, 33199, USA; Institute of Environment, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St, Modesto Maidique Campus, Miami, FL, 33199, USA
| | - Timothy Oladiran Ajiboye
- Chemistry Department, Nelson Mandela University, University Way, Summerstrand, 6019, Gqeberha, South Africa; Material Science Innovation and Modelling (MaSIM) Research Focus Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho, 2735, South Africa
| | | | - Peter Olusakin Oladoye
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St, Modesto Maidique Campus, Miami, FL, 33199, USA; Institute of Environment, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St, Modesto Maidique Campus, Miami, FL, 33199, USA
| | - Clement Ajibade Olanrewaju
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St, Modesto Maidique Campus, Miami, FL, 33199, USA; Institute of Environment, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St, Modesto Maidique Campus, Miami, FL, 33199, USA
| | - Natalia Quinete
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St, Modesto Maidique Campus, Miami, FL, 33199, USA; Institute of Environment, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St, Modesto Maidique Campus, Miami, FL, 33199, USA.
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25
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Sapozhnikova Y, Taylor RB, Bedi M, Ng C. Assessing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in globally sourced food packaging. CHEMOSPHERE 2023:139381. [PMID: 37392795 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence and levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food packaging originating from different geographic locations. Food packaging samples were extracted and analyzed by targeted analysis with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) before and after a total oxidizable precursor (TOP) assay. Additionally, full-scan high resolution MS (HRMS) was used to screen for PFAS not included in the targeted list. Of the 88 food packaging samples, 84% had detectable levels of at least one PFAS prior to oxidation with a TOP assay, with 6:2 fluorotelomer phosphate diester (6:2 diPAP) found most frequently and at the highest levels (224 ng/g). Other frequently detected substances (in 15-17% of samples) were PFHxS, PFHpA and PFDA. Shorter chain perfluorinated carboxylic acids PFHpA (C7), PFPeA (C5) and PFHxS (C6) were present at levels up to 51.3, 24.1 and 18.2 ng/g, respectively. Average ∑PFAS levels were 28.3 ng/g and 381.9 ng/g before and after oxidation with the TOP assay. The 25 samples with highest frequency of detection and amounts of measured PFAS were selected for migration experiments with food simulants to better understand potential dietary exposure. PFHxS, PFHpA, PFHxA and 6:2 diPAP were measured in the food simulants of five samples at concentrations ranging from 0.04 to 12.2 ng/g and at increasing concentrations over the 10-day migration period. To estimate potential exposure to PFAS that had migrated from food packaging samples, weekly intake was calculated and ranged from 0.0006 ng/kg body weight/week for PFHxA exposure in tomato packaging to 1.1200 ng/kg body weight/week for PFHxS exposure in cake paper. These values were below the established EFSA maximum tolerable weekly intake (TWI) of 4.4 ng/kg body weight/week for the sum of PFOA, PFNA, PFHxS and PFOS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yelena Sapozhnikova
- USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Eastern Regional Research Center, Wyndmoor, PA, USA.
| | - Raegyn B Taylor
- USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Eastern Regional Research Center, Wyndmoor, PA, USA
| | - Megha Bedi
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Carla Ng
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
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Jiao Z, Yu N, Mao J, Yang Q, Jiao L, Wang X, Shi W, Yu H, Wei S. The occurrence, tissue distribution, and PBT potential of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in the freshwater organisms from the Yangtze river via nontarget analysis. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 458:131868. [PMID: 37343408 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
Numerous emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) occur in the aquatic environment, posing a threat to aquatic ecosystems and human health. In this study, we conducted a nontarget analysis on 3 surface water samples and 92 tissue samples of 16 fish collected from the Yangtze River to investigate the patterns, tissue distribution, and environmental impacts of emerging PFASs. A total of 43 PFASs from 11 classes were identified, including 17 legacy PFASs and 26 emerging PFASs. Among the 43 PFASs, seven PFASs were reported in biota for the first time while five PFASs were reported in the environment for the first time. Chlorine substituted perfluoroalyl ether sulfonic acids were the major emerging PFASs detected in organisms. Our results showed that most emerging PFASs tended to accumulate in the liver whereas perfluorinated sulfonamides tended to accumulate in the blood, and all of the emerging PFASs accumulated less in the muscle. Methods for evaluating the persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity (PBT) of PFASs were developed by combining the in-silico methods and experimental methods. Long-chain PFASs were found to have extremely high PBT scores compared to short-chain PFASs. Additionally, most emerging PFASs exhibited comparable PBT characteristics with legacy PFASs, especially Cl-substituted PFASs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoyu Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Nanyang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiadi Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Qian Yang
- JiangYin QiuHao Testing Co.,Ltd, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Liping Jiao
- Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuebing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China.
| | - Wei Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongxia Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Si Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
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27
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Pineda S, Lignell S, Gyllenhammar I, Lampa E, Benskin JP, Lundh T, Lindh C, Kiviranta H, Glynn A. Exposure of Swedish adolescents to elements, persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and rapidly excreted substances - The Riksmaten adolescents 2016-17 national survey. