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Post CM, McDonough C, Lawrence BP. Binary and quaternary mixtures of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) differentially affect the immune response to influenza A virus infection. J Immunotoxicol 2024; 21:2340495. [PMID: 38946256 PMCID: PMC11219007 DOI: 10.1080/1547691x.2024.2340495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are anthropogenic organofluorine compounds that persist indefinitely in the environment and bioaccumulate throughout all trophic levels. Biomonitoring efforts have detected multiple PFAS in the serum of most people. Immune suppression has been among the most consistent effects of exposure to PFAS. PFAS often co-occur as mixtures in the environment, however, few studies have examined immunosuppression of PFAS mixtures or determined whether PFAS exposure affects immune function in the context of infection. In this study, mixtures containing two or four different PFAS and a mouse model of infection with influenza A virus (IAV) were used to assess immunotoxicity of PFAS mixtures. PFAS were administered via the drinking water as either a binary mixture of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) or quaternary mixture of PFOS, PFOA, perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA). The results indicated that the binary mixture affected the T-cell response, while the quaternary mixture affected the B-cell response to infection. These findings indicate that the immunomodulatory effects of PFAS mixtures are not simply additive, and that the sensitivity of immune responses to PFAS varies by cell type and mixture. The study also demonstrates the importance of studying adverse health effects of PFAS mixtures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina M. Post
- University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester NY
| | | | - B. Paige Lawrence
- University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester NY
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2
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Gang D, Jia H, Ji H, Li J, Yu H, Hu C, Qu J. Ecological risk of per-and polyfluorinated alkyl substances in the phytoremediation process: a case study for ecologically keystone species across two generations. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 949:174961. [PMID: 39067584 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174961] [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: 05/14/2024] [Revised: 07/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
The potential ecological risk of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) in phytoremediation has raised social concerns, promoting a need to better understand their distribution and risks in the recovery process of aquatic plants. Herein, we aim to fill this knowledge gap by investigating the distribution and ecotoxicological effects of PFASs on the structure and function of water-macrophyte-sediment microcosm systems. Among the entire system, 63.0 %-73.1 % PFOA was found in sediments and submerged plants, however, 52.5 %-53.0 % of PFPeA and 47.0 %-47.5 % of PFBS remained in the water under different treatments. PFOA was more bioavailable than the other substances, as demonstrated by the bioaccumulation factors (BAF) with ranges exposed to PFPeA and PFBS. Bioaccumulation PFASs induced plant oxidative stress which generates enzymes to suppress superoxide, and disturbed the processes of lysine biosynthesis, in which allysine, meso-2,6-diaminoheptanedioate, and Nsuccinyl-2-amino-6-ketopimelate were downregulated. PFASs were detected in the propagator (turions) of an ecological restoration species, where short-chain PFASs (70.1 % and 45.7 % for 2 or 20 μg/L PFAS exposure, respectively) were found to spread further into new individuals and profoundly influence ecological processes shaping populations. PFASs significantly enhanced the number of microbial species in the sediment, but the degree of differentiation in the microbial community structure was not significantly different. This study enhances our understanding of the ecological mechanisms of PFASs in the water-macrophyte-sediment systems and potential threats to the recovery process of macrophytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diga Gang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Huawei Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control Theory and Technology, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541004, China
| | - He Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jingwen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control Theory and Technology, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Hongwei Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Chengzhi Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jiuhui Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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Guo YT, Huang JB, Xue JC, Qin SJ, Cai D, Wu QZ, Chu C, Tang CL, Xie YQ, Lin LZ, Dong GH, Zeng XW. Intrauterine exposure to long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) were associated with reduced primary bile acids in three-year-old children: Findings from a prospective birth cohort study. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 360:124583. [PMID: 39038776 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124583] [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: 02/17/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
Bile acids (BAs) play a crucial role in lipid metabolism of children. However, the association between per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) exposure and BAs in children is scarce. To address this need, we selected 252 children from the Maoming Birth Cohort and measured 32 PFAS, encompassing short- and long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) and perfluorosulfonic acids (PFSAs) in the cord blood. Additionally, we analyzed nine primary and eight secondary BAs in the serum of three-year-old children. Generalized linear models with FDR-adjusted and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) were used to explore the associations of individual and mixture effects of PFAS and BAs. We found negative associations between cord blood long-chain PFCAs exposure and serum primary BAs in three-year-old children. For example, one ln-unit (ng/mL) increase of perfluoro-n-tridecanoic acid (PFTrDA), perfluoro-n-undecanoic acid (PFUnDA) and perfluoro-n-decanoic acid (PFDA) were associated with decreased taurochenodeoxycholic acid, with estimated percentage change of -24.28% [95% confidence interval (CI): -36.75%, -9.35%], -25.84% (95% CI: -39.67%, -8.83%), and -22.97% (95% CI: -34.45%, -9.47%) respectively. Notably, the observed associations were more pronounced in children with lower vegetable intake. Additionally, the BKMR model also demonstrated a monotonical decline in primary BAs as the PFAS mixture increased. We provided the first evidence of the association between intrauterine exposure to PFAS and its mixture with BAs in children. Further large-sample-size studies are needed to verify this finding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ting Guo
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Jin-Bo Huang
- Maoming Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Maoming, 525000, China
| | - Jing-Chuan Xue
- Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Ecological Security and Green Development, Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Shuang-Jian Qin
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Dan Cai
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Environmental Protection, Guangzhou, 510655, China
| | - Qi-Zhen Wu
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Chu Chu
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Department of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Cui-Lan Tang
- Maoming Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Maoming, 525000, China
| | - Yan-Qi Xie
- Maoming Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Maoming, 525000, China
| | - Li-Zi Lin
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Guang-Hui Dong
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Xiao-Wen Zeng
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
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4
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Tian C, Cai H, Ao Z, Gu L, Li X, Niu VC, Bondesson M, Gu M, Mackie K, Guo F. Engineering human midbrain organoid microphysiological systems to model prenatal PFOS exposure. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 947:174478. [PMID: 38964381 PMCID: PMC11404128 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2024] [Revised: 06/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), a class of synthetic chemicals detected in various environmental compartments, has been associated with dysfunctions of the human central nervous system (CNS). However, the underlying neurotoxicology of PFOS exposure is largely understudied due to the lack of relevant human models. Here, we report bioengineered human midbrain organoid microphysiological systems (hMO-MPSs) to recapitulate the response of a fetal human brain to multiple concurrent PFOS exposure conditions. Each hMO-MPS consists of an hMO on a fully 3D printed holder device with a perfusable organoid adhesion layer for enhancing air-liquid interface culturing. Leveraging the unique, simply-fabricated holder devices, hMO-MPSs are scalable, easy to use, and compatible with conventional well-plates, and allow easy transfer onto a multiple-electrode array (MEA) system for plug-and-play measurement of neural activity. Interestingly, the neural activity of hMO-MPSs initially increased and subsequently decreased by exposure to a concentration range of 0, 30, 100, to 300 μM of PFOS. Furthermore, PFOS exposure impaired neural development and promoted neuroinflammation in the engineered hMO-MPSs. Along with PFOS, our platform is broadly applicable for studies toxicology of various other environmental pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunhui Tian
- Department of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Indiana University Bloomington, IN 47405, United States
| | - Hongwei Cai
- Department of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Indiana University Bloomington, IN 47405, United States
| | - Zheng Ao
- Department of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Indiana University Bloomington, IN 47405, United States
| | - Longjun Gu
- Department of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Indiana University Bloomington, IN 47405, United States
| | - Xiang Li
- Department of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Indiana University Bloomington, IN 47405, United States
| | - Vivian C Niu
- Department of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Indiana University Bloomington, IN 47405, United States; Bloomington High School South, Bloomington, IN 47401, United States
| | - Maria Bondesson
- Department of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Indiana University Bloomington, IN 47405, United States
| | - Mingxia Gu
- Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM), Division of Pulmonary Biology, Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH 45229, Cincinnati, United States; University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, OH 45229, Cincinnati, United States
| | - Ken Mackie
- Gill Center for Biomolecular Science, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University Bloomington, IN 47405, United States
| | - Feng Guo
- Department of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Indiana University Bloomington, IN 47405, United States.
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5
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Dodds JN, Kirkwood-Donelson KI, Boatman AK, Knappe DRU, Hall NS, Schnetzer A, Baker ES. Evaluating Solid Phase Adsorption Toxin Tracking (SPATT) for passive monitoring of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) with Ion Mobility Spectrometry-Mass Spectrometry (IMS-MS). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 947:174574. [PMID: 38981548 PMCID: PMC11295640 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2024] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Detection and monitoring of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in aquatic environments has become an increasingly higher priority of regulatory agencies as public concern for human intake of these chemicals continues to grow. While many methods utilize active sampling strategies ("grab samples") for precise PFAS quantitation, here we evaluate the efficacy of low-cost passive sampling devices (Solid Phase Adsorption Toxin Tracking, or SPATTs) for spatial and temporal PFAS assessment of aquatic systems. For this study, passive samplers were initially deployed in North Carolina along the Cape Fear River during the summer and fall of 2016 and 2017. These were originally intended for the detection of microcystins and monitoring potentially harmful algal blooms, though this period also coincided with occurrences of PFAS discharge from a local fluorochemical manufacturer into the river. Additional samplers were then deployed in 2022 to evaluate changes in PFAS fingerprint and abundances. Assessment of PFAS showed legacy compounds were observed across almost all sampling sites over all 3 years (PFHxS, PFOS, PFHxA, etc.), while emerging replacement PFAS (e.g., Nafion byproducts) were predominantly localized downstream from the manufacturer. Furthermore, samplers deployed downstream from the manufacturer in 2022 noted sharp decreases in observed signal for replacement PFAS in comparison to samplers deployed in 2016 and 2017, indicating mitigation and remediation efforts in the area were able to reduce localized fluorochemical contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- James N Dodds
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, United States of America.
| | - Kaylie I Kirkwood-Donelson
- Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27607, United States of America; Immunity, Inflammation, and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC 27709, United States of America
| | - Anna K Boatman
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, United States of America
| | - Detlef R U Knappe
- Department of Civil, Construction, & Environmental Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, United States of America
| | - Nathan S Hall
- Department of Earth, Marine, and Environmental Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Morehead City, NC 28557, United States of America
| | - Astrid Schnetzer
- Department of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, United States of America
| | - Erin S Baker
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, United States of America.
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6
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Lin CY, Lee HL, Wang C, Sung FC, Su TC. Examining the impact of polyfluoroalkyl substance exposure on erythrocyte profiles and its related nutrients: Insights from a prospective study on young Taiwanese. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 359:124576. [PMID: 39032552 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2024] [Revised: 07/13/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) constitute a group of synthetic chemicals extensively utilized across various commonplace products. PFAS are known to have various toxic effects on human health. The relationship between PFAS exposure and erythrocytes has been a subject of interest in epidemiological research, but so far, only limited cross-sectional studies have investigated. Additionally, the role of erythrocyte related nutrition indicators on PFAS-induced changes in erythrograms has not been explored. To fill these knowledge gaps, we launched a longitudinal study over a decade, tracking 502 adolescents and young adults aged 12 to 30 from the YOung TAiwanese Cohort (YOTA). Our analysis encompassed 11 types of plasma PFAS, as well as erythrograms and serum levels of ferritin, transferrin saturation, vitamin B12, and folate. Our examination unveiled positive associations between specific average levels of PFAS compounds, including linear perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), branched perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), and transferrin saturation. Furthermore, linear PFOA and both linear and branched PFOS were negatively correlated with vitamin B12 levels. Specifically, we observed that the average linear PFOA demonstrated positive correlations with mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), while average PFNA also exhibited positive associations with hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Hct) in a multiple linear regression model. Subsequent analysis revealed noteworthy interactions between vitamin B12 and PFNA, as well as folate and PFNA, in the context of their impact on Hb, Hct, and PFNA relationships. Additionally, an interaction with transferrin saturation was identified in the correlation between Hct and PFNA. These findings suggest a plausible link between PFAS exposure and erythrograms among young populations, underscoring the potential involvement of iron status, vitamin B12, and folate in this association. Further studies are imperative to elucidate the precise effects of PFAS on erythrocyte in human subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Yu Lin
- Department of Internal Medicine, En Chu Kong Hospital, New Taipei City 237, Taiwan; School of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan; Department of Environmental Engineering and Health, Yuanpei University of Medical Technology, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Ling Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan
| | - Chikang Wang
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Health, Yuanpei University of Medical Technology, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
| | - Fung-Chang Sung
- Department of Health Services Administration, China Medical University College of Public Health, Taichung 404, Taiwan; Department of Food Nutrition and Health Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung 413, Taiwan
| | - Ta-Chen Su
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan; Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan; Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 100, Taiwan; School of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng-Kung University, Tainan 700, Taiwan.
