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Wang X, Huang X, Zhi Y, Liu X, Wang Q, Yue D, Wang X. Leaching of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from food contact materials with implications for waste disposal. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 479:135658. [PMID: 39226686 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2024] [Revised: 08/17/2024] [Accepted: 08/25/2024] [Indexed: 09/05/2024]
Abstract
Leaching of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) during the post-consumer disposal of food contact materials (FCMs) poses a potential environmental threat but has seldom been evaluated. This study characterized the leaching behavior of PFAS and unidentified precursors from six common FCMs and assessed the impact of environmental conditions on PFAS release during disposal. The total concentration of 21 PFAS ranged from 3.2 to 377 ng/g in FCMs, with PFAS leachability into water varying between 1.1-42.8 %. Increasing temperature promoted PFAS leaching, with leached nine primary PFAS (∑9PFAS) reaching 46.3, 70.4, and 102 ng/L at 35, 45, and 55 ℃, respectively. Thermodynamic analysis (∆G>0, ∆H>0, and ∆S<0) indicated hydrophobic interactions control PFAS leaching. The presence of dissolved organic matter in synthetic leachate increased the leached ∑9PFAS from 47.1 to 103 ng/L but decreased PFBS, PFOS, and 6:2 FTS leaching. The total release of seven perfluorocarboxylic acids (∑7PFCAs) from takeaway food packaging waste was estimated to be 0.3-8.2 kg/y to landfill leachate and 0.6-15.4 kg/y to incineration plant leachate, contributing 0.2-4.8 % and 0.1-3.2 % of total ∑7PFCAs in each leachate type. While the study presents a refined methodology for estimating PFAS release during disposal, future research is needed on the indirect contribution from precursors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyue Wang
- College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China; Key Laboratory of Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-Environment Under Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Xingyao Huang
- College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Yue Zhi
- College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China; Key Laboratory of Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-Environment Under Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Xuemei Liu
- College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Qian Wang
- College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China; Key Laboratory of Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-Environment Under Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Dongbei Yue
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xiaoming Wang
- College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China; Key Laboratory of Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-Environment Under Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China.
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Chen S, Li B, Zhao R, Zhang B, Zhang Y, Chen J, Sun J, Ma X. Natural mineral and industrial solid waste-based adsorbent for perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonate removal from surface water: Advances and prospects. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 362:142662. [PMID: 38936483 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
PER: and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, especially perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOX), have attracted considerable attention lately because of their widespread occurrence in aquatic environment and potential biological toxicity to animals and human beings. The development of economical, efficient, and engineerable adsorbents for removing PFOX in water has become one of the research focuses. This review summarized the recent progress on natural mineral and industrial solid based adsorbent (NM&ISW-A) and removal mechanisms concerning PFOX onto NM&ISW-A, as well as proposed the current challenges and future perspectives of using NM&ISW-A for PFOX removal in water. Kaolinite and montmorillonite are usually used as model clay minerals for PFOX removal, and have been proved to adsorb PFOX by ligand exchange and electrostatic attraction. Fe-based minerals, such as goethite, magnetite, and hematite, have better PFOX adsorption capacity than clay minerals. The adsorbent prepared from industrial solid waste by high temperature roasting has great potential application prospects. Fabricating nanomaterials, amination modification, surfactant modification, fluorination modification, developing versatile composites, and designing special porous structure are beneficial to improve the adsorption performance of PFOX onto NM&ISW-A by enhancing the specific surface area, positive charge, and hydrophobicity. Electrostatic interaction, hydrophobic interaction, hydrogen bond, ligand and ion exchange, and self-aggregation (formation of micelle or hemimicelle) are the main adsorption mechanisms of PFOX by NM&ISW-A. Among them, electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions play a considerable role in the removal of PFOX by NM&ISW-A. Therefore, NM&ISW-A with electrostatic functionalities and considerable hydrophobic segments enables rapid, efficient, and high-capacity removal of PFOX. The future directions of NM&ISW-A for PFOX removal include the preparation and regeneration of engineerable NM&ISW-A, the development of coupling technology for PFOX removal based on NM&ISW-A, the in-depth research on adsorption mechanism of PFOX by NM&ISW-A, as well as the development of NM&ISW-A for PFOX alternatives removal. This review paper would be helpful the comprehensive understanding of NM&ISW-A potential for PFOX removal and the PFOX removal mechanisms, and identifies the gaps for future research and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyuan Chen
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300401, China
| | - Benhang Li
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300401, China.
| | - Ruining Zhao
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300401, China
| | - Boxuan Zhang
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300401, China
| | - Yuqing Zhang
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300401, China
| | - Jiale Chen
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300401, China
| | - Jiahe Sun
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300401, China
| | - Xiaodong Ma
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300401, China.
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Rekik H, Arab H, Pichon L, El Khakani MA, Drogui P. Per-and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) eternal pollutants: Sources, environmental impacts and treatment processes. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 358:142044. [PMID: 38648982 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have become a growing environmental concern due to their tangible impacts on human health. However, due to the large number of PFAS compounds and the analytical difficulty to identify all of them, there are still some knowledge gaps not only on their impact on human health, but also on how to manage them and achieve their effective degradation. PFAS compounds originate from man-made chemicals that are resistant to degradation because of the presence of the strong carbon-fluorine bonds in their chemical structure. This review consists of two parts. In the first part, the environmental effects of fluorinated compound contamination in water are covered with the objective to highlight how their presence in the environment adversely impacts the human health. In the second part, the focus is put on the different techniques available for the degradation and/or separation of PFAS compounds in different types of waters. Examples of removal/treatment of PFAS present in either surface or ground water are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hela Rekik
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS) - Centre Eau Terre Environnement (ETE), 490 Rue de la Couronne, Québec (QC), G1K 9A9, Canada
| | - Hamed Arab
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS) - Centre Eau Terre Environnement (ETE), 490 Rue de la Couronne, Québec (QC), G1K 9A9, Canada
| | - Loick Pichon
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre Énergie, Matériaux et Télécommunications, 1650, Blvd, Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, QC, J3X-1P7, Canada
| | - My Ali El Khakani
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre Énergie, Matériaux et Télécommunications, 1650, Blvd, Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, QC, J3X-1P7, Canada
| | - Patrick Drogui
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS) - Centre Eau Terre Environnement (ETE), 490 Rue de la Couronne, Québec (QC), G1K 9A9, Canada.
