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Green MP, Shearer C, Patrick R, Kabiri S, Rivers N, Nixon B. The perils of poly- and perfluorinated chemicals on the reproductive health of humans, livestock, and wildlife. Reprod Fertil Dev 2024; 36:RD24034. [PMID: 38744493 DOI: 10.1071/rd24034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a prominent class of persistent synthetic compound. The widespread use of these substances in various industrial applications has resulted in their pervasive contamination on a global scale. It is therefore concerning that PFAS have a propensity to accumulate in bodily tissues whereupon they have been linked with a range of adverse health outcomes. Despite this, the true extent of the risk posed by PFAS to humans, domestic animals, and wildlife remains unclear. Addressing these questions requires a multidisciplinary approach, combining the fields of chemistry, biology, and policy to enable meaningful investigation and develop innovative remediation strategies. This article combines the perspectives of chemists, soil scientists, reproductive biologists, and health policy researchers, to contextualise the issue of PFAS contamination and its specific impact on reproductive health. The purpose of this article is to describe the challenges associated with remediating PFAS-contaminated soils and waters and explore the consequences of PFAS contamination on health and reproduction. Furthermore, current actions to promote planetary health and protect ecosystems are presented to instigate positive social change among the scientific community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark P Green
- School of BioSciences, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic. 3010, Australia
| | - Cameron Shearer
- Department of Chemistry, School of Physics, Chemistry and Earth Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology, University of Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Rebecca Patrick
- School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Vic. 3220, Australia
| | - Shervin Kabiri
- School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology, Glen Osmond, SA 5064, Australia
| | - Nicola Rivers
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Vic. 3168, Australia
| | - Brett Nixon
- Hunter Medical Research Institute Research Program in Infertility and Reproduction, New Lambton Heights, NSW 2305, Australia; and School of Environmental and Life Sciences, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
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Depuydt S, Van der Bruggen B. Green Synthesis of Cation Exchange Membranes: A Review. MEMBRANES 2024; 14:23. [PMID: 38248713 PMCID: PMC10819081 DOI: 10.3390/membranes14010023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Cation exchange membranes (CEMs) play a significant role in the transition to a more sustainable/green society. They are important components for applications such as water electrolysis, artificial photosynthesis, electrodialysis and fuel cells. Their synthesis, however, is far from being sustainable, affecting safety, health and the environment. This review discusses and evaluates the possibilities of synthesizing CEMs that are more sustainable and green. First, the concepts of green and sustainable chemistry are discussed. Subsequently, this review discusses the fabrication of conventional perfluorinated CEMs and how they violate the green/sustainability principles, eventually leading to environmental and health incidents. Furthermore, the synthesis of green CEMs is presented by dividing the synthesis into three parts: sulfonation, material selection and solvent selection. Innovations in using gaseous SO3 or gas-liquid interfacial plasma technology can make the sulfonation process more sustainable. Regarding the selection of polymers, chitosan, cellulose, polylactic acid, alginate, carrageenan and cellulose are promising alternatives to fossil fuel-based polymers. Finally, water is the most sustainable solvent and many biopolymers are soluble in it. For other polymers, there are a limited number of studies using green solvents. Promising solvents are found back in other membrane, such as dimethyl sulfoxide, Cyrene™, Rhodiasolv® PolarClean, TamiSolve NxG and γ-valerolactone.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bart Van der Bruggen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium;
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Kotlarz N, Guillette T, Critchley C, Collier D, Lea CS, McCord J, Strynar M, Cuffney M, Hopkins ZR, Knappe DRU, Hoppin JA. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl ether acids in well water and blood serum from private well users residing by a fluorochemical facility near Fayetteville, North Carolina. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2024; 34:97-107. [PMID: 38195989 PMCID: PMC10976930 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-023-00626-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A fluorochemical facility near Fayetteville, North Carolina, emitted per- and polyfluoroalkyl ether acids (PFEAs), a subgroup of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), to air. OBJECTIVE Analyze PFAS in private wells near the facility and in blood from well users to assess relationships between PFEA levels in water and serum. METHODS In 2019, we recruited private well users into the GenX Exposure Study and collected well water and blood samples. We targeted 26 PFAS (11 PFEAs) in water and 27 PFAS (9 PFEAs) in serum using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. We used regression modeling to explore relationships between water and serum PFAS. For the only PFEA detected frequently in water and serum, Nafion byproduct 2, we used generalized estimating equation (GEE) models to assess well water exposure metrics and then adjusted for covariates that may influence Nafion byproduct 2 serum concentrations. RESULTS We enrolled 153 participants