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7
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Dimitrakopoulou ME, Karvounis M, Marinos G, Theodorakopoulou Z, Aloizou E, Petsangourakis G, Papakonstantinou M, Stoitsis G. Comprehensive analysis of PFAS presence from environment to plate. NPJ Sci Food 2024; 8:80. [PMID: 39369000 DOI: 10.1038/s41538-024-00319-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2024] [Indexed: 10/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pose an emerging environmental risk impacting food products and ecosystems. This study analyzes over 150,000 entries from food safety authorities and scientific publications from 2017 onwards. Our findings show that fish & seafood, and biota have the highest PFAS concentrations due to environmental contamination and bioaccumulation. Surface water samples also frequently contain PFAS, raising concerns about long-term ecological and human health effects. Comprehensive strategies are essential to mitigate these risks.
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8
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Brown TN, Armitage JM, Sangion A, Arnot JA. Improved prediction of PFAS partitioning with PPLFERs and QSPRs. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2024. [PMID: 39344262 DOI: 10.1039/d4em00485j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/01/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are chemicals of high concern and are undergoing hazard and risk assessment worldwide. Reliable physicochemical property (PCP) data are fundamental to assessments. However, experimental PCP data for PFAS are limited and property prediction tools such as quantitative structure-property relationships (QSPRs) therefore have poor predictive power for PFAS. New experimental data from Endo 2023 are used to improve QSPRs for predicting poly-parameter linear free energy relationship (PPLFER) descriptors for calculating water solubility (SW), vapor pressure (VP) and the octanol-water (KOW), octanol-air (KOA) and air-water (KAW) partition ratios. The new experimental data are only for neutral PFAS, and the QSPRs are only applicable to neutral chemicals. A key PPLFER descriptor for PFAS is the molar volume and this work compares different versions and makes recommendations for obtaining the best PCP predictions. The new models are included in the freely available IFSQSAR package (version 1.1.1), and property predictions are compared to those from the previous IFSQSAR (version 1.1.0) and from QSPRs in the US EPA's EPI Suite (version 4.11) and OPERA (version 2.9) models. The results from the new IFSQSAR models show improvements for predicting PFAS PCPs. The root mean squared error (RMSE) for predicting log KOWversus expected values from quantum chemical calculations was reduced by approximately 1 log unit whereas the RMSE for predicting log KAW and log KOA was reduced by 0.2 log units. IFSQSAR v.1.1.1 has an RMSE one or more log units lower than predictions from OPERA and EPI Suite when compared to expected values of log KOW, log KAW and log KOA for PFAS, except for EPI Suite predictions for log KOW which have a comparable RMSE. Recommendations for future experimental work for PPLFER descriptors for PFAS and future research to improve PCP predictions for PFAS are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor N Brown
- ARC Arnot Research & Consulting, Toronto, Ontario M4C 2B4, Canada.
| | - James M Armitage
- AES Armitage Environmental Sciences, Ottawa, Ontario K1L 8C3, Canada.
| | | | - Jon A Arnot
- ARC Arnot Research & Consulting, Toronto, Ontario M4C 2B4, Canada.
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario M1C 1A4, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
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9
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Kelly BC, Sun JM, McDougall MRR, Sunderland EM, Gobas FAPC. Development and Evaluation of Aquatic and Terrestrial Food Web Bioaccumulation Models for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 39327829 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c02134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/28/2024]
Abstract
There is a need for reliable models to predict the food web bioaccumulation and assess ecological and human health risks of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This present study presents (i) the development of novel mechanistic aquatic and terrestrial food web bioaccumulation models for PFAS and (ii) an evaluation of model performance using available laboratory and field data. Model predictions of laboratory-measured bioconcentration factors and field-based bioaccumulation factors of PFAS in fish were in good agreement with observed data as measured by the mean model bias (MB), representing systematic over- or under-estimation and the standard deviation of the MB, representing general uncertainty. The models provide a mechanistic framework for evaluating the combined effect of simultaneously occurring uptake and elimination processes and indicate food web-specific magnification of PFAS, with the highest degree of biomagnification occurring in food webs composed of air-breathing wildlife. Albumin-water, structural protein-water, membrane-water distribution coefficients, and renal clearance rate are among the most important model parameters. With further development and testing, these models may be useful for future PFAS screening and risk assessment initiatives and advance bioaccumulation studies of PFAS by providing a mechanistic framework for PFAS bioaccumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barry C Kelly
- Meta Analytical Inc., Calgary, Alberta T3H 2Z5, Canada
- School of Resource & Environmental Management, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Jennifer M Sun
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Mandy R R McDougall
- School of Resource & Environmental Management, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Elsie M Sunderland
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Frank A P C Gobas
- School of Resource & Environmental Management, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6, Canada
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10
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Jiang JY, How CM, Huang CW, Luo YS, Wei CC. Comparing the obesogenic effect and regulatory mechanisms of long-term exposure to per/polyfluoroalkyl substances with different terminal groups in Caenorhabditis elegans. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 365:143396. [PMID: 39313077 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.143396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2024] [Revised: 09/02/2024] [Accepted: 09/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024]
Abstract
Per/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are ubiquitous, bioaccumulative, and recalcitrant contaminants, posing global exposure and health risks. The effects of chemical structures on toxicities and the mechanisms of their obesogenic effects were largely unclear. This study used the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans to assess the impact of long-term exposure to different PFASs (PFNA, PFOSA, PFBS, PFHxS, 6:2 FTS, 4:2 FTS, PFOA, and PFOS) on growth and lipid metabolism and discussed the obesogenic mechanisms of selected PFASs. The growth assays indicated longer carbon-fluorine (-CF) chains and total fluorine atoms increased developmental toxicity of PFASs, while at 8 -CF chain-length, PFNA (-COOH terminal), PFOS (-SO3 terminal), and PFOSA (-SO2NH2 terminal) exhibited differential growth inhibition. With the toxicity ranking of PFNA > PFOS > PFOSA, all PFASs significantly induced total lipid accumulation and perturbed the lipid composition in C. elegans. All three PFASs significantly induced lipogenesis gene expression and partially suppressed lipolysis genes. The results suggested that the disruption of lipid metabolism of PFOSA depends on sbp-1, while PFNA and PFOS depend on nhr-49. In conclusion, long-term exposure to PFNA, PFOSA, and PFOS triggers obesogenic effects in organisms by distinct molecular mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Yu Jiang
- Institute of Food Safety and Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, No. 17, Xuzhou Rd., Taipei, 100, Taiwan
| | - Chun Ming How
- Institute of Food Safety and Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, No. 17, Xuzhou Rd., Taipei, 100, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Wei Huang
- Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, 811, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Syuan Luo
- Institute of Food Safety and Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, No. 17, Xuzhou Rd., Taipei, 100, Taiwan; Master of Public Health Program, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 100, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Cheng Wei
- Institute of Food Safety and Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, No. 17, Xuzhou Rd., Taipei, 100, Taiwan; Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, No. 17, Xuzhou Rd., Taipei, 100, Taiwan.
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11
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Ma K, Tian J, Zhang Y, Li Y, Zhang Y, Zhu L. Insights into the neurotoxicity and oxidative stress to the freshwater amphipod Hyalella azteca induced by hexafluoropropylene oxide trimer acid. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 954:176434. [PMID: 39307363 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.176434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2024] [Revised: 09/14/2024] [Accepted: 09/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/26/2024]
Abstract
With the regulation and phase-out of conventional per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), there is a growing trend towards seeking alternatives that are less toxic and less persistent. Hexafluoropropylene oxide trimer acid (HFPO-TA) is one of the alternatives to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), the latter being widely present in the environment globally. However, there is limited information regarding the biological toxicity of HFPO-TA to aquatic organisms. In this study, the freshwater benthic amphipod, Hyalella azteca, was used to assess the acute and chronic toxicity of HFPO-TA in both water and sediment. HFPO-TA was found to be more toxic to H. azteca than PFOA, as indicated by greater production of reactive oxygen species (p < 0.05) and increasing catalase activity (p < 0.05). In addition, exposure to HFPO-TA affected the swimming behavior and the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity of the amphipod. Molecular docking models revealed that HFPO-TA can bind to AChE with a stronger binding affinity than PFOA. Furthermore, an integrated biomarker response index indicated that environmentally relevant concentration (1-100 μg/L) of HFPO-TA may cause toxicity to H. azteca, encompassing oxidative stress and neurotoxicity. This study provides new insights into the toxicity mechanisms of HFPO-TA and is valuable for assessing the ecological safety of this compound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaiyuan Ma
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria of Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, PR China
| | - Jiayi Tian
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria of Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, PR China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria of Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, PR China
| | - Yuqing Li
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria of Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, PR China
| | - Yanfeng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria of Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, PR China.
| | - Lingyan Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria of Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, PR China
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12
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Hinz DJ, Krajewski AE, Lee JK. Carbon-Fluorine Activation in the Gas Phase: The Reactions of Benzyl C-F Bonds and Silyl Cations. J Org Chem 2024; 89:13595-13600. [PMID: 39239936 DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.4c01775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/07/2024]
Abstract
The activation of C-F bonds figures largely in both fundamental and applied chemical processes. Herein the activation of benzyl C-F bonds by silyl cations is examined both computationally and experimentally in the gas phase. The experimental rate constant values obtained herein have not heretofore been measured and provide insight into the intrinsic ability of silyl cations to activate C-F bonds. Trends in reactivity and correlations between theoretical and experimental data are discussed in the context of C-F bond cleavage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damon J Hinz
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901, United States
| | - Allison E Krajewski
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901, United States
| | - Jeehiun K Lee
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901, United States
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13
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Peter KT, Gilbreath A, Gonzalez M, Tian Z, Wong A, Yee D, Miller EL, Avellaneda PM, Chen D, Patterson A, Fitzgerald N, Higgins CP, Kolodziej EP, Sutton R. Storms mobilize organophosphate esters, bisphenols, PFASs, and vehicle-derived contaminants to San Francisco Bay watersheds. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2024. [PMID: 39291694 DOI: 10.1039/d4em00117f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/19/2024]
Abstract
In urban to peri-urban watersheds such as those surrounding San Francisco Bay, stormwater runoff is a major pathway by which contaminants enter aquatic ecosystems. We evaluated the occurrence of 154 organic contaminants via liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry, including organophosphate esters (OPEs), bisphenols, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), and a suite of novel urban stormwater tracers (SWCECs; i.e., vehicle-derived chemicals, pesticides, pharmaceuticals/personal care products, benzothiazoles/benzotriazoles). Time-averaged composite sampling focused on storms in highly developed watersheds over four wet seasons, with complementary sampling in less-urban reference watersheds, near-shore estuarine sites, and the open Bay. Of the targeted contaminants, 68 (21 SWCECs, 29 OPEs, 3 bisphenols, 15 PFASs) were detected in ≥10 of 26 urban stormwater samples. Median concentrations exceeded 500 ng L-1 for 1,3-diphenylguanidine, hexa(methoxymethyl)melamine, and caffeine, and exceeded 300 ng L-1 for 2-hydroxy-benzothiazole, 5-methyl-1H-benzotriazole, pentachlorophenol, and tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate. Median individual PFAS concentrations were <10 ng L-1, with highest concentrations for PFHxA (180 ng L-1), PFOA (110 ng L-1), and PFOS (81 ng L-1). In six of eight urban stormwater samples analyzed for 6PPD-quinone (a tire rubber-derived transformation product), concentrations exceeded coho salmon acute toxicity thresholds, suggesting (sub)lethal impacts for sensitive species. Observed concentrations were generally significantly higher in highly developed watersheds relative to reference watersheds, but not statistically different in near-shore estuarine sites, suggesting substantial transient exposure potential at stormwater outfalls or creek outflows. Results emphasized the role of stormwater in contaminant transport, the importance of vehicles/roadways as contaminant sources, and the value of monitoring broad multi-analyte contaminant suites to enable comprehensive source and toxicity evaluations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine T Peter
- Center for Urban Waters, Tacoma, WA 98421, USA
- Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, University of Washington Tacoma, Tacoma, WA 98421, USA
| | | | - Melissa Gonzalez
- Center for Urban Waters, Tacoma, WA 98421, USA
- Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, University of Washington Tacoma, Tacoma, WA 98421, USA
| | - Zhenyu Tian
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Adam Wong
- San Francisco Estuary Institute, Richmond, CA 94804, USA.
| | - Don Yee
- San Francisco Estuary Institute, Richmond, CA 94804, USA.
| | - Ezra L Miller
- San Francisco Estuary Institute, Richmond, CA 94804, USA.
| | | | - Da Chen
- School of Environment and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China
| | | | - Nicole Fitzgerald
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO 80401, USA
| | - Christopher P Higgins
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO 80401, USA
| | - Edward P Kolodziej
- Center for Urban Waters, Tacoma, WA 98421, USA
- Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, University of Washington Tacoma, Tacoma, WA 98421, USA
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Rebecca Sutton
- San Francisco Estuary Institute, Richmond, CA 94804, USA.
