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Song C, Gu Q, Zhang D, Zhou D, Cui X. Prediction of PFAS bioaccumulation in different plant tissues with machine learning models based on molecular fingerprints. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 950:175091. [PMID: 39079643 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175091] [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: 06/13/2024] [Revised: 07/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
Due to the wastewater irrigation or biosolid application, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have been widely detected in agriculture soil and hence crops or vegetables. Consumption of contaminated crops and vegetables is considered as an important route of human exposure to PFASs. Machine learning (ML) models have been developed to predict PFAS uptake by plants with majority focus on roots. However, ML models for predicting accumulation of PFASs in above ground edible tissues have yet to be investigated. In this study, 811 data points covering 22 PFASs represented by molecular fingerprints and 5 plant categories (namely the root class, leaf class, cereals, legumes, and fruits) were used for model development. The Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB) model demonstrated the most favorable performance to predict the bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) in all the 4 plant tissues (namely root, leaf, stem, and fruit) achieving coefficients of determination R2 as 0.82-0.93. Feature importance analysis showed that the top influential factors for BAFs varied among different plant tissues, indicating that model developed for root concentration prediction may not be feasible for above ground parts. The XGB model's performance was further demonstrated by comparing with data from pot experiments measuring BAFs of 12 PFASs in lettuce. The correlation between predicted and measured results was favorable for BAFs in both lettuce roots and leaves with R2 values of 0.76 and 0.81. This study developed a robust approach to comprehensively understand the uptake of PFASs in both plant roots and above ground parts, offering key insights into PFAS risk assessment and food safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenzhuo Song
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Qian Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Dengke Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Dongmei Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinyi Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, People's Republic of China.
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Xu J, Cui Q, Ren H, Liu S, Liu Z, Sun X, Sun H, Shang J, Tan W. Differential uptake and translocation of perfluoroalkyl substances by vegetable roots and leaves: Insight into critical influencing factors. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 949:175205. [PMID: 39097023 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175205] [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: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 07/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/05/2024]
Abstract
Crop contamination of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) may threaten human health, with root and leaves representing the primary uptake pathways of PFASs in crops. Therefore, it is imperative to elucidate the uptake characteristics of PFASs by crop roots and leaves as well as the critical influencing factors. In this study, the uptake and translocation of PFASs by roots and leaves of pak choi and radish were systematically explored based on perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA), perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). Additionally, the roles of root Casparian strips, leaf stomata, and PFAS structures in the aforementioned processes were elucidated. Compared with pak choi, PFASs are more easily transferred to leaves after root uptake in radish, resulting from the lack of root Casparian strips. In pak choi root, the bioaccumulation of C4-C8 perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) showed a U-shaped trend with the increase of their carbon chain lengths, and the translocation potentials of individual PFASs from root to leaves negatively correlated with their chain lengths. The leaf uptake of PFOA in pak choi and radish mainly depended on cuticle sorption, with the evidence of a slight decrease in the concentrations of PFOA in exposed leaves after stomatal closure induced by abscisic acid. The leaf bioaccumulation of C4-C8 PFCAs in pak choi exhibited an inverted U-shaped trend as their carbon chain lengths increased. PFASs in exposed leaves can be translocated to the root and then re-transferred to unexposed leaves in vegetables. The longer-chain PFASs showed higher translocation potentials from exposed leaves to root. PFOS demonstrated a higher bioaccumulation than PFOA in crop roots and leaves, mainly due to the greater hydrophobicity of PFOS. Planting root vegetables lacking Casparian strips is inadvisable in PFAS-contaminated environments, in view of their higher PFAS bioaccumulation and considerable human intake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayi Xu
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Soil Health and Green Remediation, College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | | | - Hailong Ren
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Soil Health and Green Remediation, College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Shun Liu
- The Seventh Geological Brigade of Hubei Geological Bureau, Yichang 443100, China
| | - Zhaoyang Liu
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Soil Health and Green Remediation, College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
| | - Xiaoyan Sun
- Institute of Microbiology, Jiangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanchang 330096, China