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2023; 251:114196. [PMID: 37279611 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2023.114196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Adolescence is a period of significant physiological changes, and likely a sensitive window to chemical exposure. Few nation-wide population-based studies of chemical body burdens in adolescents have been published. In the national dietary survey Riksmaten Adolescents (RMA) 2016-17, over 13 chemical substance groups, including elements, chlorinated/brominated/fluorinated persistent organic pollutants (POPs) were analysed in blood, and in urine metabolites of phthalates/phthalate alternatives, phosphorous flame retardants, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and pesticides, along with bisphenols and biocide/preservative/antioxidant/UV filter substances (N = 1082, ages 11-21). The aim was to characterize the body burdens in a representative population of adolescents in Sweden, and to compare results with human biomonitoring guidance values (HBM-GVs). Cluster analyses and Spearman's rank order correlations suggested that concentrations of substances with known common exposure sources and similar toxicokinetics formed obvious clusters and showed moderate to very strong correlations (r ≥ 0.4). No clusters were formed between substances from different matrices. Geometric mean (GM) concentrations of the substances were generally less than 3-fold different from those observed among adolescents in NHANES (USA 2015-16) and GerES V (Germany 2014-17). Notable exceptions were brominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) with >20-fold lower GM concentrations, and the biocide triclosan and ultraviolet (UV) filter benzophenone-3 with >15-fold lower mean concentrations in RMA compared to NHANES. Exceedance of the most conservative HBM-GVs were observed for aluminium (Al, 26% of subjects), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS, 19%), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA, 12%), lead (Pb, 12%), MBP (dibutyl phthalate metabolite, 4.8%), hexachlorobenzene (HCB, 3.1%) and 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (PBA, pyrethroid metabolite, 2.2%). Males showed a higher proportion of exceedances than females for Pb, HCB and PFOS; otherwise no gender-related differences in exceedances were observed. A higher proportion of males than females had a Hazard Index (HI) of substances with liver and kidney toxicity and neurotoxicity >1. Industrialized countries with similarly high standards of living, with some exceptions, show comparable average body burdens of a variety of toxic chemicals among adolescents from the general population. The exceedances of HBM-GVs and HIs strongly suggests that further efforts to limit chemical exposure are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Pineda
- Department of Biomedicine and Veterinary Public Health Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Sanna Lignell
- Department of Risk and Benefit Assessment, Swedish National Food Agency, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Irina Gyllenhammar
- Department of Risk and Benefit Assessment, Swedish National Food Agency, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Erik Lampa
- Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jonathan P Benskin
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Thomas Lundh
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Christian Lindh
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Hannu Kiviranta
- Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anders Glynn
- Department of Biomedicine and Veterinary Public Health Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
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28
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Pennoyer EH, Heiger-Bernays W, Aro R, Yeung LWY, Schlezinger JJ, Webster TF. Unknown Organofluorine Mixtures in U.S. Adult Serum:Contribution from Pharmaceuticals? TOXICS 2023; 11:toxics11050416. [PMID: 37235230 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11050416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Organofluorines occur in human serum as complex mixtures of known and unidentified compounds. Human biomonitoring traditionally uses targeted analysis to measure the presence of known and quantifiable per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in serum, yet characterization of exposure to and quantification of PFAS are limited by the availability of methods and analytical standards. Studies comparing extractable organofluorine (EOF) in serum to measured PFAS using organofluorine mass balance show that measurable PFAS only explain a fraction of EOF in human serum and that other sources of organofluorine may exist. The gap in fluorine mass balance has important implications for human biomonitoring because the total body burden of PFAS cannot be characterized and the chemical species that make up unidentified EOF are unknown. Many highly prescribed pharmaceuticals contain organofluorine (e.g., Lipitor, Prozac) and are prescribed with dosing regimens designed to maintain a therapeutic range of concentrations in serum. Therefore, we hypothesize organofluorine pharmaceuticals contribute to EOF in serum. We use combustion ion chromatography to measure EOF in commercial serum from U.S. blood donors. Using fluorine mass balance, we assess differences in unexplained organofluorine (UOF) associated with pharmaceutical use and compare them with concentrations of organofluorine predicted based on the pharmacokinetic properties of each drug. Pharmacokinetic estimates of organofluorine attributable to pharmaceuticals ranged from 0.1 to 55.6 ng F/mL. Analysis of 44 target PFAS and EOF in samples of commercial serum (n = 20) shows the fraction of EOF not explained by Σ44 PFAS ranged from 15% to 86%. Self-reported use of organofluorine pharmaceuticals is associated with a 0.36 ng F/mL (95% CL: -1.26 to 1.97) increase in UOF, on average, compared to those who report not taking organofluorine pharmaceuticals. Our study is the first to assess sources of UOF in U.S. serum and examine whether organofluorine pharmaceuticals contribute to EOF. Discrepancies between pharmacokinetic estimates and EOF may be partly explained by differences in analytical measurements. Future analyses using EOF should consider multiple extraction methods to include cations and zwitterions. Whether organofluorine pharmaceuticals are classified as PFAS depends on the definition of PFAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily H Pennoyer
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Wendy Heiger-Bernays
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Rudolf Aro
- MTMResearch Centre, Örebro University, SE-701 82 Örebro, Sweden
| | - Leo W Y Yeung
- MTMResearch Centre, Örebro University, SE-701 82 Örebro, Sweden
| | - Jennifer J Schlezinger
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Thomas F Webster
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118, USA
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29
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Nguyen HTM, Nilsson S, Mueller AAR, Toms LM, Kennedy C, Langguth D, Hobson P, Mueller JF. First indication of perfluoroalkyl substances in human serum from Papua New Guinea. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 870:161749. [PMID: 36690112 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161749] [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: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Human biomonitoring programs of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been conducted around the world to assess human exposure and health risk. Inquiry into population PFAS levels in a socioeconomically and geographically unique region such as the Pacific Island Papua New Guinea, may provide new insights into PFAS exposure pathways and sources. This study presented the first indication of PFAS exposure in the Papua New Guinea population. De-identified serum samples were pooled from surplus pathology serum samples collected between 2019 and 2020. A total of 11 PFAS were detected in the serum pools including 10 perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAA) and 9Cl-F53B (a perfluorooctane sulfonic acid - PFOS alternative). The observed PFAA profile was somewhat similar to that observed for general population data of other countries such as Australia, Malaysia, and Canada suggesting similar exposure sources and/or pathways. However, PFAS concentrations were consistently lower than concentrations in the serum measured in pools obtained from Australia. The detection of 9Cl-F53B in all pools was a new finding which might be related to exposure from locally industrial sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong T M Nguyen
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia.
