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Chung KW, Key PB, Tanabe P, DeLorenzo ME. Effects of Temperature and Salinity on Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) Toxicity in Larval Estuarine Organisms. TOXICS 2024; 12:267. [PMID: 38668490 PMCID: PMC11053673 DOI: 10.3390/toxics12040267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is a persistent contaminant that has been found globally within the environment. Key data gaps exist in the toxicity of PFOS to marine organisms, especially estuarine species that are crucial to the food web: fish, shrimp, and mollusks. This study developed toxicity thresholds for larval estuarine species, including grass shrimp (Palaemon pugio), sheepshead minnows (Cyprinodon variegatus), mysids (Americamysis bahia), and Eastern mud snails (Tritia obsoleta). Multiple abiotic stressors (salinity and temperature) were included as variables in testing the toxicity of PFOS. Acute 96 h toxicity testing under standard test conditions of 25 °C and 20 ppt seawater yielded LC50 values of 0.919 mg/L for C. variegatus, 1.375 mg/L for A. bahia, 1.559 mg/L for T. obsoleta, and 2.011 mg/L for P. pugio. The effects of increased temperature (32 °C) and decreased salinity (10 ppt) varied with test species. PFOS toxicity for the sheepshead minnows increased with temperature but was not altered by decreased salinity. For grass shrimp and mud snails, PFOS toxicity was greater under lower salinity. The combination of higher temperature and lower salinity was observed to lower the toxicity thresholds for all species. These data demonstrate that expanding toxicity testing to include a wider range of parameters will improve the environmental risk assessment of chemical contaminants, especially for species inhabiting dynamic estuarine ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katy W. Chung
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, Charleston, SC 29412, USA; (P.B.K.); (P.T.); (M.E.D.)
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2
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Pandelides Z, Arblaster J, Conder J. Establishing Chronic Toxicity Effect Levels for Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Exposed to Perfluorooctane Sulfonate. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2024; 43:7-18. [PMID: 37850740 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
Zebrafish (Danio rerio) are among the aquatic species most sensitive to perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). Environmental regulatory agencies and researchers use effect benchmarks from laboratory zebrafish PFOS toxicity studies in PFOS-spiked water to calculate PFOS aquatic life criteria. Threshold values as low as 0.7 µg/L (identified in an early, limited scope study) have been used in criteria derivation and site-specific aquatic ecological risk assessments. The present study reviews PFOS effects benchmarks for lethality, growth, and reproduction endpoints from more than 20 zebrafish toxicity studies, including a recent multigenerational study conducted by the United States Army Corps of Engineers Engineer Research & Development Center. Our review of 12 key studies examining long-term, chronic exposures (including multigenerational exposures of 300 days or more) indicated that 0.7 µg/L should not be used as a conservative screening threshold given that effects could not be repeated at this concentration by the recent enhanced multigenerational study. Based on this finding and multiple chronic sublethal studies on PFOS in zebrafish, chronic effects on lethality, growth, and reproduction occur at concentrations two orders of magnitude higher than 0.7 µg/L. Overall, the present review indicates a no-effect screening level of 31 µg/L and a low-effect screening level of 96 µg/L should be used to develop PFOS aquatic life criteria and to inform site-specific ecological risk assessments that are charged with evaluating risks to freshwater fish. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:7-18. © 2023 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jason Conder
- Geosyntec Consultants, Costa Mesa, California, USA
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3
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Suski JG, Chanov MK, Heron CG, Field JA, Salice CJ. Ecotoxicity and Accumulation of Perfluorononanoic Acid in the Fathead Minnow (Pimephales promelas) and an Approach to Developing Protective Thresholds in the Aquatic Environment Through Species Sensitivity Distribution. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2023; 42:2229-2236. [PMID: 37294059 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are ubiquitous in the environment. Locations where PFAS-containing aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) has been used or accidentally released have resulted in persistently high concentrations of PFAS, including in surface water that may be adjacent to release sites. Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) is most frequently measured near AFFF release sites; however, other PFAS are being quantified more frequently and, of those, perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) is common. The goal of our study was to fill data gaps on PFNA toxicity to freshwater fish using the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas). We aimed to understand how PFNA may impact apical endpoints following a 42-day exposure to mature fish and a 21-day exposure to second-generation larval fish. Exposure concentrations were 0, 124, 250, 500, and 1000 µg/L for both adult (F0) and larval (F1) generations. The most sensitive endpoint measured was development in the F1 generation at concentrations of ≥250 µg/L. The 10% and 20% effective concentration of the tested population for the F1 biomass endpoint was 100.3 and 129.5 µg/L, respectively. These data were collated with toxicity values from the primary literature on aquatic organisms exposed to PFNA for subchronic or chronic durations. A species sensitivity distribution was developed to estimate a screening-level threshold for PFNA. The resulting hazard concentration protective of 95% of the freshwater aquatic species was 55 µg PFNA/L. Although this value is likely protective of aquatic organisms exposed to PFNA, it is prudent to consider that organisms experience multiple stressors (including many PFAS) simultaneously; an approach to understand screening-level thresholds for PFAS mixtures remains an uncertainty within the field of ecological risk assessment. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:2229-2236. © 2023 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie G Suski
- Water and Natural Resources, EA Engineering, Science and Technology, PBC, Hunt Valley, Maryland, USA
| | - Michael K Chanov
- Water and Natural Resources, EA Engineering, Science and Technology, PBC, Hunt Valley, Maryland, USA
| | - Christopher G Heron
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Jennifer A Field
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
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4