| | - Heyang Sun
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Soil Health and Green Remediation, College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Jiaqi Shang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Soil Health and Green Remediation, College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Wenfeng Tan
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Soil Health and Green Remediation, College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
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Chen X, Xu D, Xiao Y, Zuo M, Zhou J, Sun X, Shan G, Zhu L. Multimedia and Full-Life-Cycle Monitoring Discloses the Dynamic Accumulation Rules of PFAS and Underestimated Foliar Uptake in Wheat near a Fluorochemical Industrial Park. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 39292548 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c03525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/20/2024]
Abstract
The escalating concern of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), particularly at contaminated sites, has prompted extensive investigations. In this study, samples of multimedia including air, rhizosphere soil, and tissues of wheat at various growing stages were collected near a mega fluorochemical industrial park in China. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was predominant in both air and soil with a strong correlation, highlighting air deposition as an important source in the terrestrial system. PFAS concentrations in wheat decreased in the stem and ear but increased in the leaves as wheat matured. Specifically, perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) dominated in the aboveground tissues in the full-life-cycle, except that PFOA surpassed and became predominant in leaves during the filling and maturing stages, hinting at an airborne source. For all PFAS, both bioaccumulation factors and translocation factors (TFs) were inversely correlated with the carbon chain length during the full-life-cycle. The obtained TF values were considerably higher than those obtained from ambient sites reported previously, further suggesting an unneglectable foliar uptake from air, which was estimated to be 25% for PFOA. Moreover, spray irrigation remarkably enhanced the absorption of PFAS in wheat via foliar uptake relative to flood irrigation. The estimated daily intake of PFBA via wheat consumption and air inhalation was 0.50 μg/kg/day for local residents, at least one magnitude higher than the corresponding threshold, suggesting an alarmingly high exposure risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, PR China
| | - Dashan Xu
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, PR China
- Sinochem Environment Holding Co., Ltd., Beijing 100071, PR China
| | - Yuehan Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, PR China
| | - Mingjiang Zuo
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, PR China
| | - Jian Zhou
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and the Agri-environment in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, Shaanxi 712100, PR China
| | - Xiao Sun
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, PR China
| | - Guoqiang Shan
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, PR China
| | - Lingyan Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, PR China
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Xu Y, Sui X, Li J, Zhang L, Wang P, Liu Y, Shi H, Zhang Y. Early-life exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances: Analysis of levels, health risk and binding abilities to transport proteins. ECO-ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH 2024; 3:308-316. [PMID: 39258237 PMCID: PMC11385757 DOI: 10.1016/j.eehl.2024.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/12/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) can pass through the placenta and adversely affect fetal development. However, there is a lack of comparison of legacy and emerging PFAS levels among different biosamples in pregnant women and their offspring. This study, based on the Shanghai Maternal-Child Pairs Cohort, analyzed the concentrations of 16 PFAS in the maternal serum, cord serum, and breast milk samples from 1,076 mother-child pairs. The placental and breastfeeding transfer efficiencies of PFAS were determined in maternal-cord and maternal-milk pairs, respectively. The binding affinities of PFAS to five transporters were simulated using molecular docking. The results suggested that PFAS were frequently detected in different biosamples. The median concentration of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was the highest at 8.85 ng/mL, followed by perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) at 7.13 ng/mL and 6:2 chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate at 5.59 ng/mL in maternal serum. The median concentrations of PFOA were highest in cord serum (4.23 ng/mL) and breast milk (1.08 ng/mL). PFAS demonstrated higher placental than breastfeeding transfer efficiencies. The transfer efficiencies and the binding affinities of most PFAS to proteins exhibited alkyl chain length-dependent patterns. Furthermore, we comprehensively assessed the estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of PFAS in breastfeeding infants of different age groups and used the hazard quotient (HQ) to characterize the potential health risk. EDIs decreased with infant age, and PFOS had higher HQs than PFOA. These findings highlight the significance of considering PFAS exposure, transfer mechanism, and health risks resulting from breast milk intake in early life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaqi Xu
- Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Xinyao Sui
- Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jinhong Li