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Wallace JS, Edirisinghe D, Seyedi S, Noteboom H, Blate M, Balci DD, Abu-Orf M, Sharp R, Brown J, Aga DS. Burning questions: Current practices and critical gaps in evaluating removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) during pyrolysis treatments of biosolids. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS LETTERS 2023; 4:100079. [PMID: 37790729 PMCID: PMC10545407 DOI: 10.1016/j.hazl.2023.100079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Concerns surrounding potential health and environmental impacts of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are growing at tremendous rates because adverse health impacts are expected with trace-level exposures. Extreme measures are required to mitigate potential PFAS contamination and minimize exposures. Extensive PFAS use results in the release of diverse PFAS species from domestic, industrial, and municipal effluents to wastewater, which partition to biosolids throughout secondary treatment. Biosolids generated during municipal wastewater treatment are a major environmental source of PFAS due to prevailing disposal practices as fertilizers. Pyrolysis is emerging as a viable, scalable technology for PFAS removal from biosolids while retaining nutrients and generating renewable, raw materials for energy generation. Despite early successes of pyrolysis in PFAS removal, significant unknowns remain about PFAS and transformation product fates in pyrolysis products and emissions. Applicable PFAS sampling methods, analytical workflows, and removal assessments are currently limited to a subset of high-interest analytes and matrices. Further, analysis of exhaust gases, particulate matter, fly ashes, and other pyrolysis end-products remain largely unreported or limited due to cost and sampling limitations. This paper identifies critical knowledge gaps on the pyrolysis of biosolids that must be addressed to assess the effectiveness of PFAS removal during pyrolysis treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua S. Wallace
- Department of Chemistry, University at Buffalo – The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
- RENEW Institute, University at Buffalo – The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | - Dulan Edirisinghe
- Department of Chemistry, University at Buffalo – The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | - Saba Seyedi
- Hazen and Sawyer, 498 Seventh Avenue, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018, USA
| | - Haley Noteboom
- Hazen and Sawyer, 498 Seventh Avenue, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018, USA
| | - Micah Blate
- Hazen and Sawyer, 498 Seventh Avenue, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018, USA
| | - Derya Dursun Balci
- Hazen and Sawyer, 498 Seventh Avenue, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018, USA
| | - Mohammad Abu-Orf
- Hazen and Sawyer, 498 Seventh Avenue, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018, USA
| | - Robert Sharp
- Hazen and Sawyer, 498 Seventh Avenue, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018, USA
- Civil & Environmental Engineering, Manhattan College, Riverdale, NY 10471, USA
| | - Jeanette Brown
- Civil & Environmental Engineering, Manhattan College, Riverdale, NY 10471, USA
| | - Diana S. Aga
- Department of Chemistry, University at Buffalo – The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
- RENEW Institute, University at Buffalo – The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
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5
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Deng J, Han J, Hou C, Zhang Y, Fang Y, Du W, Li M, Yuan Y, Tang C, Hu X. Efficient removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances from biochar composites: Cyclic adsorption and spent regenerant degradation. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 341:140051. [PMID: 37660789 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140051] [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: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
In order to solve the problem of efficient desorption of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and regeneration of adsorbents, a novel biochar composite was prepared based on the quaternary ammonium groups and hydrophobicity of sulfobetaine polymer, which can be used for the efficient removal of various PFASs and has great regeneration ability. Through adsorption, regeneration and degradation experiment, the comprehensive effect of the novel biochar composite on the whole process of removal of PFAS was systematically investigated. The results showed that the maximum adsorption capacity of PFOS, PFOA, PFBS, and PFBA reached 634 mg/g, 536 mg/g, 301 mg/g and 264 mg/g, respectively. The adsorption process involved hydrophobicity, electrostatic, pore diffusion and complexation. The NaI + NaOH solution was used at 50 °C to achieve efficient regeneration of the adsorbent, which can be recycled more than 4 times. When the vacuum-ultraviolet (VUV)/sulfite reduction system was used for deep degradation of the regenerated solution, the effect of hydrated electrons on PFAS was enhanced due to the inclusion of NaI and NaOH in the regeneration reagent, resulting in an increase in the degradation efficiency (89.1%-99.9%) and defluorination efficiency (63.3%-84.1%). Based on the performance of BC-P(SB-co-AM) and the treatment efficiency of PFAS, the design idea of the whole process treatment technology of PFAS proposed in this work is expected to hold great promise in environmental applications. This work provides a novel idea and system for the efficient adsorption removal and desorption of PFAS, and subsequent deep degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqin Deng
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, 410004, China; State Key Laboratory of Utilization of Woody Oil Resource, Hunan Academy of Forestry, Changsha, 410004, China.
| | - Jianing Han
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, 410004, China
| | - Changlan Hou
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, China
| | - Yanru Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Utilization of Woody Oil Resource, Hunan Academy of Forestry, Changsha, 410004, China
| | - Ying Fang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
| | - WanXuan Du
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, 410004, China
| | - Meifang Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, 410004, China
| | - Yuan Yuan
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, 410004, China
| | - Chunfang Tang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, 410004, China
| | - Xinjiang Hu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, 410004, China.
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Zweigle J, Capitain C, Simon F, Roesch P, Bugsel B, Zwiener C. Non-extractable PFAS in functional textiles - characterization by complementary methods: oxidation, hydrolysis, and fluorine sum parameters. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2023; 25:1298-1310. [PMID: 37503704 DOI: 10.1039/d3em00131h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely used for durable water-repellent finishing of different fabrics and textiles such as outdoor clothing, carpets, medical textiles and more. Existing PFAS extraction techniques followed by target analysis are often insufficient for detecting widely used side-chain fluorinated polymers (SFPs) that are barely or non-extractable. SFPs are typically copolymers consisting of a non-fluorinated backbone with perfluoroalkyl side-chains to obtain desired properties. We compared the accessible analytical information and performance of complementary techniques based on oxidation (dTOP and PhotoTOP assays), hydrolysis (THP assay), standard extraction, extractable organic fluorine (EOF), and total fluorine (TF) with five functional textiles and characterized 7 further textiles only by PhotoTOP oxidation. The results show that when applied directly to textile samples, dTOP and PhotoTOP oxidation and also hydrolysis (THP) are able to capture large fractions of TF in the form of perfluoroalkyl side-chains present in the textiles while methods relying on extracts (EOF, target and non-target analysis) yield much lower fractions of TF (e.g., factor ∼25-50 lower). The conversion of large fractions of the measured TF into PFCAs or FTOHs from fluorinated side chains is in contrast to previous studies. Concentrations ranged from
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Zweigle
- Environmental Analytical Chemistry, Department of Geosciences, University of Tübingen, Schnarrenbergstraße 94-96, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Catharina Capitain
- Environmental Analytical Chemistry, Department of Geosciences, University of Tübingen, Schnarrenbergstraße 94-96, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Fabian Simon
- Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), Division 1.1 - Inorganic Trace Analysis, Richard-Willstätter-Straße 11, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Philipp Roesch
- Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), Division 4.3 - Contaminant Transfer and Environmental Technologies, Unter den Eichen 87, 12205, Berlin, Germany
| | - Boris Bugsel
- Environmental Analytical Chemistry, Department of Geosciences, University of Tübingen, Schnarrenbergstraße 94-96, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Christian Zwiener
- Environmental Analytical Chemistry, Department of Geosciences, University of Tübingen, Schnarrenbergstraße 94-96, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
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Huang S, Wang X, Zhang Y, Meng Y, Hua F, Xia X. Water and oil-grease barrier properties of PVA/CNF/MBP/AKD composite coating on paper. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12292. [PMID: 37516731 PMCID: PMC10387061 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38941-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023] Open
Abstract
In this paper, three kinds of micro-nano bamboo powder (MBP) and alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) were added to the polyvinyl alcohol/cellulose nanofiber (PVA/CNF) coating to prepare PVA/CNF/MBP coated paper and PVA/CNF/M-MBP/AKD coated paper. The results showed that MBP improved the oleophobicity of PVA/CNF coating, and the grease resistance grade of PVA/CNF/B-MBP and PVA/CNF/M-MBP coated papers reached the highest level, with a kit number of 12. Among the PVA/CNF/MBP coated papers, the PVA/CNF/M-MBP coated paper has the best hydrophobic properties, with the water contact angle and Cobb value of 74° and 21.3 g/m2, respectively. In addition, when the AKD dosage was 0.2% in the PVA/CNF/M-MBP/AKD coating, the kit number of the coated paper was 11, the Cobb value was 15.2 g/m2, the water contact angle was 103°, and the tensile strength was found to increase slightly. Therefore, compared with PVA/CNF coated paper, PVA/CNF/M-MBP/AKD coated paper has good strength and excellent hydrophobic and oleophobic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shancong Huang
- College of Textile Science and Engineering (International Institute of Silk), Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, 310000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiyun Wang
- College of Textile Science and Engineering (International Institute of Silk), Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, 310000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Zhejiang Jinchang Specialty Paper Co., Ltd., Quzhou, 324404, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yu Meng
- Zhejiang Jinchang Specialty Paper Co., Ltd., Quzhou, 324404, Zhejiang, China
| | - Feiguo Hua
- Zhejiang Jinchang Specialty Paper Co., Ltd., Quzhou, 324404, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xinxing Xia
- College of Textile Science and Engineering (International Institute of Silk), Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, 310000, Zhejiang, China.
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Roesch P, Vogel C, Wittwer P, Huthwelker T, Borca CN, Sommerfeld T, Kluge S, Piechotta C, Kalbe U, Simon FG. Taking a look at the surface: μ-XRF mapping and fluorine K-edge μ-XANES spectroscopy of organofluorinated compounds in environmental samples and consumer products. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2023. [PMID: 37335293 DOI: 10.1039/d3em00107e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
For the first time, μ-X-ray fluorescence (μ-XRF) mapping combined with fluorine K-edge μ-X-ray absorption near-edge structure (μ-XANES) spectroscopy was applied to depict per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) contamination and inorganic fluoride in sample concentrations down to 100 μg kg-1 fluoride. To demonstrate the matrix tolerance of the method, several PFAS contaminated soil and sludge samples as well as selected consumer product samples (textiles, food contact paper and permanent baking sheets) were investigated. μ-XRF mapping allows for a unique element-specific visualization at the sample surface and enables localization of fluorine containing compounds to a depth of 1 μm. Manually selected fluorine rich spots were subsequently analyzed via fluorine K-edge μ-XANES spectroscopy. To support spectral interpretation with respect to inorganic and organic chemical distribution and compound class determination, linear combination (LC) fitting was applied to all recorded μ-XANES spectra. Complementarily, solvent extracts of all samples were target-analyzed via LC-MS/MS spectrometry. The detected PFAS sum values range from 20 to 1136 μg kg-1 dry weight (dw). All environmentally exposed samples revealed a higher concentration of PFAS with a chain length > C8 (e.g. 580 μg kg-1 dw PFOS for Soil1), whereas the consumer product samples showed a more uniform distribution with regard to chain lengths from C4 to C8. Independent of quantified PFAS amounts via target analysis, μ-XRF mapping combined with μ-XANES spectroscopy was successfully applied to detect both point-specific concentration maxima and evenly distributed surface coatings of fluorinated organic contaminants in the corresponding samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Roesch
- Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Unter den Eichen 87, 12205 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Christian Vogel
- Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Unter den Eichen 87, 12205 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Philipp Wittwer
- Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Unter den Eichen 87, 12205 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Thomas Huthwelker
- Paul Scherrer Institute, Swiss Light Sources, 5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland
| | - Camelia N Borca
- Paul Scherrer Institute, Swiss Light Sources, 5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Sommerfeld
- Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Richard-Willstätter-Straße 11, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Stephanie Kluge
- Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Richard-Willstätter-Straße 11, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Piechotta
- Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Richard-Willstätter-Straße 11, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ute Kalbe
- Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Unter den Eichen 87, 12205 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Franz-Georg Simon
- Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Unter den Eichen 87, 12205 Berlin, Germany.