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Brown AS, Yun X, McKenzie ER, Heron CG, Field JA, Salice CJ. Spatial and temporal variability of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in environmental media of a small pond: Toward an improved understanding of PFAS bioaccumulation in fish. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 880:163149. [PMID: 37011692 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are highly fluorinated compounds with many industrial applications, for instance as ingredients in fire-suppressing aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF). Several PFAS have been demonstrated to be persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic. This study better characterizes the bioaccumulation of PFAS in freshwater fish through a spatial and temporal analysis of surface water and sediment from a stormwater pond in a former Naval air station (NAS) with historic AFFF use. We sampled environmental media from four locations twice per week for five weeks and sampled fish at the end of the sampling effort. The primary PFAS identified in surface water, sediment, and biota were perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) followed by perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in environmental media and perfluoroheptane sulfonate (PFHpS) in biota. We observed significant temporal variability in surface water concentrations at the pond headwaters following stochastic events such as heavy rainfall for many compounds, particularly PFHxS. Sediment concentrations varied most across sampling locations. In fish, liver tissue presented the highest concentrations for all compounds except PFHxS, which was highest in muscle tissue, suggesting the influence of fine-scale aqueous PFAS fluctuations on tissue distribution. Calculated log bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) ranged from 0.13 to 2.30 for perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (PFCA) and 0.29-4.05 for perfluoroalkane sulfonates (PFSA) and fluctuated greatly with aqueous concentrations. The variability of PFAS concentrations in environmental media necessitates more frequent sampling efforts in field-based studies to better characterize PFAS contamination in aquatic ecosystems as well as exercising caution when considering single time-point BAFs due to uncertainty of system dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbi S Brown
- Environmental Science and Studies Program, Towson University, Towson, MD, USA
| | - Xiaoyan Yun
- Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Erica R McKenzie
- Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Christopher G Heron
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, College of Agricultural Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Jennifer A Field
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, College of Agricultural Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
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5
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Narizzano AM, Lent EM, Hanson JM, East AG, Bohannon ME, Quinn MJ. Reproductive and developmental toxicity of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in the white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus). Reprod Toxicol 2022; 113:120-127. [PMID: 35985401 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2022.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Concerns about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) stem from their ubiquitous presence in the environment, bioaccumulation, resistance to degradation, and toxicity. Previously, toxicity data relevant to ecological risk assessment has largely been aquatic, terrestrial invertebrates, or avian in origin. In this study, repeated oral exposures of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) were administered to white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) to evaluate effects on reproduction and development. Prenatal exposure to high doses of PFOS caused neonatal mortality, though growth and development were unaffected by low doses. Additionally, parental (P) generation animals exhibited increased liver:body weight, increased hepatocyte cytoplasmic vacuolization, and decreased serum thyroxine (T4) levels. Total litter loss was selected as the protective critical effect in this study resulting in a benchmark dose low (BMDL) of 0.12 mg/kg-d PFOS. Importantly, PFOS exposure has been linked to reduced adult recruitment in myriad species and at similar thresholds to this study. Similarities in critical/toxicologic effects across taxa may add confidence in risk assessments at sites with multiple taxa or environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison M Narizzano
- Toxicology Directorate, US Army Public Health Center, 5158 Blackhawk Road, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010, USA.
| | - Emily May Lent
- Toxicology Directorate, US Army Public Health Center, 5158 Blackhawk Road, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010, USA
| | - Jarod M Hanson
- Toxicology Directorate, US Army Public Health Center, 5158 Blackhawk Road, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010, USA
| | - Andrew G East
- Toxicology Directorate, US Army Public Health Center, 5158 Blackhawk Road, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010, USA
| | - Meredith E Bohannon
- Toxicology Directorate, US Army Public Health Center, 5158 Blackhawk Road, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010, USA
| | - Michael J Quinn
- Toxicology Directorate, US Army Public Health Center, 5158 Blackhawk Road, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010, USA
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6
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Krupa PM, Lotufo GR, Mylroie EJ, May LK, Gust KA, Kimble AN, Jung MG, Boyda JA, Garcia-Reyero N, Moore DW. Chronic aquatic toxicity of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) to Ceriodaphnia dubia, Chironomus dilutus, Danio rerio, and Hyalella azteca. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 241:113838. [PMID: 36068762 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) is a ubiquitous and persistent contaminant in aquatic ecosystems. Chronic toxicity information for aquatic organisms is limited, therefore we conducted chronic PFOS toxicity tests for four model organisms commonly used for freshwater toxicology assays: Chironomus dilutus (midge), Ceriodaphnia dubia (water flea), Hyalella azteca (amphipod) and Danio rerio (zebrafish). The 16-day survival test with C. dilutus resulted in the lowest PFOS exposure concentrations to cause significant impacts, with reduced survival at 1 µg/L, a LC50 of 7.5 µg/L, and a growth EC10 of 1.5 µg/L. D. rerio was the next most sensitive species, with a 30-day LC50 of 490 µg/L and reduced growth at 260 µg/L. Effects for C. dubia and H. azteca occurred at concentrations a thousand-fold higher than for C. dilutus. H. azteca had a 42-day LC50 of 15 mg/L, an EC50 of 3.8 mg/L for reproduction (neonates per female) and an EC50 of 4.7 mg/L for growth. C. dubia was similarly tolerant of PFOS, with a 6-day LC50 of 20 mg/L for survival and an EC50 of 7 mg/L for reproduction (neonates per adult). H. azteca, C. dubia, and, to a lesser extent, D. rerio, appear tolerant of PFOS concentrations typically found in the environment. However, in agreement with previous studies, C. dilutus was particularly sensitive to PFOS exposure, with lethal and sublethal effects occurring at concentration levels present at highly contaminated sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paige M Krupa
- US Army Engineer Research and Development Center Environmental Laboratory, 3909 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, MS 39180, USA.
