1
|
Pierozan P, Höglund A, Theodoropoulou E, Karlsson O. Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) induced cancer related DNA methylation alterations in human breast cells: A whole genome methylome study. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 949:174864. [PMID: 39032741 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
DNA methylation plays a pivotal role in cancer. The ubiquitous contaminant perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) has been epidemiologically associated with breast cancer, and can induce proliferation and malignant transformation of normal human breast epithelial cells (MCF-10A), but the information about its effect on DNA methylation is sparse. The aim of this study was to characterize the whole-genome methylome effects of PFOS in our breast cell model and compare the findings with previously demonstrated DNA methylation alterations in breast tumor tissues. The DNA methylation profile was assessed at single CpG resolution in MCF-10A cells treated with 1 μM PFOS for 72 h by using Enzymatic Methyl sequencing (EM-seq). We found 12,591 differentially methylated CpG-sites and 13,360 differentially methylated 100 bp tiles in the PFOS exposed breast cells. These differentially methylated regions (DMRs) overlapped with 2406 genes of which 494 were long non-coding RNA and 1841 protein coding genes. We identified 339 affected genes that have been shown to display altered DNA methylation in breast cancer tissue and several other genes related to cancer development. This includes hypermethylation of GACAT3, DELEC1, CASC2, LCIIAR, MUC16, SYNE1 and hypomethylation of TTN and KMT2C. DMRs were also found in estrogen receptor genes (ESR1, ESR2, ESRRG, ESRRB, GREB1) and estrogen responsive genes (GPER1, EEIG1, RERG). The gene ontology analysis revealed pathways related to cancer phenotypes such as cell adhesion and growth. These findings improve the understanding of PFOS's potential role in breast cancer and illustrate the value of whole-genome methylome analysis in uncovering mechanisms of chemical effects, identifying biomarker candidates, and strengthening epidemiological associations, potentially impacting risk assessment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paula Pierozan
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, 114 18 Stockholm, Sweden; Stockholm University Center for Circular and Sustainable Systems (SUCCeSS), Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andrey Höglund
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, 114 18 Stockholm, Sweden; Stockholm University Center for Circular and Sustainable Systems (SUCCeSS), Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eleftheria Theodoropoulou
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, 114 18 Stockholm, Sweden; Stockholm University Center for Circular and Sustainable Systems (SUCCeSS), Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Oskar Karlsson
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, 114 18 Stockholm, Sweden; Stockholm University Center for Circular and Sustainable Systems (SUCCeSS), Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hron LMC, Wöckner M, Fuchs V, Fembacher L, Aschenbrenner B, Herr C, Schober W, Heinze S, Völkel W. Monitoring of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in human blood samples collected in three regions with known PFAS releases in the environment and three control regions in South Germany. Arch Toxicol 2024:10.1007/s00204-024-03843-x. [PMID: 39167139 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-024-03843-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are known as persistent and bioaccumulative chemicals. The present paper describes the analysis of 969 human blood samples collected in South Germany aiming to determine whether there are statistic significant differences in internal PFAS burden between three regions with known PFAS releases in the environment (study regions) and three regions without known PFAS releases in the environment (control regions). Nine environmental relevant PFAS were analyzed, including the perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) substitute 3H-perfluoro-3-[(3-methoxy-propoxy)propanoic acid] ammonium salt (ADONA). We found that concentrations of PFOA and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) were higher than for all other PFAS in all of the six regions, but all medians of PFOA (between 0.8 and 0.9 ng/ml for the study and control regions) and PFOS (between 1.3 and 1.5 ng/ml for the study regions and between 1.4 and 1.5 ng/ml for the control regions) were below the human biomonitoring values (HBM) I for PFOA (2 ng/ml) und for PFOS (5 ng/ml) derived by the German HBM Commission. Concentrations of ADONA were below the limit of quantification in all samples. Minor differences were observed in PFAS blood levels between study and control regions. Especially for PFOS and PFOA the medians for women are slightly lower compared to men. In summary, individuals living in regions with known environmental PFAS contaminations show no higher internal PFAS exposure to controls and in comparison to other studies in the literature.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lorena M Cursino Hron
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health Protection and Product Safety, Pfarrstrasse 3, 80538, Munich, Germany.
| | - Mandy Wöckner
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health Protection and Product Safety, Pfarrstrasse 3, 80538, Munich, Germany
| | - Veronika Fuchs
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health Protection and Product Safety, Pfarrstrasse 3, 80538, Munich, Germany
| | - Ludwig Fembacher
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health Protection and Product Safety, Pfarrstrasse 3, 80538, Munich, Germany
| | - Bettina Aschenbrenner
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health Protection and Product Safety, Pfarrstrasse 3, 80538, Munich, Germany
| | - Caroline Herr
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health Protection and Product Safety, Pfarrstrasse 3, 80538, Munich, Germany
- Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Ziemssenstrasse 1, 80336, Munich, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Schober
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health Protection and Product Safety, Pfarrstrasse 3, 80538, Munich, Germany
| | - Stefanie Heinze
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health Protection and Product Safety, Pfarrstrasse 3, 80538, Munich, Germany
- Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Ziemssenstrasse 1, 80336, Munich, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Völkel
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health Protection and Product Safety, Pfarrstrasse 3, 80538, Munich, Germany
- Department of Toxicology, University of Würzburg, Versbacher Strasse 9, 97078, Würzburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Li Q, Zhang Y, Chen C, Lou J, Wang S, Hang JG, Nakayama SF, Kido T, Feng H, Sun XL, Shan J. Association Between Prenatal Exposure to Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances From Electronic Waste Disassembly Areas and Steroid Hormones in Human Milk Samples. GEOHEALTH 2024; 8:e2024GH001142. [PMID: 39175507 PMCID: PMC11339319 DOI: 10.1029/2024gh001142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2024] [Revised: 08/13/2024] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024]
Abstract
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are long-lasting environmental contaminants that are released into the environment during the e-waste disassembly process, pose a threat to human health. Human milk is a complex and dynamic mixture of endogenous and exogenous substances, including steroid hormones and PFAS. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the association between PFAS and steroid hormones in human milk from women living close to an e-waste disassembly area. In 2021, we collected milk samples from 150 mothers within 4 weeks of delivery and analyzed them via liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to determine the levels of 21 perfluorinated compounds and five steroid hormones (estrone, estriol, testosterone, progesterone, and androstenedione [A-dione]). We also performed multiple linear regression analysis to clarify the association between maternal PFAS exposure and steroid hormone concentrations. Our results indicated that PFOA and PFOS were positively associated with estrone (β, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.08-0.39) and A-dione (β, 0.186; 95% CI, 0.016-0.357) concentrations in human milk, respectively. Further, the average estimated daily intake of PFOA and PFOS were 36.5 ng/kg bw/day (range, 0.52-291.7 ng/kg bw/day) and 5.21 ng/kg bw/day (range, 0.26-32.3 ng/kg bw/day), respectively. Of concern, the PFAS intake of breastfeeding infants in the study area was higher than the recommended threshold. These findings suggested that prenatal exposure to PFAS from the e-waste disassembly process can influence steroid hormones levels in human milk. Increased efforts to mitigate mother and infant exposure to environmental pollutants are also required.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiyao Li
- School of MedicineThe First Affiliated HospitalHuzhou UniversityHuzhouChina
| | - Yan Zhang
- Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical UniversityTaizhouChina
| | - Chen Chen
- School of MedicineThe First Affiliated HospitalHuzhou UniversityHuzhouChina
| | - Jianlin Lou
- School of MedicineThe First Affiliated HospitalHuzhou UniversityHuzhouChina
| | | | - Jin Guo Hang
- Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical UniversityTaizhouChina
| | - Shoji F. Nakayama
- Japan Environment and Children's Study Programme OfficeNational Institute for Environmental StudiesTsukubaJapan
| | - Teruhiko Kido
- Faculty of Health SciencesInstitute of Medical, Pharmaceutical, and Health SciencesKanazawa UniversityKanazawaJapan
| | - Hao Feng
- School of MedicineJiaxing UniversityJiaxingChina
| | - Xian Liang Sun
- School of MedicineThe First Affiliated HospitalHuzhou UniversityHuzhouChina
- Faculty of Health SciencesInstitute of Medical, Pharmaceutical, and Health SciencesKanazawa UniversityKanazawaJapan
| | - Jiancong Shan
- Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical UniversityTaizhouChina
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lahne H, Gerstner D, Völkel W, Schober W, Aschenbrenner B, Herr C, Heinze S, Quartucci C. Human biomonitoring follow-up study on PFOA contamination and investigation of possible influencing factors on PFOA exposure in a German population originally exposed to emissions from a fluoropolymer production plant. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2024; 259:114387. [PMID: 38703464 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2024.114387] [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: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the past, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was produced and applied as an emulsifier in a fluoropolymer production plant in the Altötting district, southern Bavaria (Germany). This chemical was released directly into the environment, resulting in the contamination of the local drinking water. During a human biomonitoring (HBM) survey in 2018, increased median PFOA blood serum levels, compared to a normally exposed control group with no known source of PFOA exposure from Munich, Germany, were detected in the resident population (23.18 μg/l in the general population, 20.71 μg/l in the children's group). The follow-up study aimed to investigate whether purification of the drinking water as the main PFOA exposure source has been successful in reducing internal PFOA exposure and to estimate the association of internal PFOA exposure with possible influencing factors. METHODS Only individuals who had already participated in the HBM study in 2018 were included. For the determination of the PFOA serum concentration, 5 ml of blood was drawn from each participating person. Blood samples were collected in the period from June to August 2022. Furthermore, information on sociodemographic characteristics, health status, dietary behaviour and other lifestyle factors were collected by means of a self-administered questionnaire. To examine the association of PFOA blood serum levels with possible influencing factors, such as age, gender and consumption of fish and game meat, a logistic regression model with a PFOA value > 10 μg/l as outcome was used. RESULTS A total of 764 individuals participated in the follow-up study in 2022. Analyses were performed separately for the general population (n = 559), women of reproductive age (15-49 years old) (n = 120), and children under 12 years old (n = 30). Median PFOA blood levels have decreased by 56.9% in the general population, by 59.8% in the group of women of reproductive age and by 73.4% in the group of children under 12 years old. In the general population, a higher probability of a PFOA value > 10 μg/l was found for those aged 40-59 years (Odds ratio (OR) = 2.33 (95%CI: 1.23 to 4.43, p = 0.01) and those aged 60 years and older (OR = 5.32, 95%CI: 2.78 to 10.19, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS In all study groups, the median PFOA serum levels decreased as expected after a half-life of four years, which confirms that contamination via drinking water has ceased. Furthermore, our study identified age as a significant predictor of internal PFOA exposure, while no influence was found for the consumption of fish and game meat. Further investigations are needed to quantify in a more detailed way the influence of dietary habits on PFOA exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heidi Lahne
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Institute for Occupational Health and Product Safety, Environmental Health, Munich, Germany.