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Liyi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Pengpeng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Huijing Shi
- Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yunhui Zhang
- Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
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Du J, Zhang X, Li B, Huo S, Zhang J, Fu Y, Song M, Shao B, Li Y. The hepatotoxicity of hexafluoropropylene oxide trimer acid caused by apoptosis via endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondrial crosstalk. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 922:171234. [PMID: 38428612 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171234] [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: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
As a ubiquitous pollutant in the environment, hexafluoropropylene oxide trimer acid (HFPO-TA) has been proven to have strong hepatotoxicity. However, the underlying mechanism is still unclear. Consequently, in vivo and in vitro models of HFPO-TA exposure were established to investigate the detrimental effects of HFPO-TA on the liver. In vivo, we discovered that HFPO-TA enhanced endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-mitochondrial association, caused mitochondrial oxidative damage, activated ER stress, and induced apoptosis in mouse livers. In vitro experiments confirmed that IP3R overexpression on ER structure increased mitochondrial calcium levels, which led to mitochondrial damage and mitochondria-dependent apoptosis in HepG2 cells exposed to HFPO-TA. Subsequently, damaged mitochondria released a large amount of mitochondrial ROS, which activated ER stress and ER stress-dependent apoptosis. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that HFPO-TA can induce apoptosis by regulating the crosstalk between ER and mitochondria, ultimately leading to liver damage. These findings reveal the significant hepatotoxicity of HFPO-TA and its potential mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayu Du
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Xuliang Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Bo Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Siming Huo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Yang Fu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; Department of Veterinary Medicine, Heze Vocational College, Heze 274031, China
| | - Miao Song
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Bing Shao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Yanfei Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China.
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Feng S, Lu X, Ouyang K, Su G, Li Q, Shi B, Meng J. Environmental occurrence, bioaccumulation and human risks of emerging fluoroalkylether substances: Insight into security of alternatives. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 922:171151. [PMID: 38395160 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are widely used due to their unique structure and excellent performance, while also posing threats on ecosystem, especially long-chain perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). As the control of conventional PFASs, fluoroalkylether substances (ether-PFASs) as alternatives are constantly emerging. Subsequently, the three representative ether-PFASs, chlorinated polyfluoroalkyl ether sulfonic acid (F-53B), hexafluoropropylene oxide-dimer acid (HFPO-DA), and 4,8-Dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoicacid (ADONA) are discovered and have received more attention in the environment and ecosystem. But their security is now also being challenged. This review systematically assesses their security from six dimensions including environmental occurrence in water, soil and atmosphere, as well as bioaccumulation and risk in plants, animals and humans. High substitution level is observed for F-53B, whether in environment or living things. Like PFOS or even more extreme, F-53B exhibits high biomagnification ability, transmission efficiency from maternal to infant, and various biological toxicity effects. HFPO-DA still has a relatively low substitution level for PFOA, but its use has emerged in Europe. Although it is less detected in human bodies and has a higher metabolic rate than PFOA, the strong migration ability of HFPO-DA in plants may pose dietary safety concerns for humans. Research on ADONA is limited, and currently, it is detected in Germany frequently while remaining at trace levels globally. Evidently, F-53B has shown increasing risk both in occurrence and toxicity compared to PFOS, and HFPO-DA is relatively safe based on available data. There are still knowledge gaps on security of alternatives that need to be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siting Feng
- School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Shenyang Jianzhu University, Shenyang 110168, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effects Research, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Xiaofei Lu
- School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Shenyang Jianzhu University, Shenyang 110168, China
| | - Kaige Ouyang
- School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Shenyang Jianzhu University, Shenyang 110168, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effects Research, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Guijin Su
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effects Research, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qianqian Li
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effects Research, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Bin Shi
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effects Research, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jing Meng