| | - Guilherme R Lotufo
- US Army Engineer Research and Development Center Environmental Laboratory, 3909 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, MS 39180, USA
| | - Erik J Mylroie
- US Army Engineer Research and Development Center Environmental Laboratory, 3909 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, MS 39180, USA
| | - Lauren K May
- US Army Engineer Research and Development Center Environmental Laboratory, 3909 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, MS 39180, USA
| | - Kurt A Gust
- US Army Engineer Research and Development Center Environmental Laboratory, 3909 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, MS 39180, USA
| | - Ashley N Kimble
- US Army Engineer Research and Development Center Environmental Laboratory, 3909 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, MS 39180, USA
| | - Michael G Jung
- US Army Engineer Research and Development Center Environmental Laboratory, 3909 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, MS 39180, USA
| | - Jonna A Boyda
- US Army Engineer Research and Development Center Environmental Laboratory, 3909 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, MS 39180, USA
| | - Natàlia Garcia-Reyero
- US Army Engineer Research and Development Center Environmental Laboratory, 3909 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, MS 39180, USA
| | - David W Moore
- US Army Engineer Research and Development Center Environmental Laboratory, 3909 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, MS 39180, USA
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7
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Reinikainen J, Perkola N, Äystö L, Sorvari J. The occurrence, distribution, and risks of PFAS at AFFF-impacted sites in Finland. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 829:154237. [PMID: 35292316 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154237] [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: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) comprise a wide group of persistent chemicals, whose ubiquitous occurrence in the environment, particularly due to their extensive use for fire suppression in aqueous film forming foams (AFFFs), has raised global attention. We evaluated the impacts of PFAS at three firefighting training sites and one industrial site in Finland, to highlight key elements to be considered in the retrospective risk assessment of these chemicals. The site assessments covered the occurrence and distribution of 23 PFAS in multiple environmental matrices, i.e., soil, sediment, surface water, groundwater, and biota, and the subsequent risks to human health and the environment owing to the migration of and exposure to the selected compounds. Our study showed that the extensive use of nowadays restricted or substituted PFAS, particularly PFOS, are still often the predominant compounds detected at AFFF-impacted sites and will continue to cause long-term risks to the environment. The most significant environmental or health risks at these sites are likely to concern aquatic ecosystems, fish consumption or groundwater usage due to the off-site migration of PFAS. Here, even a single fire extinguishing event can be a considerable contributor. We also illustrate that conventional procedures based on simple mass-balance, and exposure models, with a focus on PFOS and other site-specifically relevant PFAS may provide sufficient means to assess the risks. Moreover, we address that despite the exceedance of the very stringent regulatory threshold values issued recently for PFAS, the actual site-specific risks to human health and the environment may remain reasonably low.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jussi Reinikainen
- Finnish Environment Institute SYKE, 140, FI-00251 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Noora Perkola
- Finnish Environment Institute SYKE, 140, FI-00251 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Lauri Äystö
- Finnish Environment Institute SYKE, 140, FI-00251 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Jaana Sorvari
- Finnish Environment Institute SYKE, 140, FI-00251 Helsinki, Finland.
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Wilkinson RS, Lanza HA, Olson AD, Mudge JF, Salice CJ, Anderson TA. Perfluoroalkyl acids in sediment and water surrounding historical fire training areas at Barksdale Air Force Base. PeerJ 2022; 10:e13054. [PMID: 35287347 PMCID: PMC8917801 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are environmentally persistent components of surfactants that consist of fully fluorinated carbon chains and a terminal sulfonate or carboxylate polar head moiety. Due to their unique amphiphilic properties, PFAAs are used in the manufacturing of products such as aqueous film forming foams (AFFF). There is cause for concern for PFAA contamination resulting from runoff and groundwater infiltration of AFFF that were used during fire training. This study analyzed water and sediment samples that were collected over a 13-month sampling period from bayous upstream and downstream of two former fire training areas located near Barksdale Air Force Base (BAFB); the occurrence and magnitude of PFAAs supported an aquatic ecological risk assessment of potential impacts of PFAAs at the site. Liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry was used for determination of 6 PFAAs listed under the third Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 3). Total PFAA concentrations in surface water and sediment samples ranged from 0 (ND) -7.1 ng/mL and 0 (ND) -31.4 ng/g, respectively. Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) were the predominant PFAAs detected. In general, perfluorosulfonates were quantified more frequently and at higher concentrations than perfluorocarboxylates. The perfluoroalkyl chain length of PFAAs also showed significant influence on PFAA concentrations when analyzed by Spearman's rank correlation analysis. Some contamination we observed in surface water and sediment samples from reference locations could be a result of local runoff from the use of commercial products containing per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), but AFFF appears to be the primary source given the close proximity of the historical fire training areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca S. Wilkinson
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States of America
| | - Heather A. Lanza
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States of America
| | - Adric D. Olson
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States of America
| | - Joseph F. Mudge
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States of America
| | - Christopher J. Salice
- Environmental Science and Studies, Towson University, Towson, MD, United States of America
| | - Todd A. Anderson
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States of America
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9
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Jarjour J, Yan B, Munoz G, Desrosiers M, Sauvé S, Liu J. Reduced bioaccumulation of fluorotelomer sulfonates and perfluoroalkyl acids in earthworms (Eisenia fetida) from soils amended with modified clays. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 423:126999. [PMID: 34461538 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126999] [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: 05/30/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Soils contaminated by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pose long-term sources to adjacent water bodies and soil invertebrates. The study investigated the stabilization using a modified clay adsorbent (FLUORO-SORB100®) in reducing the bioaccumulation of 13 anionic PFAS by earthworms (Eisenia fetida), as compared to coal-based granular activated carbon. The target PFAS included four perfluoroalkyl sulfonates such as perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), six perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (e.g., perfluorooctanoate PFOA), and three (X:2) fluorotelomer sulfonates. Laboratory-spiked surface soil and the soil collected from a site contaminated by aqueous film-forming foams were examined. Both adsorbents resulted in reduced earthworm PFAS body burdens at the end of the 28-day uptake phase. The highest adsorbent amendment concentration (4 w/w%) was most effective, achieving >95% reduction of PFAS body burden. Soil leaching tests indicated better immobilization performance by the clay adsorbent for most analytes; in comparison, the activated carbon performed better at reducing total PFAS body burdens, possibly owing to the avoidance of larger-sized particles by earthworms. Strong positive logarithm relationships were observed between leachate concentrations and earthworm body burdens for most PFAS in the spiked soil. The study demonstrated that stabilization of PFAS using modified clay adsorbents can achieve concurrent benefits of lowering leachability and reducing bioaccumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Jarjour
- Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Bei Yan
- Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Gabriel Munoz
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Mélanie Desrosiers
- Centre d'expertise en analyse environnementale du Québec, ministère de l'Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Sébastien Sauvé
- Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Jinxia Liu
- Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada.