| | - Doris Gerstner
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Institute for Occupational Health and Product Safety, Environmental Health, Munich, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Völkel
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Institute for Occupational Health and Product Safety, Environmental Health, Munich, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Schober
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Institute for Occupational Health and Product Safety, Environmental Health, Munich, Germany
| | - Bettina Aschenbrenner
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Institute for Occupational Health and Product Safety, Environmental Health, Munich, Germany
| | - Caroline Herr
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Institute for Occupational Health and Product Safety, Environmental Health, Munich, Germany; Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Ziemssenstr. 5, 80336, Munich, Germany
| | - Stefanie Heinze
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Institute for Occupational Health and Product Safety, Environmental Health, Munich, Germany; Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Ziemssenstr. 5, 80336, Munich, Germany
| | - Caroline Quartucci
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Institute for Occupational Health and Product Safety, Environmental Health, Munich, Germany; Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Ziemssenstr. 5, 80336, Munich, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Spyrou A, Vlastos D, Antonopoulou M. Evidence on the genotoxic and ecotoxic effects of PFOA, PFOS and their mixture on human lymphocytes and bacteria. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 248:118298. [PMID: 38280522 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
Considering that the PFOA and PFOS are widely spread chemicals with harmful effects in human and environmental health as well as the increasing interest of the scientific community in the implications that might present especially when they co-exist, this study aims to assess their harmful impacts, both individually and as a mixture on human lymphocytes and aquatic microorganisms. The cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay was used to examine their potential for cytotoxicity and genotoxicity towards human cells, and Microtox assay using Aliivibrio fischeri assay was used to estimate the environmental risk. Regarding the human lymphocytes, the tested concentrations ranged between 250 and 1000 μg L-1, for all cases. PFOA increased slightly the frequency of micronuclei (MN) but without statistical significance. In the case of PFOS, our results showed a dose-dependent increase in the frequency of micronuclei which showed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) at 1000 μg L-1, which is the highest studied concentration. Regarding the CBPI index, statistically significant (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, and p < 0.001 respectively) differences were observed at all studied concentrations of PFOS, compared to the control. The mixture was found to be more cytotoxic and genotoxic than the individual tested compounds, causing a higher decrease at the CBPI index even in lower concentrations and increase at the MN frequencies. Aliivibrio fischeri was exposed to various concentrations in the range of 0.5 μg L-1- 20 mg L-1, for 5 and 15 min and significant increase in the inhibition percentage at the highest tested concentration of their mixture after 15 min was observed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Spyrou
- Department of Sustainable Agriculture, University of Patras, 30131, Agrinio, Greece
| | - Dimitris Vlastos
- Department of Biology, School of Natural Sciences, University of Patras, 26500, Patras, Rio, Greece
| | - Maria Antonopoulou
- Department of Sustainable Agriculture, University of Patras, 30131, Agrinio, Greece.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Marchese MJ, Zhu T, Hawkey AB, Wang K, Yuan E, Wen J, Be SE, Levin ED, Feng L. Prenatal and perinatal exposure to Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)-contaminated drinking water impacts offspring neurobehavior and development. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 917:170459. [PMID: 38290673 PMCID: PMC10923173 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170459] [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: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent organic pollutants ubiquitous in the environment and humans. In-utero PFAS exposure is associated with numerous adverse health impacts. However, little is known about how prenatal PFAS mixture exposure affects offspring's neurobehavioral function. This study aims to determine the causal relationship between in-utero PFAS mixture exposure and neurobehavioral changes in Sprague-Dawley rat offspring. Dams were exposed via drinking water to the vehicle (control), an environmentally relevant PFAS mixture, or a high-dose PFAS mixture. The environmentally relevant mixture was formulated to resemble measured tap water levels in Pittsboro, NC, USA (10 PFAS compounds; sum PFAS =758.6 ng/L). The high-dose PFAS load was 3.8 mg/L (5000×), within the range of exposures in the experimental literature. Exposure occurred seven days before mating until birth. Following exposure to PFAS-laden water or the vehicle during fetal development, neurobehavioral toxicity was assessed in male and female offspring with a battery of motor, cognitive, and affective function tests as juveniles, adolescents, and adults. Just before weaning, the environmentally relevant exposure group had smaller anogenital distances compared to the vehicle and high-dose groups on day 17, and males in the environmentally relevant exposure group demonstrated lower weights than the high-dose group on day 21 (p < 0.05). Reflex development delays were seen in negative geotaxis acquisition for both exposure groups compared to vehicle-exposed controls (p = 0.009). Our post-weaning behavioral measures of anxiety, depression, and memory were not found to be affected by maternal PFAS exposure. In adolescence (week five) and adulthood (week eight), the high PFAS dose significantly attenuated typical sex differences in locomotor activity. Maternal exposure to an environmentally relevant PFAS mixture produced developmental delays in the domains of pup weight, anogenital distance, and reflex acquisition for rat offspring. The high-dose PFAS exposure significantly decreased typical sex differences in locomotor activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Tianyi Zhu
- Duke University Global Health Institute, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Andrew B Hawkey
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL, USA
| | | | - Emi Yuan
- Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | | | - Edward D Levin
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Liping Feng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Liu L, Yan P, Liu X, Zhao J, Tian M, Huang Q, Yan J, Tong Z, Zhang Y, Zhang J, Zhang T, Guo J, Liu G, Bian X, Li B, Wang T, Wang H, Shen H. Profiles and transplacental transfer of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in maternal and umbilical cord blood: A birth cohort study in Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province, China. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 466:133501. [PMID: 38246060 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) can pass through the placental barrier and pose health risks to fetuses. However, exposure and transplacental transfer patterns of emerging PFAS remain unclear. Here, 24 PFAS were measured in paired maternal whole blood (n = 228), umbilical cord whole blood (n = 119) and serum (n = 120). Orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) was used to differentiate PFAS between different matrices. The transplacental transfer (TPT) of PFAS was calculated using cord to maternal whole blood concentration ratios. PFOS and PFOA were still the dominant PFAS in maternal samples. The emerging PFAS had higher TPT than PFOS and PFOA. Moreover, PFAS with the same chain length but different functional groups and C-F bonds showed different TPT, such as PFOS and PFOSA (C8, median: 0.090 vs. 0.305, p < 0.05) and PFHxS and 4:2 FTS (C6, median: 0.220 vs. 1.190, p < 0.05). A significant sex difference in 4:2 FTS (median: boys 1.250, girls 1.010, p < 0.05) were found. Furthermore, we observed a significant U-shaped trend for the TPT of carboxylates with increasing carbon chain length. PFAS showed a compound-specific transfer through placental barrier and a compound-specific distribution between different matrices in this study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liangpo Liu
- Department of Public Health Laboratory Sciences, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, PR China; Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, PR China; Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and Prevention (Shanxi Medical University), Ministry of Education, 030001, PR China
| | - Peixia Yan
- Department of Public Health Laboratory Sciences, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, PR China; Changping District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Changping, Beijing, 102200, PR China
| | - Xuan Liu
- Department of Public Health Laboratory Sciences, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, PR China
| | - Junxia Zhao
- Department of Public Health Laboratory Sciences, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, PR China
| | - Meiping Tian
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, PR China
| | - Qingyu Huang
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, PR China
| | - Jianbo Yan
- Key Laboratory of Health Risk Factors for Seafood of Zhejiang Province, Zhoushan Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhoushan, Zhejiang, 316021, PR China
| | - Zhendong Tong
- Key Laboratory of Health Risk Factors for Seafood of Zhejiang Province, Zhoushan Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhoushan, Zhejiang, 316021, PR China
| | - Yongli Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Health Risk Factors for Seafood of Zhejiang Province, Zhoushan Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhoushan, Zhejiang, 316021, PR China
| | - Jie Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Vaccine Development, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361002, China
| | - Tongjie Zhang
- Daishan County Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Daishan, Zhejiang 316200, PR China
| | - Jianquan Guo
- Department of Public Health Laboratory Sciences, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, PR China
| | - Guiying Liu
- Department of Public Health Laboratory Sciences, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, PR China
| | - Xia Bian
- Department of Public Health Laboratory Sciences, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, PR China
| | - Ben Li
- Department of Public Health Laboratory Sciences, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, PR China
| | - Tong Wang
- Department of Public Health Laboratory Sciences, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, PR China
| | - Heng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Health Risk Factors for Seafood of Zhejiang Province, Zhoushan Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhoushan, Zhejiang, 316021, PR China
| | - Heqing Shen
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Vaccine Development, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361002, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Antonopoulou M, Spyrou A, Tzamaria A, Efthimiou I, Triantafyllidis V. Current state of knowledge of environmental occurrence, toxic effects, and advanced treatment of PFOS and PFOA. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 913:169332. [PMID: 38123090 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are anthropogenic synthetic compounds, with high chemical and thermal stability and a persistent, stable and bioaccumulative nature that renders them a potential hazard for the environment, its organisms, and humans alike. Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are the most well-known substances of this category and even though they are phased out from production they are still highly detectable in several environmental matrices. As a result, they have been spread globally in water sources, soil and biota exerting toxic and detrimental effects. Therefore, up and coming technologies, namely advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) and advanced reduction processes (ARPs) are being tested for their implementation in the degradation of these pollutants. Thus, the present review compiles the current knowledge on the occurrence of PFOS and PFOA in the environment, the various toxic effects they have induced in different organisms as well as the ability of AOPs and ARPs to diminish and/or eliminate them from the environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Antonopoulou
- Department of Sustainable Agriculture, University of Patras, 30131 Agrinio, Greece.
| | - Alexandra Spyrou
- Department of Sustainable Agriculture, University of Patras, 30131 Agrinio, Greece
| | - Anna Tzamaria
- Department of Sustainable Agriculture, University of Patras, 30131 Agrinio, Greece
| | - Ioanna Efthimiou
- Department of Biology, Section of Genetics Cell Biology and Development, University of Patras, 26500 Patras, Greece
| | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Hartmann C, Kaiser AM, Moche W, Weiss S, Raffesberg W, Scharf S, Graf-Rohrmeister K, Thanhaeuser M, Haiden N, Uhl M. Persistent Organic Pollutants in Austrian Human Breast Milk Collected between 2013 and 2016. J Xenobiot 2024; 14:247-266. [PMID: 38390995 PMCID: PMC10885091 DOI: 10.3390/jox14010015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast milk holds an immense nutritional value as it contains health-promoting substances in a unique, optimal form. Additionally, breast milk's significance extends to health and environmental protection, as it serves as an indicator of both maternal and infant exposure. In this study, breast milk samples collected in 2013 and in 2014-2016 from mothers in Vienna (Austria) were analysed for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), as well as further substances which have been listed under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) due to their persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic properties. The total concentration of the PBDE congeners in the samples (n = 18, sampled 2013) ranged from 0.055 to 52 ng/g lipid, and from 0.002 to 2.5 ng/g breast milk. In the pooled sample, the sum of PBDEs was detected at a level of 4.4 ng/g lipid. Based on the 2014-2016 study population, certain PFAS were detected in all samples (n = 40). Exposure to the sum of four specific PFAS including perfluorooctanesulphonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluoro-n-nonanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluoro-1-hexanesulfonate (PFHxS) ranged between 0.014 and 0.12 ng/L breast milk. In the pooled sample, PFOS and PFOA were found in concentrations of 0.025 ng/g and of 0.045 ng/g, respectively. In addition, the first generation of POPs, mainly organochlorine compounds, was measured in a pooled sample of breast milk from participants sampled in 2014-2016 as part of the WHO/UNEP breast milk monitoring program and compared to the POPs measured in pooled samples collected in 1987/1988 and 1992/1993, respectively. Therefore, this paper demonstrates the effectiveness of the Stockholm Convention on POPs by comparing the Austrian results from the WHO/UNEP global breast milk study from 1987 to 2016. However, the data also show that, despite these reductions, health-relevant levels are still being reached, particularly in terms of children's health when the presence of the new generation of POPs, such as PBDEs and PFAS, in human breast milk is taken into account.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Wolfgang Moche
- Environment Agency Austria, Spittelauer Laende 5, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefan Weiss
- Environment Agency Austria, Spittelauer Laende 5, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Sigrid Scharf
- Environment Agency Austria, Spittelauer Laende 5, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Margarita Thanhaeuser
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Comprehensive Center for Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Nadja Haiden
- Department of Neonatology, Kepler University Hospital, Krankenhausstraße 26-30, 4020 Linz, Austria
| | - Maria Uhl
- Environment Agency Austria, Spittelauer Laende 5, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Xuan R, Qiu X, Wang J, Liu S, Magnuson JT, Xu B, Qiu W, Zheng C. Hepatotoxic response of perfluorooctane sulfonamide (PFOSA) in early life stage zebrafish (Danio rerio) is greater than perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 461:132552. [PMID: 37716261 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023]
Abstract
Perfluorooctane sulfonamide (PFOSA), a typical perfluorooctane sulfonate precursor (PreFOS), has been detected in the aquatic environment globally. However, the effects of PFOSA at levels measured in the environment have not been well characterized in aquatic organisms. In this study, we evaluated the transcriptional, biochemical, histopathological, and morphological effects of PFOSA to characterize the underlying mechanisms of toxicity by using a universal model in aquatic ecotoxicology, zebrafish (Danio rerio). Transcriptional changes in PFOSA-exposed zebrafish predicted hepatic fibrosis and associated immune function. Subsequent, sublethal impacts were observed, which included significant alterations in liver-specific protein levels, increased immune cell numbers, and liver pathological structural damage. In addition, we compared the effects caused by PFOSA and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) at the same exposure concentration and found a greater hepatotoxic effect of PFOSA relative to PFOS, indicating that the adverse impacts of PFOSA may be more severe. This was the first study to comparatively explore the hepatotoxic response of PFOSA and PFOS in aquatic organisms, which can be used for ecological risk assessments of PreFOS compounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rongrong Xuan
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo 315020, China
| | - Xiaojian Qiu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo 315020, China
| | - Jiazhen Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil and Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, 1088 Xueyuan Avenue, Nanshan District, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Shuai Liu
- Institute of Microbiology, Jiangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanchang 330096, China
| | - Jason T Magnuson
- US Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Bentuo Xu
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Ecological Treatment Technology for Urban Water Pollution, School of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Chashan University Town, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Wenhui Qiu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo 315020, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil and Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, 1088 Xueyuan Avenue, Nanshan District, Shenzhen 518055, China.
| | - Chunmiao Zheng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil and Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, 1088 Xueyuan Avenue, Nanshan District, Shenzhen 518055, China; EIT Institute for Advanced Study, 568 Tongxin Road, Zhenhai District, Ningbo 315410, China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Lu W, Ahmed W, Mahmood M, Wenjie O, Jiannan L, Yunting W, Jie Y, Wenxin X, Xiuxian F, Zhao H, Liu W, Li W, Mehmood S. A study on the effectiveness of sodium selenite in treating cadmium and perfluoro octane sulfonic (PFOS) poisoned zebrafish (Danio rerio). Biol Trace Elem Res 2024; 202:319-331. [PMID: 37020163 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-023-03654-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
Perfluoro octane sulfonate (PFOS) and cadmium (Cd) are toxic elements in the environment. As a micronutrient trace element, selenium (Se) can mitigate the adverse effects induced by PFOS and Cd. However, few studies have examined the correlation between Se, PFOS and Cd in fish. The present study focused on the antagonistic effects of Se on PFOS+Cd-induced accumulation in the liver of zebrafish. The fish was exposed to PFOS (0.08mg/L), Cd (1mg/L), PFOS+ Cd (0.08 mg/L PFOS+1 mg/L Cd), L-Se (0.07mg/L Sodium selenite +0.08mg/L PFOS+1mg/L Cd), M-Se (0.35mg/L Sodium selenite + 0.08mg/L PFOS+ 1 mg/L Cd), H-Se (1.75 mg/L Sodium selenite + 0.08 mg/L PFOS+ 1mg/L Cd) for 14d. The addition of selenium to fish exposed to PFOS and Cd has been found to have significant positive effects. Specifically, selenium treatments can alleviate the adverse effects of PFOS and Cd on fish growth, with a 23.10% improvement observed with the addition of T6 compared to T4. In addition, selenium can alleviate the negative effects of PFOS and Cd on antioxidant enzymes in zebrafish liver, thus reducing the liver toxicity caused by PFOS and Cd. Overall, the supplementation of selenium can reduce the health risks to fish and mitigate the injuries caused by PFOS and Cd in zebrafish.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wang Lu
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
- Center for Eco-Environment Restoration Engineering of Hainan Province, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
| | - Waqas Ahmed
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
- Center for Eco-Environment Restoration Engineering of Hainan Province, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
| | - Mohsin Mahmood
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
- Center for Eco-Environment Restoration Engineering of Hainan Province, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
| | - Ou Wenjie
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
- Center for Eco-Environment Restoration Engineering of Hainan Province, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
| | - Li Jiannan
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
- Center for Eco-Environment Restoration Engineering of Hainan Province, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
| | - Wang Yunting
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
- Center for Eco-Environment Restoration Engineering of Hainan Province, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
| | - Yang Jie
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
- Center for Eco-Environment Restoration Engineering of Hainan Province, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
| | - Xu Wenxin
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
- Center for Eco-Environment Restoration Engineering of Hainan Province, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
| | - Fu Xiuxian
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
- Center for Eco-Environment Restoration Engineering of Hainan Province, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
| | - Hongwei Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
- Center for Eco-Environment Restoration Engineering of Hainan Province, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
| | - Wenjie Liu
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
- Center for Eco-Environment Restoration Engineering of Hainan Province, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
| | - Weidong Li
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China.
