Analytical method for biomonitoring of perfluoroalkyl acids in human urine

An overview on human exposure, toxicity, solid-phase microextraction and adsorptive removal of perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) from water matrices

Perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) are sub-class of perfluoroalkyl substances commonly detected in water matrices. They are persistent in the environment, hence highly toxic to living organisms. Their occurrence at trace amount, complex nature and prone to matrix interference make their extraction and detection a challenge. This study consolidates current advancements in solid-phase extraction (SPE) techniques for the trace-level analysis of PFCAs from water matrices. The advantages of the methods in terms of ease of applications, low-cost, robustness, low solvents consumption, high pre-concentration factors, better extraction efficiency, good selectivity and recovery of the analytes have been emphasized. The article also demonstrated effectiveness of some porous materials for the adsorptive removal of the PFCAs from the water matrices. Mechanisms of the SPE/adsorption techniques have been discussed. The success and limitations of the processes have been elucidated.

Occurrence, distribution, and risk assessment of perfluoroalkyl acids in drinking water sources from the lower Yangtze River

The occurrence, spatial distribution, potential sources, and risk assessment of 14 perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs), including 11 perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids and 3 perfluoroalkyl sulfonates acids, were investigated in 21 drinking water sources from the lower Yangtze River in November 2019. The total PFAAs (∑PFAAs) concentrations ranged from 39.3 to 220.3 ng/L, and perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctanesulfonate were predominant with average concentrations of 19.4 and 15.4 ng/L, respectively. The higher ∑PFAAs concentrations in the southern shore and downstream could be attributed to industrial development and surface runoff/tide currents, respectively. Principal component analysis-multiple linear regression revealed that the primary sources of PFAAs were fluororesin coatings/metal plating, surface runoff/textile, effluent discharge/food packaging, and leather/fabrics. Human intake risks of PFAAs were assessed by target hazard quotient (THQ), which showed that human health risks of PFAAs decreased with increasing age, excluding 13-17 years age group. Moreover, the total exposure risks of PFOA/PFOS in all sampling sites to people aged over 18 years calculated based on contribution from drinking water were noted to be at safe level. The results obtained were helpful for improving our understanding of human health risks of PFAAs, and expanding our knowledge on PFAAs in drinking water.

Per- and polyfluorinated compounds in saleswomen's urine linked to indoor dust in clothing shops

This study aims to investigate the characteristics of typical per- and polyfluorinated compounds (PFCs) in indoor dust from clothing shops and urine sampled from saleswomen. A total of 58 indoor dust samples and 73 urine samples from saleswomen were collected from clothing shops in Shanghai, China. All samples were analyzed for PFCs using high-performance liquid chromatography tandem triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). The mean PFC concentrations in indoor dust ranged from 0.42 (PFDA) to 5.04 ng g^-1 (PFDoA). PFDoA and PFHxS were the most prominent PFCs, with median concentrations of 2.95 ng g^-1 and 1.49 ng g^-1, respectively. The median PFC concentrations in urine ranged from 10.15 (PFDS) to 666.1 ng l^-1 (PFOA) and PFOA was the most abundant chemical with concentrations ranging from 207 to 907 ng l^-1. A significant positive correlation was obtained between long-chain PFCs in dust and in urine (p < 0.01). Daily intake values of PFCs via dust ingestion were also calculated, and even under high-end exposure scenarios, the intake of PFOA (36.5 pg day^-1) and PFOS (56.7 pg day^-1) were well within the tolerable daily intake values. These results are important to both characterize PFC levels and estimate the saleswomen's exposure to PFCs from indoor dust.

Biomonitoring PFAAs in blood and semen samples: Investigation of a potential link between PFAAs exposure and semen mobility in China

Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) have been suspected to act as endocrine disruptors and adversely affect human reproductive health. We aimed to investigate the association between PFAAs in blood and semen, explore a potential link between PFAAs exposure and semen quality in the population of the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region in China, one of the "world factories". The monitoring results demonstrated that the population (103 male participants) from the PRD region in this study had higher PFAAs levels in blood and semen than some other areas in China. PFOS was found at the highest mean concentrations of 118.16 ng/mL in blood and 5.31 ng/mL in semen among the nine PFAAs. Significant associations were found between concentrations of several analytes in blood and semen, including Σ₉ PFAAs (r = 0.475, P < .01), PFOA (r = 0.215, P = .029), PFHS (r = 0.458, P < .01) and PFOS (r = 0.981, P < .01). BMI was the most important factor to PFAAs, but there was no significant difference in PFAAs concentrations in blood and semen collected from participants with different smoking and drinking habits, education background and occupations. Negative correlations were significantly observed between sperm motility and PFBA, PFPeA, PFHxA, PFBS, PFOA, PFHS, PFOS and Σ₉PFAAs in semen. Therefore, exposure to PFAAs may result in a decline in semen mobility in participants from the PRD region.

Global distribution of perfluorochemicals (PFCs) in potential human exposure source-A review

Human exposure to perfluorochemicals (PFCs) has attracted mounting attention due to their potential harmful effects. Breathing, dietary intake, and drinking are believed to be the main routes for PFC entering into human body. Thus, we profiled PFC compositions and concentrations in indoor air and dust, food, and drinking water with detailed analysis of literature data published after 2010. Concentrations of PFCs in air and dust samples collected from home, office, and vehicle were outlined. The results showed that neutral PFCs (e.g., fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs) and perfluorooctane sulfonamide ethanols (FOSEs)) should be given attention in addition to PFOS and PFOA. We summarized PFC concentrations in various food items, including vegetables, dairy products, beverages, eggs, meat products, fish, and shellfish. We showed that humans are subject to the dietary PFC exposure mostly through fish and shellfish consumption. Concentrations of PFCs in different drinking water samples collected from various countries were analyzed. Well water and tap water contained relatively higher PFC concentrations than other types of drinking water. Furthermore, PFC contamination in drinking water was influenced by the techniques for drinking water treatment and bottle-originating pollution.

Optimization and comparison of several extraction methods for determining perfluoroalkyl substances in abiotic environmental solid matrices using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

In this study, four extraction methods of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in soils and sediments were validated and compared in order to select the one that provides the best recoveries and the highest sensitivity. The determination of PFASs was carried out by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The extraction methods compared were based on (i) an aqueous solution of acetic acid and methanol (recoveries 44-125%, relative standard deviation (RSD) <25%), (ii) methanol (34-109%, <25%), (iii) sodium hydroxide digestion (24-178%, <49%), and (iv) ion pair (35-179%, <31%). The best results were obtained with methanol extraction, which recovered a greater number of PFASs and provided values between 45-103% in sediment and 34-109% in soil with RSDs <25% and limits of quantification (LOQs) between 0.02-0.31 and 0.01-6.00 ng g(-1), respectively. The selected method was successfully applied to Segura River sediments and soil samples taken near the Turia River. This study demonstrates the presence of PFASs in the studied rivers of the Valencian Community (0.07-14.91 ng g(-1) in Segura River sediments; 0.02-64.04 ng g(-1) in Turia River soils). Graphical Abstract Selected matrices and extraction methods for determination of perfluoroalkyl substances.