| | - Sandra Nilsson
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Ava A R Mueller
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Leisa-Maree Toms
- School of Public Health and Social Work, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Musk Avenue, Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Australia
| | - Carl Kennedy
- Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology, 24 Hurworth St, Bowen Hills 4006, QLD, Australia
| | - Daman Langguth
- Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology, 24 Hurworth St, Bowen Hills 4006, QLD, Australia
| | - Peter Hobson
- Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology, 24 Hurworth St, Bowen Hills 4006, QLD, Australia
| | - Jochen F Mueller
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
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30
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Schaefer CE, Hooper JL, Strom LE, Abusallout I, Dickenson ERV, Thompson KA, Mohan GR, Drennan D, Wu K, Guelfo JL. Occurrence of quantifiable and semi-quantifiable poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances in united states wastewater treatment plants. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 233:119724. [PMID: 36801573 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.119724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Both quantifiable and semi-quantifiable poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were evaluated in the influent, effluent, and biosolids of 38 wastewater treatment plants. PFAS were detected in all streams at all facilities. For the means of the sums of detected, quantifiable PFAS concentrations were 98 ± 28 ng/L, 80 ± 24 ng/L, and 160,000 ± 46,000 ng/kg (dry weight basis) in the influent, effluent, and biosolids (respectively). In the aqueous influent and effluent streams this quantifiable PFAS mass was typically associated with perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs). In contrast, quantifiable PFAS in the biosolids were primarily polyfluoroalkyl substances that potentially serve as precursors to the more recalcitrant PFAAs. Results of the total oxidizable precursor (TOP) assay on select influent and effluent samples showed that semi-quantified (or, unidentified) precursors accounted for a substantial portion (21 to 88%) of the fluorine mass compared to that associated with quantified PFAS, and that this fluorine precursor mass was not appreciably transformed to perfluoroalkyl acids within the WWTPs, as influent and effluent precursor concentrations via the TOP assay were statistically identical. Evaluation of semi-quantified PFAS, consistent with results of the TOP assay, showed the presence of several classes of precursors in the influent, effluent, and biosolids; perfluorophosphonic acids (PFPAs) and fluorotelomer phosphate diesters (di-PAPs) occurred in 100 and 92% of biosolid samples, respectively. Analysis of mass flows showed that, for both quantified (on a fluorine mass basis) and semi-quantified PFAS, the majority of PFAS exited WWTPs through the aqueous effluent compared to the biosolids stream. Overall, these results highlight the importance of semi-quantified PFAS precursors in WWTPs, and the need to further understand the impacts of their ultimate fate in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Laurel E Strom
- CDM Smith, 14432 SE Eastgate Way Suite 100, Bellevue, WA 98007, USA
| | | | - Eric R V Dickenson
- Water Quality Research and Development, Southern Nevada Water Authority, 1299 Burkholder Blvd., Henderson, NV, 89015, USA
| | - Kyle A Thompson
- Water Quality Research and Development, Southern Nevada Water Authority, 1299 Burkholder Blvd., Henderson, NV, 89015, USA; Carollo Engineers, 8911N Capital of Texas Hwy, Austin, TX 78759, USA
| | - Gayathri Ram Mohan
- Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources, Lawrenceville, GA 30045, USA
| | - Dina Drennan
- CDM Smith, 14432 SE Eastgate Way Suite 100, Bellevue, WA 98007, USA
| | - Ke Wu
- Department of Civil, Environmental & Construction Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Jennifer L Guelfo
- Department of Civil, Environmental & Construction Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
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31
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Ao Y, Nian M, Tang W, Zhang J, Zhang Q, Ao J. A sensitive and robust method for the simultaneous determination of thirty-three legacy and emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in human plasma and serum. Anal Bioanal Chem 2023; 415:457-470. [PMID: 36383228 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-022-04426-4] [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: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Legacy and emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have attracted growing attention due to their potential adverse effects on humans. We developed a method to simultaneously determine thirty-three PFAS (legacy PFAS, precursors, and alternatives) in human plasma and serum using solid phase extraction coupled to ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (SPE-UPLC-MS/MS). The method yielded good linearity (>0.995) and excellent limits of detection (LODs) (0.0005~0.012 ng mL-1 in plasma and 0.002~0.016 ng mL-1 in serum). The relative recoveries ranged from 80.1 to 116%, with intra- and inter-day precision less than 14.3%. The robustness of this method has been tested continuously for 10 months (coefficients of variation <14.9%). Our method was successfully applied to the PFAS analysis of 42 real human plasma and serum samples collected from women. The proposed method is attractive for the biomonitoring of multi-class PFAS in human health risk assessment and epidemiological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Ao
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 1665, Kongjiang Road, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Min Nian
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200082, China
| | - Weifeng Tang
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 1665, Kongjiang Road, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 1665, Kongjiang Road, Shanghai, 200092, China.,School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Qianlong Zhang
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 1665, Kongjiang Road, Shanghai, 200092, China.
| | - Junjie Ao
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 1665, Kongjiang Road, Shanghai, 200092, China.
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32
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Cioni L, Nikiforov V, Coêlho ACMF, Sandanger TM, Herzke D. Total oxidizable precursors assay for PFAS in human serum. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 170:107656. [PMID: 36436462 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of chemicals including over 4700 substances. As a limited number of PFAS is routinely analyzed in human serum, complementary analytical methods are required to characterize the overlooked fraction. A promising tool is the total oxidizable precursors (TOP) assay to look for precursors by oxidation to perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAA). The TOP assay was originally developed for large volumes of water and had to be adapted for 250 μL of human serum. Optimization of the method was performed on serum samples spiked with model precursors. Oxidative conditions similar to previous TOP assay methods were not sufficient for complete oxidation of model precursors. Prolonged heating time (24 h) and higher oxidant amount (95 mg of Na2S2O8 per 225 μL of serum) were needed for complete conversion of the model precursors and accomplishing PFAA yields of 35-100 %. As some precursors are not fully converted to PFAA, the TOP assay can only provide semi-quantitative estimates of oxidizable precursors in human serum. However, the TOP assay can be used to give indications about the identity of unknown precursors by evaluating the oxidation products, including perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSA) and perfluoroalkyl ether carboxylic acids (PFECA). The optimized TOP assay for human serum opens the possibility for high-throughput screening of human serum for undetected PFAA precursors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Cioni
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU), Fram Centre, Tromsø NO-9296, Norway; UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Department of Community Medicine, Tromsø NO-9019, Norway.
| | - Vladimir Nikiforov
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU), Fram Centre, Tromsø NO-9296, Norway
| | - Ana Carolina M F Coêlho
- UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Department of Community Medicine, Tromsø NO-9019, Norway
| | - Torkjel M Sandanger
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU), Fram Centre, Tromsø NO-9296, Norway; UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Department of Community Medicine, Tromsø NO-9019, Norway
| | - Dorte Herzke
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU), Fram Centre, Tromsø NO-9296, Norway
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33
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Zweigle J, Bugsel B, Capitain C, Zwiener C. PhotoTOP: PFAS Precursor Characterization by UV/TiO 2 Photocatalysis. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:15728-15736. [PMID: 36305720 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c05652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