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10
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Dennis NM, Hossain F, Subbiah S, Karnjanapiboonwong A, Dennis ML, McCarthy C, Jackson WA, Crago JP, Salice CJ, Anderson TA. Species- and Tissue-Specific Chronic Toxicity Values for Northern Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus) Exposed to Perfluorohexane Sulfonic Acid and a Binary Mixture of Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid and Perfluorohexane Sulfonic Acid. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2022; 41:219-229. [PMID: 34807997 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Revised: 10/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are globally distributed and present in nearly every environmental compartment. Characterizing the chronic toxicity of individual PFAS compounds and mixtures is necessary because many have been reported to cause adverse health effects. To derive toxicity reference values (TRVs) and conduct ecotoxicological risk assessments (ERAs) of PFAS-contaminated ecosystems for wildlife, species-specific PFAS chronic toxicity values (CTVs) are needed. The present study quantified PFAS residues from liver and eggs of birds chronically exposed to perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) or a mixture of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and PFHxA that produced a no-observable-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) and/or a lowest-observable-adverse-effectlevel (LOAEL). The CTVs we present are lower than those previously reported for birds and should be considered in future regulatory evaluations. From the estimated species- and tissue-specific PFAS CTVs, we found that PFOS and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) were more bioaccumulative than PFHxA in avian tissues, but PFHxA was more toxic to reproducing birds than either PFOS or a PFOS:PFHxS mixture. We further determined that avian toxicity was not necessarily additive with respect to PFAS mixtures, which could have implications for PFAS ERAs. The PFAS LOAEL CTVs can be used to predict reproductive and possible population-level adverse health effects in wild avian receptors. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:219-229. © 2021 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole M Dennis
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Farzana Hossain
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Seenivasan Subbiah
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | | | - Michael L Dennis
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | | | - W Andrew Jackson
- Department of Civil, Environmental, & Construction Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Jordan P Crago
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | | | - Todd A Anderson
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
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11
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Zhang J, Zhang M, Tao H, Qi G, Guo W, Ge H, Shi J. A QSAR-ICE-SSD Model Prediction of the PNECs for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Their Ecological Risks in an Area of Electroplating Factories. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26216574. [PMID: 34770982 PMCID: PMC8587016 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26216574] [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] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a class of highly fluorinated aliphatic compounds that are persistent and bioaccumulate, posing a potential threat to the aquatic environment. The electroplating industry is considered to be an important source of PFASs. Due to emerging PFASs and many alternatives, the acute toxicity data for PFASs and their alternatives are relatively limited. In this study, a QSAR–ICE–SSD composite model was constructed by combining quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR), interspecies correlation estimation (ICE), and species sensitivity distribution (SSD) models in order to obtain the predicted no-effect concentrations (PNECs) of selected PFASs. The PNECs for the selected PFASs ranged from 0.254 to 6.27 mg/L. The ΣPFAS concentrations ranged from 177 to 983 ng/L in a river close to an electroplating industry in Shenzhen. The ecological risks associated with PFASs in the river were below 2.97 × 10−4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawei Zhang
- 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; (J.Z.); (M.Z.); (H.T.); (G.Q.); (W.G.)
- Environmental Engineering Research Centre, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Mengtao Zhang
- 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; (J.Z.); (M.Z.); (H.T.); (G.Q.); (W.G.)
| | - Huanyu Tao
- 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; (J.Z.); (M.Z.); (H.T.); (G.Q.); (W.G.)
- Environmental Engineering Research Centre, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Guanjing Qi
- 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; (J.Z.); (M.Z.); (H.T.); (G.Q.); (W.G.)
| | - Wei Guo
- 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; (J.Z.); (M.Z.); (H.T.); (G.Q.); (W.G.)
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Water Quality Science and Water Environment Recovery Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Hui Ge
- 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; (J.Z.); (M.Z.); (H.T.); (G.Q.); (W.G.)
- Correspondence: (H.G.); (J.S.)
| | - Jianghong Shi
- 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; (J.Z.); (M.Z.); (H.T.); (G.Q.); (W.G.)
- Correspondence: (H.G.); (J.S.)
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12
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Dennis NM, Hossain F, Subbiah S, Karnjanapiboonwong A, Dennis ML, McCarthy C, Heron CG, Jackson WA, Crago JP, Field JA, Salice CJ, Anderson TA. Chronic Reproductive Toxicity Thresholds for Northern Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus) Exposed to Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA) and a Mixture of Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid (PFOS) and PFHxA. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2021; 40:2601-2614. [PMID: 34102702 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Terrestrial toxicology data are limited for comprehensive ecotoxicological risk assessment of ecosystems contaminated by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) partly because of their existence as mixtures in the environment. This complicates logistical dose-response modeling and establishment of a threshold value characterizing the chronic toxicity of PFAS to ecological receptors. We examined reproduction, growth, and survival endpoints using a combination of hypothesis testing and logistical dose-response modeling of northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) exposed to perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) alone and to PFHxA in a binary mixture with perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) via the drinking water. The exposure concentration chronic toxicity value (CTV) representative of the lowest-observable-adverse effect level (LOAEL) threshold for chronic oral PFAS toxicity (based on reduced offspring weight and growth rate) was 0.10 ng/mL for PFHxA and 0.06 ng/mL for a PFOS:PFHxA (2.7:1) mixture. These estimates corresponded to an adult LOAEL average daily intake CTV of 0.0149 and 0.0082 µg × kg body weight-1 × d-1 , respectively. Neither no-observable-adverse effect level threshold and representative CTVs nor dose-response and predicted effective concentration values could be established for these 2 response variables. The findings indicate that a reaction(s) occurs among the individual PFAS components present in the mixture to alter the potential toxicity, demonstrating that mixture affects avian PFAS toxicity. Thus, chronic oral PFAS toxicity to avian receptors represented as the sum of the individual compound toxicities may not necessarily be the best method for assessing chronic mixture exposure risk at PFAS-contaminated sites. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:2601-2614. © 2021 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole M Dennis
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Farzana Hossain
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Seenivasan Subbiah
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | | | - Michael L Dennis