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effects Research, 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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Battisti I, Trentin AR, Franzolin E, Nicoletto C, Masi A, Renella G. Uptake and distribution of perfluoroalkyl substances by grafted tomato plants cultivated in a contaminated site in northern Italy. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 915:170032. [PMID: 38220022 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are highly persistent and mobile pollutants raising alarming concerns due to their capability to accumulate in living organisms and exert toxic effects on human health. We studied the accumulation of different PFAS in the leaves and fruits of tomato plants grown on a PFAS-polluted soil in North-East Italy. Tomato plants were grafted with different rootstocks characterized by different vigor, and irrigated with PFAS-polluted groundwater. Leaves and fruits of the first and sixth truss were analyzed at full plant maturity. All tomato varieties accumulated PFAS in leaves and fruits, with the highest concentrations detected in the most vigorous rootstock and reflecting the PFAS concentration profile of the irrigation water. PFAS with a chain length from 4 to 8 C atoms and with carboxylic and sulfonic functional groups were detected in plant leaves, whereas only carboxylic C4, C5, and C6 PFAS were detected in tomato fruits. A general trend of decreasing PFAS concentrations in fruits upon increasing height of the plant trusses was observed. Calculation of the target hazard quotient (THQ) showed increasing values depending on the plant vigor. The hazard index (HI) values showed values slightly higher than 1 for the most vigorous plants, indicating potential risks to human health associated with the consumption of contaminated tomato fruits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Battisti
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, Legnaro 35020, Italy
| | - Anna Rita Trentin
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, Legnaro 35020, Italy
| | - Emma Franzolin
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, Legnaro 35020, Italy
| | - Carlo Nicoletto
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, Legnaro 35020, Italy
| | - Antonio Masi
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, Legnaro 35020, Italy.
| | - Giancarlo Renella
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, Legnaro 35020, Italy
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Lv D, Liu H, An Q, Lei C, Wang Y, Sun J, Li C, Lin Y, Dong Q, Yang Z, Che K, Liu W, Han W. Association of adverse fetal outcomes with placental inflammation after oral gestational exposure to hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (GenX) in Sprague-Dawley rats. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 461:132536. [PMID: 37717439 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA), known as "GenX" for its trade name, is gradually taking the place of Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). However, there is a poor understanding of the developmental effects of GenX. This study aims to explore whether GenX produces adverse effects on offspring development in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and the underlying mechanisms. Pregnant rats were orally administered with GenX (0, 1, 10 and 100 mg/kg/day) from gestational 0.5-19.5 days. Experimental data showed that the exposure to GenX resulted in increased rats' gestational weight gain, whereas both body weight and body length of their fetuses born naturally were significantly reduced. This could contribute to the developmental delays of fetal body weight, body length and tail length from postnatal 1-21 days. Histopathological evaluation of placenta indicated that GenX exposure led to neutrophil infiltration in decidual zone and congestion in labyrinth zone. Moreover, placental proteomics showed changes at the expression levels of the inflammation-related proteins in the Rap1 signaling pathway. In conclusion, gestational exposure to GenX induced fetal intrauterine and extrauterine development retardation in SD rats. Placental inflammation may play a key role in this process through the Rap1 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Lv
- Pediatrics Department, Qingdao Hospital, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (Qingdao Municipal Hospital), Qingdao 266071, China; Qingdao Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Hongyun Liu
- Pathology Department, Qingdao Hospital, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (Qingdao Municipal Hospital), Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Qi An
- Child Healthcare Department, Qingdao Women and Children's Hospital, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Chengwei Lei
- Pediatrics Department, Qingdao Hospital, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (Qingdao Municipal Hospital), Qingdao 266071, China; Qingdao Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Yanxuan Wang
- Pediatrics Department, Qingdao Hospital, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (Qingdao Municipal Hospital), Qingdao 266071, China; Qingdao Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Jin Sun
- Department of Developmental Pediatrics and Child Health Care, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250014, China
| | - Chuanhai Li
- School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Yongfeng Lin
- School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Qing Dong
- Pediatrics Department, The Affiliated Taian City Central Hospital of Qingdao University, Taian 271000, China
| | - Zhugen Yang
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Cranfield MK43 0AL, UK
| | - Kui Che
- Key Laboratory of Thyroid Diseases, Medical Research Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Wendong Liu
- Pediatrics Department, Qingdao Hospital, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (Qingdao Municipal Hospital), Qingdao 266071, China.