To unravel the complexity of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in products and environmental samples, sum parameters that provide relevant information on chemical characteristics are necessary since not all PFAS can be captured by target analysis in case of missing reference standards or if they are not extractable or amenable to the analytical method. Therefore, we evaluated photocatalysis (UV/TiO2) as a further total oxidizable precursor approach (PhotoTOP) to characterize perfluoroalkyl acid precursors via their conversion to perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs). Photocatalysis has the advantage that no salts are needed, allowing direct injection with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry without time-consuming and potentially discriminating sample cleanup. OH radicals were monitored with OH probes to determine the reactivity. For eight different precursors (diPAPs, FTSAs, FTCAs, N-EtFOSAA, PFOSA), mass balance was achieved within 4 h of oxidation, and also, in the presence of matrix, complete conversion was possible. The PhotoTOP was able to predict the precursor chain length of known and here newly identified precursors qualitatively when applied to two PFAS-coated paper samples and technical PFAS mixtures. The length of the perfluorinated carbon chain (n) was mostly conserved in the form of PFCAs (n-1) with only minor fractions of shorter-chain PFCAs. Finally, an unknown fabric sample and a polymer mixture (no PFAS detectable in extracts) were oxidized, and the generated PFCAs indicated the occurrence of side-chain fluorinated polymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Zweigle
- Environmental Analytical Chemistry, Center for Applied Geoscience, University of Tübingen, Schnarrenbergstraße 94-96, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Boris Bugsel
- Environmental Analytical Chemistry, Center for Applied Geoscience, University of Tübingen, Schnarrenbergstraße 94-96, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Catharina Capitain
- Environmental Analytical Chemistry, Center for Applied Geoscience, University of Tübingen, Schnarrenbergstraße 94-96, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christian Zwiener
- Environmental Analytical Chemistry, Center for Applied Geoscience, University of Tübingen, Schnarrenbergstraße 94-96, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
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34
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Sörengård M, Bergström S, McCleaf P, Wiberg K, Ahrens L. Long-distance transport of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in a Swedish drinking water aquifer. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 311:119981. [PMID: 35988673 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS)-containing aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) at firefighting training sites (FFTS) has been linked to PFAS contamination of drinking water. This study investigated PFAS transport and distribution in an urban groundwater aquifer used for drinking water production that has been affected by PFAS-containing AFFF. Soil, sediment, surface water and drinking water were sampled. In soil (n = 12) at a FFTS with high perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) content (87% of ∑PFAS), the ∑PFAS concentration (n = 26) ranged from below detection limit to 560 ng g-1 dry weight. In groundwater (n = 28), the ∑PFAS concentration near a military airbase FFTS reached 1000 ng L-1. Principal component analysis (PCA) identified the military FFTS as the main source of PFAS contamination in drinking water wellfields >10 km down-gradient. Groundwater samples taken close to the military FFTS site showed no ∑PFAS concentration change between 2013 and 2021, while a location further down-gradient showed a transitory 99.6% decrease. Correlation analysis on PFAS composition profile indicated that this decrease was likely caused by dilution from an adjacent conflating aquifer. ∑PFAS concentration reached 15 ng L-1 (PFOS 47% and PFHxS 41% of ∑PFAS) in surface river water (n = 6) and ranged between 1 ng L-1 and 8 ng L-1 (PFHxS 73% and PFBS 17% of ∑PFAS) in drinking water (n = 4). Drinking water had lower PFAS concentrations than the wellfields due to PFAS removal at the water treatment plant. This demonstrates the importance of monitoring PFAS concentrations throughout a groundwater aquifer, to better understand variations in transport from contamination sources and resulting impacts on PFAS concentrations in drinking water extraction areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattias Sörengård
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P.O. Box 7050, SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sofia Bergström
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P.O. Box 7050, SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Philip McCleaf
- Uppsala Water and Waste Ltd., P.O. Box 1444, SE-751 44, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Karin Wiberg
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P.O. Box 7050, SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lutz Ahrens
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P.O. Box 7050, SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden.
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35
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Kaufmann A, Butcher P, Maden K, Walker S, Widmer M. Simplifying Nontargeted Analysis of PFAS in Complex Food Matrixes. J AOAC Int 2022; 105:1280-1287. [DOI: 10.1093/jaoacint/qsac071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of toxic environmental contaminants that are characterized by their high chemical stability and enormous structural diversity.
Objective
The limited availability of PFAS reference standards is the main motivation for developing nontargeted analytical methods. Current concepts are complex and rely on multiple filtering steps (e.g., assumption of homologous series, detection of mass defects, generic fragments, and spectra obtained from web-based sources).
Method
High-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS)–based chromatograms of fish liver extracts were deconvoluted. Based on the ion abundance between the monoisotopic and the first isotopic peak, the number of carbons (C) was estimated for each extracted feature. A mass over carbon (m/C) and mass defect over carbon (md/C) ratio was calculated.
Results
PFAS-related peaks are strongly discriminated from matrix peaks when plotting m/C versus md/C. This enables nontarget detection of PFAS present at low µg/kg concentration in complex food matrixes.
Conclusions
The proposed concept is highly selective by revealing a relatively small number of high-probability PFAS candidates (features). The small number of surviving candidates permits the MS/MS-based confirmation of each feature. This strategy led to the finding of one PFAS not present in the reference standard solution, as well as the detection of an unexpected set of PFAS adducts.
Highlights
The proposed concept of mass over carbon versus mass defect over carbon is suited for the nontarget detection of low amounts of PFAS in complex matrixes. It should be capable of detecting any PFAS (F/H ratio should be >1:1) regardless of the ionization mode.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton Kaufmann
- Official Food Control Authority of the Canton of Zurich , Fehrenstrasse 15 , 8032 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Patrick Butcher
- Official Food Control Authority of the Canton of Zurich , Fehrenstrasse 15 , 8032 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Kathryn Maden
- Official Food Control Authority of the Canton of Zurich , Fehrenstrasse 15 , 8032 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Stephan Walker
- Official Food Control Authority of the Canton of Zurich , Fehrenstrasse 15 , 8032 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Mirjam Widmer
- Official Food Control Authority of the Canton of Zurich , Fehrenstrasse 15 , 8032 Zürich, Switzerland
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Ganesan S, Chawengkijwanich C, Gopalakrishnan M, Janjaroen D. Detection methods for sub-nanogram level of emerging pollutants - Per and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Food Chem Toxicol 2022; 168:113377. [PMID: 35995078 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2022.113377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are organofluorine compounds has been manufactured for more than five decades and used in different purposes. Among persistent organic pollutants, PFAS are toxic, bioaccumulative in humans, wildlife, and global environment. As per environmental protection agency (EPA) guidelines, the perfluorooctanoate and perfluorooctane sulfonate permissible limit was 0.07 ng/L in drinking water. When the concentration exceeds the acceptable limit, it has negative consequences for humans. In such a case, PFAS monitoring is critical, and a quick detection technique are highly needed. Health departments and regulatory agencies have interests in monitoring of PFAS presences and exposures. For the detection of PFAS, numerous highly precise and sensitive chromatographic methods are available. However, the drawbacks of analytical techniques include timely sample preparations and the lack of on-site applicability. As a result, there is an increasing demand for simple sensor systems for monitoring of PFAS in real field samples. In this review, we first describe the sample pre-treatment and analytical techniques for the detection of PFAS. Second, we broadly discussed available sensor system for the quantification of PFAS in different filed samples. Finally, future trends in PFASs sensor are also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunantha Ganesan
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
| | - Chamorn Chawengkijwanich
- Research Network of NANOTEC - CU on Environment, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand; National Nanotechnology Center, National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), 12120, Pathumthani, Thailand.
| | - Mohan Gopalakrishnan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Dao Janjaroen
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand; National Nanotechnology Center, National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), 12120, Pathumthani, Thailand.