- Center for Eco-Environment Restoration Engineering of Hainan Province, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China.
| | - Sajid Mehmood
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China.
- Center for Eco-Environment Restoration Engineering of Hainan Province, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Bresnahan CG, Schutt TC, Shukla MK. Exploration of functionalizing graphene and the subsequent impact on PFAS adsorption capabilities via molecular dynamics. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 345:140462. [PMID: 37866495 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are extremely stable compounds due to their strong C-F bonds. They are used in water and stain proof coatings, aqueous film forming foams for fire suppression, cosmetics, paints, adhesives, etc. PFAS have been found in soils and waterways around the world due to their widespread usage and recalcitrance to degradation. Development of selective adsorbent materials is necessary to effectively capture a vast family of PFAS structures in order to remediate PFAS contamination in the environment. The work herein is focused on extracting design principles from molecular dynamics simulations of PFAS with functionalized graphene materials. Simulations examined how PFBA, PFOA, and PFOS interact with graphene, graphene oxide, nitrogen group-functionalized graphene oxide, partially fluorinated graphene flakes, and fully fluorinated flakes. Five flakes were used in each simulation to examine how interactions between flakes may lead to competitive interactions with respect to PFAS or formation of pores. Our study revealed that both the clustering mechanisms of the flakes and functional groups on the flake play a role in PFAS adsorption. The most effective functionalizations for PFAS adsorption are as follows: pristine graphene ≈ fully fluorinated > graphene oxide ≈ partially fluorinated > amine and amide functionalized graphene oxide flake. Long chain PFAS and sulfonate PFAS had higher propensity to adsorb to the materials compared to short chain PFAS and carboxylic head groups.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin G Bresnahan
- US Army Corps of Engineers, Engineer Research and Development Center, Environmental Laboratory, Vicksburg, MS 39180, United States.
| | - Timothy C Schutt
- US Army Corps of Engineers, Engineer Research and Development Center, Environmental Laboratory, Vicksburg, MS 39180, United States
| | - Manoj K Shukla
- US Army Corps of Engineers, Engineer Research and Development Center, Environmental Laboratory, Vicksburg, MS 39180, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Du M, Liu J, Huang B, Wang Q, Wang F, Bi L, Ma C, Song M, Jiang G. Spatial nanopores promote laccase degradation of bisphenol A and its analogs. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 901:166429. [PMID: 37619739 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Bisphenol A (BPA) and its analogs are endocrine-disrupting chemicals that are frequently detected in environmental and human samples. However, the effective removal of BPA and its analogs has not yet been extensively studied. Herein, we introduce a novel enzyme reactor for the degradation of BPA and its analogs in water. The influence of pore size on the degradation efficiency of immobilized laccase in the spatial nanopores of hydrogel was investigated using BPA as a representative compound. This showed that nanopores enhance the activity of immobilized laccases in a pore size-dependent manner and increase their stability. Compared with the same amount of free laccase, the 50 mg/L BPA degradation performance of laccase immobilized in 76 nm nanopores increased to 300 %. Taking advantage of magnetic separation, this immobilized laccase can be reused, and its degradation capacity was maintained at over 73.7 % after ten reactions. Moreover, the degradation of seven BPA analogs was 1.03-5.88 times higher using laccase immobilized in nanopores compared with free laccase. Also, the biocatalyst could efficiently degrade BPA analogs in real water matrix. This study opens up a new avenue for the removal of BPA and its analogs by immobilizing laccase in nanopores, overcoming the key limitations introduced by the short enzyme life span and non-reusability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mei Du
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jingzhang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Bang Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100085, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental and Health Effects of Persistent Toxic Substances, Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, 430056 Wuhan, China
| | - Qiong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Fengbang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Lei Bi
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Chunyan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Maoyong Song
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Guibin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Sonnenberg NK, Ojewole AE, Ojewole CO, Lucky OP, Kusi J. Trends in Serum Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance (PFAS) Concentrations in Teenagers and Adults, 1999-2018 NHANES. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6984. [PMID: 37947542 PMCID: PMC10648322 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20216984] [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: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Some types of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been banned over the last two decades, but millions of Americans continue to have exposure to the compounds through drinking water and consumer products. Therefore, understanding the changes in serum PFAS concentrations after their limited use is necessary to protect public health. In this study, we evaluated trends of serum PFAS compounds (PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS, PFDA, and PFNA) to determine their distribution among the United States general population. We analyzed serum concentrations of PFAS measured from random subsamples of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) participants. The study results demonstrated that demographic factors such as race/ethnicity, age, and sex may influence the levels of serum PFAS over time. Adults, males, Asians, Non-Hispanic Blacks, and Non-Hispanic Whites had high risks of exposure to the selected PFAS. Overall, serum PFAS levels declined continuously in the studied population from 1999 to 2018. Among the studied population, PFOS and PFDA were the most and least prevalent PFAS in blood serum, respectively. Serum levels of PFDA, PFOA, and PFHxS showed upward trends in at least one racial/ethnic group after 2016, which underscores the need for continuous biomonitoring of PFAS levels in humans and the environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Joseph Kusi
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, 44 Circle Drive, Campus Box 1099, Edwardsville, IL 62026, USA; (N.K.S.); (A.E.O.); (C.O.O.); (O.P.L.)
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Lynch MT, Lay CR, Sokolinski S, Antezana A, Ghio C, Chiu WA, Rogers R. Community-facing toxicokineticmodels to estimate PFAS serum levels based on life history and drinking water exposures. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 176:107974. [PMID: 37245445 PMCID: PMC11017972 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107974] [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: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are drinking water contaminants. Tools to assess the potential body burden associated with drinking PFAS-contaminated water may be helpful for public health assessment of exposed communities. METHODS We implemented a suite of one-compartment toxicokinetic models using extensively calibrated toxicokinetic parameters (half-life and volume of distribution). We implemented the models both in the R programming language for research purposes, and as a web estimator for the general public (built in typescript.js). These models simulate exposure to PFAS water concentrations for individuals with varying characteristics such as age, sex, weight, and breastfeeding history. The models account for variability and uncertainty in parameter inputs to produce Monte Carlo-based estimates of serum concentration. For children, the models additionally account for gestational exposure, lactational exposure, and potential exposure through formula feeding. For adults who have borne children, the models account for clearance through birth and breastfeeding. We ran simulations of individuals with known PFAS water and serum concentrations to evaluate the model. We then compared the predicted serum PFAS concentrations to measured data. RESULTS The models accurately estimate individual-level serum levels for each PFAS for most adults within ½ order of magnitude. We found that the models somewhat overestimated serum concentrations for children in the tested locations, and that these overestimates are generally within an order of magnitude. DISCUSSION This paper presents scientifically robust models that allow users to estimate serum PFAS concentrations based on known PFAS water concentrations and physiologic information. However, accuracy in historical water concentration inputs, exposure from non-drinking water sources, and life-history characteristics of individuals present a complex problem for individual estimation. Additional refinements to the model suite to improve the prediction of individual results may consist of including duration of exposure and additional life-history characteristics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meghan T Lynch
- Abt Associates, 10 Fawcett Street, Suite 5, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA.
| | - Claire R Lay
- Abt Associates, 10 Fawcett Street, Suite 5, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA
| | - Sara Sokolinski
- Abt Associates, 10 Fawcett Street, Suite 5, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA
| | - Adriana Antezana
- Abt Associates, 10 Fawcett Street, Suite 5, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA
| | - Carleen Ghio
- Abt Associates, 10 Fawcett Street, Suite 5, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA
| | - Weihsueh A Chiu
- Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, 4466 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Rachel Rogers
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), 4770 Buford Highway, NE, Atlanta, GA 30341-3717, USA
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Wu Y, Bao J, Liu Y, Wang X, Qu W. A Review on Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Pregnant Women: Maternal Exposure, Placental Transfer, and Relevant Model Simulation. TOXICS 2023; 11:430. [PMID: 37235245 PMCID: PMC10224256 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11050430] [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: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are important and ubiquitous environmental contaminants worldwide. These novel contaminants can enter human bodies via various pathways, subsequently posing risks to the ecosystem and human health. The exposure of pregnant women to PFASs might pose risks to the health of mothers and the growth and development of fetuses. However, little information is available about the placental transfer of PFASs from mothers to fetuses and the related mechanisms through model simulation. In the present study, based upon a review of previously published literature, we initially summarized the exposure pathways of PFASs in pregnant women, factors affecting the efficiency of placental transfer, and mechanisms associated with placental transfer; outlined simulation analysis approaches using molecular docking and machine learning to reveal the mechanisms of placental transfer; and finally highlighted future research emphases that need to be focused on. Consequently, it was notable that the binding of PFASs to proteins during placental transfer could be simulated by molecular docking and that the placental transfer efficiency of PFASs could also be predicted by machine learning. Therefore, future research on the maternal-fetal transfer mechanisms of PFASs with the benefit of simulation analysis approaches is warranted to provide a scientific basis for the health effects of PFASs on newborns.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jia Bao
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shenyang University of Technology, Shenyang 110870, China
| | - Yang Liu
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shenyang University of Technology, Shenyang 110870, China
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Holder C, DeLuca N, Luh J, Alexander P, Minucci JM, Vallero DA, Thomas K, Cohen Hubal EA. Systematic Evidence Mapping of Potential Exposure Pathways for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Based on Measured Occurrence in Multiple Media. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:5107-5116. [PMID: 36940151 PMCID: PMC11131971 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c07185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Given that human biomonitoring surveys show per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to be ubiquitous, humans can be exposed to PFAS through various sources, including drinking water, food, and indoor environmental media. Data on the nature and level of PFAS in residential environments are required to identify important pathways for human exposure. This work investigated important pathways of exposure to PFAS by reviewing, curating, and mapping evidence for the measured occurrence of PFAS in exposure media. Real-world occurrence for 20 PFAS was targeted primarily in media commonly related to human exposure (outdoor and indoor air, indoor dust, drinking water, food, food packaging, articles, and products, and soil). A systematic-mapping process was implemented to conduct title-abstract and full-text screening and to extract PECO-relevant primary data into comprehensive evidence databases. Parameters of interest included the following: sampling dates and locations, numbers of collection sites and participants, detection frequencies, and occurrence statistics. Detailed data were extracted on PFAS occurrence in indoor and environmental media from 229 references and on PFAS occurrence in human matrices where available from those references. Studies of PFAS occurrence became numerous after 2005. Studies were most abundant for PFOA (80% of the references) and PFOS (77%). Many studies analyzed additional PFAS, particularly, PFNA and PFHxS (60% of references each). Food (38%) and drinking water (23%) were the commonly studied media. Most studies found detectable levels of PFAS, and detectable levels were reported in a majority of states in the United States. Half or more of the limited studies for indoor air and products detected PFAS in 50% or more of the collected samples. The resulting databases can inform problem formulation for systematic reviews to address specific PFAS exposure queries and questions, support prioritization of PFAS sampling, and inform PFAS exposure measurement studies. The search strategy should be extended and implemented to support living evidence review in this rapidly advancing area.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chris Holder
- ICF, Durham, North Carolina 27713, United States
| | - Nicole DeLuca
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. EPA, Office of Research and Development, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, United States
| | - Jeanne Luh
- ICF, Durham, North Carolina 27713, United States
| | | | - Jeffrey M Minucci
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. EPA, Office of Research and Development, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, United States
| | - Daniel A Vallero
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, U.S. EPA, Office of Research and Development, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, United States
| | - Kent Thomas
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. EPA, Office of Research and Development, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, United States
| | - Elaine A Cohen Hubal