| | - Wenchao Han
- Pediatrics Department, Qingdao Hospital, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (Qingdao Municipal Hospital), Qingdao 266071, China.
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9
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Al Zbedy A, Müller V, Kindness A, Ebel R, Norton GJ, Feldmann J. GenX uptake by wheat and rice in flooded and non-flooded soils: a greenhouse experiment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:1607-1620. [PMID: 38044403 PMCID: PMC10789845 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-31160-w] [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: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
GenX (hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid) belongs to the group of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) compounds introduced to replace perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which has been phased out in industrial and consumer product formulations. While GenX has been investigated in lab animals, there is limited information available regarding its uptake and translocation in wheat and rice. This study reports on a greenhouse experiment in which wheat and rice grown under flooded and non-flooded conditions were exposed to two GenX concentrations in the soil (0.4 mg kg-1 and 2 mg kg-1). GenX was analysed in the soil, porewater and shoots using targeted liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy (LC-MS/MS) analysis. Extractable organic fluorine (EOF) was determined using high-resolution continuum source graphite furnace molecular absorption spectrometry (HR-GFMAS) instrument. Results showed that different species took up different amounts of GenX. The GenX concentration in rice shoots was found to be 2.34 (± 0.45) and 4.11 (± 0.87) μg g-1 under flooded and non-flooded conditions, respectively, at a low exposure level. At high exposure, the GenX concentrations in flooded and non-flooded rice shoots increased threefold to 10.4 (± 0.41) and 13.4 (± 0.72) μg g-1, respectively. Wheat shoots showed similar concentrations and increases between low- and high-level exposure. The translocation factor was significantly higher (P = 0.013) in non-flooded rice compared to flooded rice. The GenX bioaccumulation behaviours under the same culture conditions (e.g. temperature, humidity, light, same GenX concentration in the soil) were significantly different in non-flooded and flooded rice (P < 0.001). Non-flooded rice plants displayed a higher level of GenX bioaccumulation than flooded ones. Following exposure to GenX, flooded rice plants showed a reduction in biomass (25%) compared to the control plants (P < 0.014). Our findings indicate that GenX is a bioaccumulative compound, the presence of which likely inhibits the growth of plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amnah Al Zbedy
- School of Biological science, University of Aberdeen, Machar Drive, Aberdeen, AB24 3FX, UK
- School of Natural and Computing Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Meston Walk, Aberdeen, AB24 3UE, UK
- Department of Chemistry, Al-Qunfudhah University College, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Viktoria Müller
- TESLA-Analytical Chemistry, University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 1, 8010, Graz, Austria
- The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, AB15 8QH, UK
| | - Andrew Kindness
- The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, AB15 8QH, UK
- School of Chemistry and Physics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X54001, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Rainer Ebel
- School of Natural and Computing Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Meston Walk, Aberdeen, AB24 3UE, UK
| | - Gareth J Norton
- School of Biological science, University of Aberdeen, Machar Drive, Aberdeen, AB24 3FX, UK
| | - Joerg Feldmann
- TESLA-Analytical Chemistry, University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 1, 8010, Graz, Austria.