ages 6 and older (median = 56 years) using 84 private wells. Most wells (74%) had ≥6 detectable PFEAs; median ∑PFEAs was 842 ng/L (interquartile range = 197-1760 ng/L). Low molecular weight PFEAs (PMPA, HFPO-DA [GenX], PEPA, PFO2HxA) were frequently detected in well water, had the highest median concentrations, but were not detectable in serum. Nafion byproduct 2 was detected in 73% of wells (median = 14 ng/L) and 56% of serum samples (median = 0.2 ng/mL). Cumulative dose (well concentration × duration at address) was positively associated with Nafion byproduct 2 serum levels and explained the most variability (10%). In the adjusted model, cumulative dose was associated with higher Nafion byproduct 2 serum levels while time outside the home was associated with lower levels. IMPACT PFAS are a large class of synthetic, fluorinated chemicals. Fluorochemical facilities are important sources of environmental PFAS contamination globally. The fluorochemical industry is producing derivatives of perfluoroalkyl acids, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl ether acids (PFEAs). PFEAs have been detected in various environmental samples but information on PFEA-exposed populations is limited. While serum biomonitoring is often used for PFAS exposure assessment, serum biomarkers were not good measures of long-term exposure to low molecular weight PFEAs in a private well community. Environmental measurements and other approaches besides serum monitoring will be needed to better characterize PFEA exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Kotlarz
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University (NC State), Raleigh, NC, USA.
- Department of Biological Sciences, NC State, Raleigh, NC, USA.
| | - Theresa Guillette
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education Research Participation Program, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | | | - David Collier
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University (NC State), Raleigh, NC, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University (ECU), Greenville, NC, USA
| | - C Suzanne Lea
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University (NC State), Raleigh, NC, USA
- Department of Public Health, Brody School of Medicine, ECU, Greenville, NC, USA
| | - James McCord
- Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Mark Strynar
- Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Michael Cuffney
- Department of Biological Sciences, NC State, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Zachary R Hopkins
- Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, NC State, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Detlef R U Knappe
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University (NC State), Raleigh, NC, USA
- Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, NC State, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Jane A Hoppin
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University (NC State), Raleigh, NC, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, NC State, Raleigh, NC, USA
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Ehsan MN, Riza M, Pervez MN, Khyum MMO, Liang Y, Naddeo V. Environmental and health impacts of PFAS: Sources, distribution and sustainable management in North Carolina (USA). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 878:163123. [PMID: 37001657 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of manufactured chemicals that have recently attracted a great deal of attention from environmental regulators and the general public because of their high prevalence, resistance to degradation, and potential toxicity. This review summarizes the current state of PFAS and its effects on the environment of North Carolina, USA. Specific emphasis has been placed to identify i) the sources of PFAS in North Carolina ii) distribution of PFAS in different environmental segments of North Carolina, including surface water, groundwater, air, and sediment iii) drinking water contamination iv) impact of PFAS on human health v) PFAS accumulation in fish and other biota vi) status of PFAS removal from drinking water and finally vi) socioeconomic impact of PFAS uncertainties. Continuous discharges of PFAS occur in the North Carolina environment from direct and indirect sources, including manufacturing sites, firefighting foam, waste disposal and treatment plants, landfill leachate, and industrial emissions. PFAS are widespread in many environmental segments of North Carolina. They are more likely to be detected in surface and groundwater sediments and can enter aquatic bodies through direct discharge and wet and dry deposition of emissions. Eventually, some adverse effects of PFAS have already been reported in North Carolina residents who could have been exposed to the chemicals through contaminated drinking water. Furthermore, PFAS were also found in blood samples from fish and alligators. PFAS were confirmed to be present in water, sediment, organic compounds, and aquatic species at all levels of the food web. However, there is still a substantial amount of work to be done to understand the actual contamination by PFAS in North Carolina comprehensively.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mumtahina Riza
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Campus Box 7617, Raleigh, NC 27695-7617, USA.
| | - Md Nahid Pervez
- Sanitary Environmental Engineering Division (SEED), Department of Civil Engineering, 66 University of Salerno, Fisciano 84084, Italy; Department of Environmental and Sustainable Engineering, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | | | - Yanna Liang
- Department of Environmental and Sustainable Engineering, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - Vincenzo Naddeo
- Sanitary Environmental Engineering Division (SEED), Department of Civil Engineering, 66 University of Salerno, Fisciano 84084, Italy.
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