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. EPA, Office of Research and Development, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, United States
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Timmermann A, Avenbuan ON, Romano ME, Braun JM, Tolstrup JS, Vandenberg LN, Fenton SE. Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Breastfeeding as a Vulnerable Function: A Systematic Review of Epidemiological Studies. TOXICS 2023; 11:325. [PMID: 37112552 PMCID: PMC10145877 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11040325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Milk formation in the breast during breastfeeding is a complex hormonally regulated process, potentially sensitive to the effects of endocrine-disrupting chemical exposures. The environmental chemicals, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are known endocrine disruptors. PFAS exposure have been associated with insufficient mammary gland development in mice and reduced breastfeeding duration in humans. The aim of this review was to gather the epidemiological evidence on the association between PFAS exposure and breastfeeding duration. Using PubMed and Embase, we performed a systematic literature search (on 23 January 2023) to identify epidemiological studies examining the association between maternal PFAS exposure and breastfeeding duration. Animal studies, reviews, and non-English studies were excluded. The risk of bias was assessed using the risk of bias in non-randomized studies of exposures tool. Estimates describing the association between PFAS exposure and the duration of breastfeeding were identified, and the data were synthesized separately for each type of PFAS and for the duration of exclusive and total breastfeeding. Six studies with between 336 and 2374 participants each were identified. PFAS exposure was assessed in serum samples (five studies) or based on residential address (one study). Five out of six studies found shorter total duration of breastfeeding with higher PFAS exposure. The most consistent associations were seen for perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA). The finding of a potential causal association between PFAS exposure and breastfeeding duration is in agreement with findings from experimental studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amalie Timmermann
- National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, 1455 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Oyemwenosa N. Avenbuan
- Curriculum in Toxicology and Environmental Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27 599-7325, USA
| | - Megan E. Romano
- Department of Epidemiology, Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, Hanover, NH 03 755, USA
| | - Joseph M. Braun
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University, Providence, RI 02 903, USA
| | - Janne S. Tolstrup
- National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, 1455 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Laura N. Vandenberg
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA 01 003, USA
| | - Suzanne E. Fenton
- Mechanistic Toxicology Branch, Division of the National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC 27 709, USA
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Eriksson P, Johansson N, Viberg H, Buratovic S, Fredriksson A. Perfluorinated chemicals (PFOA) can, by interacting with highly brominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE 209) during a defined period of neonatal brain development, exacerbate neurobehavioural defects. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2023; 96:107150. [PMID: 36584763 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2022.107150] [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: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are ubiquitous persistent environmental compounds, present in humans and at higher levels in infants/children than in adults. This study shows that co-exposure to pentadecafluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and 2,2',3,3',4,4',5,5',6,6'-decaBDE (PBDE 209) can significantly exacerbate developmental neurobehavioural defects. Neonatal male NMRI mice, 3 and 10 days old, were exposed perorally to PBDE 209 (1.4 or 8.0 μmol/kg bw), PFOA (1.4 or 14 μmol/kg bw), co-exposed to PBDE 209 and PFOA (at the given doses), or a vehicle (20% fat emulsion) and observed for spontaneous behaviour in a novel home environment when 2 and 4 months old. The behavioural defects observed included hyperactivity and reduced habituation indicating cognitive defects. This interaction appears most likely dependent on the presence of PBDE 209 and/or its metabolites together with PFOA, during a defined critical period of neonatal brain development, corresponding to the perinatal and newborn period in humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Per Eriksson
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Niclas Johansson
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Henrik Viberg
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sonja Buratovic
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anders Fredriksson
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
LaKind JS, Naiman J, Verner MA, Lévêque L, Fenton S. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in breast milk and infant formula: A global issue. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 219:115042. [PMID: 36529330 PMCID: PMC9872587 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.115042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are transferred from mother to infants through breastfeeding, a time when children may be particularly vulnerable to PFAS-mediated adverse health effects. Infants can also be exposed to PFAS from infant formula consumption. Our recent literature-based scoping of breast milk levels reported that four PFAS often exceeded the United States Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) children's drinking water screening levels in both the general population and highly impacted communities in the U.S. and Canada. This work presents a comparison of global breast milk and infant formula PFAS measurements with the only reported health-based drinking water screening values specific to children. METHODS We focused on four PFAS for which ATSDR has developed children's drinking water screening values: PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid), PFOS (perfluorooctanesulfonic acid), PFHxS (perfluorohexanesulfonic acid), and PFNA (perfluorononanoic acid). Published literature on PFAS levels in breast milk and infant formula were identified via PubMed searches. Data were compared to children's drinking water screening values. DISCUSSION Breast milk concentrations of PFOA and PFOS often exceed children's drinking water screening values, regardless of geographic location. The limited information on infant formula suggests its use does not necessarily result in lower PFAS exposures, especially for formulas reconstituted with drinking water containing PFAS. Unfortunately, individuals generally cannot know whether their infant's exposures exceed children's drinking water screening values. Thus, it is essential that pregnant and lactating women and others, especially those having lived in PFAS-contaminated communities, have data required to make informed decisions on infant nutrition. An international monitoring effort and access to affordable testing are needed for breast milk, drinking water and infant formula to fully understand infant PFAS exposures. Currently, our understanding of demonstrable methods for reducing exposures to emerging PFAS is limited, making this research and the communications surrounding it even more important.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Judy S LaKind
- LaKind Associates, LLC, 106 Oakdale Avenue, Catonsville, MD 21228, USA; Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 655 W Baltimore St, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
| | - Josh Naiman
- Naiman Associates, LLC, 504 S 44th St, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
| | - Marc-Andre Verner
- Departement of Occuptional and Environmental Health, Université de Montréal School of Public Health, 2375 Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Office 4105, Montreal (Québec) H3T 1A8 Canada; Centre de Recherche en Santé Publique (CReSP), Université de Montréal and CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, CP 6128, Succursale Centre-Ville, Montreal (Québec) H3C 3J7 Canada.
| | - Laura Lévêque
- Departement of Occuptional and Environmental Health, Université de Montréal School of Public Health, 2375 Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Office 4105, Montreal (Québec) H3T 1A8 Canada; Centre de Recherche en Santé Publique (CReSP), Université de Montréal and CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, CP 6128, Succursale Centre-Ville, Montreal (Québec) H3C 3J7 Canada.
| | - Suzanne Fenton
- Mechanistic Toxicology Branch, Division of Translational Toxicology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 111 TW Alexander Dr, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
East A, Dawson DE, Brady S, Vallero DA, Tornero-Velez R. A Scoping Assessment of Implemented Toxicokinetic Models of Per- and Polyfluoro-Alkyl Substances, with a Focus on One-Compartment Models. TOXICS 2023; 11:163. [PMID: 36851038 PMCID: PMC9964825 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11020163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Toxicokinetic (TK) models have been used for decades to estimate concentrations of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in serum. However, model complexity has varied across studies depending on the application and the state of the science. This scoping effort seeks to systematically map the current landscape of PFAS TK models by categorizing different trends and similarities across model type, PFAS, and use scenario. A literature review using Web of Science and SWIFT-Review was used to identify TK models used for PFAS. The assessment covered publications from 2005-2020. PFOA, the PFAS for which most models were designed, was included in 69 of the 92 papers, followed by PFOS with 60, PFHxS with 22, and PFNA with 15. Only 4 of the 92 papers did not include analysis of PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, or PFHxS. Within the corpus, 50 papers contained a one-compartment model, 17 two-compartment models were found, and 33 used physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBTK) models. The scoping assessment suggests that scientific interest has centered around two chemicals-PFOA and PFOS-and most analyses use one-compartment models in human exposure scenarios.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander East
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, 109 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
- Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, USA
- ToxStrategies LLC, 31B College Place, Asheville, NC 28801, USA
| | - Daniel E. Dawson
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, 109 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Sydney Brady
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, 109 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
- Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, USA
| | - Daniel A. Vallero
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, 109 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Rogelio Tornero-Velez
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, 109 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Criswell RL, Wang Y, Christensen B, Botelho JC, Calafat AM, Peterson LA, Huset CA, Karagas MR, Romano ME. Concentrations of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Paired Maternal Plasma and Human Milk in the New Hampshire Birth Cohort. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:463-472. [PMID: 36574487 PMCID: PMC9837617 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c05555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are environmentally persistent endocrine-disrupting chemicals associated with long-term health outcomes. PFAS are transferred from maternal blood to human milk, an important exposure source for infants, and understanding of this transfer is evolving. We characterized concentrations of 10 PFAS in human milk (n = 426) and compared milk-to-plasma concentrations of 9 PFAS among a subset of women with paired samples (n = 294) from the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study using liquid chromatography-isotope dilution tandem mass spectrometry. We examined the relationship between perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in plasma versus milk and fit linear regression models to assess relationships between milk PFOA and PFOS and participant characteristics. The median plasma PFOA concentration was 0.94 ng/mL (interquartile range, IQR, 0.59-1.34) and that of PFOS was 2.60 ng/mL (IQR 1.80-3.90); the median milk PFOA concentration was 0.017 ng/mL (IQR 0.012-0.027) and that of PFOS was 0.024 ng/mL (IQR 0.016-0.036). PFOA and PFOS plasma and milk concentrations showed correlations of ρ = 0.83 and 0.77, respectively (p < 0.001). Parity, previous lactation, week of milk collection, and body mass index were inversely associated with milk PFAS. We estimate that even among our general population cohort, some infants (∼6.5%) are exposed to amounts of PFAS via milk that may have long-term health impacts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Yuting Wang
- Department of Epidemiology, The Geisel
School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, New Hampshire 03755,
United States
| | - Brock Christensen
- Department of Epidemiology, The Geisel
School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, New Hampshire 03755,
United States
| | - Julianne C. Botelho
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333,
United States
| | - Antonia M. Calafat
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333,
United States
| | - Lisa A. Peterson
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences,
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455,
United States
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of
Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United
States
| | - Carin A. Huset
- Minnesota Department of Health,
St. Paul, Minnesota 55101, United States
| | - Margaret R. Karagas
- Department of Epidemiology, The Geisel
School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, New Hampshire 03755,
United States
| | - Megan E. Romano
- Department of Epidemiology, The Geisel
School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, New Hampshire 03755,
United States
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
How the Structure of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Influences Their Binding Potency to the Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated and Thyroid Hormone Receptors-An In Silico Screening Study. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 28:molecules28020479. [PMID: 36677537 PMCID: PMC9866891 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28020479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we investigated PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) binding potencies to nuclear hormone receptors (NHRs): peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) α, β, and γ and thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) α and β. We have simulated the docking scores of 43 perfluoroalkyl compounds and based on these data developed QSAR (Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship) models for predicting the binding probability to five receptors. In the next step, we implemented the developed QSAR models for the screening approach of a large group of compounds (4464) from the NORMAN Database. The in silico analyses indicated that the probability of PFAS binding to the receptors depends on the chain length, the number of fluorine atoms, and the number of branches in the molecule. According to the findings, the considered PFAS group bind to the PPARα, β, and γ only with low or moderate probability, while in the case of TR α and β it is similar except that those chemicals with longer chains show a moderately high probability of binding.