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Ng K, Alygizakis N, Androulakakis A, Galani A, Aalizadeh R, Thomaidis NS, Slobodnik J. Target and suspect screening of 4777 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in river water, wastewater, groundwater and biota samples in the Danube River Basin. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 436:129276. [PMID: 35739789 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are under regulatory scrutiny since some of them are persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic. The occurrence of 4777 PFAS was investigated in the Danube River Basin (DRB; 11 countries) using target and suspect screening. Target screening involved investigation of PFAS with 56 commercially available reference standards. Suspect screening covered 4777 PFAS retrieved from the NORMAN Substance Database, including all individual PFAS lists submitted to the NORMAN Suspect List Exchange Database. Mass spectrometry fragmentation patterns and retention time index predictions of the studied PFAS were established for their screening by liquid chromatography - high resolution mass spectrometry using NORMAN Digital Sample Freezing Platform (DSFP). In total, 82 PFAS were detected in the studied 95 samples of river water, wastewater, groundwater, biota and sediments. Suspect screening detected 72 PFAS that were missed by target screening. Predicted no effect concentrations (PNECs) were derived for each PFAS via a quantitative structure-toxicity relationship (QSTR)-based approach and used for assessment of their environmental risk. Risk characterization revealed 18 PFAS of environmental concern in at least one matrix. The presence of PFAS in all studied environmental compartments across the DRB indicates a potentially large-scale migration of PFAS in Europe, which might require their further systematic regulatory monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey Ng
- Environmental Institute, Okružná 784/42, 97241 Koš, Slovak Republic; RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Nikiforos Alygizakis
- Environmental Institute, Okružná 784/42, 97241 Koš, Slovak Republic; Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece.
| | - Andreas Androulakakis
- Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece
| | - Aikaterini Galani
- Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece
| | - Reza Aalizadeh
- Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos S Thomaidis
- Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece.
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Fan X, Jiang Y, Guan X, Bao Y, Gu M, Mumtaz M, Huang J, Yu G. Determination of total reducible organofluorine in PFAS-impacted aqueous samples based on hydrated electron defluorination. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 829:154548. [PMID: 35288136 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) is a large group of thousands of anthropogenic chemicals. Recently, measurement of total organic fluorine (TOF) to reflect the total PFASs has been recommended in limits and advisories. In this study, a total reducible organofluorine (TROF) assay is developed based on hydrated electron (eaq-) conversion of PFASs into inorganic fluorine combined with ion chromatograph, which is a common and widespread instrument. The eaq- is generated in UV/sulfite system with alkaline condition, and the concentration of TROF (CF_TROF) is the difference of fluoride concentration before and after assay. Method validation uses perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, perfluorooctanoic acid and their main alternatives, and F- recoveries are 76.6%-101%, except for perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (48.5%). Method application of TROF assay uses industrial surfactant products and fluorochemical industry-contaminated water, meanwhile, target PFAS analysis and total oxidizable precursors (TOP) assay are concurrently conducted. Concentrations of PFASs detected in target analysis and TOP assay were converted to fluorine equivalents concentrations (CF_Target and CF_TOP). ∑CF_Target and ∑CF_TOP account for 0.80%-36% of CF_TROF in industrial samples, 0.12%-54% in environmental water and 9.7%-14% in wastewater. The TROF assay can be used to initially judge whether PFASs contamination occurred near a hotspot with known sources. The CF_TROF could infer the extent of PFAS contamination in PFAS-impacted samples and estimate the fraction of uncharacterized PFAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueqi Fan
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control (SKLESPC), Beijing Key Laboratory for Emerging Organic Contaminants Control (BKLEOC), Beijing Laboratory for Environmental Frontier Technologies (BLEFT), School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yiming Jiang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control (SKLESPC), Beijing Key Laboratory for Emerging Organic Contaminants Control (BKLEOC), Beijing Laboratory for Environmental Frontier Technologies (BLEFT), School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xiaoyu Guan
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control (SKLESPC), Beijing Key Laboratory for Emerging Organic Contaminants Control (BKLEOC), Beijing Laboratory for Environmental Frontier Technologies (BLEFT), School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yixiang Bao
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control (SKLESPC), Beijing Key Laboratory for Emerging Organic Contaminants Control (BKLEOC), Beijing Laboratory for Environmental Frontier Technologies (BLEFT), School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Mengbin Gu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control (SKLESPC), Beijing Key Laboratory for Emerging Organic Contaminants Control (BKLEOC), Beijing Laboratory for Environmental Frontier Technologies (BLEFT), School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Mehvish Mumtaz
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control (SKLESPC), Beijing Key Laboratory for Emerging Organic Contaminants Control (BKLEOC), Beijing Laboratory for Environmental Frontier Technologies (BLEFT), School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Jun Huang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control (SKLESPC), Beijing Key Laboratory for Emerging Organic Contaminants Control (BKLEOC), Beijing Laboratory for Environmental Frontier Technologies (BLEFT), School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
| | - Gang Yu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control (SKLESPC), Beijing Key Laboratory for Emerging Organic Contaminants Control (BKLEOC), Beijing Laboratory for Environmental Frontier Technologies (BLEFT), School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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Bil W, Zeilmaker MJ, Bokkers BG. Internal Relative Potency Factors for the Risk Assessment of Mixtures of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Human Biomonitoring. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2022; 130:77005. [PMID: 35881550 PMCID: PMC9320915 DOI: 10.1289/ehp10009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In human biomonitoring, blood is often used as a matrix to measure exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Because the toxicokinetics of a substance (determining the steady-state blood concentration) may affect the toxic potency, the difference in toxicokinetics among PFAS has to be accounted for when blood concentrations are used in mixture risk assessment. OBJECTIVES This research focuses on deriving relative potency factors (RPFs) at the blood serum level. These RPFs can be applied to PFAS concentrations in human blood, thereby facilitating mixture risk assessment with primary input from human biomonitoring studies. METHODS Toxicokinetic models are generated for 10 PFAS to estimate the internal exposure in the male rat at the blood serum level over time. By applying dose-response modeling, these internal exposures are used to derive quantitative internal RPFs based on liver effects. RESULTS Internal RPFs were successfully obtained for nine PFAS. Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA), perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoDA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), and hexafluoropropylene oxide-dimer acid (HFPO-DA, or GenX) were found to be more potent than perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) at the blood serum level in terms of relative liver weight increase, whereas perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS) and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) were found to be less potent. The practical implementation of these internal RPFs is illustrated using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) biomonitoring data of 2017-2018. DISCUSSION It is recommended to assess the health risk resulting from exposure to PFAS as combined, aggregate exposure to the extent feasible. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP10009.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wieneke Bil
- Centre for Safety of Substances and Products, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Marco J. Zeilmaker