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9
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Xiang W, Gong S, Zhu J. Eco-Friendly Fluorine Functionalized Superhydrophobic/Superoleophilic Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks-Based Composite for Continuous Oil-Water Separation. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28062843. [PMID: 36985815 PMCID: PMC10054728 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28062843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Superhydrophobic metal-organic framework (MOF)-based sponges have received increasing attention in terms of treating oil-water mixtures. However, highly fluorinated substances, commonly used as modifiers to improve the hydrophobicity of MOFs, have aroused much environmental concern. Developing a green hydrophobic modification is crucial in order to prepare superhydrophobic MOF-sponge composites. Herein, we report the preparation of a porous composite sponge via a polydopamine (PDA)-assisted growth of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF-90) and eco-friendly hydrophobic short-chain fluorinated substances (trifluoroethylamine) on a melamine formaldehyde (MF) sponge. The composite sponge (F-ZIF-90@PDA-MF) exhibited superhydrophobicity (water contact angle, 153°) and superoleophilicity (oil contact angle, 0°), which is likely due to the combination of the low surface energy brought on by the grafted CF3 groups, as well as the rough surface structures that were derived from the in situ growth of ZIF-90 nanoparticles. F-ZIF-90@PDA-MF showed an excellent adsorption capacity of 39.4-130.4 g g-1 for the different organic compounds. The adsorbed organic compounds were easily recovered by physical squeezing. Continuous and selective separation for the different oil-water mixtures was realized by employing the composite sponge as an absorbent or a filter. The separation efficiency and flux reached above 99.5% and went up to 7.1 ×105 L m-2 h-1, respectively. The results illustrate that the superhydrophobic and superoleophilic F-ZIF-90@PDA-MF sponge has potential in the field of water-oil separation, especially for the purposes of large-scale oil recovery in a water environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenlong Xiang
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Environment, Minnan Normal University, Zhangzhou 363000, China
- Fujian Province University Key Laboratory of Pollution Monitoring and Control, Minnan Normal University, Zhangzhou 363000, China
| | - Siyu Gong
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Environment, Minnan Normal University, Zhangzhou 363000, China
| | - Jiabin Zhu
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Environment, Minnan Normal University, Zhangzhou 363000, China
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Abdelraheem E, Wise J, Murphy C, Jiang W. Triple-stage Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer to Determine Ubiquitously Present Per- and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances in Drinking Water at Part Per Trillion Levels Using Solid Phase Extraction Approach. BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2022; 110:32. [PMID: 36583746 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-022-03686-1] [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: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
An accurate analytical method was developed to determine selected per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) at the level of parts per trillion (ppt or ng/L) in drinking water. The method included a concentration step using solid phase extraction (SPE) approach in combination with a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry system (LC-MS/MS). This method was optimized and validated for the common PFAS contaminants in drinking water. An initial demonstration of capability was established with an acceptable initial calibration, minimum reporting limit (MRL), limit of detection (LOD), initial demonstration of low system background, and initial demonstration of precision (IDP). Isotopically labeled internal standards were used for quantification. Surrogate standards were used to monitor method performance. The current method will help in better understanding of PFAS crisis by providing an efficient measurement of PFAS in water. In this study, the recoveries of four surrogates were between 84 and 113%, and calculated limit of detection (DL) and minimum reporting limits (MRL) were generally 1.0-3.0 and 5-10 ng/L, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehab Abdelraheem
- Center for PFAS Research, Michigan State University, 48910, Lansing, MI, USA
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, 48824, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - John Wise
- Center for PFAS Research, Michigan State University, 48910, Lansing, MI, USA
- Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, 48824, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Cheryl Murphy
- Center for PFAS Research, Michigan State University, 48910, Lansing, MI, USA
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, 48824, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Wayne Jiang
- Center for PFAS Research, Michigan State University, 48910, Lansing, MI, USA.
- Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, 48824, East Lansing, MI, USA.
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11
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Young AS, Pickard HM, Sunderland EM, Allen JG. Organic Fluorine as an Indicator of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Dust from Buildings with Healthier versus Conventional Materials. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:17090-17099. [PMID: 36331119 PMCID: PMC9730836 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c05198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of thousands of persistent, organic fluorinated chemicals added to materials and products mainly to repel stains and water. PFAS have been associated with many adverse human health effects. We aimed to determine whether buildings with "healthier" materials─defined here as reportedly free of all PFAS─exhibit lower PFAS in dust. In addition to analyzing targeted PFAS with available commercial standards, we measured extractable organic fluorine (EOF) as a novel proxy that includes both known and unknown types of PFAS. We measured at least 15 targeted PFAS (n = 24), EOF (n = 24), and total fluorine (TF; n = 14) in dust collected from university common spaces and classrooms, half of which had "healthier" furniture and carpet. We observed lower PFAS contamination in buildings with "healthier" materials: "healthier" rooms had a 66% lower median summed PFAS and a 49% lower Kaplan-Meier estimated mean EOF level in dust in comparison to conventional rooms. The summed targeted PFAS were significantly correlated with EOF but accounted for up to only 9% of EOF, indicating the likely presence of unidentified PFAS. EOF levels explained less than 1% of TF in dust. We emphasize the need to use chemical class-based methods (e.g., EOF) for evaluating class-based solutions and to expand non-PFAS solutions for other building materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna S. Young
- HarvardT. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts02115, United States
| | - Heidi M. Pickard
- HarvardJohn A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Boston, Massachusetts02134, United States
| | - Elsie M. Sunderland
- HarvardT. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts02115, United States
- HarvardJohn A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Boston, Massachusetts02134, United States
| | - Joseph G. Allen
- HarvardT. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts02115, United States
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12
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Pickard HM, Ruyle BJ, Thackray CP, Chovancova A, Dassuncao C, Becanova J, Vojta S, Lohmann R, Sunderland EM. PFAS and Precursor Bioaccumulation in Freshwater Recreational Fish: Implications for Fish Advisories. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:15573-15583. [PMID: 36280234 PMCID: PMC9670858 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c03734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a diverse class of fluorinated anthropogenic chemicals that include perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAA), which are widely used in modern commerce. Many products and environmental samples contain abundant precursors that can degrade into terminal PFAA associated with adverse health effects. Fish consumption is an important dietary exposure source for PFAS that bioaccumulate in food webs. However, little is known about bioaccumulation of PFAA precursors. Here, we identify and quantify PFAS in recreational fish species collected from surface waters across New Hampshire, US, using a toolbox of analytical methods. Targeted analysis of paired water and tissue samples suggests that many precursors below detection in water have a higher bioaccumulation potential than their terminal PFAA. Perfluorobutane sulfonamide (FBSA), a short-chain precursor produced by electrochemical fluorination, was detected in all fish samples analyzed for this compound. The total oxidizable precursor assay interpreted using Bayesian inference revealed fish muscle tissue contained additional, short-chain precursors in high concentration samples. Suspect screening analysis indicated these were perfluoroalkyl sulfonamide precursors with three and five perfluorinated carbons. Fish consumption advisories are primarily being developed for perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), but this work reinforces the need for risk evaluations to consider additional bioaccumulative PFAS, including perfluoroalkyl sulfonamide precursors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi M. Pickard
- Harvard
John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Bridger J. Ruyle
- Harvard