Collapse
|
24
|
Blomberg AJ, Norén E, Haug LS, Lindh C, Sabaredzovic A, Pineda D, Jakobsson K, Nielsen C. Estimated Transfer of Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) from Maternal Serum to Breast Milk in Women Highly Exposed from Contaminated Drinking Water: A Study in the Ronneby Mother-Child Cohort. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2023; 131:17005. [PMID: 36688826 PMCID: PMC9869870 DOI: 10.1289/ehp11292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infancy perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure from breastfeeding is partially determined by the transfer efficiencies (TEs) of PFAS from maternal serum into breast milk. However, to our knowledge there are no studies of such TEs in highly exposed populations. OBJECTIVES We estimated the TEs of PFAS from maternal serum into colostrum and breast milk in a cohort of women with a wide range of PFAS exposures. METHODS The Ronneby Mother-Child Cohort was established in 2015 after PFAS contamination was discovered in the public drinking water of Ronneby, Sweden. We measured seven PFAS in matched samples of maternal serum at delivery and colostrum and breast milk. We calculated the TE (in percentage) as the ratio of PFAS in colostrum or breast milk to serum multiplied by 100 and evaluated whether TEs varied by PFAS, lactation stage, or exposure level using a series of linear mixed-effects models with a random intercept for each woman. RESULTS This study included 126 mothers. PFAS associated with firefighting foams [i.e., perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS)] were substantially elevated in the serum, colostrum, and breast milk samples of highly exposed women in the cohort and showed strong correlation. PFHxS and PFOS also contributed the largest fraction of total PFAS on average in colostrum and breast milk. Median TEs varied from 0.9% to 4.3% and were higher for perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids, including perfluorooctanoic acid, than perfluoroalkane sulfonic acids, including PFHxS and PFOS. TEs varied by exposure level, but there was not a consistent pattern in this variation. DISCUSSION PFAS concentrations in the colostrum and breast milk of highly exposed women were higher than the concentrations in low-exposed women, and TEs were of a similar magnitude across exposure categories. This implies that breastfeeding may be an important route of PFAS exposure for breastfeeding infants with highly exposed mothers, although the relative contribution of breastfeeding vs. prenatal transplacental transfer remains to be clarified. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP11292.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Annelise J. Blomberg
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Erika Norén
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Line S. Haug
- Department of Food Safety, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Christian Lindh
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Daniela Pineda
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Kristina Jakobsson
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Christel Nielsen
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Chi ZH, Goodyer CG, Hales BF, Bayen S. Characterization of different contaminants and current knowledge for defining chemical mixtures in human milk: A review. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 171:107717. [PMID: 36630790 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Hundreds of xenobiotics, with very diverse origins, have been detected in human milk, including contaminants of emerging concern, personal care products and other current-use substances reflecting lifestyle. The routes of exposure to these chemicals include dermal absorption, ingestion and inhalation. Specific families of chemicals are dominant among human milk monitoring studies (e.g., organochlorine pesticides, bisphenol A, dioxins), even though other understudied families may be equally toxicologically relevant (e.g., food-processing chemicals, current-use plasticizers and flame retardants, mycotoxins). Importantly, the lack of reliable human milk monitoring data for some individual chemicals and, especially, for complex mixtures, is a major factor hindering risk assessment. Non-targeted screening can be used as an effective tool to identify unknown contaminants of concern in human milk. This approach, in combination with novel methods to conduct risk assessments on the chemical mixtures detected in human milk, will assist in elucidating exposures that may have adverse effects on the development of breastfeeding infants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Hao Chi
- Department of Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry, McGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Road, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9, Canada
| | - Cindy Gates Goodyer
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Barbara F Hales
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Stéphane Bayen
- Department of Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry, McGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Road, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Xu P, Zheng Y, Wang X, Shen H, Wu L, Chen Y, Xu D, Xiang J, Cheng P, Chen Z, Lou X. Breastfed infants' exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances: A cross-sectional study of a municipal waste incinerator in China. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 309:136639. [PMID: 36183877 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
A municipal waste incinerator (MWI) in Zhejiang, China, operating since 2008 was completely reconstructed from 2016 to 2019. In 2013, we conducted a cross-sectional study of breastfeeding mothers living near the MWI. We evaluated the concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in the mothers' breast milk and their infants' estimated daily intake (EDI). To investigate the temporal variations of these pollutants, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 29 mothers in 2019. We assessed the levels of 18 PCB congeners, 17 PCDD/F congeners, and 21 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) congeners in breast milk and estimated the EDI. The mean total concentrations of PCDD/Fs (ΣPCDD/Fs) and PCBs (ΣPCBs) were 81.2 and 4.90 ng/g lipid, respectively, while the toxic equivalent quantity (TEQ) levels of ΣPCDD/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs (ΣDL-PCBs) were 2.7 and 1.4 pg WHO-TEQ/g lipid, respectively. Compared to our 2013 measurements, the mass concentrations of ΣPCDD/Fs and ΣPCBs decreased by 13% and 35%, respectively (3.361 vs. 2.915 pg/g wet weight [ww] and 269.1 vs. 175.0 pg/g ww, respectively). The TEQ-ΣPCDD/F levels decreased by 67% (0.241 vs. 0.080 pg/g ww), but the TEQ-ΣDL-PCB levels increased by 11% (0.046 vs. 0.051 pg WHO-TEQ/g ww). The median concentration of PFASs was 0.250 ng/mL, ranging from 0.151 to 0.833 ng/mL. The infants' mean EDI of total PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs was 17.7 pg TEQ/kg body weight [bw], representing a 20% decline compared to 2013. The average EDI levels of PFOS, PFOA, and PFNA were 5.8, 17.9, and 1.7 ng/kg bw, respectively. A comprehensive comparison of the results with studies from around the world showed that the potential health risks posed by legacy PCDD/F and PCB pollutants were not as grave for mothers and infants living near this MWI, but the emerging PFAS pollutants represented a new cause for concern. MAIN FINDINGS: The potential health risks posed by legacy PCDD/F and PCB pollutants were not particularly serious for mothers and infants living near the MWI, but the emerging PFAS pollutants raised new concerns.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peiwei Xu
- Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 3399 Bin Sheng Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou, 310051, China
| | - Yibin Zheng
- Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 3399 Bin Sheng Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou, 310051, China
| | - Xiaofeng Wang
- Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 3399 Bin Sheng Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou, 310051, China
| | - Haitao Shen
- Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 3399 Bin Sheng Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou, 310051, China
| | - Lizhi Wu
- Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 3399 Bin Sheng Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou, 310051, China
| | - Yuan Chen
- Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 3399 Bin Sheng Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou, 310051, China
| | - Dandan Xu
- Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 3399 Bin Sheng Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou, 310051, China
| | - Jie Xiang
- Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 3399 Bin Sheng Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou, 310051, China
| | - Ping Cheng
- Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 3399 Bin Sheng Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou, 310051, China
| | - Zhijian Chen
- Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 3399 Bin Sheng Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou, 310051, China.
| | - Xiaoming Lou
- Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 3399 Bin Sheng Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou, 310051, China.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Oh J, Shin HM, Kannan K, Busgang SA, Schmidt RJ, Schweitzer JB, Hertz-Picciotto I, Bennett DH. Childhood exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and neurodevelopment in the CHARGE case-control study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 215:114322. [PMID: 36108719 PMCID: PMC9976729 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are shown to have neurotoxic effects on animals, but epidemiological evidence for associations between childhood PFAS exposure and neurodevelopment is inconclusive. We examined if childhood PFAS concentrations are associated with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), developmental delay (DD), and other early concerns (OEC) in development. METHODS We included 551 children 2-5 years old from the CHildhood Autism Risks from Genetics and Environment (CHARGE) case-control study. Children were clinically diagnosed and classified as having ASD, DD, OEC, and typical development (TD). Fourteen PFAS were quantified in child serum samples collected when diagnostic assessments were performed. We used multinomial logistic regression models to investigate the cross-sectional associations of individual PFAS concentrations with neurodevelopmental outcomes and weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression models with repeated holdout validation to investigate the associations with PFAS mixtures. RESULTS Childhood perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was associated with increased odds of ASD (odds ratio [OR] per ln ng/mL increase: 1.99, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.20, 3.29) and DD (OR: 2.16, 95% CI: 1.21, 3.84) versus TD. Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA) was associated with increased odds of ASD (OR: 1.61, 95% CI: 1.21, 2.13). However, perfluroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA) was associated with decreased odds of ASD (OR: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.26, 0.69). From mixture analyses, the WQS index was associated with increased odds of ASD (average OR: 1.57, 5th and 95th percentile: 1.16, 2.13). Child's sex and homeownership modified associations of perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) with DD and ASD, respectively. CONCLUSIONS In this case-control study, childhood PFOA, PFHpA, and a PFAS mixture was associated with increased odds of ASD, while PFUnDA was associated with decreased odds of ASD. Because we used concurrent measurements of PFAS, our results do not imply causal relationships and thus need to be interpreted with caution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiwon Oh
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California at Davis (UC Davis), Davis, CA, USA.
| | - Hyeong-Moo Shin
- Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA
| | - Kurunthachalam Kannan
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, USA; Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA; Department of Pediatrics and Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Stefanie A Busgang
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rebecca J Schmidt
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California at Davis (UC Davis), Davis, CA, USA; UC Davis MIND (Medical Investigations of Neurodevelopmental Disorders) Institute, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Julie B Schweitzer
- UC Davis MIND (Medical Investigations of Neurodevelopmental Disorders) Institute, Sacramento, CA, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California at Davis (UC Davis), Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Irva Hertz-Picciotto
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California at Davis (UC Davis), Davis, CA, USA; UC Davis MIND (Medical Investigations of Neurodevelopmental Disorders) Institute, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Deborah H Bennett
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California at Davis (UC Davis), Davis, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Sinioja T, Bodin J, Duberg D, Dirven H, Berntsen HF, Zimmer K, Nygaard UC, Orešič M, Hyötyläinen T. Exposure to persistent organic pollutants alters the serum metabolome in non-obese diabetic mice. Metabolomics 2022; 18:87. [PMID: 36329300 PMCID: PMC9633531 DOI: 10.1007/s11306-022-01945-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Autoimmune disorders such as type 1 diabetes (T1D) are believed to be caused by the interplay between several genetic and environmental factors. Elucidation of the role of environmental factors in metabolic and immune dysfunction leading to autoimmune disease is not yet well characterized. OBJECTIVES Here we investigated the impact of exposure to a mixture of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) on the metabolome in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice, an experimental model of T1D. The mixture contained organochlorides, organobromides, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). METHODS Analysis of molecular lipids (lipidomics) and bile acids in serum samples was performed by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS, while polar metabolites were analyzed by GC-Q-TOF/MS. RESULTS Experimental exposure to the POP mixture in these mice led to several metabolic changes, which were similar to those previously reported as associated with PFAS exposure, as well as risk of T1D in human studies. This included an increase in the levels of sugar derivatives, triacylglycerols and lithocholic acid, and a decrease in long chain fatty acids and several lipid classes, including phosphatidylcholines, lysophosphatidylcholines and sphingomyelins. CONCLUSION Taken together, our study demonstrates that exposure to POPs results in an altered metabolic signature previously associated with autoimmunity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tim Sinioja
- School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, 702 81, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Johanna Bodin
- Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, 0456, Oslo, Norway
| | - Daniel Duberg
- School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, 702 81, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Hubert Dirven
- Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, 0456, Oslo, Norway
| | - Hanne Friis Berntsen
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 1432, Ås, Norway
- National Institute of Occupational Health, 0363, Oslo, Norway
| | - Karin Zimmer
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 1432, Ås, Norway
| | - Unni C Nygaard
- Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, 0456, Oslo, Norway
| | - Matej Orešič
- School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, 702 81, Örebro, Sweden
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, 20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Tuulia Hyötyläinen
- School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, 702 81, Örebro, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Tansel B. PFAS risk propagation terminology in spatial and temporal scales: Risk intensification, risk attenuation, and risk amplification. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 835:155503. [PMID: 35483458 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155503] [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: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Poly- and per fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are man-made chemicals that are used in many industrial applications to improve performance and durability of products. The CF bond is one of the strongest bonds in organic chemistry which makes PFAS highly persistent in the environment. Therefore, PFAS levels have increased in different environmental compartments (air, water, soil) at global scale over time since the early 1950s. Terminology used for describing potential risks and those used in risk communication can be confusing as different disciplines use risk concepts and vocabulary that are different from those used for exposure and/or health risk assessment for hazardous materials. For example, terms such as emergent risk, emerging risk, risk intensification, risk awareness, risk perception, risk attenuation, risk amplification, and risk absorption are often misused or misinterpreted, especially in describing and communicating risks associated with PFAS in the environment or PFAS exposure. In addition, appropriate risk terms associated with psychological, social, institutional, and cultural elements are often misused. Here, appropriate risk terminology for describing and quantifying risks and health risks in reference to PFAS exposure and PFAS related risk propagation in spatial and temporal scales are explained with examples.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Berrin Tansel
- Florida International University, Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, FL, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Tansel B. PFAS use in electronic products and exposure risks during handling and processing of e-waste: A review. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 316:115291. [PMID: 35584593 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Poly- and perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) have been and are used in electronic products due to their unique properties that improve product quality and performance. Ubiquities and persistence of some PFAS detected in environmental samples (water, soil, air) have attracted much attention and regulatory actions in recent years. This review provides an overview of PFAS use in electronic components; trends in quantities of e-waste generation; PFAS exposure pathways during e-waste handling and processing; reported PFAS in environmental samples and samples of serum, blood, and hair collected from people living near and working at e-waste processing sites. Processes used for manufacturing electronic components (e.g., embedded processes, additive manufacturing) make recycling or materials recovery from discarded electronic units and components very difficult and unfeasible. Exposure during numerous processing steps for materials recovery and scavenging at disposal sites can result in PFAS intake through inhalation, ingestion, and dermal routes. Chemical risk assessment approaches have been continuously evolving to consider chemical-specific dosimetric and mechanistic information. While the metabolic fate of PFAS is not well understood, some PFAS bioaccumulate and bind to proteins (but not to lipids) in biota and humans due to their surface-active characteristics and very low solubility in water and fat. It is difficult to associate the adverse health effects due to exposure to e-waste directly to PFAS as there are other factors that could contribute to the observed adverse effects. However, PFAS have been detected in the samples collected from different environmental compartments (e.g., water, soil, leachate, blood sera, rainwater) at and near e-waste processing sites, landfills, and near electronics and optoelectronics industries indicating that e-waste collection, processing, and disposal sites are potential PFAS exposure locations. Better monitoring of e-waste handling sites and detailed epidemiological studies for at risk populations are needed for assessing potential health risks due to PFAS exposure at these sites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Berrin Tansel
- Florida International University, Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, Florida, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Fromme H, Fuchs V, Albrecht M, Aschenbrenner B, Röhl C, Janitzki N, Herber-Jonat S, Wöckner M, Völkel W, Flemmer AW, Schober W. Polychlorinated dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/F), polybrominated dioxins and dibenzofurans (PBDD/F), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in German breast milk samples (LUPE 8). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 825:154066. [PMID: 35217048 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Most organic pollutants (POP) are persistent in the environment, accumulate in fatty tissues, and so a transfer through the food chain is probably, thereby causing various health effects. We quantified PCDD/F, PBDD/F, PCB, PBDE, perfluorinated substances, and ADONA in breast milk samples collected in two German federal states and breast milk and blood samples from subjects additionally exposed to PFOA. The median (95th percentile) concentrations were 2.43 (6.58) pgWHO2005TEQ/g l.w. for PCDD/F, 2.45 (4.82) pgWHO2005TEQ/g l.w. for dioxin-like PCB (dl-PCB), and 0.62 (2.69) pgWHO2005TEQ/g l.w. for PBDD/F. The relative contributions of the median values of PCDD/F, dl-PCB, and PBDD/F to the total-TEQ were approximately 41%, 42%, and 11%, respectively. Nondioxin-like PCB (ndl-PCB) concentrations were clearly dominated by the higher chlorinated PCB congeners, with medians of 23.2 ng/g l.w. for PCB 153, 13.9 ng/g l.w. for PCB 138, and 13.0 ng/g l.w. for PCB 180. The sum of the 3 congeners (PCB 138, 153, and 180) were multiplied with 1.64 (total PCB) and showed a median of 82.16 ng/g l.w. and a 95th percentile of 173.3 ng/g l.w. Only PFOA and PFOS could be quantified in 29% and 17% of in total 180 samples with 95th percentiles of 53 ng/l and 33 ng/l, respectively. Milk samples (n = 13) from subjects living on PFOA contaminated sites showed higher levels between 33 and 854 ng/l PFOA (mean: 199 ng/l), whilst PFOS could be quantified only in three samples. The sum of 17 PBDE congeners showed medians (95th percentile) of 1737 pg/g l.w. (22,806 pg/g l.w.), with the highest medians of 422 pg/g l.w. for BDE 209 and 378 pg/g l.w. for BDE 153. Overall, our study confirms the declining contamination level in breast milk during the last decade, but points out the need to further reduce the environmental contamination with persistent substances and subsequently the exposure in childhood.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hermann Fromme
- Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Ziemssenstrasse 1, D-80336 Munich, Germany.