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | | | - Christopher G Heron
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - W Andrew Jackson
- Department of Civil, Environmental, & Construction Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Jordan P Crago
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Jennifer A Field
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | | | - Todd A Anderson
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
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13
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McCarthy CJ, Roark SA, Wright D, O'Neal K, Muckey B, Stanaway M, Rewerts JN, Field JA, Anderson TA, Salice CJ. Toxicological Response of Chironomus dilutus in Single-Chemical and Binary Mixture Exposure Experiments with 6 Perfluoralkyl Substances. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2021; 40:2319-2333. [PMID: 33835531 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Few studies have determined the toxicity of perfluoralkyl substances (PFAS) to aquatic invertebrates. We exposed Chironomus dilutus to 6 different PFAS to assess single-chemical toxicity and relative or proportional toxicity among substances. A 10-d range-finding test was conducted to inform 20-d assays for the following PFAS: perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS), perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), and perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA). A 20-d binary mixture study of PFOS+PFHxS followed the single-chemical tests. Measurement endpoints for 20-d tests included larval survival and biomass. Log-logistic concentration response models were used to estimate 10, 20, and 50% effect concentrations (EC20, EC50) for PFOS, PFHxS, and PFOA. Survival EC50s for PFOS, PFHxS, and PFOA were 2.49, 3860, and 192 000 µg/L, respectively, whereas survival EC20s were 1.70, 913, and 119 000 µg/L for PFOS, PFHxS, and PFOA, respectively. Biomass as a combined survival and growth endpoint resulted in EC20s of 1.89, 896, and 137 000 µg/L for PFOS, PFHxS, and PFOA, respectively. Maximum concentrations tested (no-observed-effect concentrations) for PFNA, PFBS, and PFHpA were 2 to 3 orders of magnitude greater than the PFOS EC50s and showed no toxicity to C. dilutus, even at exposure concentrations well above what would be considered environmentally relevant. The binary mixture of 2.5 µg/L PFOS+1000 µg/L PFHxS showed reduced survival compared to controls and some indication of potential additive or synergistic interaction between PFOS and PFHxS. Overall, the present study supports previous studies showing PFOS to be the most toxic PFAS to aquatic life and suggests that PFOS could be more toxic to the freshwater midge than previously reported. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:2319-2333. © 2021 SETAC.
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14
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Henning MH, Fuchsman PC. Ecological risk assessment of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances: Foreword. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2021; 17:670-672. [PMID: 34019722 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.4465] [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: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
During the last 5 years, data and guidance to support ecological risk assessment of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substance (PFAS) have become increasingly available. The studies presented in this special series exemplify and advance this progress. Among the highlights are a whole-colony honey bee toxicity study, a critical evaluation of contrasting evidence to understand avian toxicity of PFAS, a bioaccumulation model incorporating PFOS precursor transformation, and an assessment of PFAS monitoring and regulatory needs on the African continent. This foreword closes with a summary of research needs identified from the special series. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2021;17:670-672. © 2021 SETAC.
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15
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Ankley GT, Cureton P, Hoke RA, Houde M, Kumar A, Kurias J, Lanno R, McCarthy C, Newsted J, Salice CJ, Sample BE, Sepúlveda MS, Steevens J, Valsecchi S. Assessing the Ecological Risks of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances: Current State-of-the Science and a Proposed Path Forward. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2021; 40:564-605. [PMID: 32897586 PMCID: PMC7984443 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) encompass a large, heterogenous group of chemicals of potential concern to human health and the environment. Based on information for a few relatively well-understood PFAS such as perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoate, there is ample basis to suspect that at least a subset can be considered persistent, bioaccumulative, and/or toxic. However, data suitable for determining risks in either prospective or retrospective assessments are lacking for the majority of PFAS. In August 2019, the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry sponsored a workshop that focused on the state-of-the-science supporting risk assessment of PFAS. The present review summarizes discussions concerning the ecotoxicology and ecological risks of PFAS. First, we summarize currently available information relevant to problem formulation/prioritization, exposure, and hazard/effects of PFAS in the context of regulatory and ecological risk assessment activities from around the world. We then describe critical gaps and uncertainties relative to ecological risk assessments for PFAS and propose approaches to address these needs. Recommendations include the development of more comprehensive monitoring programs to support exposure assessment, an emphasis on research to support the formulation of predictive models for bioaccumulation, and the development of in silico, in vitro, and in vivo methods to efficiently assess biological effects for potentially sensitive species/endpoints. Addressing needs associated with assessing the ecological risk of PFAS will require cross-disciplinary approaches that employ both conventional and new methods in an integrated, resource-effective manner. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:564-605. © 2020 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC. This article has been contributed to by US Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerald T. Ankley
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, US Environmental Protection AgencyDuluthMinnesotaUSA
| | - Philippa Cureton
- Science and Risk Assessment Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, GatineauQuebecCanada
| | | | - Magali Houde
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, MontrealQuebecCanada
| | - Anupama Kumar
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation UrrbraeSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Jessy Kurias
- Science and Risk Assessment Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, GatineauQuebecCanada
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Maria S. Sepúlveda
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue UniversityWest LayetteIndianaUSA
| | - Jeffery Steevens
- US Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research CenterColumbiaMissouriUSA
| | - Sara Valsecchi
- Water Research Institute, National Research CouncilBrugherioMonza and BrianzaItaly
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16
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Rewerts JN, Christie EC, Robel AE, Anderson TA, McCarthy C, Salice CJ, Field JA. Key Considerations for Accurate Exposures in Ecotoxicological Assessments of Perfluorinated Carboxylates and Sulfonates. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2021; 40:677-688. [PMID: 31944348 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Toxicity reference values for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) vary even when the same test organism is studied. Although the need to confirm dosing solution concentrations is widely accepted, there are no experimental data to inform best practices when PFAS solutions are prepared. Laboratory data indicate that dissolution time of PFAS solids causes statistically significant deviations between nominal and measured concentrations. Mixing times for select PFAS varied between 2 and 5 h, depending on carbon fluorine chain-length. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:677-688. © 2020 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin N Rewerts