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14
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Qu R, Wang J, Li X, Zhang Y, Yin T, Yang P. Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Affect Female Reproductive Health: Epidemiological Evidence and Underlying Mechanisms. TOXICS 2024; 12:678. [PMID: 39330606 PMCID: PMC11435644 DOI: 10.3390/toxics12090678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2024] [Revised: 08/07/2024] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024]
Abstract
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) have been extensively used across numerous industries and consumer goods. Due to their high persistence and mobility, they are ubiquitous in the environment. Exposure to PFAS occurs in people via multiple pathways such as dermal contact, water supply, air inhalation, and dietary intake. Even if some PFAS are being phased out because of their persistent presence in the environment and harmful impacts on human health, mixes of replacement and legacy PFAS will continue to pollute the ecosystem. Numerous toxicological investigations have revealed harmful effects of PFAS exposure on female reproductive health, e.g., polycystic ovaries syndrome, premature ovarian failure, endometriosis, reproductive system tumors, pregnancy complications, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Despite extensive epidemiological studies on the reproductive toxicity of PFAS, research findings remain inconsistent, and the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. In this review, we give an in-depth description of the sources and pathways of PFAS, and then review the reproductive toxicity of PFAS and its possible mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Qu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Jingxuan Wang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Xiaojie Li
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Tailang Yin
- China Greater Bay Area Research Center of Environmental Health, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Pan Yang
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
- China Greater Bay Area Research Center of Environmental Health, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
- Key Laboratory of Viral Pathogenesis & Infection Prevention and Control, Jinan University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510632, China
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15
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Huang C, Murgulet I, Liu L, Zhang M, Garcia K, Martin L, Xu W. The effects of perfluorooctanoic acid on breast cancer metastasis depend on the phenotypes of the cancer cells: An in vivo study with zebrafish xenograft model. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 362:124975. [PMID: 39293659 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2024] [Revised: 09/03/2024] [Accepted: 09/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/20/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) have been associated with numerous human diseases. Recent in vitro studies have implicated the association of PFAS with an increased risk of breast cancer in humans. This study aimed to assess the toxic effects of PFAS during the development of human breast cancer using a zebrafish xenograft model. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was used as a PFAS chemical of interest for this study. Two common breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231, were used to represent the diversity of breast cancer phenotypes. Human preadipocytes were co-implanted with the breast cancer cells into the zebrafish embryos to optimize the microenvironment for tumor cells in vivo. With this modified model, we evaluated the potential effects of the PFOA on the metastatic potential of the two types of breast cancer cells. The presence of human preadipocytes resulted in an enhancement to the metastasis progress of the two types of cells, including the promotion of cell in vivo migration and proliferation, and the increased expression levels of metastatic biomarkers. The enhancement of MCF-7 proliferation by preadipocytes was observed after 2 days post injection (dpi) while the increase of MDA-MB-231 proliferation was seen after 6 dpi. The breast cancer metastatic biomarkers, cadherin 1 (cdh1), and small breast epithelial mucin (sbem) genes demonstrated significant down- and upregulations respectively, by the co-injection of preadipocytes. In the optimized xenograft model, the PFOA consistently promoted cell proliferation and migration and altered the metastatic biomarker expression in MCF-7, which suggested a metastatic effect of PFOA on MCF-7. However, those effects were not consistently observed in MDA-MB-231. The presence of the preadipocytes in the xenograft model may provide a necessary microenvironment for the progress of tumor cells in zebrafish embryos. The finding suggested that the impacts of PFOA exposure on different phenotypes of breast cancers may differ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Huang
- Department of Life Sciences, College of Science, Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX, 78412, United States
| | - Ioana Murgulet
- Department of Life Sciences, College of Science, Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX, 78412, United States; Department of BioSciences, Rice University, 6100 Main St., Houston, TX, 77005, United States
| | - Linda Liu
- Department of Life Sciences, College of Science, Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX, 78412, United States
| | - Mona Zhang
- Department of Life Sciences, College of Science, Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX, 78412, United States
| | - Kaitlin Garcia
- Department of Life Sciences, College of Science, Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX, 78412, United States
| | - Leisha Martin
- Department of Life Sciences, College of Science, Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX, 78412, United States
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of Life Sciences, College of Science, Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX, 78412, United States.
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16
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Chen F, Jiang F, Ma J, Alghamdi MA, Zhu Y, Yong JWH. Intersecting planetary health: Exploring the impacts of environmental stressors on wildlife and human health. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 283:116848. [PMID: 39116691 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116848] [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: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 07/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
This comprehensive review articulates critical insights into the nexus of environmental stressors and their health impacts across diverse species, underscoring significant findings that reveal profound effects on both wildlife and human health systems. Central to our examination is the role of pollutants, climate variables, and pathogens in contributing to complex disease dynamics and physiological disruptions, with particular emphasis on immune and endocrine functions. This research brings to light emerging evidence on the severe implications of environmental pressures on a variety of taxa, including predatory mammals, raptorial birds, seabirds, fish, and humans, which are pivotal as indicators of broader ecosystem health and stability. We delve into the nuanced interplay between environmental degradation and zoonotic diseases, highlighting novel intersections that pose significant risks to biodiversity and human populations. The review critically evaluates current methodologies and advances in understanding the morphological, histopathological, and biochemical responses of these organisms to environmental stressors. We discuss the implications of our findings for conservation strategies, advocating for a more integrated approach that incorporates the dynamics of zoonoses and pollution control. This synthesis not only contributes to the academic discourse but also aims to influence policy by aligning with the Global Goals for Sustainable Development. It underscores the urgent need for sustainable interactions between humans and their environments, which are critical for preserving biodiversity and ensuring global health security. By presenting a detailed analysis of the interdependencies between environmental stressors and biological health, this review highlights significant gaps in current research and provides a foundation for future studies aimed at mitigating these pressing issues. Our study is significant as it proposes integrative and actionable strategies to address the challenges at the intersection of environmental change and public health, marking a crucial step forward in planetary health science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fu Chen
- School of Public Administration, Hohai University, Nanjing 211100, China.
| | - Feifei Jiang
- School of Public Administration, Hohai University, Nanjing 211100, China.
| | - Jing Ma
- School of Public Administration, Hohai University, Nanjing 211100, China.
| | - Mohammed A Alghamdi
- Department of Laboratory & Blood Bank, Security Forces Hospital, Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Yanfeng Zhu
- School of Environment and Spatial Informatics, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221000, China.
| | - Jean Wan Hong Yong
- Department of Biosystems and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp 23456, Sweden.
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17
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Wu J, Zhang X, Wang Q, Ma N, Zheng F, Chen K, Niu W. Perfluoroalkyl substances and metabolic syndrome: A cross-sectional study using data from the US national health and nutrition examination survey. Heliyon 2024; 10:e36894. [PMID: 39281531 PMCID: PMC11401229 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e36894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2024] [Accepted: 08/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Epidemiological studies linking metabolic syndrome (MetS) and exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are limited, and the observations gleaned thus far are inconclusive. The study was performed to explore the association of serum PFASs both singly and in a mixed manner with MetS, and meanwhile to examine whether this association was mediated by serum albumin in a US national population. Methods Total 8108 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007-2018 were included. Four PFASs - including perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluoromethylheptane sulfonic acid (PFOS), and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), were selected. Weighted quantile sum regression was used to evaluate mixed PFAS exposure and MetS. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to calculate odd ratio (OR) and 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI). Mediating analyses were used to evaluate the mediating effects of albumin. Results Comparing the highest with lowest quartile yielded a multivariable-adjusted OR (95 % CI) of 1.40 (1.14-1.72) for PFHxS, 1.36 (1.09-1.70) for PFNA, 1.26 (1.00-1.58) for PFOA, and 1.50 (1.19-1.88) for PFOS when associating MetS. Per unit increment in ln-transformed PFHxS, PFNA, PFOA, and PFOS concentrations was significantly associated with 16 %, 17 %, 13 %, and 15 % increased risk of MetS, respectively. When stratified by sex, the significant association between four PFASs and MetS was only noted in females. Mixed PFAS exposure was inversely associated with MetS, and 8.1 % of this association was mediated by serum albumin (P < 0.001). Conclusions Our findings indicate a significant and independent association of serum PFASs with MetS, and importantly this association was dose-dependent, sex-specific, and possibly mediated by serum albumin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wu
- Center for Evidence-Based Medicine, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoqian Zhang
- Graduate School, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Qiong Wang
- Graduate School, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Ning Ma
- Graduate School, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Fangjieyi Zheng
- Center for Evidence-Based Medicine, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
| | - Kening Chen
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Wenquan Niu
- Center for Evidence-Based Medicine, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
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18
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Crizer DM, Rice JR, Smeltz MG, Lavrich KS, Ravindra K, Wambaugh JF, DeVito M, Wetmore BA. In Vitro Hepatic Clearance Evaluations of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) across Multiple Structural Categories. TOXICS 2024; 12:672. [PMID: 39330600 PMCID: PMC11435625 DOI: 10.3390/toxics12090672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2024] [Revised: 09/06/2024] [Accepted: 09/10/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024]
Abstract
Toxicokinetic (TK) assays and in vitro-in vivo extrapolation (IVIVE) models are New Approach Methods (NAMs) used to translate in vitro points of departure to exposure estimates required to reach equivalent blood concentrations. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large chemical class with wide-ranging industrial applications for which only limited toxicity data are available for human health evaluation. To address the lack of TK data, a pooled primary human hepatocyte suspension model was used with targeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to investigate substrate depletion for 54 PFAS. A median value of 4.52 μL/(min x million cells) was observed across those that showed significant clearance, with 35 displaying no substrate depletion. Bayesian modeling propagated uncertainty around clearance values for use in IVIVE models. Structural evaluations showed the fluorotelomer carboxylic acids were the only PFAS carboxylates showing appreciable clearance, and per- and polyfluorosulfonamides were more readily metabolized than other PFAS sulfonates. Biotransformation product prediction, using the chemical transformation simulator, suggested hydrolysis of PFAS sulfonamides to more stable sulfonic acids, which is an important consideration for exposure modeling. This effort greatly expands the PFAS in vitro toxicokinetic dataset, enabling refined TK modeling, in silico tool development, and NAM-based human health evaluations across this important set of emerging contaminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M Crizer
- Division of Translational Toxicology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | - Julie R Rice
- Division of Translational Toxicology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | - Marci G Smeltz
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development, US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | - Katelyn S Lavrich
- Division of Translational Toxicology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | | | - John F Wambaugh
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | - Michael DeVito
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | - Barbara A Wetmore
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
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19
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Trobisch KM, Reeves DM, Cassidy DP. Environmental fate and transport of PFAS in wastewater treatment plant effluent discharged to rapid infiltration basins. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 266:122422. [PMID: 39276479 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.122422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2024] [Revised: 08/19/2024] [Accepted: 09/08/2024] [Indexed: 09/17/2024]
Abstract
Fate and transport of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent discharged to rapid infiltration basins (RIBs) is investigated using data from 26 WWTPs in Michigan, USA. PFAS were found to accumulate in groundwater downgradient from RIBs with median groundwater-effluent enrichment factors for ten commonly detected, terminal-form perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) ranging from 1.3 to 5.2. Maximum contaminant levels for drinking water were exceeded in groundwater at all WWTPs with available PFAS data. Numerical models of unsaturated fluid flow and PFAS transport honoring RIB site properties, such as median vertical separation distance to the water table and a realistic range of area-normalized effluent fluxes, show long-chain PFAS undergo significant delays from air-water interface (AWI) adsorption, requiring up to 15 times longer to reach maximum mass flux to the saturated zone under low-flux conditions, where AWI area is 2.5 times greater. Short-chain PFAS commonly detected in effluent are only minimally affected by AWI adsorption and show little to no attenuation under high-flux conditions. The nonlinear inverse relationship between water content and AWI area highlights the important role of AWI adsorption in modulating unsaturated transport of long-chain PFAS to underlying groundwater due to the broad range of flux rates applied to RIB systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai M Trobisch
- Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Western Michigan University, 1903W. Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5241, USA
| | - Donald M Reeves
- Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Western Michigan University, 1903W. Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5241, USA.