John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Colin P. Thackray
- Harvard
John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Adela Chovancova
- Harvard
John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Clifton Dassuncao
- Harvard
John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
- Eastern
Research Group, Inc., Arlington, Virginia 22201, United States
| | - Jitka Becanova
- Graduate
School of Oceanography, University of Rhode
Island, Narragansett, Rhode Island 02882, United States
| | - Simon Vojta
- Graduate
School of Oceanography, University of Rhode
Island, Narragansett, Rhode Island 02882, United States
| | - Rainer Lohmann
- Graduate
School of Oceanography, University of Rhode
Island, Narragansett, Rhode Island 02882, United States
| | - Elsie M. Sunderland
- Harvard
John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
- Department
of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
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13
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Xia C, Diamond ML, Peaslee GF, Peng H, Blum A, Wang Z, Shalin A, Whitehead HD, Green M, Schwartz-Narbonne H, Yang D, Venier M. Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in North American School Uniforms. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:13845-13857. [PMID: 36129192 PMCID: PMC9535897 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c02111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
We analyzed 72 children's textile products marketed as stain-resistant from US and Canadian stores, particularly school uniforms, to assess if clothing represents a significant route of exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Products were first screened for total fluorine (total F) using particle-induced γ-ray emission (PIGE) spectroscopy (n = 72), followed by targeted analysis of 49 neutral and ionic PFAS (n = 57). PFAS were detected in all products from both markets, with the most abundant compound being 6:2 fluorotelomer alcohol (6:2 FTOH). Total targeted PFAS concentrations for all products collected from both countries ranged from 0.250 to 153 000 ng/g with a median of 117 ng/g (0.0281-38 100 μg/m2, median: 24.0 μg/m2). Total targeted PFAS levels in school uniforms were significantly higher than in other items such as bibs, hats, stroller covers, and swimsuits, but comparable to outdoor wear. Higher total targeted PFAS concentrations were found in school uniforms made of 100% cotton than synthetic blends. Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) precursors were abundant in school uniforms based on the results of hydrolysis and total oxidizable precursor assay. The estimated median potential children's exposure to PFAS via dermal exposure through school uniforms was 1.03 ng/kg bw/day. Substance flow analysis estimated that ∼3 tonnes/year (ranging from 0.05 to 33 tonnes/year) of PFAS are used in US children's uniforms, mostly of polymeric PFAS but with ∼0.1 tonne/year of mobile, nonpolymeric PFAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunjie Xia
- Paul
H O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | - Miriam L. Diamond
- Department
of Earth Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3B1, Canada
- School
of the Environment, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E8, Canada
| | - Graham F. Peaslee
- Department
of Physics and Astronomy, University of
Notre Dame, Notre
Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Hui Peng
- School
of the Environment, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E8, Canada
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Arlene Blum
- Green Science
Policy Institute, Berkeley, California 94709, United States
| | - Zhanyun Wang
- Empa
− Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Technology and Society Laboratory, CH-9014 St. Gallen, Switzerland
- Institute
of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Anna Shalin
- Department
of Earth Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3B1, Canada
| | - Heather D. Whitehead
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Megan Green
- Department
of Physics and Astronomy, University of
Notre Dame, Notre
Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | | | - Diwen Yang
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Marta Venier
- Paul
H O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
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14
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Taylor RB, Sapozhnikova Y. Comparison and validation of the QuEChERSER mega-method for determination of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in foods by liquid chromatography with high-resolution and triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. Anal Chim Acta 2022; 1230:340400. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2022.340400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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15
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Rodgers K, Swartz CH, Occhialini J, Bassignani P, McCurdy M, Schaider LA. How Well Do Product Labels Indicate the Presence of PFAS in Consumer Items Used by Children and Adolescents? ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:6294-6304. [PMID: 35506608 PMCID: PMC9118540 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c05175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
PFAS are persistent and toxic chemicals used in many commercial and industrial applications that are often added to consumer products, including those used by children and adolescents, to impart water and stain resistance. Since product labels rarely list chemical additives, including PFAS, we evaluated whether other information on product labels can be used by consumers to select products without PFAS. We selected 93 items marketed to or often used by children and adolescents across three product types (furnishings, apparel, bedding) and five labeling groups representing different combinations of water and/or stain resistance and "green" (including "nontoxic") assurances. We screened all products for total fluorine (F) and analyzed solvent extracts from a subset (n = 61) for 36 targeted PFAS and from a smaller subset (n = 30) for perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) generated by precursor oxidation using the total oxidizable precursor (TOP) assay. Products advertised as water- and/or stain-resistant had more frequent detections and higher concentrations of total F than those without such claims, and targeted PFAS were detected only in products labeled as water- and/or stain-resistant. Concentrations of PFAAs generated by precursor oxidation using the TOP assay often exceeded pre-oxidation concentrations, suggesting that PFAA precursors contribute to solvent-extractable PFAS from products. Among products advertised as water- and/or stain-resistant, detection frequencies and concentrations of targeted PFAS were similar regardless of green assurances. This study illustrates many nonessential uses of PFAS in products used by children and adolescents and suggests that while water- and stain-resistant assurances can identify products likely to contain PFAS, current green assurances do not consistently indicate the absence of PFAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn
M. Rodgers
- Silent
Spring Institute, 320 Nevada Street, Suite 302, Newton, Massachusetts 02460, United States
| | - Christopher H. Swartz
- Silent
Spring Institute, 320 Nevada Street, Suite 302, Newton, Massachusetts 02460, United States
| | - James Occhialini
- Alpha
Analytical Laboratories, 320 Forbes Blvd, Mansfield, Massachusetts 02048, United States
| | - Philip Bassignani
- Alpha
Analytical Laboratories, 320 Forbes Blvd, Mansfield, Massachusetts 02048, United States
| | - Michelle McCurdy
- Galbraith
Laboratories, Inc., 2323 Sycamore Drive, Knoxville, Tennessee 37921, United States
| | - Laurel A. Schaider
- Silent
Spring Institute, 320 Nevada Street, Suite 302, Newton, Massachusetts 02460, United States
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16
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Roesch P, Vogel C, Huthwelker T, Wittwer P, Simon FG. Investigation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in soils and sewage sludges by fluorine K-edge XANES spectroscopy and combustion ion chromatography. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:26889-26899. [PMID: 34860340 PMCID: PMC8989862 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-17838-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
For the first time, fluorine K-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy was applied to detect per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in various soil and sewage sludge samples. The method can be used to determine the speciation of inorganic and organic fluorides, without pre-treatment of solid samples. Therefore, XANES spectra of several inorganic fluorides as well as selected fluorinated organic compounds were recorded. While inorganic fluorides partially exhibit a variety of sharp spectral features in the XANES spectrum, almost all inspected organofluorine compounds show two distinct broad features at 688.5 and 692.0 eV. Moreover, the peak intensity ratio 688.5 eV/692.0 eV in the PFAS XANES spectrum can be inversely correlated to the chain length of the perfluoro sulfonic acid group. The detection of targeted PFAS by bulk-XANES spectroscopy in combination with linear combination fitting in soils and sewage sludges was not applicable due to the low organic fluorine to total fluorine ratio of the samples (0.01-1.84%). Nonetheless, direct analysis of pure PFAS revealed that analysis of organofluorine species might be achieved in higher concentrated samples. Furthermore, quantitative measurements by combustion ion chromatography (CIC) evaluated as sum parameters extractable organically bound fluorine (EOF) and total fluorine (TF) emphasize that besides soils, sewage sludges are a significant source of organic fluorine in agriculture (154-7209 µg/kg).