- Department of Chemistry, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Emerson C Christie
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Alix E Robel
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Todd A Anderson
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | | | | | - Jennifer A Field
- Department of Chemistry, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
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17
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East A, Anderson RH, Salice CJ. Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Surface Water Near US Air Force Bases: Prioritizing Individual Chemicals and Mixtures for Toxicity Testing and Risk Assessment. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2021; 40:859-870. [PMID: 33026654 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large class of persistent chemicals used for decades in industrial and commercial applications. A key challenge with regard to estimating potential risk to ecological (and human) receptors associated with PFAS exposure lies in the fact that there are many different PFAS compounds and several to many can co-occur in any given environmental sample. We applied a data science approach to characterize and prioritize PFAS and PFAS mixtures from a large dataset of PFAS measurements in surface waters associated with US Air Force Installations with a history of the use of aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs). Several iterations of stakeholder feedback culminated in a few main points that advanced our understanding of a complex dataset and the larger ecotoxicological problem. First, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was often a dominant PFAS in a given surface water sample, frequently followed by perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS). Second, a 4-chemical mixture generally accounted for >80% of the sum of all routinely reported PFAS in a sample, and the most representative 4-chemical mixture was composed of PFOS, PFHxS, perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). We suggest that these results demonstrate the utility of formalized data science analysis and assessment frameworks to address complex ecotoxicological problems. Specifically, our example dataset results can be used to provide perspective on toxicity testing, ecological risk assessments, and field studies of PFAS in and around AFFF-impacted sites. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:871-882. © 2020 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew East
- Environmental Science and Studies Program, Towson University, Towson, Maryland, USA
| | - Richard H Anderson
- Environmental Science and Studies Program, Towson University, Towson, Maryland, USA
| | - Christopher J Salice
- Technical Support Branch, US Air Force, Civil Engineering Center, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, USA
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18
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De Silva AO, Armitage JM, Bruton TA, Dassuncao C, Heiger-Bernays W, Hu XC, Kärrman A, Kelly B, Ng C, Robuck A, Sun M, Webster TF, Sunderland EM. PFAS Exposure Pathways for Humans and Wildlife: A Synthesis of Current Knowledge and Key Gaps in Understanding. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2021; 40:631-657. [PMID: 33201517 PMCID: PMC7906948 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 257] [Impact Index Per Article: 85.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
We synthesize current understanding of the magnitudes and methods for assessing human and wildlife exposures to poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Most human exposure assessments have focused on 2 to 5 legacy PFAS, and wildlife assessments are typically limited to targeted PFAS (up to ~30 substances). However, shifts in chemical production are occurring rapidly, and targeted methods for detecting PFAS have not kept pace with these changes. Total fluorine measurements complemented by suspect screening using high-resolution mass spectrometry are thus emerging as essential tools for PFAS exposure assessment. Such methods enable researchers to better understand contributions from precursor compounds that degrade into terminal perfluoroalkyl acids. Available data suggest that diet is the major human exposure pathway for some PFAS, but there is large variability across populations and PFAS compounds. Additional data on total fluorine in exposure media and the fraction of unidentified organofluorine are needed. Drinking water has been established as the major exposure source in contaminated communities. As water supplies are remediated, for the general population, exposures from dust, personal care products, indoor environments, and other sources may be more important. A major challenge for exposure assessments is the lack of statistically representative population surveys. For wildlife, bioaccumulation processes differ substantially between PFAS and neutral lipophilic organic compounds, prompting a reevaluation of traditional bioaccumulation metrics. There is evidence that both phospholipids and proteins are important for the tissue partitioning and accumulation of PFAS. New mechanistic models for PFAS bioaccumulation are being developed that will assist in wildlife risk evaluations. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:631-657. © 2020 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Carla Ng
- University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Anna Robuck
- University of Rhode Island, Graduate School of Oceanography, Narragansett, RI USA
| | - Mei Sun
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC USA
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19
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Zodrow JM, Frenchmeyer M, Dally K, Osborn E, Anderson P, Divine C. Development of Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Ecological Risk-Based Screening Levels. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2021; 40:921-936. [PMID: 33369775 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Evaluation of chemical risks to threatened and endangered species is a requirement for Superfund ecological risk assessments; however, screening levels to evaluate the potential for toxicity associated with ecological receptor exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are lacking. Therefore, PFAS risk-based screening levels (RBSLs) were developed. Wildlife RBSLs were developed using surrogate receptors selected to be representative of threatened and endangered species with different habitat types, feeding guilds, and trophic levels. Published uptake and toxicity data were combined with receptor exposure factors to derive RBSLs for terrestrial and aquatic wildlife for several PFAS, including perfluorononanoic acid, perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, perfluorooctanoic acid, perfluorohexanoic acid, perfluorobutanesulfonic acid, and pentafluorobenzoic acid. Uptake information for surrogate PFAS were considered to calculate RBSLs for PFAS with toxicity data and insufficient bioaccumulation data to develop an RBSL. Both no-observed-adverse effect level (NOAEL)- and lowest-observed-adverse effect level-based wildlife RBSLs were calculated to allow for a range of risk estimates appropriate to individual threatened and endangered species and populations of nonlisted wildlife receptors, respectively. Recommended water quality RBSLs protective of aquatic life were developed for 23 PFAS based on published literature reviews and peer-reviewed aquatic toxicity studies and Great Lakes Initiative methodology. For wildlife receptors, NOAEL RBSLs ranged from to 0.013 to 340 mg/kg for soil, 0.0014 to 370 mg/kg for sediment, and 0.000075 to 1600 mg/L for surface water. For aquatic life, chronic RBSLs ranged from 0.00022 to 3.4 mg/L. For terrestrial plants and soil invertebrates, the no-observed-effect concentration screening levels range from 0.084 to 642 mg/kg and from 1 to 50 mg/kg, respectively. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:921-936. © 2020 SETAC.