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10
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Wen J, Li H, Ottosen LDM, Lundqvist J, Vergeynst L. Comparison of the photocatalytic degradability of PFOA, PFOS and GenX using Fe-zeolite in water. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 344:140344. [PMID: 37802482 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Knowledge on the photocatalytic degradability of the emerging poly- and perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in water, specifically GenX, is limited. GenX has been detected globally in river water and is considered potentially more toxic than legacy PFAS. In this study, we compared the photocatalytic degradability of GenX with the legacy compounds perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) using Fe-zeolite photocatalysts. After 7 h of irradiation, GenX showed lower removal (79%) and defluorination (33%) as compared to PFOA (100% removal and 69% defluorination) and PFOS (100% removal and 51% defluorination). The quasi-first-order degradation rate of GenX (1.5 h1) was 12 and 1.2 times lower than PFOA (18.4 h-1) and PFOS (1.8 h-1), respectively. Additionally, PFOA's defluorination rate (0.9 h-1) was approximately 2.6 and 9 times higher than GenX (0.35 h-1) and PFOS (0.1 h-1), respectively. These outcomes correlate with GenX's lower hydrophobicity, leading to reduced adsorption (40%) compared to PFOA (99%) and PFOS (87%). Based on identified transformation products, we proposed a GenX degradation pathway, resulting in ultra-short-chain PFASs with a chain length of 2 and 3 carbon atoms, while PFOA and PFOS degraded stepwise, losing 1 carbon-fluorine bond at a time, leading to gradually shorter chain lengths (from 7 to 2 carbon atoms). In conclusion, GenX is more challenging to remove and degrade due to its lower adsorption on the photocatalyst, potential steric hindrance, and higher production of persistent ultra-short-chain transformation products through photocatalysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junying Wen
- Centre for Water Technology (WATEC) & Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, Universitetsbyen 36, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Huarui Li
- Centre for Water Technology (WATEC) & Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, Universitetsbyen 36, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark; School of Civil Engineering, Yantai University, 30, Qingquan RD, Laishan District, Yantai, 264005, PR China
| | - Lars Ditlev Mørck Ottosen
- Centre for Water Technology (WATEC) & Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, Universitetsbyen 36, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Johan Lundqvist
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7028, SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Leendert Vergeynst
- Centre for Water Technology (WATEC) & Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, Universitetsbyen 36, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.
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11
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Chen L, Chen D, Zhou S, Lin J, Liu Y, Huang X, Lin Q, Morel JL, Ni Z, Wang S, Qiu R. New Insights into the Accumulation, Transport, and Distribution Mechanisms of Hexafluoropropylene Oxide Homologues, Important Alternatives to Perfluorooctanoic Acid, in Lettuce ( Lactuca sativa L.). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:9702-9712. [PMID: 37314230 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c09226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Hexafluoropropylene oxide (HFPO) homologues, which are important alternatives to perfluorooctanoic acid, have been frequently identified in crops. Although exposure to HFPO homologues via crops may pose non-negligible threats to humans, their impact on crops is still unknown. In this study, the accumulation, transport, and distribution mechanisms of three HFPO homologues in lettuce were investigated at the plant, tissue, and cell levels. More specifically, HFPO trimer acid and HFPO tetramer acid were primarily fixed in roots and hardly transported to shoots (TF, 0.06-0.63). Conversely, HFPO dimer acid (HFPO-DA) tended to accumulate in lettuce shoots 2-264 times more than the other two homologues, thus resulting in higher estimated daily intake values. Furthermore, the dissolved organic matter derived from root exudate enhanced HFPO-DA uptake by increasing its desorption fractions in the rhizosphere. The transmembrane uptake of HFPO homologues was controlled by means of a transporter-mediated active process involving anion channels, with the uptake of HFPO-DA being additionally facilitated by aquaporins. The higher accumulation of HFPO-DA in shoots was attributed to the larger proportions of HFPO-DA in the soluble fraction (55-74%) and its higher abundance in both vascular tissues and xylem sap. Our findings expand the understanding of the fate of HFPO homologues in soil-crop systems and reveal the underlying mechanisms of the potential exposure risk to HFPO-DA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Chen
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Key Laboratory for New Technology Research of Vegetable, Vegetable Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Daijie Chen
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Shunyi Zhou
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jieying Lin