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Roesch
- Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Division 4.3 Contaminant Transfer and Environmental Technologies, Unter den Eichen 87, 12205, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Christian Vogel
- Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Division 4.3 Contaminant Transfer and Environmental Technologies, Unter den Eichen 87, 12205, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Thomas Huthwelker
- Paul Scherrer Institute, Swiss Light Source, 5232, Villigen PSI, Switzerland
| | - Philipp Wittwer
- Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Division 4.3 Contaminant Transfer and Environmental Technologies, Unter den Eichen 87, 12205, Berlin, Germany
| | - Franz-Georg Simon
- Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Division 4.3 Contaminant Transfer and Environmental Technologies, Unter den Eichen 87, 12205, Berlin, Germany
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17
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Young RB, Pica NE, Sharifan H, Chen H, Roth HK, Blakney GT, Borch T, Higgins CP, Kornuc JJ, McKenna AM, Blotevogel J. PFAS Analysis with Ultrahigh Resolution 21T FT-ICR MS: Suspect and Nontargeted Screening with Unrivaled Mass Resolving Power and Accuracy. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:2455-2465. [PMID: 35099180 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c08143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a large family of thousands of chemicals, many of which have been identified using nontargeted time-of-flight and Orbitrap mass spectrometry methods. Comprehensive characterization of complex PFAS mixtures is critical to assess their environmental transport, transformation, exposure, and uptake. Because 21 tesla (T) Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) offers the highest available mass resolving power and sub-ppm mass errors across a wide molecular weight range, we developed a nontargeted 21 T FT-ICR MS method to screen for PFASs in an aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) using suspect screening, a targeted formula database (C, H, Cl, F, N, O, P, S; ≤865 Da), isotopologues, and Kendrick-analogous mass difference networks (KAMDNs). False-positive PFAS identifications in a natural organic matter (NOM) sample, which served as the negative control, suggested that a minimum length of 3 should be imposed when annotating CF2-homologous series with positive mass defects. We putatively identified 163 known PFASs during suspect screening, as well as 134 novel PFASs during nontargeted screening, including a suspected polyethoxylated perfluoroalkane sulfonamide series. This study shows that 21 T FT-ICR MS analysis can provide unique insights into complex PFAS composition and expand our understanding of PFAS chemistries in impacted matrices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert B Young
- Chemical Analysis & Instrumentation Laboratory, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003, United States
| | - Nasim E Pica
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, United States
- Weston Solutions, Lakewood, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Hamidreza Sharifan
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, United States
- Department of Natural Science, Albany State University, Albany, Georgia 31705, United States
| | - Huan Chen
- National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32310, United States
| | - Holly K Roth
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, United States
| | - Greg T Blakney
- National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32310, United States
| | - Thomas Borch
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, United States
- Department of Soil & Crop Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, United States
| | - Christopher P Higgins
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - John J Kornuc
- NAVFAC EXWC, 1100 23rd Avenue, Port Hueneme, California 93041, United States
| | - Amy M McKenna
- National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32310, United States
- Department of Soil & Crop Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, United States
| | - Jens Blotevogel
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, United States
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18
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Young AS, Sparer-Fine EH, Pickard HM, Sunderland EM, Peaslee GF, Allen JG. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and total fluorine in fire station dust. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2021; 31:930-942. [PMID: 33542478 PMCID: PMC8339150 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-021-00288-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of over 4700 fluorinated compounds used in industry and consumer products. Studies have highlighted the use of aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) as an exposure source for firefighters, but little is known about PFAS occurrence inside fire stations, where firefighters spend most of their shifts. In this study, we aimed to characterize PFAS concentrations and sources inside fire stations. We measured 24 PFAS (using LC-MS/MS) and total fluorine (using particle-induced gamma ray emission) in dust from multiple rooms of 15 Massachusetts stations, many of which (60%) no longer use PFAS-containing AFFF at all and the rest of which only use it very rarely. Compared to station living rooms, turnout gear locker rooms had higher dust levels of total fluorine (p < 0.0001) and three PFAS: perfluorohexanoate (PFHxA), perfluoroheptanoate (PFHpA), and perfluorodecanoate (PFDoDA) (p < 0.05). These PFAS were also found on six wipes of station turnout gear. By contrast, the dominant PFAS in living rooms was N-ethyl perfluorooctane sulfonamidoacetic acid (N-MeFOSAA), a precursor to perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) that still persists despite phase-outs almost two decades ago. The Σ24 PFAS accounted for less than 2% of fluorine in dust (n = 39), suggesting the potential presence of unknown PFAS. Turnout gear may be an important PFAS source in stations due to intentional additives and/or contamination from firefighting activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna S Young
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | | | - Heidi M Pickard
- Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Elsie M Sunderland
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Graham F Peaslee
- Department of Physics, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - Joseph G Allen
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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19
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Koch A, Yukioka S, Tanaka S, Yeung LWY, Kärrman A, Wang T. Characterization of an AFFF impacted freshwater environment using total fluorine, extractable organofluorine and suspect per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance screening analysis. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 276:130179. [PMID: 33735649 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The vast number of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) that are in global commerce (n > 4700) pose immense challenges for environmental monitoring. The large discrepancy between this large number and the few PFASs usually monitored suggest that environmental exposure might be substantially underestimated. This study applied a workflow, which included analysis of total fluorine (TF), extractable organofluorine (EOF), 24 target PFASs and suspect screening. The workflow aimed to close the organofluorine mass balance and to tentatively identify overlooked PFASs in various matrices from an aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) contaminated pond and its adjacent riparian zone. PFAS target analysis revealed that water, aquatic invertebrates as well as emergent aquatic insects had high concentrations with up to 2870 ng L-1, 9230 ng g-1 dry weight (dw) and 1470 ng g-1 dw ∑24PFASs, respectively. The EOF mass balance could be explained by target PFAS analysis for most biota samples such as aquatic invertebrates, emergent aquatic insects and terrestrial spiders and earthworms (i.e. EOF ≈ ∑24PFASs). In the pond surface water, 42-58% of the EOF was not explained by target PFASs. However most new tentatively identified PFASs (n = 25) were detected in water, which could contribute to the unknown EOF. Nine suspects could be further identified, which where perfluoroalkyl sulfonamide-based compounds and derivatives that all have been found in historical AFFFs produced by electrochemical fluorination. One suspect, F5S-PFOS, was also detected for the first time in aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Koch
- Man-Technology-Environment Research Centre, Örebro University, 70182, Örebro, Sweden.
| | - Satoru Yukioka
- Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Yoshida, Sakyo-Ku, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Shuhei Tanaka
- Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Yoshida, Sakyo-Ku, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Leo W Y Yeung
- Man-Technology-Environment Research Centre, Örebro University, 70182, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Anna Kärrman
- Man-Technology-Environment Research Centre, Örebro University, 70182, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Thanh Wang
- Man-Technology-Environment Research Centre, Örebro University, 70182, Örebro, Sweden.
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20
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Nikiforov VA. Hydrolysis of FTOH precursors, a simple method to account for some of the unknown PFAS. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 276:130044. [PMID: 33735648 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
There is a growing concern over a suspected presense of unknown perfluoroaliphatic substances (PFAS) in consumer goods and in the environment. Such unknown substances, possibly with high molecular weight, might be precursors of hazardous or controlled known PFAS. Recent studies confirmed that total organic fluorine (TOF) content often can not be explained by the measured target PFAS. One of the suspected classes of such unknowns are polymers with fluorotelomer alcohol (FTOH) residues in a side chain. In this report we suggest hydrolysis of precursors, as a complementary method to account for the unknown PFAS. It was shown here that hydrolysis allows to preserve structural information on the perlfuorinated parts of the precursors, which can be an advantage for the purpose of accurate risk assessment or source identification. A convenient procedure for hydrolysis with 4% sodium hydroxide in water-methanol mixture (1:9) at 60 °C for 16 h was shown to convert model substances - FTOH acrylate, methacrylate and isobutyrate esters as well as FTOH phenylcarbamate to free FTOHs. Analysis of extracts of textile samples with preliminary hydrolysis and without it showed up to 1300-fold higher level of "hidden" FTOHs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir A Nikiforov
- NILU - Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Hjalmar Johansens gate 14, Tromso, Norway.