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Suski JG, Salice CJ, Chanov MK, Ayers J, Rewerts J, Field J. Sensitivity and Accumulation of Perfluorooctanesulfonate and Perfluorohexanesulfonic Acid in Fathead Minnows (Pimephales promelas) Exposed over Critical Life Stages of Reproduction and Development. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2021; 40:811-819. [PMID: 33275288 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 05/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have emerged as contaminants of environmental concern following release from industrial practices and use of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF). Of the identified PFAS in surface water samples from known AFFF release sites, perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) are frequently detected. The focus of the present study was to determine the effects of PFOS and PFHxS to the native (and common) fathead minnow, Pimephales promelas, over critical life stages of reproduction and development. Two separate, 42-d experiments were carried out using sexually mature fish, exposed to either PFOS or PFHxS. Measured exposure concentrations for PFOS and PFHxS were 0, 44, 88, 140, and 231 µg/L and 0, 150, 300, 600, and 1200 µg/L, respectively. At day 21 of the adult exposure, eggs were collected and reared for 21 d to determine the effects of PFOS or PFHxS on development, growth, and survival of larvae. The no-observable-effect concentration (NOEC) for PFOS was 44 µg/L, and the lowest-observable-effect concentration was 88 µg/L based on reduced growth in juvenile (F1) fish. Effects from PFOS exposures that did not follow a standard dose-response curve were reduced gonadosomatic index in adult males (at 44 µg/L) and reduced fecundity in females (at 140 µg/L). There was no toxicity on apical endpoints to report on adult or juvenile fish exposed to PFHxS up to 1200 µg/L. Importantly, we note that both PFOS and PFHxS accumulated in gonads and liver of adult fish following the respective exposures. The present study supports previous literature on PFOS toxicity and accumulation in fathead minnows but resulted in a lower NOEC than previously established for this species. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:811-819. © 2020 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- J G Suski
- EA Engineering, Science and Technology, Inc., PBC, Water and Natural Resources, Hunt Valley, Maryland, USA
| | - C J Salice
- Department of Biological Sciences, Towson University, Towson, Maryland, USA
| | - M K Chanov
- EA Engineering, Science and Technology, Inc., PBC, Water and Natural Resources, Hunt Valley, Maryland, USA
| | - J Ayers
- EA Engineering, Science and Technology, Inc., PBC, Water and Natural Resources, Hunt Valley, Maryland, USA
| | - J Rewerts
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - J Field
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
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21
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Senevirathna STMLD, Mahinroosta R, Li M, KrishnaPillai K. In situ soil flushing to remediate confined soil contaminated with PFOS- an innovative solution for emerging environmental issue. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 262:127606. [PMID: 32805650 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
PerFluoroOctane Sulfonate (PFOS), is a toxic anthropogenic chemical that has been produced and gradually released into the environment for the past seven decades. An accurate audit of global PFOS contamination and contaminated sites are yet to be published. The available technologies to remediate PFOS contaminated soil are limited and often basic strategies such as temporary soil containment are adopted as immediate measures to manage the contaminated sites. In this study, the in situ soil flushing technique is assessed for its capacity to remediate soil contaminated with PFOS. A complete treatment process with several operation units was proposed such as solvent flushing, ground water pumping, solvent recovery and water treatment for PFOS. Potential solvents were identified and it was observed that more than 98% PFOS removal could be attained by flushing with five bed volumes of 50% ethanol. In addition, the study investigated thirteen commercially available filter materials and identified PFA694E, K6362, MP 62, Amberlite IRA 67 and Dowexoptopore V493 as suitable to eliminate PFOS with competitive PFOS adsorption characteristics. The proposed method can be recommended to remediate PFOS in recognised contaminated soils, such as those at defence sites. Furthermore, a contaminated site with favourable characteristics to implement the suggested method was identified in Australia and described in this paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- S T M L D Senevirathna
- CSU Engineering, Faculty of Business, Justice and Behavioural Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Panorama Avenue, Bathurst, NSW, Australia; Institute of Land, Water, and Society, Charles Sturt University, Australia.
| | - Reza Mahinroosta
- CSU Engineering, Faculty of Business, Justice and Behavioural Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Panorama Avenue, Bathurst, NSW, Australia; Institute of Land, Water, and Society, Charles Sturt University, Australia
| | - Miao Li
- CSU Engineering, Faculty of Business, Justice and Behavioural Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Panorama Avenue, Bathurst, NSW, Australia; Institute of Land, Water, and Society, Charles Sturt University, Australia
| | - Karthika KrishnaPillai
- CSU Engineering, Faculty of Business, Justice and Behavioural Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Panorama Avenue, Bathurst, NSW, Australia; Institute of Land, Water, and Society, Charles Sturt University, Australia
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22
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Penland TN, Cope WG, Kwak TJ, Strynar MJ, Grieshaber CA, Heise RJ, Sessions FW. Trophodynamics of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in the Food Web of a Large Atlantic Slope River. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:6800-6811. [PMID: 32345015 PMCID: PMC8190818 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b05007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have attracted scientific and regulatory attention due to their persistence, bioaccumulative potential, toxicity, and global distribution. We determined the accumulation and trophic transfer of 14 PFASs (5 short-chain and 9 long-chain) within the food web of the Yadkin-Pee Dee River of North Carolina and South Carolina, US. Food web components and pathways were determined by stable isotope analyses of producers, consumers, and organic matter. Analyses of water, sediment, organic matter, and aquatic biota revealed that PFASs were prevalent in all food web compartments. Biofilm, an aggregation of bacteria, fungi, algae, and protozoans and a basal resource for the aquatic food web, showed high PFAS accumulation (in 10 of 14 compounds), particularly for perfluorooctanoic acid, with the greatest mean concentration of 463.73 ng/g. The food web compartment with the most detections and greatest concentrations of PFASs was aquatic insects; all 14 PFASs were detected in individual aquatic insect samples (range of <limit of detection [<LOD] to 1670.10 ng/g of wet weight [WW]). These findings may suggest a trophic link between biofilm PFASs and aquatic insect PFASs. Individual fish tissue samples ranged from <LOD to 797.00 ng/g of WW, where perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) was the dominant PFAS among all samples (64%). The ova of an imperiled fish, the robust redhorse (Moxostoma robustum), had concentrations of 10 PFASs (range of <LOD to 482.88 ng/g of WW) and the highest PFOS concentration (482.88 ng/g of WW), indicating a likely maternal transfer. The trophic magnification factors (TMFs) calculated in this study showed that various taxa accumulated PFAS compounds differently. PFBS, a short-chain PFAS compound that would presumably exhibit lesser TMFs, had nine values among our compartments and organisms >1.0 (range of 0.57 to 2.33); it is possible that an unmeasured PFBS precursor may be accumulating in biota and metabolizing to PFBS, leading to a higher than expected TMFs for this compound. Our findings demonstrate the prevalence of PFASs in a freshwater food web with potential implications for ecological and human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany N. Penland
- North Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University
| | - W. Gregory Cope