| | - Daniel P Cassidy
- Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Western Michigan University, 1903W. Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5241, USA
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20
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Burdeau JA, Stephenson BJK, Chavarro JE, Mahalingaiah S, Preston EV, Hivert MF, Oken E, Calafat AM, Rifas-Shiman SL, Zota AR, James-Todd T. Early Pregnancy Plasma Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and Maternal Midlife Adiposity. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2024:dgae542. [PMID: 39235224 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgae542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024]
Abstract
CONTEXT Evidence suggests that exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) increases the risk of developing cardiometabolic disease risk factors. Limited research has evaluated associations between PFAS, assessed during pregnancy, a sensitive window for maternal endocrine effects, and long-term maternal adiposity. OBJECTIVE Estimate associations of early pregnancy measures of individual PFAS, and PFAS mixtures, with maternal adiposity in midlife. METHODS We studied 547 Project Viva participants with measures of early pregnancy (mean gestation 10.0 weeks; mean age 32.5 years) plasma concentrations of 6 PFAS and midlife adiposity outcomes (mean follow-up 17.7 years; mean age 50.7 years), including weight, waist circumference (WC), trunk fat mass (TFM), and total body fat mass (TBFM). We used linear regression and Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR). RESULTS Linear regression estimated higher midlife weight per doubling of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) (3.8 kg [95% CI: 1.6, 5.9]) and 2-(N-ethyl-perfluorooctane sulfonamido) acetate (2.3 kg [95% CI: 0.9, 3.7]). BKMR analyses of single PFAS plasma concentrations (comparing the 25th percentile concentration to the 75th percentile) showed a positive association between PFOS and midlife adiposity (weight: 7.7 kg [95% CI: 4.0, 11.5]; TFM: 1.2 kg [95% CI: 0.0, 2.3]; TBFM: 3.0 kg [95% CI: 0.8, 5.2]), but inverse associations with perfluorononanoate (weight: -6.0 kg [95% CI: -8.5, -3.5]; WC: -1.8 cm [95% CI: -3.2, -0.3]; TFM: -0.8 kg [95% CI: -1.5, -0.1]; TBFM: -1.4 kg [95% CI: -2.7, -0.3]) and perfluorohexane sulfonate (TFM: -0.8 kg [95% CI: -1.5, -0.1]; TBFM: -1.4 kg [95% CI: -2.6, -0.2]). No associations were observed with the overall PFAS mixture. CONCLUSION Select PFAS, assessed in pregnancy, may differentially affect maternal midlife adiposity, influencing later-life maternal cardiometabolic health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan A Burdeau
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Briana J K Stephenson
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Jorge E Chavarro
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Shruthi Mahalingaiah
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Emma V Preston
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Marie-France Hivert
- Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Diabetes Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Emily Oken
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Antonia M Calafat
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Sheryl L Rifas-Shiman
- Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Ami R Zota
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Tamarra James-Todd
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02215, USA
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21
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Dai Y, Ding J, Wang Z, Zhang B, Guo Q, Guo J, Qi X, Chang X, Wu C, Zhang J, Zhou Z. Sex-specific associations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances with brain-derived neurotrophic factors (BDNF) in cord serum. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 262:119922. [PMID: 39237020 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2024] [Revised: 09/01/2024] [Accepted: 09/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is perceived as an emerging environmental endocrine disruptor, which have been linked to children neurodevelopment. However, the potential mechanisms are not clear. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a vital protein in neurodevelopment, and the associations between PFAS exposure and BDNF require exploration. OBJECTIVE We aimed to explore the relationships between PFAS exposure and the levels of BDNF in cord serum. METHODS A total of 1,189 mother-infant dyads from the Sheyang Mini Birth Cohort Study (SMBCS) were enrolled. The levels of 12 PFAS and BDNF were measured in cord serum. We utilized generalized linear models (GLMs), quantile-based g-computation (QGC) models, and Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) models to explore the relationships between single and mixed PFAS exposure and BDNF concentration. Additionally, the potential sex differences were explored by sex-stratified analysis. RESULTS Median concentrations of the included 10 PFAS ranged from 0.04 to 3.97 μg/L. In the single chemical models, four PFAS congeners, namely perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA), were negatively associated with BDNF levels in cord serum among females only (β: -0.116 to -0.062, p < 0.05). In the BKMR models of total mother-infant dyads and female fetuses, the significant negative relationships between PFAS mixtures and BDNF were observed, and PFUnDA was identified as an important contributor (Posterior inclusion probability, PIP = 0.8584 for the total subjects; PIP = 0.8488 for the females). PFOS was another important driver based on the mixture approaches. CONCLUSIONS We found that PFNA, PFOS, PFDA, and PFUnDA were associated with decreased BDNF concentration in the females, although the causal inference might be limited. PFAS mixtures were also negatively linked with BDNF levels in the total mother-infant pairs and female fetuses. The adverse effect of PFAS exposure on fetal BDNF levels might be sex-specific.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiming Dai
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Health Technology Assessment of National Health Commission, School of Public Health, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jiayun Ding
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Health Technology Assessment of National Health Commission, School of Public Health, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Zheng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Health Technology Assessment of National Health Commission, School of Public Health, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Boya Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Health Technology Assessment of National Health Commission, School of Public Health, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Qin Guo
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Health Technology Assessment of National Health Commission, School of Public Health, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jianqiu Guo
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Health Technology Assessment of National Health Commission, School of Public Health, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xiaojuan Qi
- Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, No. 3399 Binsheng Road, Hangzhou, 310051, China
| | - Xiuli Chang
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Health Technology Assessment of National Health Commission, School of Public Health, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Chunhua Wu
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Health Technology Assessment of National Health Commission, School of Public Health, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jiming Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Health Technology Assessment of National Health Commission, School of Public Health, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Zhijun Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Health Technology Assessment of National Health Commission, School of Public Health, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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22
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Kowalska D, Sosnowska A, Zdybel S, Stepnik M, Puzyn T. Predicting bioconcentration factors (BCFs) for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 364:143146. [PMID: 39181470 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.143146] [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: 05/22/2024] [Revised: 08/06/2024] [Accepted: 08/19/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
The bioconcentration factor (BCF) is an important parameter that gives information regarding the ability of a contaminant to be taken up by organisms from the water. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widespread in the environment, causing concern regarding their impact on human health. Due to the lack of available bioaccumulation data for most compounds in the PFAS group, we developed a quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR) model to predict the log BCF for fish (taxonomic class Teleostei), based on experimental data available for the most studied 33 representatives of this group of compounds. Furthermore, we implemented the developed model to predict log BCF for an external dataset of 2209 PFAS. Consequently, 1045 PFAS were found not to be bioaccumulative, 208 were classified as bioaccumulative, and 956 were predicted to be very bioaccumulative. Finally, we obtained the high correlation (R2 = 0.844) between the log BCFs obtained in laboratory and field studies for 13 PFAS. In silico analyses indicate that PFAS bioconcentration depends on the size (chain length - number of CF2 groups in alkyl tail/chain) of a molecule, as well as on the atomic distribution properties. In general, long-chain PFAS - above 8 and 6 carbon atoms for perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs)and perfluorinated sulfonic acids (PFSAs), respectively - tend to bioconcentrate more compared to the short-chain ones. In conclusion, predicting BCF on fish is possible for a wide range of fluorinated compounds, which can be further used for estimating PFAS behavior in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anita Sosnowska
- QSAR Lab, ul. Trzy Lipy 3, Gdańsk, Poland; Laboratory of Environmental Chemometrics, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308, Gdansk, Poland.
| | - Szymon Zdybel
- QSAR Lab, ul. Trzy Lipy 3, Gdańsk, Poland; Laboratory of Environmental Chemometrics, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308, Gdansk, Poland
| | | | - Tomasz Puzyn
- QSAR Lab, ul. Trzy Lipy 3, Gdańsk, Poland; Laboratory of Environmental Chemometrics, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308, Gdansk, Poland.
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23
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Brady S, Shuwal M, Capozzi SL, Xia C, Annis M, Grasman K, Venier M. A decade of data and hundreds of analytes: Legacy and emerging chemicals in North American herring gull plasma. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 363:142797. [PMID: 38986784 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Between 2010 and 2021, 199 herring gull serum samples were collected from Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, and Lake Erie, including two Areas of Concern: Saginaw Bay and the River Raisin. They were analyzed for 21 polybrominated diphenyl ether congeners, 10 non-PBDE flame retardants, 85 polychlorinated biphenyls, 17 legacy organochlorine pesticides, and 36 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Σ36PFAS, Σ85PCB, Σ21PBDE, and Σ17Pesticide concentrations comprised 41-74%, 17-50%, 3-4%, and 5-9% of the total concentration, respectively. Median concentrations of the chemical groups ranged from 81.5 to 129 ng/g ww for PFAS, 26.3-158 ng/g ww for PCBs, 4.26-8.89 ng/g ww for PBDEs, and 8.08-23.0 ng/g ww for pesticides. The regional concentrations of all four classes of compounds are significantly decreasing when sites are combined with halving times of 11.3 ± 4.8, 8.2 ± 4.3, 5.9 ± 3.1, and 8.3 ± 4.2 years for the Penta-BDE mixture, ΣDDTs, Σ85PCBs and Σ36PFAS, respectively. These results suggest that, while PFAS has emerged as the dominant group of chemicals in the plasma, legacy pollutants continue to represent a threat to herring gulls and wildlife in the Great Lakes basin. PCBs were the largest contributors to the chemical load in plasma of birds whose colonies are located near the River Raisin, and continue to pose a threat to herring gulls within the two Areas of Concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sydney Brady
- O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, 702 North Walnut Grove, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Matthew Shuwal
- O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, 702 North Walnut Grove, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Staci L Capozzi
- O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, 702 North Walnut Grove, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Chunjie Xia
- O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, 702 North Walnut Grove, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Mandy Annis
- Biology Department, Calvin University, 3201 Burton Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, USA
| | - Keith Grasman
- Michigan Ecological Services Field Office, US Fish and Wildlife Service, 2651 Coolidge Road, East Lansing, MI, 48823, USA
| | - Marta Venier
- O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, 702 North Walnut Grove, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA.
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24
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Taylor BD, Noah AI, Adekanmbi V, Zhang Y, Berenson AB. Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances May Be Correlated With Chlamydia trachomatis: Data From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2016. J Occup Environ Med 2024; 66:750-756. [PMID: 38752649 PMCID: PMC11371533 DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000003151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) alter immune function increasing infectious diseases risk. We examined the relationship between PFAS and chlamydia. METHODS A total of 3965 nonpregnant adults ages 18-39 years from the National Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2016 cycles were included. Poisson regression with robust error variance estimated the prevalence ratio and 95% confidence intervals for the association between PFAS and chlamydia. A g computation model was used to examine PFAS mixtures and chlamydia. RESULTS In adjusted age and sex-stratified models, an increase in PFAS mixtures by one quintile was associated with chlamydia in older males and younger females. Associations were not observed before stratification. CONCLUSIONS PFAS exposure associated with higher chlamydia prevalence, but only in stratified models suggesting biological differences by gender and age. However, small sample sizes could have affected the precision of our models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandie DePaoli Taylor
- From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas (B.D.T., A.N., V.A., A.B.); Department of Population Health and Health Disparities, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas (B.D.T.); Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Women's Health, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas (B.D.T., V.A., A.B.); and Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas (Y.Z.)
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25
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Lasters R, Groffen T, Eens M, Bervoets L. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in homegrown crops: Accumulation and human risk assessment. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 364:143208. [PMID: 39214403 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.143208] [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: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 08/22/2024] [Accepted: 08/27/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Homegrown crops can present a significant exposure source of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to humans. Field studies studying PFAS accumulation in multiple vegetable food categories and examining the potential influence of soil characteristics on vegetable bioavailability under realistic exposure conditions are very scarce. Crop PFAS accumulation depends on a complex combination of factors. The physicochemical differences among the numerous PFAS makes risk assessment very challenging. Thus, simplification of this complexity into key factors that govern crop PFAS accumulation is critical. This study analyzed 29 targeted legacy, precursor and emerging PFAS in the vertical soil profile (0-45 cm depth), rainwater and edible crop parts of 88 private gardens, at different distances from a major fluorochemical plant. Gardens closer to the plant site showed higher soil concentrations which could be linked with historical and recent industrial emissions. Most compounds showed little variation along the soil depth profile, regardless of the distance from the plant site, which could be due to gardening practices. Annual crops consistently accumulated higher sum PFAS concentrations than perennials. Highest concentrations were observed in vegetables, followed by fruits and walnuts. Single soil-crop relationships were weak, which indicated that other factors (e.g., porewater) may be better measures of bioavailability in homegrown crop accumulation. Regression models, which additionally considered soil characteristics showed limited predictive power (all R2 ≤ 35%), possibly due to low variability in crop concentrations. Human intake estimations revealed that the PFAS exposure risk via crop consumption was similar nearby and remotely from the plant site, although the contribution to the overall dietary exposure can be relatively large. The tolerable weekly intake was frequently exceeded with respect to fruit and vegetable consumption, thus potential health risks cannot be ruled out.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Lasters
- ECOSPHERE, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium; Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Thimo Groffen
- ECOSPHERE, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium; Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Marcel Eens
- Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Lieven Bervoets
- ECOSPHERE, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium.