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21
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Zheng G, Schreder E, Dempsey JC, Uding N, Chu V, Andres G, Sathyanarayana S, Salamova A. Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Breast Milk: Concerning Trends for Current-Use PFAS. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:7510-7520. [PMID: 33982557 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c06978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
This is the first study in the last 15 years to analyze per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in breast milk collected from mothers (n = 50) in the United States, and our findings indicate that both legacy and current-use PFAS now contaminate breast milk, exposing nursing infants. Breast milk was analyzed for 39 PFAS, including 9 short-chain and 30 long-chain compounds, and 16 of these PFAS were detected in 4-100% of the samples. The ∑PFAS concentration in breast milk ranged from 52.0 to 1850 pg/mL with a median concentration of 121 pg/mL. Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) were the most abundant PFAS in these samples (medians 30.4 and 13.9 pg/mL, respectively). Two short-chain PFAS, including perfluoro-n-hexanoic acid (PFHxA, C6) and perfluoro-n-heptanoic acid (PFHpA, C7), were detected in most of the samples with median concentrations of 9.69 and 6.10 pg/mL, respectively. Analysis of the available breast milk PFAS data from around the world over the period of 1996-2019 showed that while the levels of the phased-out PFOS and PFOA have been declining with halving times of 8.1 and 17 years, respectively, the detection frequencies of current-use short-chain PFAS have been increasing with a doubling time of 4.1 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guomao Zheng
- Paul H. O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | - Erika Schreder
- Toxic-Free Future, Seattle, Washington 98103, United States
| | | | - Nancy Uding
- Toxic-Free Future, Seattle, Washington 98103, United States
| | - Valerie Chu
- Toxic-Free Future, Seattle, Washington 98103, United States
| | - Gabriel Andres
- Toxic-Free Future, Seattle, Washington 98103, United States
| | - Sheela Sathyanarayana
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington/Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington 91807, United States
| | - Amina Salamova
- Paul H. O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
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22
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Sharifan H, Bagheri M, Wang D, Burken JG, Higgins CP, Liang Y, Liu J, Schaefer CE, Blotevogel J. Fate and transport of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in the vadose zone. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 771:145427. [PMID: 33736164 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a heterogeneous group of persistent organic pollutants that have been detected in various environmental compartments around the globe. Emerging research has revealed the preferential accumulation of PFASs in shallow soil horizons, particularly at sites impacted by firefighting activities, agricultural applications, and atmospheric deposition. Once in the vadose zone, PFASs can sorb to soil, accumulate at interfaces, become volatilized, be taken up in biota, or leach to the underlying aquifer. At the same time, polyfluorinated precursor species may transform into highly recalcitrant perfluoroalkyl acids, changing their chemical identity and thus transport behavior along the way. In this review, we critically discuss the current state of the knowledge and aim to interconnect the complex processes that control the fate and transport of PFASs in the vadose zone. Furthermore, we identify key challenges and future research needs. Consequently, this review may serve as an interdisciplinary guide for the risk assessment and management of PFAS-contaminated sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamidreza Sharifan
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Majid Bagheri
- Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Department, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO, USA
| | - Dan Wang
- Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0C3, Canada
| | - Joel G Burken
- Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Department, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO, USA
| | - Christopher P Higgins
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO 80401, USA
| | - Yanna Liang
- Department of Environmental and Sustainable Engineering, University at Albany, SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - Jinxia Liu
- Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0C3, Canada
| | | | - Jens Blotevogel
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
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Young AS, Hauser R, James-Todd TM, Coull BA, Zhu H, Kannan K, Specht AJ, Bliss MS, Allen JG. Impact of "healthier" materials interventions on dust concentrations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, and organophosphate esters. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 150:106151. [PMID: 33092866 PMCID: PMC7940547 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and organophosphate esters (OPEs) are found in building materials and associated with thyroid disease, infertility, and impaired development. This study's objectives were to (1) compare levels of PFAS, PBDEs, and OPEs in dust from spaces with conventional versus "healthier" furniture and carpet, and (2) identify other product sources of flame retardants in situ. We measured 15 PFAS, 8 PBDEs, and 19 OPEs in dust from offices, common areas, and classrooms having undergone either no intervention (conventional rooms in older buildings meeting strict fire codes; n = 12), full "healthier" materials interventions (rooms with "healthier" materials in buildings constructed more recently or gut-renovated; n = 7), or partial interventions (other rooms with at least "healthier" foam furniture but more potential building contamination; n = 28). We also scanned all materials for bromine and phosphorus as surrogates of PBDEs and OPEs respectively, using x-ray fluorescence. In multilevel regression models, rooms with full "healthier" materials interventions had 78% lower dust levels of PFAS than rooms with no intervention (p < 0.01). Rooms with full "healthier" interventions also had 65% lower OPE levels in dust than rooms with no intervention (p < 0.01) and 45% lower PBDEs than rooms with only partial interventions (p < 0.10), adjusted for covariates related to insulation, electronics, and furniture. Bromine loadings from electronics in rooms were associated with PBDE concentrations in dust (p < 0.05), and the presence of exposed insulation was associated with OPE dust concentrations (p < 0.001). Full "healthier" materials renovations successfully reduced chemical classes in dust. Future interventions should address electronics, insulation, and building cross-contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna S Young
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Population Health Sciences, Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Russ Hauser
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tamarra M James-Todd
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brent A Coull
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hongkai Zhu
- Department of Pediatrics and Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kurunthachalam Kannan
- Department of Pediatrics and Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Aaron J Specht
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Maya S Bliss
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joseph G Allen
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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24
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Young AS, Zoeller T, Hauser R, James-Todd T, Coull BA, Behnisch PA, Brouwer A, Zhu H, Kannan K, Allen JG. Assessing Indoor Dust Interference with Human Nuclear Hormone Receptors in Cell-Based Luciferase Reporter Assays. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2021; 129:47010. [PMID: 33851871 PMCID: PMC8045486 DOI: 10.1289/ehp8054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), organophosphate esters (OPEs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are hormone-disrupting chemicals that migrate from building materials into air and dust. OBJECTIVES We aimed to quantify the hormonal activities of 46 dust samples and identify chemicals driving the observed activities. METHODS We evaluated associations between hormonal activities of extracted dust in five cell-based luciferase reporter assays and dust concentrations of 42 measured PFAS, OPEs, and PBDEs, transformed as either raw or potency-weighted concentrations based on Tox21 high-throughput screening data. RESULTS All dust samples were hormonally active, showing antagonistic activity toward peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARγ2) (100%; 46 of 46 samples), thyroid hormone receptor (TRβ) (89%; 41 samples), and androgen receptor (AR) (87%; 40 samples); agonist activity on estrogen receptor (ERα) (96%; 44 samples); and binding competition with thyroxine (T4) on serum transporter transthyretin (TTR) (98%; 45 samples). Effects were observed with as little as 4μg of extracted dust. In regression models for each chemical class, interquartile range increases in potency-weighted or unknown-potency chemical concentrations were associated with higher hormonal activities of dust extracts (potency-weighted: ΣPFAS-TRβ, ↑28%, p<0.05; ΣOPEs-TRβ, ↑27%, p=0.08; ΣPBDEs-TRβ, ↑20%, p<0.05; ΣPBDEs-ERα, ↑7.7%, p=0.08; unknown-potency: ΣOPEs-TTR, ↑34%, p<0.05; ΣOPEs-AR, ↑13%, p=0.06), adjusted for chemicals with active, inactive, and unknown Tox21 designations. DISCUSSION All indoor dust samples exhibited hormonal activities, which were associated with PFAS, PBDE, and OPE levels. Reporter gene cell-based assays are relatively inexpensive, health-relevant evaluations of toxic loads of chemical mixtures that building occupants are exposed to. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP8054.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna S. Young
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Thomas Zoeller
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Russ Hauser
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Tamarra James-Todd
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Brent A. Coull
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | - Hongkai Zhu
- Department of Pediatrics and Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Kurunthachalam Kannan
- Department of Pediatrics and Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Joseph G. Allen
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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25
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De Silva AO, Armitage JM, Bruton TA, Dassuncao C, Heiger-Bernays W, Hu XC, Kärrman A, Kelly B, Ng C, Robuck A, Sun M, Webster TF, Sunderland EM. PFAS Exposure Pathways for Humans and Wildlife: A Synthesis of Current Knowledge and Key Gaps in Understanding. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2021; 40:631-657. [PMID: 33201517 PMCID: PMC7906948 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 287] [Impact Index Per Article: 95.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
We synthesize current understanding of the magnitudes and methods for assessing human and wildlife exposures to poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Most human exposure assessments have focused on 2 to 5 legacy PFAS, and wildlife assessments are typically limited to targeted PFAS (up to ~30 substances). However, shifts in chemical production are occurring rapidly, and targeted methods for detecting PFAS have not kept pace with these changes. Total fluorine measurements complemented by suspect screening using high-resolution mass spectrometry are thus emerging as essential tools for PFAS exposure assessment. Such methods enable researchers to better understand contributions from precursor compounds that degrade into terminal perfluoroalkyl acids. Available data suggest that diet is the major human exposure pathway for some PFAS, but there is large variability across populations and PFAS compounds. Additional data on total fluorine in exposure media and the fraction of unidentified organofluorine are needed. Drinking water has been established as the major exposure source in contaminated communities. As water supplies are remediated, for the general population, exposures from dust, personal care products, indoor environments, and other sources may be more important. A major challenge for exposure assessments is the lack of statistically representative population surveys. For wildlife, bioaccumulation processes differ substantially between PFAS and neutral lipophilic organic compounds, prompting a reevaluation of traditional bioaccumulation metrics. There is evidence that both phospholipids and proteins are important for the tissue partitioning and accumulation of PFAS. New mechanistic models for PFAS bioaccumulation are being developed that will assist in wildlife risk evaluations. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:631-657. © 2020 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Carla Ng
- University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Anna Robuck
- University of Rhode Island, Graduate School of Oceanography, Narragansett, RI USA
| | - Mei Sun
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC USA
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26
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Wu Y, Miller GZ, Gearhart J, Peaslee G, Venier M. Side-chain fluorotelomer-based polymers in children car seats. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 268:115477. [PMID: 33221613 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Fabric and foam samples from popular children car seats marketed in the United States during 2018 were tested for fluorine content by particle-included gamma ray emission spectroscopy (PIGE, n = 93) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS, n = 36), as well as for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) by liquid and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (LC/MS and GC/MS, n = 36). PFAS were detected in 97% of the car seat samples analyzed with MS, with total concentrations of 43 PFAS (∑PFAS) up to 268 ng/g. Fabric samples generally had greater ∑PFAS levels than foam and laminated composites of foam and fabric. The three fabric samples with the highest total fluorine content as represented by the highest PIGE signal were also subjected to ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and the total oxidizable precursor (TOP) assay. Results from these treatments, as well as the much higher organofluorine levels measured by PIGE compared to LC/MS and GC/MS, suggested the presence of side-chain fluorotelomer-based polymers (FTPs), which have the potential to readily degrade into perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) under UV light. Furthermore, fluorotelomer (meth)acrylates were found to be indicators for the presence of (meth)acrylate-linked FTPs in consumer products, and thus confirmed that at least half of the tested car seats had FTP-treated fabrics. Finally, extraction of selected samples with synthetic sweat showed that ionic PFAS, particularly those with fluorinated carbons ≤8, can migrate from fabric to sweat, suggesting a potential dermal route of exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wu
- O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405, United States
| | | | | | - Graham Peaslee
- University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, United States
| | - Marta Venier
- O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405, United States.