- Centre for Nutrition, Prevention and Health Services, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Bas G.H. Bokkers
- Centre for Safety of Substances and Products, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
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Mahoney H, Xie Y, Brinkmann M, Giesy JP. Next generation per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances: Status and trends, aquatic toxicity, and risk assessment. ECO-ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH (ONLINE) 2022; 1:117-131. [PMID: 38075527 PMCID: PMC10702929 DOI: 10.1016/j.eehl.2022.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Widespread application of poly- and per-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has resulted in some substances being ubiquitous in environmental matrices. That and their resistance to degradation have allowed them to accumulate in wildlife and humans with potential for toxic effects. While specific substances of concern have been phased-out or banned, other PFAS that are emerging as alternative substances are still produced and are being released into the environment. This review focuses on describing three emerging, replacement PFAS: perfluoroethylcyclohexane sulphonate (PFECHS), 6:2 chlorinated polyfluoroalkyl ether sulfonate (6:2 Cl-PFAES), and hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA). By summarizing their physicochemical properties, environmental fate and transport, and toxic potencies in comparison to other PFAS compounds, this review offers insight into the viabilities of these chemicals as replacement substances. Using the chemical scoring and ranking assessment model, the relative hazards, uncertainties, and data gaps for each chemical were quantified and related to perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) based on their chemical and uncertainty scores. The substances were ranked PFOS > 6:2 Cl-PFAES > PFOA > HFPO-DA > PFECHS according to their potential toxicity and PFECHS > HFPO-DA > 6:2 Cl-PFAES > PFOS > PFOA according to their need for future research. Since future uses of PFAS remain uncertain in the face of governmental regulations and production bans, replacement PFAS will continue to emerge on the world market and in the environment, raising concerns about their general lack of information on mechanisms and toxic potencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Mahoney
- Toxicology Center, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 5B3, Canada
| | - Yuwei Xie
- Toxicology Center, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 5B3, Canada
| | - Markus Brinkmann
- Toxicology Center, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 5B3, Canada
- School of Environment and Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 5C8, Canada
- Global Institute for Water Security, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 3H5, Canada
- Centre for Hydrology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 1K2, Canada
| | - John P. Giesy
- Toxicology Center, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 5B3, Canada
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
- Department of Integrative Biology and Center for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA
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McDonough CA, Li W, Bischel HN, De Silva AO, DeWitt JC. Widening the Lens on PFASs: Direct Human Exposure to Perfluoroalkyl Acid Precursors (pre-PFAAs). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:6004-6013. [PMID: 35324171 PMCID: PMC10782884 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c00254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Determining health risks associated with per-/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) is a highly complex problem requiring massive efforts for scientists, risk assessors, and regulators. Among the most poorly understood pressing questions is the relative importance of pre-PFAAs, which are PFASs that degrade to highly persistent perfluoroalkyl acids. How many of the vast number of existing pre-PFAAs are relevant for direct human exposure, and what are the predominant exposure pathways? What evidence of direct exposure to pre-PFAAs is provided by human biomonitoring studies? How important are pre-PFAAs and their biotransformation products for human health risk assessment? This article outlines recent progress and recommendations toward widening the lens on human PFAS exposure to include the pre-PFAA subclass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carrie A. McDonough
- Department of Civil Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Wenting Li
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616 USA
| | - Heather N. Bischel
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616 USA
| | - Amila O. De Silva
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Water Science Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, Ontario L7S 1A1, Canada
| | - Jamie C. DeWitt
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
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Jouanneau W, Léandri-Breton DJ, Corbeau A, Herzke D, Moe B, Nikiforov VA, Gabrielsen GW, Chastel O. A Bad Start in Life? Maternal Transfer of Legacy and Emerging Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances to Eggs in an Arctic Seabird. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:6091-6102. [PMID: 34874166 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c03773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In birds, maternal transfer is a major exposure route for several contaminants, including poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Little is known, however, about the extent of the transfer of the different PFAS compounds to the eggs, especially for alternative fluorinated compounds. In the present study, we measured legacy and emerging PFAS, including Gen-X, ADONA, and F-53B, in the plasma of prelaying black-legged kittiwake females breeding in Svalbard and the yolk of their eggs. We aimed to (1) describe the contaminant levels and patterns in both females and eggs, and (2) investigate the maternal transfer, that is, biological variables and the relationship between the females and their eggs for each compound. Contamination of both females and eggs were dominated by linPFOS then PFUnA or PFTriA. We notably found 7:3 fluorotelomer carboxylic acid─a precursor of long-chain carboxylates─in 84% of the egg yolks, and provide the first documented finding of ADONA in wildlife. Emerging compounds were all below the detection limit in female plasma. There was a linear association between females and eggs for most of the PFAS. Analyses of maternal transfer ratios in females and eggs suggest that the transfer is increasing with PFAS carbon chain length, therefore the longest chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) were preferentially transferred to the eggs. The mean ∑PFAS in the second-laid eggs was 73% of that in the first-laid eggs. Additional effort on assessing the outcome of maternal transfers on avian development physiology is essential, especially for PFCAs and emerging fluorinated compounds which are under-represented in experimental studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Jouanneau
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 17031 La Rochelle, France
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Don-Jean Léandri-Breton
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 17031 La Rochelle, France
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Ste Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec H9X 3 V9, Canada
| | - Alexandre Corbeau
- ECOBIO (Ecosystèmes, biodiversité, évolution), UMR 6553 CNRS - Université de Rennes, 35000 Rennes, France
| | - Dorte Herzke
- NILU - Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Fram Centre, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Børge Moe
- NINA - Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, NO-7485 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Vladimir A Nikiforov
- NILU - Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Fram Centre, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | | | - Olivier Chastel
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 17031 La Rochelle, France
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Gauthier JR, Mabury SA. Noise-Reduced Quantitative Fluorine NMR Spectroscopy Reveals the Presence of Additional Per- and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances in Environmental and Biological Samples When Compared with Routine Mass Spectrometry Methods. Anal Chem 2022; 94:3278-3286. [PMID: 35148065 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c05107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are ubiquitous throughout the environment. Analysis of PFAS is commonly performed using both targeted and nontargeted mass spectrometry methods. However, it has been demonstrated that measurements of fluorinated compounds in the environment by mass spectrometry often fall short of the total fluorine concentration. In the present study, we employ a 19F NMR technique, which is capable of detailing fluorinated compounds in a sample while providing both quantitative and structural information. Inclusion of a noise-reduction strategy involving the acquisition of arrays of spectra with an increasing number of transients addresses the sensitivity challenges of environmental nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), improving signal to noise. When this technique is applied to environmental and biological samples including rainwater, lake water, wastewater effluent, serum, and urine, the presence of PFAS, which may have been missed by routine mass spectrometric methods, is revealed. Important resonances in the 19F NMR spectrum such as that of trifluoroacetic acid are brought above the limit of quantification in all samples, allowing detection limits as low as 389 pg/L in rainwater. A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method, which was used to analyze 47 PFAS compounds, accounts for only 3.7-27% of the total fluorine concentration as determined by the NMR strategy in the present study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy R Gauthier