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26
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Abdelghany TM, Hedya S, Charlton A, Fan L, Fazili N, Air B, Leitch AC, Cooke M, Bronowska AK, Wright MC. Methylimidazolium ionic liquids - A new class of forever chemicals with endocrine disrupting potential. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 363:142827. [PMID: 39019179 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142827] [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: 07/04/2024] [Revised: 07/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
A class of chemical with a potentially important perceived future contribution to the net zero carbon goal (as "green" solvents) is the methylimidazolium ionic liquids (MILs). These solvents are used in industrial processes such as biofuel production yet little is known about their environmental stability or toxicity in man although one MIL - 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium (M8OI) - has been shown to activate the human estrogen receptor alpha (ERα). The stabilities of the chloride unsubstituted methylimidazolium (MI) and MILs possessing increasing alkyl chain lengths (2C, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium (EMI); 4C, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium (BMI); 6C; 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium (HMI), 8C, M8OI; 10C, 1-decyl-3-methylimidazolium (DMI)) were examined in river water and a human liver model system. The MILs were also screened for their abilities to activate the human ERα in vitro and induce uterine growth in pre-pubertal rats in vivo. Short chain MILs (EMI, BMI and HMI) underwent negligible metabolism and mineralisation in river water; were not metabolised in a model of human liver metabolism; activated the human ERα in vitro and were estrogenic in vivo in rats. A structure-based computational approach predicted short chain MIL binding to both the estrogen binding site and an additional site on the human estrogen receptor alpha. Longer chain MILs (M8OI and DMI) were metabolised in river water and partially mineralised. Based on structure-activity considerations, some of these environmentally-derived metabolites may however, remain a hazard to the population. MILs therefore have the potential to become forever chemicals with adverse effects to both man, other animals and the environment in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarek M Abdelghany
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr El-Aini St., Cairo 11562, Egypt; The Institute of Education in Healthcare and Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresthill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, United Kingdom
| | - Shireen Hedya
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr El-Aini St., Cairo 11562, Egypt; Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Level 4 Leech, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, United Kingdom
| | - Alex Charlton
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Bedson Building, Newcastle University, NE1 8QB, United Kingdom
| | - Lanyu Fan
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Bedson Building, Newcastle University, NE1 8QB, United Kingdom
| | - Narges Fazili
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Bedson Building, Newcastle University, NE1 8QB, United Kingdom
| | - Ben Air
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Level 4 Leech, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, United Kingdom
| | - Alistair C Leitch
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Level 4 Leech, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, United Kingdom
| | - Martin Cooke
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Bedson Building, Newcastle University, NE1 8QB, United Kingdom
| | - Agnieszka K Bronowska
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Bedson Building, Newcastle University, NE1 8QB, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew C Wright
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Level 4 Leech, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, United Kingdom.
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27
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Lin CY, Huey-Jen Hsu S, Lee HL, Wang C, Sung FC, Su TC. Examining a decade-long trend in exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and their correlation with lipid profiles: Insights from a prospective cohort study on the young Taiwanese population. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 364:143072. [PMID: 39128777 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.143072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2024] [Revised: 07/07/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are artificial chemicals extensively utilized in everyday products, and numerous cross-sectional epidemiological studies consistently link PFAS exposure with lipid profiles across diverse populations and age groups. In longitudinal studies, the findings also indicate a positive correlation between PFAS and lipid profiles; however, this association remains unexplored in adolescents and young adults. Notably, previous research has predominantly focused on conventional lipid biomarkers, with limited exploration of the relationship between PFAS and diverse lipoprotein subfractions. Furthermore, there is a lack of comprehensive investigation into the temporal trends in PFAS concentrations in Taiwan. To address this research gap, we conducted a prospective study following 592 adolescents and young adults (12-30 years old at enrollment) from the YOung TAiwanese Cohort (YOTA) over a duration of 10 years. During the follow-up period, we measured 11 types of PFAS and various lipid profile biomarkers (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), small dense LDL-C (sdLDL-C), low-density lipoprotein triglyceride (LDL-TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), HDL3-C, lipoprotein(a), triglyceride). Our results revealed a general decline in PFAS concentrations in the study population. Regarding the correlation between the average levels (averaged across the initial and second tracking periods) of PFAS and lipid profiles (during the second tracking period), we observed positive correlations with total cholesterol and LDL-C for perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUdA), perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA), N-methylperfluorooctane sulfonamide acetic acid (N-MeFOSAA), and the sum of PFAS (sum of the 11 kinds of PFAS). Additionally, average levels of PFUdA, N-MeFOSAA, and the sum of PFAS exhibited positive associations with sdLDL-C. This study unveiled an overall decrease in PFAS concentrations and underscores a potential link between PFAS exposure and adverse changes in lipid profiles among young populations, emphasizing the need for further exploration into the mechanisms of PFAS on lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Yu Lin
- Department of Internal Medicine, En Chu Kong Hospital, New Taipei City, 237, Taiwan; School of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, 242, Taiwan; Department of Environmental Engineering and Health, Yuanpei University of Medical Technology, Hsinchu, 300, Taiwan
| | - Sandy Huey-Jen Hsu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 100, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Ling Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, 242, Taiwan
| | - Chikang Wang
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Health, Yuanpei University of Medical Technology, Hsinchu, 300, Taiwan
| | - Fung-Chang Sung
- Department of Health Services Administration, China Medical University College of Public Health, Taichung, 404, Taiwan; Department of Food Nutrition and Health Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung, 413, Taiwan
| | - Ta-Chen Su
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, 100, Taiwan; Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, 100, Taiwan; Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 100, Taiwan; School of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 701, Taiwan.
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28
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Hu K, Shen Z, Wang S, Zhang L. Tissue distribution of emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in wild fish species from Qiantang river, east China: Comparison of 6:2 Cl-PFESA with PFOS. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 262:119816. [PMID: 39168429 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2024] [Revised: 08/15/2024] [Accepted: 08/18/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
This study argued for the first time that 6:2 chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate (6:2 Cl-PFESA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) might have different tissue distribution mechanisms in wild fish species. Nine emerging and legacy per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) were detected in the water and wild fish tissues samples collected from the Qiantang River. Perfluorooctanoic acid (213 ng/L) was the predominant PFAS contaminant, and the other contaminants included perfluorohexanoate (19 ng/L), perfluorobutanoate (199 ng/L) and hexafuoropropylene oxide dimer acid (55 ng/L), which are the main fluorinated alternatives used in various industries located along the Qiantang River. Furthermore, PFOS (742 ng/g) and 6:2 Cl-PFESA (9.0 ng/g) were the predominant PFAS contaminants detected in the fish tissue samples. The differences in the potential molecular mechanism of the tissue distribution of PFOS and 6:2 Cl-PFESA in wild fish species are discussed. Additionally, we hypothesize that phospholipid partitioning is the primary mechanism underlying the tissue distribution of PFOS, and that a specific protein-binding mechanism is involved in the tissue distribution of 6:2 Cl-PFESA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kejun Hu
- Hangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Hangzhou Health Supervision Institution), Hangzhou, 310021, China.
| | - Zhuoren Shen
- Zhejiang Natural Resources Strategy Research Centre, Hangzhou, 310007, China
| | - Shuting Wang
- Hangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Hangzhou Health Supervision Institution), Hangzhou, 310021, China
| | - Liqun Zhang
- Hangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Hangzhou Health Supervision Institution), Hangzhou, 310021, China
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29
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Vaccari L, Ranzi A, Canova C, Ghermandi G, Giannini S, Pitter G, Russo F, Stefanelli J, Teggi S, Vantini A, Jeddi M, Fletcher T, Colacci A. Reliability of toxicokinetic modelling for PFAS exposure assessment in contaminated water in northern Italy. Heliyon 2024; 10:e35288. [PMID: 39166031 PMCID: PMC11334853 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e35288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2024] [Revised: 07/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Long-term contamination of tap water and groundwater by perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) has been documented in the Veneto region of northern Italy. This study aimed to assess the exposure of individuals residing in the contaminated area and to test several toxicokinetic (TK) models of varying complexities to identify an efficient method for predicting perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) concentrations in human serum using observed data.The ultimate goal is to provide public health officials with guidance on selecting the appropriate TK model for specific contexts, a reliable and rapid tool to support human bio-monitoring (HBM) studies. Methods Two simpler empirical TK models and a more complex multi-compartment physiologically based toxicokinetic (PBTK) model were compared with individual and aggregate data from an HBM study. In addition, the PBPK model was modified by adjusting input parameters and introducing new terms into the equations within the original model code. These modifications aimed to optimize the results compared to the original model, with some versions incorporating adjustments to account for the influence of menstruation in women. All models were evaluated to understand their strengths and weaknesses, providing guidance on the appropriate model to use according to specific scenarios. Results The results obtained from the tested models were quite similar, with significant improvements observed only in the modified models. Simpler models also provided satisfactory results in scenarios involving low PFOS serum concentrations and recent exposure cessation. In many cases, predictions demonstrated high accuracy, particularly at the aggregate level and for women. Conclusions These findings suggest that environmental protection agencies and health authorities may benefit from employing the tested models at the aggregate level as an initial step in HBM studies, rather than conducting more invasive and expensive screening campaigns.
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Affiliation(s)
- L. Vaccari
- Center for Environment, Prevention and Health, Emilia-Romagna Regional Agency for Prevention, Environment and Energy (Arpae), 40139, Bologna, Italy
| | - A. Ranzi
- Center for Environment, Prevention and Health, Emilia-Romagna Regional Agency for Prevention, Environment and Energy (Arpae), 40139, Bologna, Italy
| | - C. Canova
- Unit of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health-University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - G. Ghermandi
- Department of Engineering “Enzo Ferrari”, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - S. Giannini
- Center for Environment, Prevention and Health, Emilia-Romagna Regional Agency for Prevention, Environment and Energy (Arpae), 40139, Bologna, Italy
| | - G. Pitter
- Screening and Health Impact Assessment Unit, Azienda Zero, Veneto Region, Padua, Italy
| | - F. Russo
- Directorate of Prevention, Food Safety and Veterinary Public Health, Veneto Region, Venice, Italy
| | - J. Stefanelli
- Agency for Prevention and Protection of the Environment of the Veneto Region (ARPAV), 35121, Padova, Italy
| | - S. Teggi
- Department of Engineering “Enzo Ferrari”, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - A. Vantini
- Agency for Prevention and Protection of the Environment of the Veneto Region (ARPAV), 35121, Padova, Italy
| | - M.Z. Jeddi
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), 3720 BA, Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - T. Fletcher
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), London, UK
| | - A. Colacci
- Center for Environment, Prevention and Health, Emilia-Romagna Regional Agency for Prevention, Environment and Energy (Arpae), 40139, Bologna, Italy
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30
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Hill NI, Becanova J, Vojta S, Barber LB, LeBlanc DR, Vajda AM, Pickard HM, Lohmann R. Bioconcentration of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Precursors in Fathead Minnow Tissues Environmentally Exposed to Aqueous Film-Forming Foam-Contaminated Waters. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2024; 43:1795-1806. [PMID: 38896102 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5926] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has been associated with toxicity in wildlife and negative health effects in humans. Decades of fire training activity at Joint Base Cape Cod (MA, USA) incorporated the use of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), which resulted in long-term PFAS contamination of sediments, groundwater, and hydrologically connected surface waters. To explore the bioconcentration potential of PFAS in complex environmental mixtures, a mobile laboratory was established to evaluate the bioconcentration of PFAS from AFFF-impacted groundwater by flow-through design. Fathead minnows (n = 24) were exposed to PFAS in groundwater over a 21-day period and tissue-specific PFAS burdens in liver, kidney, and gonad were derived at three different time points. The ∑PFAS concentrations in groundwater increased from approximately 10,000 ng/L at day 1 to 36,000 ng/L at day 21. The relative abundance of PFAS in liver, kidney, and gonad shifted temporally from majority perfluoroalkyl sulfonamides (FASAs) to perfluoroalkyl sulfonates (PFSAs). By day 21, mean ∑PFAS concentrations in tissues displayed a predominance in the order of liver > kidney > gonad. Generally, bioconcentration factors (BCFs) for FASAs, perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (PFCAs), and fluorotelomer sulfonates (FTS) increased with degree of fluorinated carbon chain length, but this was not evident for PFSAs. Perfluorooctane sulfonamide (FOSA) displayed the highest mean BCF (8700 L/kg) in day 21 kidney. Suspect screening results revealed the presence of several perfluoroalkyl sulfinate and FASA compounds present in groundwater and in liver for which pseudo-bioconcentration factors are also reported. The bioconcentration observed for precursor compounds and PFSA derivatives detected suggests alternative pathways for terminal PFAS exposure in aquatic wildlife and humans. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:1795-1806. © 2024 The Author(s). Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas I Hill
- Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, Narragansett, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Jitka Becanova
- Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, Narragansett, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Simon Vojta
- Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, Narragansett, Rhode Island, USA
| | | | | | - Alan M Vajda
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Heidi M Pickard
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rainer Lohmann
- Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, Narragansett, Rhode Island, USA
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31
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Mattila JM, Offenberg JH. Measuring short-chain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in Central New Jersey air using chemical ionization mass spectrometry. JOURNAL OF THE AIR & WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (1995) 2024; 74:531-539. [PMID: 38905230 PMCID: PMC11412083 DOI: 10.1080/10962247.2024.2366491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
Real-time measurements of short-chain (C < 8) per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were performed in Central New Jersey air using chemical ionization mass spectrometry (CIMS). The CIMS was calibrated for C2-C6 perfluorinated carboxylic acids, and 4:2 and 6:2 fluorotelomer alcohols. Of these, only trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) was detected in ambient air above instrumental detection limits. However, instrumental sensitivities (and thus ambient mixing ratios) were estimated for other detected PFAS including C3H2F6O and C6HF11O3. TFA mixing ratios reached up to 0.7 parts-per-trillion by volume (pptv). Estimated C3H2F6O and C6HF11O3 mixing ratios reached the single pptv level. These latter two formulas are consistent with hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) and hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA), respectively, though they may potentially represent multiple isomers. Diel profiles of detected PFAS along with local meteorological data can provide information on potential local sources of these compounds. However, only limited discussion of potential sources was provided here given the sparse detection of these compounds above instrument detection limits. These results demonstrate the potential of online CIMS instrumentation for measuring certain PFAS in ambient outdoor air in real time at or below the pptv level. This technique also has potential for fenceline monitoring and other near-source applications.Implications: Online chemical ionization mass spectrometry (CIMS) has potential for fast, real-time measurements of certain airborne per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Three short-chain (C < 8) PFAS were detected by CIMS in Central New Jersey ambient air near or above the parts-per-trillion by volume (pptv) level. This technique also has potential for fenceline monitoring and other near-source applications for airborne PFAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- James M Mattila
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Durham, NC, USA
- Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Office of Air and Radiation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Durham, NC, USA
| | - John H Offenberg
- Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Durham, NC, USA
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32
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Mahoney H, da Silva F, Brinkmann M, Giesy JP. Mixtures of legacy and replacement perfluorosulphonic acids (PFSAs) demonstrate ratio-, concentration- and endpoint-dependent synergistic interactions in vitro. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 361:142446. [PMID: 38801907 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
The extensive use of poly- and per-fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) has les to their widespread presence in the environment, raising concerns about potential toxicity. While certain PFASs of concern have been phased-out or banned, new PFASs continue to be produced. Two such substances are perfluoroethylcyclohexane sulphonate (PFECHS) and perfluorobutane sulphamide (FBSA), replacements of perfluoroctanesulphonic acid (PFOS) that have recently been detected in multiple environmental media around the globe. Despite PFASs generally occurring in the environment as mixtures, few data are available outlining the effects of PFAS mixtures. Therefore, this research investigated the interaction potential of binary and ternary mixtures of emerging and legacy PFASs. The immortalized rainbow trout gill cell line (RTgill-W1) was chosen as the experimental model to investigate two apical endpoints: cytotoxicity and phospholipidosis. RTgill-W1 cells were exposed for 24 h to each compound to obtain endpoint-specific effect concentrations (LCx; ECx). These values were then applied to formulate mixture predictions following the Loewes Additivity and Steel and Peckham methods. Based on cytotoxicity, relative potencies of individual compounds were: PFOS > PFECHS > FSBA. PFOS and PFECHS had nearly identical effects on phospholipidosis, while FSBA did not have any effects. Most mixtures had a synergistic effect on cytotoxicity, but the effect was both dose- and ratio-dependent. PFOS and PFECHS were additive at lower concentrations (LC10) and synergistic at higher concentrations (LC50; 3:1, 1:1, and 1:3). PFECHS and FSBA mixtures were synergistic at all doses and ratios (3:1, 1:1, 1:3), while FBSA and PFOS were mainly synergistic at higher concentrations and at ratios favouring PFOS (1:1, 1:3). Tertiary combinations were mainly synergistic. For phospholipidosis, mixtures were strictly additive. These results are strongly suggestive of synergism between emerging PFAS replacements and highlight that independent apical mechanisms of different PFASs could combine to induce unexpected toxicity. Considering that emerging replacements are continuing to increase in concentration in the environment, such mixture scenarios are also likely to continue to increase in probability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Mahoney
- Toxicology Center, University of Saskatchewan, 44 Campus Dr, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Francisco da Silva
- Toxicology Center, University of Saskatchewan, 44 Campus Dr, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Markus Brinkmann
- Toxicology Center, University of Saskatchewan, 44 Campus Dr, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada; School of Environment and Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan, 117 Science Pl, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada; Global Institute for Water Security, University of Saskatchewan, 11 Innovation Blvd, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada; Centre for Hydrology, University of Saskatchewan, 121 Research Dr, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
| | - John P Giesy
- Toxicology Center, University of Saskatchewan, 44 Campus Dr, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada; Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada; Department of Integrative Biology and Center for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, MI, USA; Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97266, TX, USA
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33
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FENG H, ZHANG W, HE B, LI P, GAO S, GUO B, YANG Y. [Simultaneous determination of 21 perfluorinated and polyfluoroalkyl substances in plant oils by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry]. Se Pu 2024; 42:731-739. [PMID: 39086241 PMCID: PMC11292476 DOI: 10.3724/sp.j.1123.2024.01014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Edible plant oils are a key component of the daily human diet, and the quality and safety of plant oils are related to human health. Perfluorinated and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are pollutants that can contaminate plant oil through the processing of raw materials or exposure to materials containing these substances. Thus, establishing a sensitive and accurate analytical method for the determination of PFASs is critical for ensuring the safety of plant oils. In this study, a method based on acetonitrile extraction and solid phase extraction purification combined with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) was developed for the simultaneous determination of 21 PFASs, including perfluorocarboxylic acids, perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids, and fluorotelomer sulfonic acids, in edible plant oils. The chromatographic conditions and MS parameters were optimized, and the influences of the extraction solvents and purification method were systematically studied. Plant oil samples were directly extracted with acetonitrile and purified using a weak anion-exchange (WAX) column. The 21 target PFASs were separated on a reversed-phase C18 chromatographic column and detected using a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer with an electrospray ionization source. The mass spectrometer was operated in negative-ion mode. The target compounds were analyzed in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode and quantified using an internal standard method. The results demonstrated that the severe interference observed during the detection of PFASs in the co-extracted substances was completely eliminated after the extraction mixture was purified using a WAX column. The 21 target PFASs showed good linearity in their corresponding ranges, with correlation coefficients greater than 0.995. The limits of detection (LODs) and limits of quantification (LOQs) of the method were in the range of 0.004-0.015 and 0.015-0.050 μg/kg, respectively. The recoveries ranged from 95.6% to 115.8%, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) in the range of 0.3%-10.9% (n=9). The established method is characterized by simple sample pretreatment, good sensitivity, high immunity to interferences, and good stability, rendering it suitable for the rapid analysis and accurate determination of typical PFASs in edible plant oils.
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Hajji AL, Lucas KN. Anthropogenic stressors and the marine environment: From sources and impacts to solutions and mitigation. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 205:116557. [PMID: 38875966 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116557] [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: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
Human-released contaminants are often poorly understood wholistically in marine ecosystems. This review examines the sources, pathways, impacts on marine animals, and mitigation strategies of five pollutants (plastics, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, bisphenol compounds, ethynylestradiol, and petroleum hydrocarbons). Both abiotic and biotic mechanisms contribute to all five contaminants' movement. These pollutants cause short- and long-term effects on many biological processes genetically, molecularly, neurologically, physiologically, reproductively, and developmentally. We explore the extension of adverse outcome pathways to ecosystem effects by considering known inter-generational and trophic relations resulting in large-scale direct and indirect impacts. In doing so, we develop an understanding of their roles as environmental stressors in marine environments for targeted mitigation and future work. Ecosystems are interconnected and so international collaboration, standards, measures preceding mass production, and citizen involvement are required to protect and conserve marine life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelina L Hajji
- Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada.
| | - Kelsey N Lucas
- Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
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35
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Boatman AK, Chappel JR, Polera ME, Dodds JN, Belcher SM, Baker ES. Assessing Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Fish Fillet Using Non-Targeted Analyses. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 39066709 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c04299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of thousands of man-made chemicals that are persistent and highly stable in the environment. Fish consumption has been identified as a key route of PFAS exposure for humans. However, routine fish monitoring targets only a handful of PFAS, and non-targeted analyses have largely only evaluated fish from heavily PFAS-impacted waters. Here, we evaluated PFAS in fish fillets from recreational and drinking water sources in central North Carolina to assess whether PFAS are present in these fillets that would not be detected by conventional targeted methods. We used liquid chromatography, ion mobility spectrometry, and mass spectrometry (LC-IMS-MS) to collect full scan feature data, performed suspect screening using an in-house library of 100 PFAS for high confidence feature identification, searched for additional PFAS features using non-targeted data analyses, and quantified perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) in the fillet samples. A total of 36 PFAS were detected in the fish fillets, including 19 that would not be detected using common targeted methods, with a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 22 in individual fish. Median fillet PFOS levels were concerningly high at 11.6 to 42.3 ppb, and no significant correlation between PFOS levels and number of PFAS per fish was observed. Future PFAS monitoring in this region should target more of these 36 PFAS, and other regions not considered heavily PFAS contaminated should consider incorporating non-targeted analyses into ongoing fish monitoring studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna K Boatman
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514, United States
| | - Jessie R Chappel
- Department of Bioinformatics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - Madison E Polera
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - James N Dodds
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514, United States
| | - Scott M Belcher
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - Erin S Baker
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514, United States
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36
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Yi Y, Feng Y, Shi Y, Xiao J, Liu M, Wang K. Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) and Their Potential Effects on Female Reproductive Diseases. TOXICS 2024; 12:539. [PMID: 39195641 PMCID: PMC11358978 DOI: 10.3390/toxics12080539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2024] [Revised: 07/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a class of anthropogenic organic compounds widely present in the natural and human living environments. These emerging persistent pollutants can enter the human body through multiple channels, posing risks to human health. In particular, exposure to PFASs in women may cause a series of reproductive health hazards and infertility. Based on a review of the existing literature, this study preliminarily summarizes the effects of PFAS exposure on the occurrence and development of female reproductive endocrine diseases, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), and diminished ovarian reserve (DOR). Furthermore, we outline the relevant mechanisms through which PFASs interfere with the physiological function of the female ovary and finally highlight the role played by nutrients in reducing the reproductive health hazards caused by PFASs. It is worth noting that the physiological mechanisms of PFASs in the above diseases are still unclear. Therefore, it is necessary to further study the molecular mechanisms of PFASs in female reproductive diseases and the role of nutrients in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqing Yi
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116027, China; (Y.Y.); (Y.F.); (Y.S.); (J.X.); (M.L.)
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China
| | - Yang Feng
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116027, China; (Y.Y.); (Y.F.); (Y.S.); (J.X.); (M.L.)
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China
| | - Yuechen Shi
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116027, China; (Y.Y.); (Y.F.); (Y.S.); (J.X.); (M.L.)
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China
| | - Jiaming Xiao
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116027, China; (Y.Y.); (Y.F.); (Y.S.); (J.X.); (M.L.)
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China
| | - Ming Liu
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116027, China; (Y.Y.); (Y.F.); (Y.S.); (J.X.); (M.L.)
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China
| | - Ke Wang
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116027, China; (Y.Y.); (Y.F.); (Y.S.); (J.X.); (M.L.)