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University
- Corresponding Author, Tel: +1-919-515-5296
| | - Thomas J. Kwak
- U.S. Geological Survey, North Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University
| | - Mark J. Strynar
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Exposure Research Laboratory
| | - Casey A. Grieshaber
- North Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University
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23
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Li R, Tang T, Qiao W, Huang J. Toxic effect of perfluorooctane sulfonate on plants in vertical-flow constructed wetlands. J Environ Sci (China) 2020; 92:176-186. [PMID: 32430120 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2020.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) can be taken up and bioaccumulated in plants, but the toxic mechanisms of PFASs on wetland plants are still unclear. In present study, the toxic influences of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) on Eichhornia crassipes (E. crassipes) and Cyperus alternifolius (C. alternifolius) in a vertical-subsurface-flow constructed wetland were evaluated. The results showed that E. crassipes was more tolerant to PFOS stress than C. alternifolius, and the growth and chlorophyll synthesis of the two plants were promoted by low concentration (<0.1 mg/L) of PFOS, and the chlorophyll synthesis was inhibited by high concentration (10 mg/L) of PFOS but the growth did not change obviously. The catalase activity and malondialdehyde content in the leaves of the two plants increased, peroxidase activity decreased under exposure to high concentrations of PFOS, and superoxide dismutase activity did not change. Under PFOS stress, the membrane of plant leaves and the cell structure of the two wetland plants were destroyed, and the mitochondrial contour of root cells became incomplete. Tanscriptomic analysis showed that the expression levels of genes related to cell wall formation, the cell apoptosis pathway, material synthesis, and metabolism in the plants were changed by PFOS. Analysis in fluorogenic quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) also confirmed that the photosynthesis system of E. crassipes was inhibited, while that of C. alternifolius was promoted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Li
- Department of Environmental Engineering, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Tianhao Tang
- Department of Environmental Engineering, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Weichuan Qiao
- Department of Environmental Engineering, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China.
| | - Jun Huang
- School of Environment, Beijing Key Laboratory for Emerging Organic Contaminants Control (BKLEOC), State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control (SKLESPC), Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
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24
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Dennis NM, Karnjanapiboonwong A, Subbiah S, Rewerts JN, Field JA, McCarthy C, Salice CJ, Anderson TA. Chronic Reproductive Toxicity of Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid and a Simple Mixture of Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid and Perfluorohexane Sulfonic Acid to Northern Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus). ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2020; 39:1101-1111. [PMID: 32113193 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a broad class of environmentally persistent chemicals that include thousands of potentially toxic synthetic organic molecules. Some PFAS have been shown to cause adverse health effects including decreased total cholesterol, birth weight, and reproductive success in laboratory animals; however, a lack of chronic toxicity data exists for PFAS in avian ecological receptors. The present study reports on the chronic toxicity of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and a mixture of PFOS and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) to northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) via oral exposure from drinking water. Female weight gain was adversely affected at an average daily intake (ADI) of 3.10 × 10-3 ± 0.15 × 10-3 mg PFOS:PFHxS (1.2:1) mixture × kg-1 body weight × d-1 . Successful liberation from the shell once pipped was adversely affected at an ADI of 2.45 × 10-3 ± 0.01 × 10-3 mg PFOS x kg-1 body weight × d-1 . These values are comparatively much lower than the current dietary avian toxicity reference value (TRV) derived from birds that were exposed via feed, suggesting the need for updated avian TRVs. Relationships between test chemical (PFOS) and test substance (PFOS:PFHxS) showed that PFOS and PFHxS have possible interacting effects in avian receptors and likely differing mechanisms of toxicity depending on chemical co-occurrence and dose. Both the single-chemical and mixture exposures produced similar and possibly additive toxicity values. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:1101-1111. © 2020 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole M Dennis
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | | | - Seenivasan Subbiah
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Justin N Rewerts
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Jennifer A Field
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | | | | | - Todd A Anderson
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
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25
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Abercrombie SA, de Perre C, Choi YJ, Tornabene BJ, Sepúlveda MS, Lee LS, Hoverman JT. Larval amphibians rapidly bioaccumulate poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2019; 178:137-145. [PMID: 31002968 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Revised: 03/30/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are ubiquitous contaminants that can bioaccumulate in aquatic taxa. Amphibians are particularly vulnerable to contaminants and sensitive to endocrine disruptors during their aquatic larval stage. However, few studies have explored PFAS uptake rates in amphibians, which is critical for designing ecotoxicology studies and assessing the potential for bioaccumulation. Uptake rates of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) were measured for larval northern leopard frogs (Rana pipiens), American toads (Anaxyrus americanus), and eastern tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum) during a 240-h exposure to 10 and 1000 μg/L concentrations. We measured body burden and calculated bioconcentration factor (BCF) every 48 h during the experiments. For all species and exposures, body burdens often reached steady state within 48-96 h of exposure. Steady-state body burdens for PFOA and PFOS ranged from 3819 to 16,481 ng/g dry weight (BCF = 0.46-2.5) and 6955-489,958 ng/g dry weight (47-259 BCFs), respectively. Therefore, PFAS steady state occurs rapidly in the larval amphibians we studied and particularly for PFOS. This result reflects a high potential for PFAS trophic transfer because amphibians are often low in trophic position and are important prey for many aquatic and terrestrial species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Abercrombie
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, 715 West State Street, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, United States.
| | - Chloe de Perre
- Department of Agronomy, Purdue University, 915 West State Street, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, United States
| | - Youn Jeong Choi
- Department of Agronomy, Purdue University, 915 West State Street, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, United States; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois Street, Golden, CO, 80401, United States
| | - Brian J Tornabene
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, 715 West State Street, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, United States; Wildlife Biology Program, W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT, 59802, United States
| | - Maria S Sepúlveda
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, 715 West State Street, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, United States
| | - Linda S Lee
- Department of Agronomy, Purdue University, 915 West State Street, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, United States
| | - Jason T Hoverman
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, 715 West State Street, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, United States
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