| | - Veronika Fuchs
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Department of Chemical Safety and Toxicology, Pfarrstrasse 3, D-80538 Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Albrecht
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Department of Dioxins, Irradiation, Nitrosamines, Radioactivity, Veterinaerstrasse 2, D-85764 Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - Bettina Aschenbrenner
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Department of Chemical Safety and Toxicology, Pfarrstrasse 3, D-80538 Munich, Germany
| | - Claudia Röhl
- Schleswig-Holstein State Agency for Social Services, Department of Environmental Health Protection, Gartenstrasse 24, D-24534 Neumünster, Germany
| | - Nora Janitzki
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Department of Chemical Safety and Toxicology, Pfarrstrasse 3, D-80538 Munich, Germany
| | - Susanne Herber-Jonat
- Division of Neonatology, University Children's Hospital, Dr. V. Hauner and Perinatal Center, LMU Hospital, Marchioninistrasse 15, Munich D-81377, Germany
| | - Mandy Wöckner
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Department of Chemical Safety and Toxicology, Pfarrstrasse 3, D-80538 Munich, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Völkel
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Department of Chemical Safety and Toxicology, Pfarrstrasse 3, D-80538 Munich, Germany
| | - Andreas W Flemmer
- Division of Neonatology, University Children's Hospital, Dr. V. Hauner and Perinatal Center, LMU Hospital, Marchioninistrasse 15, Munich D-81377, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Schober
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Department of Chemical Safety and Toxicology, Pfarrstrasse 3, D-80538 Munich, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Nyström J, Benskin JP, Plassmann M, Sandblom O, Glynn A, Lampa E, Gyllenhammar I, Moraeus L, Lignell S. Demographic, life-style and physiological determinants of serum per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) concentrations in a national cross-sectional survey of Swedish adolescents. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 208:112674. [PMID: 34998808 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.112674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/02/2022] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
PER: and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may affect adolescent health, yet factors related to PFAS concentrations in serum are poorly understood. We studied demographic, life-style and physiological determinants of serum PFAS concentrations in Swedish adolescents from a nation-wide survey, Riksmaten Adolescents 2016-17 (RMA, age 10-21 years, n = 1098). Serum samples were analyzed for 42 PFAS, using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The cumulative probability model was used to estimate associations between serum PFAS and determinants, using ordinal logistic regression. Legacy linear (lin-) perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononaoic acid (PFNA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA), lin-perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) and lin-/branched (br-) perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) were quantifiable in ≥70% of the samples. The emerging PFAS 9-chlorohexanedecafluoro-3-oxanone-1-sulfonic acid (9Cl-PF3ONS) was quantified in 5.4% of the samples, suggesting initiation of long-range transport far from production sites. Median concentrations of all legacy PFAS were <2 ng/g serum, with a few participants having very high (>100 ng/g serum) lin-PFHxS and lin-/br-PFOS concentrations due to previous high exposure from PFAS-contaminated drinking water. Legacy PFAS exposure was strongly associated with birth country of the participants and their mothers. 2-fold higher estimated adjusted mean (EAM) concentrations were seen among high income country participants with mothers from high income countries than among low/lower-middle income country participants with mothers from the same category. Menstruating females had lower br-PFOS EAM concentrations than those who were not. Iron status (plasma ferritin) among females may be a marker of intensity of menstrual bleeding, but it was not significantly associated with legacy PFAS concentrations among females. Further studies are needed to determine how physiological changes occurring around menstruation affect the toxicokinetics of PFAS in females. In conclusion, PFAS are pollutants of the industrialized world and some of the identified determinants may be overlooked confounders/effect modifiers that should be included in future PFAS/health studies among adolescents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Nyström
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Jonathan P Benskin
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Merle Plassmann
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Oskar Sandblom
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anders Glynn
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Erik Lampa
- Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Irina Gyllenhammar
- Department of Risk and Benefit Assessment, Swedish Food Agency, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lotta Moraeus
- Department of Risk and Benefit Assessment, Swedish Food Agency, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sanna Lignell
- Department of Risk and Benefit Assessment, Swedish Food Agency, Uppsala, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Nielsen C, Li Y, Lewandowski M, Fletcher T, Jakobsson K. Breastfeeding initiation and duration after high exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances through contaminated drinking water: A cohort study from Ronneby, Sweden. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 207:112206. [PMID: 34653413 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.112206] [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] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The drinking water in parts of Ronneby was heavily contaminated with perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) for decades. Although PFAS has endocrine-disrupting properties and may interfere with breastfeeding, the effects in populations with a point source of high exposure are unknown. OBJECTIVES To investigate associations between high PFAS exposure and 1) initiation and 2) duration of breastfeeding. METHODS We retrieved data on infant feeding practices for 2374 children born between 1999 and 2009 from Child Health Care centers in Ronneby and a reference municipality. Residential address before delivery was used as a proxy for exposure, and confounders were obtained from charts and registers. We used modified Poisson regressions to estimate the relative risks (RR) of not initiating breastfeeding, not breastfeeding exclusively after 3 months, and not breastfeeding at all at 6 months. We also estimated hazard ratios (HR) of cessation of exclusive breastfeeding before 6 months and any breastfeeding before 12 months. RESULTS Mothers who had received contaminated water seemed to have a higher risk of not initiating breastfeeding (RR = 2.4; 95% CI: 0.8, 6.7). Primiparous mothers from the exposed area were at a 1.2 times increased risk (95% CI: 0.9, 1.6) of not exclusively breastfeeding at 3 months and a 1.6 times increased risk (95% CI: 1.2, 2.1) of not breastfeeding at 6 months. The results were confirmed by the Cox regressions, which further showed that the HR for cessation of any breastfeeding was time dependent and higher in early lactation, thereafter decreasing as lactation progressed. We observed no overall associations in multiparous mothers. DISCUSSION Exposure to high levels of PFAS seemed to be associated with increased risks of not initiating breastfeeding and shorter breastfeeding duration in primiparous mothers. The findings imply that the ability of first-time mothers to establish breastfeeding is a sensitive outcome after high exposure to PFAS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christel Nielsen
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Ying Li
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Magdalena Lewandowski
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Tony Fletcher
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Kristina Jakobsson
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden; Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Li J, Luo K, Liu X, Tang S, Zhang J, Chen D. Chemical-specific determinants for pre-conceptional exposure to emerging and legacy per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 819:152501. [PMID: 34968602 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The exposure of preconception women to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) could negatively affect her reproductive health. However, chemical-specific determinants for pre-conceptional exposure to PFASs, particularly the emerging ones, remain poorly understood. In the present study, it was found that the total PFAS concentration ranged from 8.9 to 440.3 ng/mL (median: 49.6 ng/mL) in 1060 preconception women. The PFAS exposure profile was dominated by PFOA (16.8 ng/mL), followed by PFOS (13.3 ng/mL), 6:2 Cl-PFESA (8.9 ng/mL), PFDA (2.4 ng/mL), PFNA (2.1 ng/mL), and others. The pre-conceptional exposure to the selected PFASs was significantly associated, in a chemical-specific pattern, with multiple demographic characteristics and the consumption frequency of different types of food. In particular, the exposure to 6:2 Cl-PFESA was associated with age, parity, alcohol drinking, educational level, household income, and the consumption frequency of red meat, marine and freshwater fish, shellfish, and shrimp. However, our analysis revealed that the investigated sociodemographic and diet variables only explained a relatively small proportion (1.3%-18.7%) of PFAS concentration variations, raising the need of exploring additional factors critical to pre-conceptional PFAS exposure. Overall, the identification of chemical-specific determinants would greatly facilitate the understanding of the link between pre-conceptional exposure and health outcomes, and the mitigation of human exposure to PFAS, particularly the emerging ones.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- School of Environment and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Kai Luo
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xiaotu Liu
- School of Environment and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Shuqin Tang
- School of Environment and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Da Chen
- School of Environment and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Fan X, Tang S, Wang Y, Fan W, Ben Y, Naidu R, Dong Z. Global Exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Associated Burden of Low Birthweight. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:4282-4294. [PMID: 35293723 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c08669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Low birthweight (LBW) is a worldwide public health concern, while the global burden of LBW attributable to endocrine-disrupting chemicals, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), has not yet been evaluated. Here, we established a large dataset for the biomonitoring of seven representative congeners of PFAS by examining data from 2325 publications. Global exposure to perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) was the highest, followed by perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Spatiotemporal exposure to PFAS varied considerably, with daily intake estimated in the range of 0.01-1.7 ng/kg/day. Moreover, decreasing trends in PFOS, PFHxS, and PFOA exposure were noted in most regions of the world over the past two decades, but such trends were not observed for other PFAS with long carbon chains, especially in East Asia. Furthermore, we estimated that human exposure to PFOA contributed to approximately 461,635 (95% confidence interval: 57,418 to 854,645) cases per year of LBW during the past two decades, predominantly from Asian regions. Although our estimation may be constrained by uncertainties from the dose-response curve and data availability, this study has unveiled that PFAS might be a contributor to global LBW prevalence during 2000-2019, supporting continuous actions to mitigate PFAS contamination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiarui Fan
- School of Space and Environment, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Song Tang
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
- Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
| | - Ying Wang
- School of Space and Environment, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Wenhong Fan
- School of Space and Environment, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Big Data-Based Precision Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yujie Ben
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Integrated Surface Water-Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Ravi Naidu
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), The University of Newcastle, ATC Building, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
- CRC for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CRC CARE), The University of Newcastle, ATC Building, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Zhaomin Dong
- School of Space and Environment, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Hallberg I, Persson S, Olovsson M, Moberg M, Ranefall P, Laskowski D, Damdimopoulou P, Sirard MA, Rüegg J, Sjunnesson YC. Bovine oocyte exposure to perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) induces phenotypic, transcriptomic, and DNA methylation changes in resulting embryos in vitro. Reprod Toxicol 2022; 109:19-30. [DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2022.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
|
37
|
Huang Q, Luo L, Han X, Li F, Zhang X, Tian M. Low-dose perfluorooctanoic acid stimulates steroid hormone synthesis in Leydig cells: Integrated proteomics and metabolomics evidence. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 424:127656. [PMID: 34774353 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), one of the well-known perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), has been widespread in the environment and associated with male reproductive toxicity. However, the molecular mechanism involved in low-level PFOA-induced male endocrine disruption remains to be elucidated. In this study, we performed a combined proteomics and metabolomics analysis to investigate the proteomic and metabolic alterations in MLTC-1 Leydig cells responsive to low levels of PFOA exposure. The results showed that PFOA significantly regulated the expressions of 67 proteins and 17 metabolites, among which 18 proteins and 7 metabolites were specifically tied to lipid and fatty acid metabolism as well as testicular steroidogenesis. It is further suggested that low-dose PFOA stimulates steroid hormone synthesis by accelerating fatty acid metabolism and steroidogenic process, which is involved in the repression of p38 and cAMP-dependent ERK signaling pathway. The animal studies also revealed that environmentally relevant levels of PFOA increased serum steroid hormone levels accompanied by the activated cAMP and inhibited p38/ERK pathway in testis, which confirmed our in vitro findings. Overall, the present study will provide novel insights into the toxicological mechanisms of low-level PFOA-mediated steroidogenic disturbance, and may implicate the reproductive health risk of humans with environmental PFOA exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qingyu Huang
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China.