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27
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Liu Y, Robey NM, Bowden JA, Tolaymat TM, da Silva BF, Solo-Gabriele HM, Townsend TG. From Waste Collection Vehicles to Landfills: Indication of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance (PFAS) Transformation. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS 2021; 8:66-72. [PMID: 37850075 PMCID: PMC10581401 DOI: 10.1021/acs.estlett.0c00819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
Municipal solid waste contain diverse and significant amounts of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and these compounds may transform throughout the "landfilling" process from transport through landfill degradation. Fresh vehicle leachates, from commercial and residential waste collection vehicles at a transfer station, were measured for 51 PFAS. Results were compared to PFAS levels obtained from aged landfill leachate at the disposal facility. The landfill leachate was dominated by perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs, including perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) and perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSAs); 86% of the total PFAS, by median mass concentration), while the majority of PFAS present in commercial and residential waste vehicle leachate were PFAA-precursors (70% and 56% of the total PFAS, by median mass concentration, respectively), suggesting precursor transformation to PFAAs during the course of landfill disposal. In addition, several PFAS, which are not routinely monitored-perfluoropropane sulfonic acid (PFPrS), 8-chloro-perfluoro-1-octane sulfonic acid (8Cl-PFOS), chlorinated polyfluoroether sulfonic acids (6:2, 8:2 Cl-PFESAs), sodium dodecafluoro-3H-4,8-dioxanonanoate (NaDONA), and perfluoro-4-ethylcyclohexanesulfonate (PFECHS)-were detected. Potential degradation pathways were proposed based on published studies: transformation of polyfluoroalkyl phosphate diester (diPAPs) and fluorotelomer sulfonic acids (FTS) to form PFCAs via formation of intermediate products such as fluorotelomer carboxylic acids (FTCAs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yalan Liu
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Nicole M Robey
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - John A Bowden
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, College of Engineering and Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology & Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Thabet M Tolaymat
- National Risk Management Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio 45268, United States
| | - Bianca F da Silva
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology & Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Helena M Solo-Gabriele
- Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida 33146, United States
| | - Timothy G Townsend
- Department of Environmental, Engineering Sciences, College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
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28
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Zheng G, Salamova A. Are Melamine and Its Derivatives the Alternatives for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance (PFAS) Fabric Treatments in Infant Clothes? ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:10207-10216. [PMID: 32662267 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c03035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and melamine (MEL)-based compounds are used in textile finishing as grease, stain, and water repellents. Here, we investigated the occurrence of a large suite of PFAS and MEL compounds in 86 infant clothing items. The ∑MEL concentrations ranged from below the method detection limit to 250,000 ng/g with a median concentration of 78.2 ng/g, significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the ∑PFAS levels (1.22-203 ng/g; median 3.62 ng/g). MEL and its derivatives were most abundant in nylon clothes (median 32,800 ng/g), followed by organic cotton (median 6120 ng/g). In a simulated laundering experiment, the ∑MEL concentrations in clothing decreased on an average by ∼60 and 90% when washed in cool (20 °C) and warm (50 °C) water, respectively. This removal rate increased to 97% when the samples were washed with a detergent. The estimated daily intakes of MEL and PFAS through dermal absorption from nylon clothes were three orders of magnitude higher than those from the non-nylon clothes and decreased by more than half for washed clothes. Our findings demonstrate that MEL-based compounds are abundant in infant clothing and suggest that this group of compounds could be used as potential PFAS replacements in textile finishing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guomao Zheng
- Paul H. O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405 Unites States
| | - Amina Salamova
- Paul H. O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405 Unites States
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29
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Cousins IT, DeWitt JC, Glüge J, Goldenman G, Herzke D, Lohmann R, Miller M, Ng CA, Scheringer M, Vierke L, Wang Z. Strategies for grouping per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to protect human and environmental health. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2020; 22:1444-1460. [PMID: 32495786 PMCID: PMC7585739 DOI: 10.1039/d0em00147c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Grouping strategies are needed for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), in part, because it would be time and resource intensive to test and evaluate the more than 4700 PFAS on the global market on a chemical-by-chemical basis. In this paper we review various grouping strategies that could be used to inform actions on these chemicals and outline the motivations, advantages and disadvantages for each. Grouping strategies are subdivided into (1) those based on the intrinsic properties of the PFAS (e.g. persistence, bioaccumulation potential, toxicity, mobility, molecular size) and (2) those that inform risk assessment through estimation of cumulative exposure and/or effects. The most precautionary grouping approach of those reviewed within this article suggests phasing out PFAS based on their high persistence alone (the so-called "P-sufficient" approach). The least precautionary grouping approach reviewed advocates only grouping PFAS for risk assessment that have the same toxicological effects, modes and mechanisms of action, and elimination kinetics, which would need to be well documented across different PFAS. It is recognised that, given jurisdictional differences in chemical assessment philosophies and methodologies, no one strategy will be generally acceptable. The guiding question we apply to the reviewed grouping strategies is: grouping for what purpose? The motivation behind the grouping (e.g. determining use in products vs. setting guideline levels for contaminated environments) may lead to different grouping decisions. This assessment provides the necessary context for grouping strategies such that they can be adopted as they are, or built on further, to protect human and environmental health from potential PFAS-related effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian T Cousins
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden.
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30
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Eichler CMA, Little JC. A framework to model exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in indoor environments. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2020; 22:500-511. [PMID: 32141451 DOI: 10.1039/c9em00556k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) include a wide range of halogenated chemicals, which have been used as water- and stain-resistant coatings for consumer products and industrial purposes. PFAS are persistent in the environment and several are bioaccumulative, and thus relevant for human and environmental health. Given their pervasiveness, we need to understand how we are exposed to PFAS, especially in indoor environments where many people spend most of their time. Research on indoor exposure to semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) has progressed rapidly in recent years. Because many PFAS can be considered SVOCs, much of what has been learned about SVOCs may be used to guide research on PFAS exposure in indoor environments. Here, we briefly review what has been done to assess indoor exposure to PFAS. Then, we propose a systematic indoor exposure framework for PFAS based on methods to estimate exposure to SVOCs. We illustrate how critical parameters such as partition coefficients for different media (particles, dust, surfaces, and clothing) for different types of PFAS could be measured, how these measurements can be used in exposure models for PFAS, and how fundamental, predictive relationships might be used to estimate necessary parameters for emerging compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara M A Eichler
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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31
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Koch A, Aro R, Wang T, Yeung LW. Towards a comprehensive analytical workflow for the chemical characterisation of organofluorine in consumer products and environmental samples. Trends Analyt Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2019.02.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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32
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Koch A, Kärrman A, Yeung LWY, Jonsson M, Ahrens L, Wang T. Point source characterization of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and extractable organofluorine (EOF) in freshwater and aquatic invertebrates. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2019; 21:1887-1898. [PMID: 31552402 DOI: 10.1039/c9em00281b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Major point sources of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) cause ubiquitous spread of PFASs in the environment. In this study, surface water and aquatic invertebrates at three Swedish sites impacted by PFAS point sources were characterized, using homologue, isomer and extractable organofluorine (EOF) profiling as well as estimation of bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) and mass discharge. Two sites were impacted by fire training (sites A and R) and the third by industrial runoff (site K). Mean Σ25PFASs concentration in water was 1920 ng L-1 at site R (n = 3), which was more than 20- and 10-fold higher than those from sites A and K, respectively. PFOS was the most predominant PFAS in all waters samples, constituting 29-79% of Σ25PFAS concentrations. Several branched isomers were detected and they substantially contributed to concentrations in surface water (e.g. 49-78% of ΣPFOS) and aquatic invertebrates (e.g. 15-28% of ΣPFOS). BAFs in the aquatic invertebrates indicated higher bioaccumulation for long chain PFASs and lower bioaccumulation for branched PFOS isomers compared to linear PFOS. EOF mass balance showed that Σ25target PFASs in water could explain up to 55% of EOF at site R. However, larger proportions of EOF (>92%) remained unknown in water from sites A and K. Mass discharges were for the first time estimated for EOF and revealed that high amounts of EOF (e.g. 8.2 g F day-1 at site A) could be transported by water to recipient water bodies relative to Σ25PFASs (e.g. 0.15 g day-1 at site A). Overall, we showed that composition profiling, BAFs and EOF mass balance can improve the characterization of PFASs around point sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Koch
- Man-Technology-Environment Research Centre (MTM), School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, SE-70182 Örebro, Sweden.