- Department of Chemistry, Lash Miller Chemical Labs, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Scott A Mabury
- Department of Chemistry, Lash Miller Chemical Labs, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
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Aro R, Eriksson U, Kärrman A, Jakobsson K, Yeung LWY. Extractable organofluorine analysis: A way to screen for elevated per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance contamination in humans? ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 159:107035. [PMID: 34896670 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.107035] [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: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The ubiquitous occurrence of a few per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in humans and the environment has been previously reported. However, the number of PFAS humans and the environment are potentially exposed to is much higher, making it difficult to investigate every sample in detail. More importantly, recent studies have shown an increasing fraction of potentially unknown PFAS in human samples. A screening tool for identifying samples of concern that may contain high PFAS levels, to be studied more thoroughly, is needed. This study presents a simplified workflow to detect elevated PFAS levels using extractable organofluorine (EOF) analysis. A fluorine mass balance analysis on samples with high EOF, targeting 63 PFAS, can then confirm the PFAS contamination. Whole blood samples from a cohort of individuals with historical drinking water contamination from firefighting foams (n = 20) in Ronneby (Sweden) and a control group (n = 9) with background exposure were used as a case study. The average EOF concentration in the Ronneby group was 234 ng/mLF (<107-592 ng/mLF) vs 24.8 ng/mLF (17.6-37.8 ng/mL F) in the control group. The large difference (statistically significant, p < 0.05) in the EOF levels between the exposed and control groups would have made it possible to identify samples with high PFAS exposure only using EOF data. This was confirmed by target analysis, which found an average ∑PFAS concentration of 346 ng/mL in the exposed group and 7.9 ng/mL in the control group. The limit of quantification for EOF analysis (up to 107 ng/mLF using 0.5 mL whole blood) did not allow for the detection of PFAS levels in low or sub parts per billion (ng/mL) concentrations, but the results indicate that EOF analysis is a suitable screening method sensitive enough to detect elevated/significant/exposure above background levels by known or unknown PFAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rudolf Aro
- Man-Technology-Environment (MTM) Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, Örebro, SE 701 82, Sweden
| | - Ulrika Eriksson
- Man-Technology-Environment (MTM) Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, Örebro, SE 701 82, Sweden
| | - Anna Kärrman
- Man-Technology-Environment (MTM) Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, Örebro, SE 701 82, Sweden
| | - Kristina Jakobsson
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, SE 405 30, Sweden
| | - Leo W Y Yeung
- Man-Technology-Environment (MTM) Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, Örebro, SE 701 82, Sweden.
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Pasecnaja E, Bartkevics V, Zacs D. Occurrence of selected per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) in food available on the European market - A review on levels and human exposure assessment. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 287:132378. [PMID: 34592212 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) are considered emerging persistent organic pollutants, which are chemically, thermally, and biologically stable, or degrade to persistent end products. Dietary intake is considered as one of the main human exposure pathways of these chemicals and, having entered the human body, PFASs are not metabolised and accumulate in tissues, while their toxicological properties may cause various health problems. Several studies on the occurrence of PFASs in various food types have been conducted, including the assessment of dietary exposure. The most important sources were fish, meat, eggs, fruits, and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables recently showed relatively high levels of PFASs, and have become a more significant source of PFASs than meat. In 2020, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published an opinion, setting the tolerable weekly intake (TWI) of 4.4 ng kg-1 b.w. for the sum of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorohexanesulphonic acid (PFHxS), and perfluorooctanesulphonic acid (PFOS). The emphasis in this paper is on the systematization of available information on the distribution of PFASs and their levels in different food, with a special interest in data from the Europe. The current legislation and estimated dietary intakes by the general population are described. While the available information on tolerably daily intakes estimated in a number of European countries often exceeds the newly established EFSA TWI, a critical evaluation of performance characteristics of the reviewed analytical methodologies revealed the insufficient sensitivity of quantification procedures for accurate risk assessment according to the guidelines proposed by EFSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elina Pasecnaja
- Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment "BIOR", Lejupes iela 3, Riga, LV-1076, Latvia; University of Latvia, Jelgavas iela 1, Riga, LV-1004, Latvia.
| | - Vadims Bartkevics
- Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment "BIOR", Lejupes iela 3, Riga, LV-1076, Latvia; University of Latvia, Jelgavas iela 1, Riga, LV-1004, Latvia
| | - Dzintars Zacs
- Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment "BIOR", Lejupes iela 3, Riga, LV-1076, Latvia
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Hajeb P, Zhu L, Bossi R, Vorkamp K. Sample preparation techniques for suspect and non-target screening of emerging contaminants. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 287:132306. [PMID: 34826946 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The progress in sensitivity and resolution in mass spectrometers in recent years provides the possibility to detect a broad range of organic compounds in a single procedure. For this reason, suspect and non-target screening techniques are gaining attention since they enable the detection of hundreds of known and unknown emerging contaminants in various matrices of environmental, food and human sources. Sample preparation is a critical step before analysis as it can significantly affect selectivity, sensitivity and reproducibility. The lack of generic sample preparation protocols is obvious in this fast-growing analytical field, and most studies use those of traditional targeted analysis methods. Among them, solvent extraction and solid phase extraction (SPE) are widely used to extract emerging contaminants from solid and liquid sample types, respectively. Sequential solvent extraction and a combination of different SPE sorbents can cover a broad range of chemicals in the samples. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and adsorption chromatography, including acidification, are typically used to remove matrix components such as lipids from complex matrices, but usually at the expense of compound losses. Ideally, the purification of samples intended for non-target analysis should be selective of matrix interferences. Recent studies have suggested quality assurance/quality control measures for suspect and non-target screening, based on expansion and extrapolation of target compound lists, but method validations remain challenging in the absence of analytical standards and harmonized sample preparation approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parvaneh Hajeb
- Aarhus University, Department of Environmental Science, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Linyan Zhu
- Aarhus University, Department of Environmental Science, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Rossana Bossi
- Aarhus University, Department of Environmental Science, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Katrin Vorkamp
- Aarhus University, Department of Environmental Science, Roskilde, Denmark.