| | - Lianzhong Luo
- Xiamen Key Laboratory of Marine Biomedicine Resources, Xiamen Medical College, Xiamen 361023, China
| | - Xuejingping Han
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Fuping Li
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Xi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Meiping Tian
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
LaKind JS, Verner MA, Rogers RD, Goeden H, Naiman DQ, Marchitti SA, Lehmann GM, Hines EP, Fenton SE. Current Breast Milk PFAS Levels in the United States and Canada: After All This Time, Why Don't We Know More? ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2022; 130:25002. [PMID: 35195447 PMCID: PMC8865090 DOI: 10.1289/ehp10359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite 20 y of biomonitoring studies of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in both serum and urine, we have an extremely limited understanding of PFAS concentrations in breast milk of women from the United States and Canada. The lack of robust information on PFAS concentrations in breast milk and implications for breastfed infants and their families were brought to the forefront by communities impacted by PFAS contamination. OBJECTIVES The objectives of this work are to: a) document published PFAS breast milk concentrations in the United States and Canada; b) estimate breast milk PFAS levels from maternal serum concentrations in national surveys and communities impacted by PFAS; and c) compare measured/estimated milk PFAS concentrations to screening values. METHODS We used three studies reporting breast milk concentrations in the United States and Canada We also estimated breast milk PFAS concentrations by multiplying publicly available serum concentrations by milk:serum partitioning ratios for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA). Measured and estimated breast milk concentrations were compared to children's drinking water screening values. DISCUSSION Geometric means of estimated breast milk concentrations ranged over approximately two orders of magnitude for the different surveys/communities. All geometric mean and mean estimated and measured breast milk PFOA and PFOS concentrations exceeded drinking water screening values for children, sometimes by more than two orders of magnitude. For PFHxS and PFNA, all measured breast milk levels were below the drinking water screening values for children; the geometric mean estimated breast milk concentrations were close to-or exceeded-the children's drinking water screening values for certain communities. Exceeding a children's drinking water screening value does not indicate that adverse health effects will occur and should not be interpreted as a reason to not breastfeed; it indicates that the situation should be further evaluated. It is past time to have a better understanding of environmental chemical transfer to-and concentrations in-an exceptional source of infant nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP10359.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Judy S. LaKind
- LaKind Associates, LLC, Catonsville, Maryland, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Marc-André Verner
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
- Centre de Recherche en Santé Publique, Université de Montréal and CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal, Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | - Rachel D. Rogers
- Office of the Director, National Center for Environmental Health/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Helen Goeden
- Environmental Health Division, Minnesota Department of Health, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Daniel Q. Naiman
- Department of Applied Mathematics & Statistics, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Geniece M. Lehmann
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Office of Research & Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Erin P. Hines
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Office of Research & Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Suzanne E. Fenton
- Division of the National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Sim KH, Lee YJ. Perfluorohexane sulfonate induces memory impairment and downregulation of neuroproteins via NMDA receptor-mediated PKC-ERK/AMPK signaling pathway. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 288:132503. [PMID: 34626661 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132503] [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: 07/18/2021] [Revised: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) is a widely used industrial chemical detected in human umbilical cord blood and breast milk, and has been suggested to exhibit developmental neurotoxicity. Previous studies on mice reported that neonatal exposure to PFHxS altered neuroprotein levels in the developing brain, and caused behavioral toxicity and cognitive dysfunction in the mature brain. However, the underlying mechanisms responsible for PFHxS-induced neuroprotein dysregulation are poorly understood. In this study, we examined the effect of neonatal exposure to PFHxS on memory function using an in vivo mice model. Furthermore, we examined the levels of growth associated protein-43 (GAP-43) and calcium/calmodulin dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) (biomarkers of neuronal development) and the involved signaling pathways using differentiated neuronal PC12 cells. PFHxS decreased cell viability, GAP-43 and CaMKII levels, and neurite formation. These effects were mediated by the NMDA receptor, PKC-α, PKC-δ, AMPK and ERK pathways. MK801, an NMDA receptor antagonist, reduced the activation of PKC-α, PKC-δ, ERK and AMPK. The activation of ERK was suppressed by pharmacological and knockdown inhibition of PKC-α and -δ. Interestingly, the AMPK pathway was selectively inhibited by inhibiting PKC-δ but not PKC-ɑ. Consistent with PFHxS-induced neuronal death, and GAP-43 and CaMKII downregulation, neonatal exposure to PFHxS caused significant memory impairment in adult mice. Collectively, these results demonstrate that PFHxS induces persistent developmental neurotoxicity, as well as GAP-43 and CaMKII downregulation via the NMDA receptor-mediated PKCs (α and δ)-ERK/AMPK pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kyeong Hwa Sim
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Daegu, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Youn Ju Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Daegu, Daegu, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Varsi K, Huber S, Averina M, Brox J, Bjørke-Monsen AL. Quantitation of linear and branched perfluoroalkane sulfonic acids (PFSAs) in women and infants during pregnancy and lactation. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 160:107065. [PMID: 34959199 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.107065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are associated with negative health effects, and exposure during fetal life and infancy are of concern. A subgroup of PFAS, linear and branched perfluoroalkane sulfonic acids (PFSA), have significant differences in biochemical reactions, bioaccumulation and potential toxic exposure effects, and data on transfer of PFSA isomers from mother to baby through placenta or in breastmilk are scarce. OBJECTIVES The objective was to investigate differences in branched and linear PFSA isomers in never-pregnant, pregnant and postpartum women and infants. METHODS Serum concentrations of branched and linear, perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), perfluoroheptane sulfonate (PFHpS) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) were measured in never-pregnant women (n = 158), pregnant and postpartum women (n = 114) and their infants (n = 94) at age six months. RESULTS There was a linear relation between maternal PFSA concentrations in pregnancy week 18 and the infant at age six months. The PFSA concentrations in maternal and infant serum varied with a factor up to 20. The maternal branched/ linear PFHxS ratio increased in the latter part of pregnancy (+45%) and remained high postpartum, and was substantially lower in the infants. Branched/linear PFHpS ratio increased during pregnancy and was highest in the infants, while the branched/linear PFOS ratio decreased in the mothers and was high in the infants. DISCUSSION The linear relations between PFSA concentrations in infants aged six months and mothers in pregnancy week 18 confirm that pregnancy and lactation are major excretion routes for PFSA, but accumulate in the infant. The observed great variability in PFSA burden among mothers and infants, as well as the reduced maternal transfer of branched PFHxS isoforms and increased transfer of branched PFOS isoforms compared to the respective linear isoforms to the infant, might impact adverse health effects associated with PFSA exposure, but this should be confirmed in future studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristin Varsi
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Sandra Huber
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Maria Averina
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway; Department of Community Medicine, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Jan Brox
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Anne-Lise Bjørke-Monsen
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway; Laboratory of Medical Biochemistry, Innlandet Hospital Trust, 2609 Lillehammer, Norway; Unilabs, Oslo, Norway.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Hallberg I, Persson S, Olovsson M, Sirard MA, Damdimopoulou P, Rüegg J, Sjunnesson YCB. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) exposure of bovine oocytes affects early embryonic development at human-relevant levels in an in vitro model. Toxicology 2021; 464:153028. [PMID: 34762985 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2021.153028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) has been added to Stockholm Convention for global phase out, but will continue to contribute to the chemical burden in humans for a long time to come due to extreme persistence in the environment. In the body, PFOS is transferred into to the ovarian follicular fluid that surrounds the maturing oocyte. In the present study, bovine cumulus oocyte complexes were exposed to PFOS during 22 h in vitro maturation. Concentrations of 2 ng g-1 (PFOS-02) representing average human exposure and 53 ng g-1 (PFOS-53) relevant to highly exposed groups were used. After exposure, developmental competence was recorded until day 8 after fertilisation. Blastocysts were fixed and either stained to evaluate blastomere number and lipid distribution using confocal microscopy or frozen and pooled for microarray-based gene expression and DNA methylation analyses. PFOS-53 delayed the first cleavage to two-cell stage and beyond at 44 h after fertilisation (p < .01). No reduction of proportion blastocysts were seen at day 8 in either of the groups, but PFOS-53 exposure resulted in delayed development into more advanced stages of blastocysts seen as both reduced developmental stage (p = .001) and reduced number of blastomeres (p = .04). Blastocysts showed an altered lipid distribution that was more pronounced after exposure to PFOS-53 (increased total lipid volume, p=.0003, lipid volume/cell p < .0001) than PFOS-02, where only decreased average lipid droplet size (p=.02) was observed. Gene expression analyses revealed pathways differently regulated in the PFOS-treated groups compared to the controls, which were related to cell death and survival through e.g., P38 mitogen-activated protein kinases and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, which in turn activates tumour protein 53 (TP53). Transcriptomic changes were also associated with metabolic stress response, differentiation and proliferation, which could help to explain the phenotypic changes seen in the blastocysts. The gene expression changes were more pronounced after exposure to PFOS-53 compared to PFOS-02. DNA-methylation changes were associated with similar biological functions as the transcriptomic data, with the most significantly associated pathway being TP53. Collectively, these results reveal that brief PFOS exposure during oocyte maturation alters the early embryo development at concentrations relevant to humans. This study adds to the evidence that PFOS has the potential to affect female fertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ida Hallberg
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Reproduction, The Centre for Reproductive Biology in Uppsala, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Sara Persson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Reproduction, The Centre for Reproductive Biology in Uppsala, 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
| | - Marc-André Sirard
- Department of Animal Sciences, Laval University, QC G1V 0A6, Quebec, Canada
| | - Pauliina Damdimopoulou
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, SE-141 86, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Joëlle Rüegg
- Department of Organismal Biology, Program of Environmental Toxicology, Uppsala University, SE-752 36, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ylva C B Sjunnesson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Reproduction, The Centre for Reproductive Biology in Uppsala, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Cope HA, Blake BE, Love C, McCord J, Elmore SA, Harvey JB, Chappell VA, Fenton SE. Latent, sex-specific metabolic health effects in CD-1 mouse offspring exposed to PFOA or HFPO-DA (GenX) during gestation. EMERGING CONTAMINANTS 2021; 7:219-235. [PMID: 35097227 PMCID: PMC8794304 DOI: 10.1016/j.emcon.2021.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is an environmental contaminant associated with adverse metabolic outcomes in developmentally exposed human populations and mouse models. Hexafluoropropylene oxide-dimer acid (HFPO-DA, commonly called GenX) has replaced PFOA in many industrial applications in the U.S. and Europe and has been measured in global water systems from <1 to 9350 ng/L HFPO-DA. Health effects data for GenX are lacking. OBJECTIVE Determine the effects of gestational exposure to GenX on offspring weight gain trajectory, adult metabolic health, liver pathology and key adipose gene pathways in male and female CD-1 mice. METHODS Daily oral doses of GenX (0.2, 1.0, 2.0 mg/kg), PFOA (0.1, 1.0 mg/kg), or vehicle control were administered to pregnant mice (gestation days 1.5-17.5). Offspring were fed a high- or low-fat diet (HFD or LFD) at weaning until necropsy at 6 or 18 weeks, and metabolic endpoints were measured over time. PFOA and GenX serum and urine concentrations, weight gain, serum lipid parameters, body mass composition, glucose tolerance, white adipose tissue gene expression, and liver histopathology were evaluated. RESULTS Prenatal exposure to GenX led to its accumulation in the serum and urine of 5-day old pups (P = 0.007, P < 0.001), which was undetectable by weaning. By 18 weeks of age, male mice fed LFD in the 2.0 mg/kg GenX group displayed increased weight gain (P < 0.05), fat mass (P = 0.016), hepatocellular microvesicular fatty change (P = 0.015), and insulin sensitivity (P = 0.014) in comparison to control males fed LFD. Female mice fed HFD had a significant increase in hepatocyte single cell necrosis in 1.0 mg/kg GenX group (P = 0.022) and 1.0 mg/kg PFOA group (P = 0.003) compared to control HFD females. Both sexes were affected by gestational GenX exposure; however, the observed phenotype varied between sex with males displaying more characteristics of metabolic disease and females exhibiting liver damage in response to the gestational exposure. CONCLUSIONS Prenatal exposure to 1 mg/kg GenX and 1 mg/kg PFOA induces adverse metabolic outcomes in adult mice that are diet- and sex-dependent. GenX also accumulated in pup serum, suggesting that placental and potentially lactational transfer are important exposure routes for GenX.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Harlie A. Cope
- National Toxicology Program Laboratory, Division of the National Toxicology Program (DNTP), National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Bevin E. Blake
- National Toxicology Program Laboratory, Division of the National Toxicology Program (DNTP), National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Charlotte Love
- National Toxicology Program Laboratory, Division of the National Toxicology Program (DNTP), National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - James McCord
- Multimedia Methods Branch, Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, RTP, NC, USA
| | - Susan A. Elmore
- Cellular and Molecular Pathology Branch, DNTP, NIEHS, NIH, RTP, NC, USA
| | - Janice B. Harvey
- Cellular and Molecular Pathology Branch, DNTP, NIEHS, NIH, RTP, NC, USA
| | - Vesna A. Chappell
- National Toxicology Program Laboratory, Division of the National Toxicology Program (DNTP), National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Suzanne E. Fenton
- National Toxicology Program Laboratory, Division of the National Toxicology Program (DNTP), National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Park SJ, Sim KH, Shrestha P, Yang JH, Lee YJ. Perfluorooctane sulfonate and bisphenol A induce a similar level of mast cell activation via a common signaling pathway, Fyn-Lyn-Syk activation. Food Chem Toxicol 2021; 156:112478. [PMID: 34363875 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2021.112478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl compounds (PFCs) as food contaminants are widely distributed persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and have been suggested to induce immune dysfunction. However, their effects on immune function are not conclusive. Mast cells play a central role in allergic and non-allergic inflammatory responses. Therefore, we have examined the effects of PFCs (PFHxS, PFOA, PFOS) on mast cell-mediated inflammatory responses using in vitro mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs) and human mast cells (HMC-1) and in vivo mice model. The effects of PFCs were compared with those of bisphenol A (BPA), a well-studied environmental pollutant. Among PFCs tested, PFOS had the highest effects. Both PFOS and BPA increased degranulation and production of inflammatory eicosanoids in mast cells at a similar level, which subsequently led to increased skin edema and serum LTC4 and PGD2 in mice. Both PFOS and BPA increased not only downstream signaling (PLCγ1, AKT, ERK), but also upstream signaling (Fyn, Lyn, Syk/LAT) in mast cells. Taken together, PFOS and BPA induce mast cell-mediated inflammatory responses via a common signaling pathways. Our results may help establish the scientific basis for understanding the etiology of mast cell-mediated inflammatory responses and improve the immune dysfunction risk assessment for emerging POPs such as PFCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Joon Park
- Department of Pharmacology/Toxicology, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Daegu, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyeong Hwa Sim
- Department of Pharmacology/Toxicology, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Daegu, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Prafulla Shrestha
- Department of Pharmacology/Toxicology, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Daegu, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Ho Yang
- Department of Pharmacology/Toxicology, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Daegu, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Youn Ju Lee
- Department of Pharmacology/Toxicology, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Daegu, Daegu, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Fiedler H, Sadia M. Regional occurrence of perfluoroalkane substances in human milk for the global monitoring plan under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants during 2016-2019. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 277:130287. [PMID: 33774256 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130287] [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: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The human milk monitoring component of the global monitoring plan under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants was implemented from 2016 to 2019 and had 44 human milk samples from primiparae collected in 42 countries and analyzed for perfluoroalkane substances (PFAS), at the MTM Research Centre at Örebro University, Sweden. The targeted compounds were restricted to the two listed PFAS (perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, PFOS and perfluorooctane carboxylic acid, PFOA) and the one recommended PFAS (perfluorohexane sulfonic acid, PFHxS). PFOA was quantified in all 44 samples in a quite narrow range (6.20 pg/g-37.4 pg/g); PFHxS was quantifiable in only four samples (max. 111 pg/g), and PFOS in 36 samples across a wide range (<6.2 pg/g-212 pg/g). Branched PFOS isomers on average had a share of 16% of the total PFOS with a maximum of 33%. PFOS was highly correlated with PFHxS (Pearson correlation coefficient R = 0.95) and weakly but still positively with PFOA (R = 0.44). Statistical analysis (all on p<0.05) showed that PFOS and PFOA in European countries were significantly different from those in African and Latin American countries and between high-income and low-income countries. PFOA tends to have higher concentrations in wealthier countries. No correlation was found for population density.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heidelore Fiedler
- Örebro University, School of Science and Technology, MTM Research Centre, SE-701 82 Örebro, Sweden.