| | - Anna Kärrman
- Man-Technology-Environment Research Centre (MTM), School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, SE-70182 Örebro, Sweden.
| | - Leo W Y Yeung
- Man-Technology-Environment Research Centre (MTM), School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, SE-70182 Örebro, Sweden.
| | - Micael Jonsson
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Lutz Ahrens
- Section for Organic Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Thanh Wang
- Man-Technology-Environment Research Centre (MTM), School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, SE-70182 Örebro, Sweden.
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Munoz G, Budzinski H, Babut M, Lobry J, Selleslagh J, Tapie N, Labadie P. Temporal variations of perfluoroalkyl substances partitioning between surface water, suspended sediment, and biota in a macrotidal estuary. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 233:319-326. [PMID: 31176133 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.05.281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
A one-year monitoring study was conducted in a macrotidal estuary to assess the temporal variations and partitioning behavior of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). Surface water, suspended particulate matter (SPM), and invertebrates including zooplankton (copepods, mysids) and shrimps were sampled on a monthly basis in the Gironde Estuary (SW France). Environmental parameters such as suspended solid loads, salinity, and river water flow rate were highly variable at the study site. However, moderate seasonal variations were observed in terms of PFAS levels and profiles. Summed PFAS (Σ22PFASs) concentrations averaged 6.5 ± 2.7 ng L-1 in the dissolved phase and 3.0 ± 1.2 ng g-1 dry weight in the SPM. The Σ22PFASs was in the range of 1.7-13 ng g-1 wet weight in invertebrates. C5-C8 perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (PFCAs) generally prevailed in the dissolved phase, while perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was dominant in the SPM and biota. Suspended sediment-water partitioning coefficients Log KD and Log KOC were correlated with the perfluoroalkyl chain length, as were the particle-bound fraction and bioaccumulation factors (Log BAF). Compound-specific Log BAFs varied within a limited range over the period surveyed. Biomagnification factors (mysids/copepods) were consistently >1 for PFOS, perfluorooctane sulfonamide, and long-chain PFCAs (perfluorodecanoate and perfluorododecanoate), suggesting biomagnification at the base of the estuarine food web.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Munoz
- Université de Bordeaux, EPOC, UMR 5805, LPTC Research Group, 33400, Talence, France
| | - Hélène Budzinski
- CNRS, EPOC, UMR 5805, LPTC Research Group, 33400, Talence, France
| | - Marc Babut
- Irstea, UR RiverLy, Centre de Lyon-Villeurbanne, 5 Avenue de la Doua, CS20244, 69625, Villeurbanne, Cedex, France
| | | | | | - Nathalie Tapie
- Université de Bordeaux, EPOC, UMR 5805, LPTC Research Group, 33400, Talence, France
| | - Pierre Labadie
- CNRS, EPOC, UMR 5805, LPTC Research Group, 33400, Talence, France.
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Gao K, Zhuang T, Liu X, Fu J, Zhang J, Fu J, Wang L, Zhang A, Liang Y, Song M, Jiang G. Prenatal Exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) and Association between the Placental Transfer Efficiencies and Dissociation Constant of Serum Proteins-PFAS Complexes. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:6529-6538. [PMID: 31099564 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b00715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Information on placental transfer and adverse outcomes of short-chain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFASs) is limited, and factors responsible for PFAS placental transfer are still unclear. In the present study, concentrations of 21 PFASs were analyzed in 132 paired maternal and cord serum samples collected from residents in Beijing, China, and the placental transfer efficiency (PTE) of each PFAS was calculated. PTEs of short-chain perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs), including PFBA (146%), PFBS (97%), PFPeA (118%), and PFHxA (110%), were first reported, and a complete U-shaped trend of PTEs from C4 to C13 of perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) was obtained. Positive association between maternal weight and PTE of perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) ( p < 0.05) and negative association between maternal PFBA concentration and birth length ( p < 0.01) were observed. Using in vitro experiments, we further determined equilibrium dissociation constants ( Kds) of human serum albumin (HSA)-PFAS complexes ( Kd-HP), serum proteins-PFAS complexes ( Kd-SP), and liver-fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP)-PFAS complexes ( Kd-LP) and found that they were all significantly correlated with PTEs of PFASs. The correlation coefficient was 0.92, 0.89, and 0.86, respectively ( p < 0.01 in all three tests), suggesting that Kds of protein (serum)-PFAS complexes can play an important role in trans-placental transfer of PFASs in human and Kd-HP plays a pivotal role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing , China
- College of Resources and Environment , University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing , China
| | - Taifeng Zhuang
- Department of Pediatrics, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital , Capital Medical University , Beijing , China
| | - Xian Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing , China
| | - Jianjie Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing , China
| | - Jingxing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing , China
- Institute of Environment and Health , Jianghan University , Wuhan , Hubei , China
| | - Jie Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing , China
- College of Resources and Environment , University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing , China
| | - Liguo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing , China
- College of Resources and Environment , University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing , China
| | - Aiqian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing , China
- College of Resources and Environment , University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing , China
- Institute of Environment and Health , Jianghan University , Wuhan , Hubei , China
| | - Yong Liang
- Institute of Environment and Health , Jianghan University , Wuhan , Hubei , China
| | - Maoyong Song
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing , China
| | - Guibin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing , China
- College of Resources and Environment , University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing , China
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Hu XC, Tokranov AK, Liddie J, Zhang X, Grandjean P, Hart JE, Laden F, Sun Q, Yeung LWY, Sunderland EM. Tap Water Contributions to Plasma Concentrations of Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in a Nationwide Prospective Cohort of U.S. Women. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2019; 127:67006. [PMID: 31170009 PMCID: PMC6792361 DOI: 10.1289/ehp4093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2018] [Revised: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Between 2013 and 2015, concentrations of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in public drinking water supplies serving at least six million individuals exceeded the level set forth in the health advisory established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Other than data reported for contaminated sites, no systematic or prospective data exist on the relative source contribution (RSC) of drinking water to human PFAS exposures. OBJECTIVES This study estimates the RSC of tap water to overall PFAS exposure among members of the general U.S. POPULATION METHODS We measured concentrations of 15 PFAS in home tap water samples collected in 1989-1990 from 225 participants in a nationwide prospective cohort of U.S. women: the Nurses' Health Study (NHS). We used a one-compartment toxicokinetic model to estimate plasma concentrations corresponding to tap water intake of PFAS. We compared modeled results with measured plasma PFAS concentrations among a subset of 110 NHS participants. RESULTS Tap water perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) were statistically significant predictors of plasma concentrations among individuals who consumed [Formula: see text] cups of tap water per day. Modeled median contributions of tap water to measured plasma concentrations were: PFOA 12% (95% probability interval 11%-14%), PFNA 13% (8.7%-21%), linear perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (nPFOS) 2.2% (2.0%-2.5%), branched perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (brPFOS) 3.0% (2.5%-3.2%), and perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) 34% (29%-39%). In five locations, comparisons of PFASs in community tap water collected in the period 2013-2016 with samples from 1989-1990 indicated increases in quantifiable PFAS and extractable organic fluorine (a proxy for unquantified PFAS). CONCLUSIONS Our results for 1989-1990 compare well with the default RSC of 20% used in risk assessments for legacy PFAS by many agencies. Future evaluation of drinking water exposures should incorporate emerging PFAS. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP4093.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xindi C. Hu
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Andrea K. Tokranov
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jahred Liddie
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Xianming Zhang
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Philippe Grandjean
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Jaime E. Hart
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Francine Laden
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Qi Sun
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Leo W. Y. Yeung
- MTM Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Elsie M. Sunderland
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
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