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37
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Léandri-Breton DJ, Jouanneau W, Legagneux P, Tarroux A, Moe BR, Angelier F, Blévin P, Bråthen VS, Fauchald P, Gabrielsen GW, Herzke D, Nikiforov VA, Elliott KH, Chastel O. Winter Tracking Data Suggest that Migratory Seabirds Transport Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances to Their Arctic Nesting Site. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:12909-12920. [PMID: 38991194 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c02661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
Seabirds are often considered sentinel species of marine ecosystems, and their blood and eggs utilized to monitor local environmental contaminations. Most seabirds breeding in the Arctic are migratory and thus are exposed to geographically distinct sources of contamination throughout the year, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Despite the abundance and high toxicity of PFAS, little is known about whether blood concentrations at breeding sites reliably reflect local contamination or exposure in distant wintering areas. We tested this by combining movement tracking data and PFAS analysis (nine compounds) from the blood of prelaying black-legged kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla) nesting in Arctic Norway (Svalbard). PFAS burden before egg laying varied with the latitude of the wintering area and was negatively associated with time upon return of individuals at the Arctic nesting site. Kittiwakes (n = 64) wintering farther south carried lighter burdens of shorter-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (PFCAs, C9-C12) and heavier burdens of longer chain PFCAs (C13-C14) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid compared to those wintering farther north. Thus, blood concentrations prior to egg laying still reflected the uptake during the previous wintering stage, suggesting that migratory seabirds can act as biovectors of PFAS to Arctic nesting sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Don-Jean Léandri-Breton
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3 V9, Canada
- Centre d'Études Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372-CNRS & La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - William Jouanneau
- Centre d'Études Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372-CNRS & La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, 9296 Tromso̷, Norway
| | - Pierre Legagneux
- Centre d'Études Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372-CNRS & La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
- Département de Biologie, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1 V0A6, Canada
| | - Arnaud Tarroux
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Fram Centre, 9296 Tromso̷, Norway
| | - Bo Rge Moe
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, 7485, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Frédéric Angelier
- Centre d'Études Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372-CNRS & La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | | | - Vegard S Bråthen
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, 7485, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Per Fauchald
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Fram Centre, 9296 Tromso̷, Norway
| | | | - Dorte Herzke
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU), Fram Centre, 9296 Tromso̷, Norway
| | | | - Kyle H Elliott
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3 V9, Canada
| | - Olivier Chastel
- Centre d'Études Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372-CNRS & La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
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38
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Ateia M, Scheringer M. From "forever chemicals" to fluorine-free alternatives. Science 2024; 385:256-258. [PMID: 39024428 PMCID: PMC11313905 DOI: 10.1126/science.ado5019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Identifying alternatives to PFAS requires weighing trade-offs and uncertainties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Ateia
- Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, Office of Research and Development, US Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Martin Scheringer
- Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
- RECETOX, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
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39
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Solan ME, Park JA. Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) effects on lung health: a perspective on the current literature and future recommendations. FRONTIERS IN TOXICOLOGY 2024; 6:1423449. [PMID: 39092081 PMCID: PMC11291370 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2024.1423449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a broad class of synthetic compounds widely used in commercial applications. The persistent nature of PFAS in the environment has earned them the epithet "forever chemicals." Concerns arise from widespread exposure to PFAS from occupational, household, and environmental sources. This widespread use of PFAS is particularly concerning, as emerging epidemiological evidence highlights their adverse effects on lung health. Such adverse impacts include impaired fetal lung development, reduced immune function in children, and potential links to lung cancer. Both in vivo and in vitro studies illuminate potential mechanisms underlying such adverse health outcomes subsequent to PFAS inhalation exposure, which may include immunomodulation, oxidative stress, and disruptions to epithelial barriers. However, evidence-based information focusing on the mechanisms of PFAS-mediated lung injury is lacking. Additionally, the discrepancies between data collected from animal and epidemiological studies highlight the need for improved approaches to better understand the toxicity results of PFAS exposure. To address these gaps, we recommend leveraging route-to-route extrapolation for risk assessment, prioritizing research on understudied PFAS, and adopting physiologically relevant, high-throughput approaches. These strategies are aimed at enhancing our understanding of PFAS inhalation effects, aiding in more informed risk management decisions. In this review, we summarize the current literature on PFAS exposure, emphasizing its adverse effects on lung health, particularly through inhalation. We then discuss the current knowledge on mechanisms underlying tissue- and cellular-level adverse outcomes caused by PFAS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jin-Ah Park
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
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40
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Britton KN, Judson RS, Hill BN, Jarema KA, Olin JK, Knapp BR, Lowery M, Feshuk M, Brown J, Padilla S. Using Zebrafish to Screen Developmental Toxicity of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). TOXICS 2024; 12:501. [PMID: 39058153 PMCID: PMC11281043 DOI: 10.3390/toxics12070501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are found in many consumer and industrial products. While some PFAS, notably perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), are developmentally toxic in mammals, the vast majority of PFAS have not been evaluated for developmental toxicity potential. A concentration-response study of 182 unique PFAS chemicals using the zebrafish medium-throughput, developmental vertebrate toxicity assay was conducted to investigate chemical structural identifiers for toxicity. Embryos were exposed to each PFAS compound (≤100 μM) beginning on the day of fertilization. At 6 days post-fertilization (dpf), two independent observers graded developmental landmarks for each larva (e.g., mortality, hatching, swim bladder inflation, edema, abnormal spine/tail, or craniofacial structure). Thirty percent of the PFAS were developmentally toxic, but there was no enrichment of any OECD structural category. PFOS was developmentally toxic (benchmark concentration [BMC] = 7.48 μM); however, other chemicals were more potent: perfluorooctanesulfonamide (PFOSA), N-methylperfluorooctane sulfonamide (N-MeFOSA), ((perfluorooctyl)ethyl)phosphonic acid, perfluoro-3,6,9-trioxatridecanoic acid, and perfluorohexane sulfonamide. The developmental toxicity profile for these more potent PFAS is largely unexplored in mammals and other species. Based on these zebrafish developmental toxicity results, additional screening may be warranted to understand the toxicity profile of these chemicals in other species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katy N. Britton
- Oak Ridge Associated Universities Research Participation Program Hosted by EPA, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Biomolecular and Computational Toxicology Division, Rapid Assay Development Branch, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | - Richard S. Judson
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Computational Toxicology and Bioinformatics Branch, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA;
| | - Bridgett N. Hill
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education Research Participation Program Hosted by EPA, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Biomolecular and Computational Toxicology Division, Rapid Assay Development Branch, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA; (B.N.H.); (B.R.K.)
| | - Kimberly A. Jarema
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Immediate Office, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA;
| | - Jeanene K. Olin
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Biomolecular and Computational Toxicology Division, Rapid Assay Development Branch, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA; (J.K.O.); (M.L.)
| | - Bridget R. Knapp
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education Research Participation Program Hosted by EPA, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Biomolecular and Computational Toxicology Division, Rapid Assay Development Branch, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA; (B.N.H.); (B.R.K.)
| | - Morgan Lowery
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Biomolecular and Computational Toxicology Division, Rapid Assay Development Branch, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA; (J.K.O.); (M.L.)
| | - Madison Feshuk
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Scientific Computing and Data Curation Division, Data Extraction and Quality Evaluation Branch, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA;
| | - Jason Brown
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Scientific Computing and Data Curation Division, Application Development Branch, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA;
| | - Stephanie Padilla
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Biomolecular and Computational Toxicology Division, Rapid Assay Development Branch, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA; (J.K.O.); (M.L.)
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Santana Rodriguez KJ, Villeneuve DL, Cavallin JE, Blackwell BR, Hoang J, Hofer RN, Jensen KM, Kahl MD, Kutsi RN, Stacy E, Morshead ML, Ankley GT. Examining effects of a novel estrogenic perfluoro-alcohol, 1H,1H,8H,8H-Perfluorooctane-1,8-diol (FC8-diol), using the fathead minnow EcoToxChip. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2024. [PMID: 38961679 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 04/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
In a previous in vivo study, adult male fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) were exposed via water for 4 days to 1H,1H,8H,8H-perfluorooctane-1,8-diol (FC8-diol). The present study expands on the evaluation of molecular responses to this perfluoro-alcohol by analyzing 26 male fathead minnow liver RNA samples from that study (five from each test concentration: 0, 0.018, 0.051, 0.171, and 0.463 mg FC8-diol/L) using fathead minnow EcoToxChips Ver. 1.0. EcoToxChips are a quantitative polymerase chain reaction array that allows for simultaneous measurement of >375 species-specific genes of toxicological interest. Data were analyzed with the online tool EcoToxXplorer. Among the genes analyzed, 62 and 96 were significantly up- and downregulated, respectively, by one or more FC8-diol treatments. Gene expression results from the previous study were validated, showing an upregulation of vitellogenin mRNA (vtg) and downregulation of insulin-like growth factor 1 mRNA (igf1). Additional genes related to estrogen receptor activation including esr2a (estrogen receptor 2a) and esrrb (estrogen related receptor beta) were also affected, providing further confirmation of the estrogenic nature of FC8-diol. Furthermore, genes involved in biological pathways related to lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, innate immune response, endocrine reproduction, and endocrine thyroid were significantly affected. These results both add confidence in the use of the EcoToxChip tool for inferring chemical mode(s) of action and provide further insights into the possible biological effects of FC8-diol. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;00:1-9. © 2024 SETAC. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelvin J Santana Rodriguez
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, US Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, Minnesota
| | - Daniel L Villeneuve
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, US Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, Minnesota
| | - Jenna E Cavallin
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, US Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, Minnesota
| | - Brett R Blackwell
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, US Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, Minnesota
| | - John Hoang
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, US Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, Minnesota
| | - Rachel N Hofer
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, US Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, Minnesota
| | - Kathleen M Jensen
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, US Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, Minnesota
| | - Michael D Kahl
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, US Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, Minnesota
| | - Robin N Kutsi
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, US Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, Minnesota
| | - Emma Stacy
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, US Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, Minnesota
| | - Mackenzie L Morshead
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, US Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, Minnesota
| | - Gerald T Ankley
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, US Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, Minnesota
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Donley N, Cox C, Bennett K, Temkin AM, Andrews DQ, Naidenko OV. Forever Pesticides: A Growing Source of PFAS Contamination in the Environment. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2024; 132:75003. [PMID: 39046250 PMCID: PMC11268133 DOI: 10.1289/ehp13954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Environmental contamination by fluorinated chemicals, in particular chemicals from the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) class, has raised concerns around the globe because of documented adverse impacts on human health, wildlife, and ecosystem quality. Recent studies have indicated that pesticide products may contain a variety of chemicals that meet the PFAS definition, including the active pesticide ingredients themselves. Given that pesticides are some of the most widely distributed pollutants across the world, the legacy impacts of PFAS addition into pesticide products could be widespread and have wide-ranging implications on agriculture and food and water contamination, as well as the presence of PFAS in rural environments. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this commentary is to explore different ways that PFAS can be introduced into pesticide products, the extent of PFAS contamination of pesticide products, and the implications this could have for human and environmental health. METHODS We submitted multiple public records requests to state and federal agencies in the United States and Canada and extracted relevant data from those records. We also compiled data from publicly accessible databases for our analyses. DISCUSSION We found that the biggest contributor to PFAS in pesticide products was active ingredients and their degradates. Nearly a quarter of all US conventional pesticide active ingredients were organofluorines and 14% were PFAS, and for active ingredients approved in the last 10 y, this had increased to 61% organofluorines and 30% PFAS. Another major contributing source was through PFAS leaching from fluorinated containers into pesticide products. Fluorination of adjuvant products and "inert" ingredients appeared to be limited, although this represents a major knowledge gap. We explored aspects of immunotoxicity, persistence, water contamination, and total fluorine load in the environment and conclude that the recent trend of using fluorinated active ingredients in pesticides may be having effects on chemical toxicity and persistence that are not given adequate oversight in the United States. We recommend a more stringent risk assessment approach for fluorinated pesticides, transparent disclosure of "inert" ingredients on pesticide labels, a complete phase-out of post-mold fluorination of plastic containers, and greater monitoring in the United States. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP13954.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Donley
- Center for Biological Diversity, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Caroline Cox
- Center for Environmental Health (retired), Oakland, California, USA
| | - Kyla Bennett
- Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Alexis M. Temkin
- Environmental Working Group, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - David Q. Andrews
- Environmental Working Group, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Olga V. Naidenko
- Environmental Working Group, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
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Buckley JP, Zhou J, Marquess KM, Lanphear BP, Cecil KM, Chen A, Sears CG, Xu Y, Yolton K, Kalkwarf HJ, Braun JM, Kuiper JR. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and bone mineral content in early adolescence: Modification by diet and physical activity. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 252:118872. [PMID: 38580001 PMCID: PMC11156547 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118872] [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: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) exposures may negatively impact bone mineral accrual, but little is known about potential mitigators of this relation. We assessed whether associations of PFAS and their mixture with bone mineral content (BMC) in adolescence were modified by diet and physical activity. METHODS We included 197 adolescents enrolled in a prospective pregnancy and birth cohort in Cincinnati, Ohio (2003-2006). At age 12 years, we collected serum for PFAS measurements and used dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry to measure BMC. We calculated dietary calcium intake and Health Eating Index (HEI) scores from repeated 24-h dietary recalls, physical activity scores using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C), and average moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) based on accelerometry. We estimated covariate-adjusted differences in BMC z-scores per interquartile range (IQR) increase of individual PFAS concentrations using linear regression and per simultaneous IQR increase in all four PFAS using g-computation. We evaluated effect measure modification (EMM) using interaction terms between each modifier and PFAS. RESULTS Higher serum perfluorooctanoic acid, perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, and perfluorononanoic acid concentrations and the PFAS mixture were associated with lower BMC z-scores. An IQR increase in all PFAS was associated with a 0.27 (-0.54, 0.01) lower distal radius BMC z-score. Associations with lower BMC were generally stronger among adolescents classified as < median for calcium intake, HEI scores, or MVPA compared to those ≥ median. The difference in distal radius BMC z-score per IQR increase in all PFAS was -0.38 (-0.72, -0.04) for those with CONCLUSION Healthy, calcium-rich diets and higher intensity physical activity may mitigate the adverse impact of PFAS on adolescent bone health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessie P Buckley
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | - Junyi Zhou
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
| | - Katherine M Marquess
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
| | - Bruce P Lanphear
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Kim M Cecil
- Department of Radiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, USA
| | - Aimin Chen
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Clara G Sears
- Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, Department of Medicine, Division of Environmental Medicine, University of Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Yingying Xu
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, USA
| | - Kimberly Yolton
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, USA
| | - Heidi J Kalkwarf
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, USA
| | - Joseph M Braun
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University, Providence, USA
| | - Jordan R Kuiper
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, Washington, D.C., USA
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Dalapati R, Hunter M, Sk M, Yang X, Zang L. Fluorescence Turn-on Detection of Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) by Perylene Diimide-Based Metal-Organic Framework. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:32344-32356. [PMID: 38718353 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c03389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
A novel, water-stable, perylene diimide (PDI) based metal-organic framework (MOF), namely, U-1, has been synthesized for selective and sensitive detection of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in mixed aqueous solutions. The MOF shows highly selective fluorescence turn-on detection via the formation of a PFOA-MOF complex. This PFOA-MOF complex formation was confirmed by various spectroscopic techniques. The detection limit of the MOF for PFOA was found to be 1.68 μM in an aqueous suspension. Upon coating onto cellulose paper, the MOF demonstrated a significantly lower detection limit, down to 3.1 nM, which is mainly due to the concentrative effect of solid phase extraction (SPE). This detection limit is lower than the fluorescence sensors based on MOFs previously reported for PFAS detection. The MOF sensor is regenerable and capable of detecting PFOA in drinking and tap water samples. The PDI-MOF-based sensor reported herein represents a novel approach, relying on fluorescence turn-on response, that has not yet been thoroughly investigated for detecting per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) until now.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rana Dalapati
- Nano Institute of Utah, and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Matthew Hunter
- Nano Institute of Utah, and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Mostakim Sk
- Lab of Soft Interfaces, Department of Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Xiaomei Yang
- Nano Institute of Utah, and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Ling Zang
- Nano Institute of Utah, and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
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Zeng T, Chen X, van de Lavoir M, Robeyns R, Zhao L, Delgado Povedano MDM, van Nuijs ALN, Zhu L, Covaci A. Serum untargeted lipidomic characterization in a general Chinese cohort with residual per-/polyfluoroalkyl substances by liquid chromatography-drift tube ion mobility-mass spectrometry. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 929:172483. [PMID: 38631629 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) remain controversial due to their high persistency and potential human toxicity. Although occupational exposure to PFAS has been widely investigated, the implications of PFAS occurrence in the general population remain to be unraveled. Considering that serum from most people contains PFAS, the aim of this study was to characterize the lipidomic profile in human serum from a general cohort (n = 40) with residual PFAS levels. The geometric means of ∑PFAS (11.8 and 4.4 ng/mL) showed significant differences (p < 0.05) for the samples with the highest (n = 20) and lowest (n = 20) concentrations from the general population respectively. Reverse-phase liquid chromatography coupled to drift tube ion mobility and high-resolution mass spectrometry using dual polarity ionization was used to characterize the lipid profile in both groups. The structural elucidation involved the integration of various parameters, such as retention time, mass-to-charge ratio, tandem mass spectra and collision cross section values. This approach yielded a total of 20 potential biomarkers linked to the perturbed glycerophospholipid metabolism, energy metabolism and sphingolipid metabolism. Among these alterations, most lipids were down-regulated and some specific lipids (PC 36:5, PC 37:4 and PI O-34:2) exhibited a relatively strong Spearman correlation and predictive capacity for PFAS contamination. This study could support further toxicological assessments and mechanistic investigations into the effects of PFAS exposure on the lipidome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Zeng
- Toxicological Centre, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk 2610, Belgium
| | - Xin Chen
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Maria van de Lavoir
- Toxicological Centre, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk 2610, Belgium
| | - Rani Robeyns
- Toxicological Centre, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk 2610, Belgium
| | - Lu Zhao
- Toxicological Centre, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk 2610, Belgium
| | | | - Alexander L N van Nuijs
- Toxicological Centre, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk 2610, Belgium
| | - Lingyan Zhu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Centre, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk 2610, Belgium.