| | - Mohammad Sadia
- Örebro University, School of Science and Technology, MTM Research Centre, SE-701 82 Örebro, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Zheng G, Schreder E, Dempsey JC, Uding N, Chu V, Andres G, Sathyanarayana S, Salamova A. Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Breast Milk: Concerning Trends for Current-Use PFAS. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:7510-7520. [PMID: 33982557 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c06978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
This is the first study in the last 15 years to analyze per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in breast milk collected from mothers (n = 50) in the United States, and our findings indicate that both legacy and current-use PFAS now contaminate breast milk, exposing nursing infants. Breast milk was analyzed for 39 PFAS, including 9 short-chain and 30 long-chain compounds, and 16 of these PFAS were detected in 4-100% of the samples. The ∑PFAS concentration in breast milk ranged from 52.0 to 1850 pg/mL with a median concentration of 121 pg/mL. Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) were the most abundant PFAS in these samples (medians 30.4 and 13.9 pg/mL, respectively). Two short-chain PFAS, including perfluoro-n-hexanoic acid (PFHxA, C6) and perfluoro-n-heptanoic acid (PFHpA, C7), were detected in most of the samples with median concentrations of 9.69 and 6.10 pg/mL, respectively. Analysis of the available breast milk PFAS data from around the world over the period of 1996-2019 showed that while the levels of the phased-out PFOS and PFOA have been declining with halving times of 8.1 and 17 years, respectively, the detection frequencies of current-use short-chain PFAS have been increasing with a doubling time of 4.1 years.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guomao Zheng
- Paul H. O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | - Erika Schreder
- Toxic-Free Future, Seattle, Washington 98103, United States
| | | | - Nancy Uding
- Toxic-Free Future, Seattle, Washington 98103, United States
| | - Valerie Chu
- Toxic-Free Future, Seattle, Washington 98103, United States
| | - Gabriel Andres
- Toxic-Free Future, Seattle, Washington 98103, United States
| | - Sheela Sathyanarayana
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington/Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington 91807, United States
| | - Amina Salamova
- Paul H. O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Andersen ME, Mallick P, Clewell HJ, Yoon M, Olsen GW, Longnecker MP. Using quantitative modeling tools to assess pharmacokinetic bias in epidemiological studies showing associations between biomarkers and health outcomes at low exposures. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 197:111183. [PMID: 33887277 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Biomarkers of exposure can be measured at lower and lower levels due to advances in analytical chemistry. Using these sensitive methods, some epidemiology studies report associations between biomarkers and health outcomes at biomarker levels much below those associated with effects in animal studies. While some of these low exposure associations may arise from increased sensitivity of humans compared with animals or from species-specific responses, toxicology studies with drugs, commodity chemicals and consumer products have not generally indicated significantly greater sensitivity of humans compared with test animals for most health outcomes. In some cases, these associations may be indicative of pharmacokinetic (PK) bias, i.e., a situation where a confounding factor or the health outcome itself alters pharmacokinetic processes affecting biomarker levels. Quantitative assessment of PK bias combines PK modeling and statistical methods describing outcomes across large numbers of individuals in simulated populations. Here, we first provide background on the types of PK models that can be used for assessing biomarker levels in human population and then outline a process for considering PK bias in studies intended to assess associations between biomarkers and health outcomes at low levels of exposure. After providing this background, we work through published examples where these PK methods have been applied with several chemicals/chemical classes - polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), polybrominated biphenyl ethers (PBDE) and phthalates - to assess the possibility of PK bias. Studies of the health effects of low levels of exposure will be improved by developing some confidence that PK bias did not play significant roles in the observed associations.
Collapse
|
48
|
Chou WC, Lin Z. Development of a Gestational and Lactational Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) Model for Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) in Rats and Humans and Its Implications in the Derivation of Health-Based Toxicity Values. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2021; 129:37004. [PMID: 33730865 PMCID: PMC7969127 DOI: 10.1289/ehp7671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a great concern on potential adverse effects of exposure to perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in sensitive subpopulations, such as pregnant women, fetuses, and neonates, due to its reported transplacental and lactational transfer and reproductive and developmental toxicities in animals and humans. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to develop a gestational and lactational physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model in rats and humans for PFOS to aid risk assessment in sensitive human subpopulations. METHODS Based upon existing PBPK models for PFOS, the present model addressed a data gap of including a physiologically based description of basolateral and apical membrane transporter-mediated renal reabsorption and excretion in kidneys during gestation and lactation. The model was calibrated with published rat toxicokinetic and human biomonitoring data and was independently evaluated with separate data. Monte Carlo simulation was used to address the interindividual variability. RESULTS Model simulations were generally within 2-fold of observed PFOS concentrations in maternal/fetal/neonatal plasma and liver in rats and humans. Estimated fifth percentile human equivalent doses (HEDs) based on selected critical toxicity studies in rats following U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines ranged from 0.08 to 0.91 μ g / kg per day . These values are lower than the HEDs estimated in U.S. EPA guidance (0.51 - 1.6 μ g / kg per day ) using an empirical toxicokinetic model in adults. CONCLUSIONS The results support the importance of renal reabsorption/excretion during pregnancy and lactation in PFOS dosimetry and suggest that the derivation of health-based toxicity values based on developmental toxicity studies should consider gestational/lactational dosimetry estimated from a life stage-appropriate PBPK model. This study provides a quantitative tool to aid risk reevaluation of PFOS, especially in sensitive human subpopulations, and it provides a basis for extrapolating to other per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). All model codes and detailed tutorials are provided in the Supplemental Materials to allow readers to reproduce our results and to use this model. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP7671.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Chun Chou
- Institute of Computational Comparative Medicine, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | - Zhoumeng Lin
- Institute of Computational Comparative Medicine, Department of Anatomy and Physiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Liu Y, Liu K, Zheng P, Yin S, Jin H, Bai X, Li Y, Zheng J, Dai Y, Zhao M, Liu W. Prenatal exposure and transplacental transfer of perfluoroalkyl substance isomers in participants from the upper and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 270:116202. [PMID: 33333405 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.116202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Data on gestational exposure characteristics and transplacental transfer are quite limited for perfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) isomers, especially those from large-scale comparative studies. To fill this gap, we examined isomers of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) in matched maternal and cord serum from Mianyang and Hangzhou, which are located in the upper and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, China, respectively. These data were compared with those from our previous study on Wuhan in the middle reach. The average ΣPFAS concentration increased from upstream to downstream (Mianyang (4.44 ng/mL) < Wuhan (9.88 ng/mL) < Hangzhou (19.72 ng/mL)) and may be related to the per capita consumption expenditure of each city. The ln-transformed PFAS concentrations showed significant differences between Mianyang and Hangzhou after adjusting confounding factors (p < 0.05). The percentages of linear PFOS and PFOA in maternal and cord serum from these cities all exceeded those in electrochemical fluorination products. The isomer profiles of PFASs in maternal and cord serum might be greatly influenced by local production processes of PFASs and residents' dietary habits. The transplacental transfer efficiencies decreased significantly with increasing concentrations in maternal serum for ΣPFAS, ΣPFOS, ΣPFOA, ΣPFHxS, n-PFOS, iso-PFOS, 4m-PFOS, 1m-PFOS, n-PFOA, n-PFHxS, and br-PFHxS (Spearman rank correlation coefficients (r) = 0.373-0.687, p < 0.01). These findings support an understanding of the regional characteristics in maternal exposure to PFASs along the Yangtze River, isomeric profiles of PFASs in these regions, and the transplacental transfer processes of PFAS isomers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yingxue Liu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health, Institution of Environmental Health, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Kai Liu
- Division of Engineering and Applied Science, W. M. Keck Laboratories, California Institute of Technology, 1200 East California Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Ping Zheng
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health, Institution of Environmental Health, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Shanshan Yin
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health, Institution of Environmental Health, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Hangbiao Jin
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Xiaoxia Bai
- Women Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yongqing Li
- Mianyang Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Mianyang, 621000, China
| | - Jingxian Zheng
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health, Institution of Environmental Health, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yishuang Dai
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health, Institution of Environmental Health, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Meirong Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Weiping Liu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health, Institution of Environmental Health, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Bălan SA, Mathrani VC, Guo DF, Algazi AM. Regulating PFAS as a Chemical Class under the California Safer Consumer Products Program. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2021; 129:25001. [PMID: 33595352 PMCID: PMC7888260 DOI: 10.1289/ehp7431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of manmade chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom. The widespread use, large number, and diverse chemical structures of PFAS pose challenges to any sufficiently protective regulation, emissions reduction, and remediation at contaminated sites. Regulating only a subset of PFAS has led to their replacement with other members of the class with similar hazards, that is, regrettable substitutions. Regulations that focus solely on perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are ineffective, given that nearly all other PFAS can generate PFAAs in the environment. OBJECTIVES In this commentary, we present the rationale adopted by the State of California's Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) for regulating PFAS as a class in certain consumer products. DISCUSSION We at the California DTSC propose regulating certain consumer products if they contain any member of the class of PFAS because: a) all PFAS, or their degradation, reaction, or metabolism products, display at least one common hazard trait according to the California Code of Regulations, namely environmental persistence; and b) certain key PFAS that are the degradation, reaction or metabolism products, or impurities of nearly all other PFAS display additional hazard traits, including toxicity; are widespread in the environment, humans, and biota; and will continue to cause adverse impacts for as long as any PFAS continue to be used. Regulating PFAS as a class is thus logical, necessary, and forward-thinking. This technical position may be helpful to other regulatory agencies in comprehensively addressing this large class of chemicals with common hazard traits. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP7431.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simona Andreea Bălan
- Safer Consumer Products Program, California Department of Toxic Substances Control, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Vivek Chander Mathrani
- Safer Consumer Products Program, California Department of Toxic Substances Control, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Dennis Fengmao Guo
- Safer Consumer Products Program, California Department of Toxic Substances Control, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - André Maurice Algazi
- Safer Consumer Products Program, California Department of Toxic Substances Control, Sacramento, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|