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yun Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Xiongfei Huang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Qingqi Lin
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural & Rural Pollution Abatement and Environmental Safety, College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Jean Louis Morel
- Laboratoire Sol et Environnement Université de Lorraine-INRAE, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy 54500, France
| | - Zhuobiao Ni
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural & Rural Pollution Abatement and Environmental Safety, College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Shizhong Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Rongliang Qiu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural & Rural Pollution Abatement and Environmental Safety, College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
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12
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Jeanne PV, McLamb F, Feng Z, Griffin L, Gong S, Shea D, Szuch MA, Scott S, Gersberg RM, Bozinovic G. Locomotion and brain gene expression exhibit sex-specific non-monotonic dose-response to HFPO-DA during Drosophila melanogaster lifespan. Neurotoxicology 2023; 96:207-221. [PMID: 37156305 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2023.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Legacy per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known for their environmental persistence and bio-accumulative properties, have been phased out in the U.S. due to public health concerns. A newer polymerization aid used in the manufacture of some fluoropolymers, hexafluoropropylene oxide-dimer acid (HFPO-DA), has lower reported bioaccumulation and toxicity, but is a potential neurotoxicant implicated in dopaminergic neurodegeneration. OBJECTIVE We investigated HFPO-DA's bio-accumulative potential and sex-specific effects on lifespan, locomotion, and brain gene expression in fruit flies. METHODS We quantified bioaccumulation of HFPO-DA in fruit flies exposed to 8.7×104µg/L of HFPO-DA in the fly media for 14 days via UHPLC-MS. Long-term effect on lifespan was determined by exposing both sexes to 8.7×102 - 8.7×105µg/L of HFPO-DA in media. Locomotion was measured following 3, 7, and 14 days of exposures at 8.7×101 - 8.7×105µg/L of HFPO-DA in media, and high-throughput 3'-end RNA-sequencing was used to quantify gene expression in fly brains across the same time points. RESULTS Bioaccumulation of HFPO-DA in fruit flies was not detected. HFPO-DA-induced effects on lifespan, locomotion, and brain gene expression, and lowest adverse effect level (LOAEL) showed sexually dimorphic patterns. Locomotion scores significantly decreased in at least one dose at all time points for females and only at 3-day exposure for males, while brain gene expression exhibited non-monotonic dose-response. Differentially expressed genes correlated to locomotion scores revealed sex-specific numbers of positively and negatively correlated genes per functional category. CONCLUSION Although HFPO-DA effects on locomotion and survival were significant at doses higher than the US EPA reference dose, the brain transcriptomic profiling reveals sex-specific changes and neurological molecular targets; gene enrichments highlight disproportionately affected categories, including immune response: female-specific co-upregulation suggests potential neuroinflammation. Consistent sex-specific exposure effects necessitate blocking for sex in experimental design during HFPO-DA risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Vu Jeanne
- Boz Life Science Research and Teaching Institute, San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego State University, Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego, CA, USA; University of California, San Diego, Division of Extended Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Flannery McLamb
- Boz Life Science Research and Teaching Institute, San Diego, CA, USA; University of California, San Diego, Division of Extended Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Zuying Feng
- Boz Life Science Research and Teaching Institute, San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego State University, Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Lindsey Griffin
- Boz Life Science Research and Teaching Institute, San Diego, CA, USA; University of California, San Diego, Division of Extended Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sylvia Gong
- Boz Life Science Research and Teaching Institute, San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego State University, Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego, CA, USA; University of California, San Diego, Division of Extended Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | - Mary A Szuch
- Boz Life Science Research and Teaching Institute, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Savannah Scott
- Boz Life Science Research and Teaching Institute, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Richard M Gersberg
- San Diego State University, Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Goran Bozinovic
- Boz Life Science Research and Teaching Institute, San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego State University, Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego, CA, USA; University of California, San Diego, School of Biological Sciences, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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