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Choi JW, Oh J, Bennett DH, Calafat AM, Schmidt RJ, Shin HM. Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and child behavioral problems. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 251:118511. [PMID: 38387490 PMCID: PMC11144101 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118511] [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: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may adversely affect child behaviors; however, findings of epidemiologic studies are inconsistent. We examined prenatal PFAS exposure in association with child behavioral problems. METHODS Participants were 177 mother-child pairs from MARBLES (Markers of Autism Risk in Babies - Learning Early Signs), a cohort with elevated familial likelihood of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We quantified nine PFAS in maternal serum (1-3 samples per mother) collected from the 1st to 3rd trimesters of pregnancy. Child behavioral problems were assessed at 3 years of age using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), developed to test for various behavioral problems of children. We examined associations of the CBCL scores with individual PFAS concentrations and with their mixture using negative binomial regression and weighted quantile sum regression models. RESULTS Higher prenatal perfluorononanoate (PFNA) concentrations were associated with higher scores of externalizing problems [β = 0.16, 95% CI (0.01, 0.32)] and aggressive behavior [β = 0.17 (0.01, 0.32)]. Higher PFNA, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), and perfluorodecanoate (PFDA) were associated with higher scores of sleep problems [β = 0.34 (0.15, 0.54) for PFNA, β = 0.20 (0.02, 0.37) for PFOS, and β = 0.19 (0.00, 0.37) for PFDA]. No significant associations observed for typically developing children, whereas PFOS, PFNA, and PFDA were associated with several behavioral problems among children diagnosed with ASD or other neurodevelopmental concerns. Exposure to a mixture of PFAS was associated with higher scores of sleep problems and aggressive behavior, mostly contributed by PFNA and PFDA. CONCLUSIONS Our study showed that prenatal exposure to some PFAS could increase child behavioral problems at 3 years of age. However, our results should be interpreted with caution because we relied on data from a cohort with increased familial likelihood of ASD and thereby had more behavioral problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeong Weon Choi
- Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA.
| | - Jiwon Oh
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Deborah H Bennett
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | | | - Rebecca J Schmidt
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, USA; MIND Institute, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Hyeong-Moo Shin
- Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA
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Burdette T, Yakimavets V, Panuwet P, Ryan PB, Barr DB, Salamova A. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in senior care facilities and older adult residents. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 928:172316. [PMID: 38593875 PMCID: PMC11075449 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are fluorinated organic compounds used in a variety of consumer products and industrial applications that persist in the environment, bioaccumulate in biological tissues, and can have adverse effects on human health, especially in vulnerable populations. In this study, we focused on PFAS exposures in residents of senior care facilities. To investigate relationships between indoor, personal, and internal PFAS exposures, we analyzed 19 PFAS in matched samples of dust collected from the residents' bedrooms, and wristbands and serum collected from the residents. The median ∑PFAS concentrations (the sum of all PFAS detected in the samples) measured in dust, wristbands, and serum were 120 ng/g, 0.05 ng/g, and 4.0 ng/mL, respectively. The most abundant compounds in serum were linear- and branched-perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (L-PFOS and B-PFOS, respectively) at medians of 1.7 ng/mL and 0.83 ng/mL, respectively, followed by the linear perfluorooctanoic acid (L-PFOA) found at a median concentration of 0.59 ng/mL. Overall, these three PFAS comprised 80 % of the serum ∑PFAS concentrations. A similar pattern was observed in dust with L-PFOS and L-PFOA found as the most abundant PFAS (median concentrations of 13 and 7.8 ng/g, respectively), with the overall contribution of 50 % to the ∑PFAS concentration. Only L-PFOA was found in wristbands at a median concentration of 0.02 ng/g. Significant correlations were found between the concentrations of several PFAS in dust and serum, and in dust and wristbands, suggesting that the indoor environment could be a significant contributor to the personal and internal PFAS exposures in seniors. Our findings demonstrate that residents of assisted living facilities are widely exposed to PFAS, with several PFAS found in blood of each study participant and in the assisted living environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tret Burdette
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Volha Yakimavets
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Parinya Panuwet
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - P Barry Ryan
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Dana B Barr
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Amina Salamova
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
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Pollard S, De Silva AO, Simmons DBD. Metabolic, neurotoxic and immunotoxic effects of PFAAs and their mixtures on the proteome of the head kidney and plasma from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 928:172389. [PMID: 38615763 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172389] [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: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
PFAAs (Perfluoroalkyl acids) are a class of bioaccumulative, persistent and ubiquitous environmental contaminants which primarily occupy the hydrosphere and its sediments. Currently, a paucity of toxicological information exists for short chain PFAAs and complex mixtures. In order to address these knowledge gaps, we performed a 3-week, aqueous exposure of rainbow trout to 3 different concentrations of a PFAA mixture (50, 100 and 500 ng/L) modeled after the composition determined in Lake Ontario. We conducted an additional set of exposures to individual PFAAs (25 nM each of PFOS (12,500 ng/L), PFOA (10,300 ng/L), PFBS (7500 ng/L) or PFBA (5300 ng/L) to evaluate differences in biological response across PFAA congeners. Untargeted proteomics and phosphorylated metabolomics were conducted on the blood plasma and head kidney tissue to evaluate biological response. Plasma proteomic responses to the mixtures revealed several unexpected outcomes including Similar proteomic profiles and biological processes as the PFOS exposure regime while being orders of magnitude lower in concentration and an atypical dose response in terms of the number of significantly altered proteins (FDR < 0.1). Biological pathway analysis revealed the low mixture, medium mixture and PFOS to significantly alter (FDR < 0.05) a number of processes including those involved in lipid metabolism, oxidative stress and the nervous system. We implicate plasma increases in PPARD and PPARG as being directly related to these biological processes as they are known to be important regulators in all 3 processes. In contrast to the blood plasma, the high mixture and PFOA exposure regimes caused the greatest change to the head kidney proteome, altering many proteins being involved in lipid metabolism, oxidative stress and inflammation. Our findings support the pleiotropic effect PFAAs have on aquatic organisms at environmentally relevant doses including those on PPAR signaling, metabolic dysregulation, immunotoxicity and neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Pollard
- Faculty of Science, Ontario Tech University, Ontario, Canada
| | - Amila O De Silva
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
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Eze CG, Okeke ES, Nwankwo CE, Nyaruaba R, Anand U, Okoro OJ, Bontempi E. Emerging contaminants in food matrices: An overview of the occurrence, pathways, impacts and detection techniques of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Toxicol Rep 2024; 12:436-447. [PMID: 38645434 PMCID: PMC11033125 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2024.03.012] [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: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been used in industrial and consumer applications for ages. The pervasive and persistent nature of PFAS in the environment is a universal concern due to public health risks. Experts acknowledge that exposure to high levels of certain PFAS have consequences, including reduced vaccine efficacy, elevated cholesterol, and increased risk of high blood pressure. While considerable research has been conducted to investigate the presence of PFAS in the environment, the pathways for human exposure through food and food packaging/contact materials (FCM) remain unclear. In this review, we present an exhaustive overview of dietary exposure pathways to PFAS. Also, the mechanism of PFAS migration from FCMs into food and the occurrence of PFAS in certain foods were considered. Further, we present the analytical techniques for PFAS in food and food matrices as well as exposure pathways and human health impacts. Further, recent regulatory actions working to set standards and guidelines for PFAS in food packaging materials were highlighted. Alternative materials being developed and evaluated for their safety and efficacy in food contact applications, offering promising alternatives to PFAS were also considered. Finally, we reported on general considerations and perspectives presently considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chukwuebuka Gabriel Eze
- Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State 410001, Nigeria
- Institute of Biological Environmental and Rural Science Aberystwyth University, Wales, United Kingdom
| | - Emmanuel Sunday Okeke
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences & Natural Science Unit, School of General Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State 410001, Nigeria
- Institute of Environmental Health and Ecological Security, School of the Environment and Safety, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Rd., Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
| | - Chidiebele Emmanuel Nwankwo
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences & Natural Science Unit, School of General Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State 410001, Nigeria
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Rd., Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
| | - Raphael Nyaruaba
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Uttpal Anand
- CytoGene Research & Development LLP, K-51, UPSIDA Industrial Area, Kursi Road (Lucknow), Dist.– Barabanki, 225001, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Onyekwere Joseph Okoro
- Department of Zoology and Environment Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State 410001, Nigeria
| | - Elza Bontempi
- INSTM and INSTM and Chemistry for Technologies Laboratory, University of Brescia, via Branze 38, Brescia 25123, Italy
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Mehdi Q, Griffin EK, Esplugas J, Gelsleichter J, Galloway AS, Frazier BS, Timshina AS, Grubbs RD, Correia K, Camacho CG, Bowden JA. Species-specific profiles of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in small coastal sharks along the South Atlantic Bight of the United States. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 927:171758. [PMID: 38521272 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171758] [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: 12/23/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have gained widespread commercial use across the globe in various industrial and consumer products, such as textiles, firefighting foams, and surface coating materials. Studies have shown that PFAS exhibit a strong tendency to accumulate within aquatic food webs, primarily due to their high bioaccumulation potential and resistance to degradation. Despite such concerns, their impact on marine predators like sharks remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the presence of 34 PFAS in the plasma (n = 315) of four small coastal sharks inhabiting the South Atlantic Bight of the United States (U.S). Among the sharks studied, bonnetheads (Sphyrna tiburo) had the highest ∑PFAS concentration (3031 ± 1674 pg g - 1 plasma, n = 103), followed by the Atlantic sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae, 2407 ± 969 pg g - 1, n = 101), blacknose shark (Carcharhinus acronotus, 1713 ± 662 pg g - 1, n = 83) and finetooth shark (Carcharhinus isodon, 1431 ± 891 pg g - 1, n = 28). Despite declines in the manufacturing of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), the long-chain (C8 - C13) perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) were frequently detected, with PFOS, perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), and perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA) present as the most dominant PFAS. Furthermore, males exhibited significantly higher ∑PFAS concentrations than females in bonnetheads (p < 0.01), suggesting possible sex-specific PFAS accumulation or maternal offloading in some species. The results of this study underscore the urgency for more extensive biomonitoring of PFAS in aquatic/marine environments to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the impact and fate of these emerging pollutants on marine fauna.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qaim Mehdi
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Emily K Griffin
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Juliette Esplugas
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Jim Gelsleichter
- Department of Biology, University of North Florida, 1 UNF Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Ashley S Galloway
- South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, 217 Fort Johnson Road, Charleston, SC 29412, USA
| | - Bryan S Frazier
- South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, 217 Fort Johnson Road, Charleston, SC 29412, USA
| | - Alina S Timshina
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - R Dean Grubbs
- Coastal and Marine Laboratory, Florida State University 3618 Highway 98, St. Teresa, FL 32358, USA
| | - Keyla Correia
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Camden G Camacho
- Department of Chemistry, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - John A Bowden
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; Department of Chemistry, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
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