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Frigerio G, Cafagna S, Polledri E, Mercadante R, Fustinoni S. Development and validation of an LC-MS/MS method for the quantitation of 30 legacy and emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in human plasma, including HFPO-DA, DONA, and cC6O4. Anal Bioanal Chem 2021; 414:1259-1278. [PMID: 34907451 PMCID: PMC8760233 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-021-03762-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) include persistent organic pollutants whose spread is still ubiquitous. Efforts to substitute substances of high concern with fluorinated alternatives, such as HFPO-DA (GenX), DONA (ADONA), and cC6O4, have been made. The aim of this work was to develop and validate an isotopic dilution liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method suitable to quantify 30 PFASs in human plasma. Analytes included legacy PFASs (PFOA, PFOS, and PFHxS), fluorinated alternatives (PFBA, PFBS, 6:2 FTSA, HFPO-DA, DONA, and cC6O4), and newly identified compounds (F-53B and PFECHS). The sample preparation was rapid and consisted of simple protein precipitation and centrifugation. Calibration standards and quality control solutions were prepared with a human pooled plasma containing relatively low background levels of the considered analytes. A complete validation was carried out: the lower limits of quantitation (LLOQs) ranged from 0.009 to 0.245 µg/L; suitable linearity (determination coefficients, R2 0.989–0.999), precision (2.0–19.5%, relative standard deviation), and accuracy (87.9–113.1% of theoretical) were obtained for considered concentration ranges. No significant variations of analyte responses were recorded under investigated storage conditions and during matrix effect tests. The external verification confirmed the accuracy of the method, although limited to 12 analytes. The method was also applied to 38 human plasma samples to confirm its applicability. The developed assay is suitable for large-scale analyses of a wide range of legacy and emerging PFASs in human plasma. To our knowledge, this is the first published method including cC6O4 for human biomonitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianfranco Frigerio
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, via S. Barnaba, 8, 20122, Milan, Italy.,Occupational Health Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Simone Cafagna
- Occupational Health Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Polledri
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, via S. Barnaba, 8, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Rosa Mercadante
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, via S. Barnaba, 8, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Fustinoni
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, via S. Barnaba, 8, 20122, Milan, Italy. .,Occupational Health Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
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48
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Kärrman A, Yeung LWY, Spaan KM, Lange FT, Nguyen MA, Plassmann M, de Wit CA, Scheurer M, Awad R, Benskin JP. Can determination of extractable organofluorine (EOF) be standardized? First interlaboratory comparisons of EOF and fluorine mass balance in sludge and water matrices. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2021; 23:1458-1465. [PMID: 34546240 DOI: 10.1039/d1em00224d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The high proportion of unidentified extractable organofluorine (EOF) observed globally in humans and the environment indicates widespread occurrence of unknown per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). However, efforts to standardize or assess the reproducibility of EOF methods are currently lacking. Here we present the first EOF interlaboratory comparison in water and sludge. Three participants (four organizations) analyzed unfortified and PFAS-fortified ultrapure water, two unfortified groundwater samples, unfortified wastewater treatment plant effluent and sludge, and an unfortified groundwater extract. Participants adopted common sample handling strategies and target lists for EOF mass balance but used in-house combustion ion-chromatography (CIC) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) methods. EOF accuracy ranged from 85-101% and 76-109% for the 60 and 334 ng L-1 fluorine (F) - fortified water samples, respectively, with between-laboratory variation of 9-19%, and within-laboratory variation of 3-27%. In unfortified sludge and aqueous samples, between-laboratory variation ranged from 21-37%. The contribution from sum concentrations of 16 individual PFAS (∑PFAS-16) to EOF ranged from 2.2-60% but extended analysis showed that other targets were prevalent, in particular ultra-short-chain perfluoroalkyl acids (e.g. trifluoroacetic acid) in aqueous samples and perfluoroalkyl acid-precursors (e.g. polyfluoroalkyl phosphate diesters) in sludge. The EOF-CIC method demonstrated promising accuracy, robustness and reporting limits but poor extraction efficiency was observed for some targets (e.g. trifluoroacetic acid).
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kärrman
- Man-Technology-Environment Research Centre (MTM), Örebro University, Sweden.
| | - Leo W Y Yeung
- Man-Technology-Environment Research Centre (MTM), Örebro University, Sweden.
| | - Kyra M Spaan
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Sweden.
| | | | | | - Merle Plassmann
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Sweden.
| | - Cynthia A de Wit
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Sweden.
| | | | - Raed Awad
- IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, Sweden
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Aro R, Eriksson U, Kärrman A, Yeung LWY. Organofluorine Mass Balance Analysis of Whole Blood Samples in Relation to Gender and Age. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:13142-13151. [PMID: 34520171 PMCID: PMC8495894 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c04031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Studies have highlighted the increasing fraction of unidentified organofluorine (UOF) compounds in human blood, whose health effects are not known. In this study, 130 whole blood samples from the Swedish general population were analyzed for extractable organofluorine (EOF) and selected per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Organofluorine mass balance analysis revealed that 60% (0-99%) of the EOF in female samples could not be explained by the 63 monitored PFAS; in males, 41% (0-93%) of the EOF was of unidentified origin. Significant differences between both age groups and gender were seen, with the highest fraction of UOF in young females (70% UOF, aged 18-44), which is contrary to what has been reported in the literature for commonly monitored compounds (e.g., perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, PFOS). Increasing the number of monitored PFAS did not lead to a large decrease of the UOF fraction; the seven highest PFAS (C8-C11 PFCAs, C6-C8 PFSAs) accounted for 98% of sum 63 PFAS. The high fraction of UOF in human samples is of concern, as the chemical species of these organofluorine compounds remain unknown and thus their potential health risks cannot be assessed.
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Norén E, Lindh C, Glynn A, Rylander L, Pineda D, Nielsen C. Temporal trends, 2000-2017, of perfluoroalkyl acid (PFAA) concentrations in serum of Swedish adolescents. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 155:106716. [PMID: 34144476 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been extensively used as surfactants because of their high stability and good water/oil-repellent properties. PFASs, especially perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs), have long biological half-lives, and exposure may cause adverse health effects in humans. We assessed temporal trends of concentrations of eight PFAAs in serum of Swedish adolescents (age 16-21 years) from the general population, and estimated the stability of PFAAs and serum samples after 6 years of storage. Repeated cross-sectional sampling was performed on five occasions (covering in total 1213 individuals, 83% males) in southern Sweden between 2000 and 2017. We analyzed serum for perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA), and perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoDA) using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. We assessed time trends using linear regression, long-term stability was assessed by reanalyzing samples collected 2013, and the comparison was done using Pearson correlation and Bland-Altman plots. PFHxS, PFOS, and PFOA decreased by 6.7% (CI: -7.0, -6.3%), 12.6% (CI: -12.9, -12.3%), and 6.5% (CI: -6.8, -6.1%) per year, respectively, and year of sampling explained 48-81% of the variation in concentrations. PFNA and PFDA seemed to increase up to 2009 and decrease thereafter. The trends were consistent after sensitivity analyses excluding women. Strong correlations of 94-97% were observed for concentrations of all compounds, except PFHxS, after storage. The observed trends closely followed the timing of manufacturers' voluntary phase-out initiatives, and of regulatory measures governing the compounds implemented in the EU and USA. This indicates that these actions mitigated the population's exposure to PFHxS, PFOS, and PFOA and, in recent years, to PFNA and PFDA, in southern Sweden. Furthermore, the results suggest that PFAAs remain stable in serum samples after long-term storage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Norén
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Christian Lindh
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Anders Glynn
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lars Rylander
- 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
| | - Christel Nielsen
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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