Dietary exposure of Canadians to perfluorinated carboxylates and perfluorooctane sulfonate via consumption of meat, fish, fast foods, and food items prepared in their packaging

Prevalence of perfluoroalkyl substances in paired batches of precooked and canned bovine meat and their implication on consumer safety

Meat is a highly nutritious food but there is a lot of significant evidence of negative health outcomes related to its excessive consumption, especially for processed one. Among the variety of emerging contaminants of concern for human health, a key role is played by poly- and per-fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), which show adverse effects in humans who are exposed to them through diet. In the present study, for the first time, 70 paired batches of pre-cooked and canned bovine meat were analysed by Liquid Chromatography coupled to High Resolution Mass Spectrometry to evaluate the presence and concentration of 18 PFASs. These data were used to assess Italian consumers' health risks by performing the PFAS intake evaluation. PFBA and PFOS were detected in the precooked and canned meat samples, with PFBA mean concentration of 0.22 ± 0.36 ng g-1, and Collapse

Key Words

• Canned meat
• Food safety
• PFASs
• Risk assessment
• UHPLC-HRMS

Collapse

MESH Headings Collapse

Grants Collapse

Affiliation(s)

Maria Nobile Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Milan, Via Dell'Universita' 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy
Sara Panseri Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Milan, Via Dell'Universita' 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy
Dalia Curci Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Milan, Via Dell'Universita' 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy.
Luca Maria Chiesa Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Milan, Via Dell'Universita' 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy
Sergio Ghidini Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Milan, Via Dell'Universita' 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy
Francesco Arioli Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Milan, Via Dell'Universita' 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy

Collapse

Rapidly enrichment and detection of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances in foods using a novel bifunctional covalent organic framework

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are extensively found in foods, posing potential toxicity to humans. Therefore, rapid analysis and monitoring of PFASs in foods are crucial for public health and also a challenge. To detect trace PFASs in foods, construction of sorbents with multiple interactions could be an effective approach. Herein, a cationic-fluorinated covalent organic framework (CF-COF) was prepared by post-modification and used as a magnetic solid-phase extraction adsorbent for adsorption of PFASs. By combining magnetic solid-phase extraction based on CF-COF with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC - MS/MS), a novel method was developed for determination of eight long-chain PFASs in foods. Under optimized conditions, the method exhibited low detection limits (0.003-0.019 ng/g) and satisfactory recovery rates (73.5-118%) for PFASs. This study introduces a novel idea for the development of adsorbents targeting PFASs, along with a new analytical method for monitoring of PFASs in foods.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in Chinese commercially available red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii): Implications for human exposure and health risk assessment

The extensive utilization of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) has led to their pervasive presence in the environment, resulting in contamination of aquatic products. Prolonged exposure to PFASs has been linked to direct hepatic and renal damage, along with the induction of oxidative stress, contributing to a spectrum of chronic ailments. Despite the recent surge in popularity of red swamp crayfish as a culinary delicacy in China, studies addressing PFASs' exposure and associated health risks from their consumption remain scarce. To address this gap, our study investigated the PFASs' content in 85 paired edible tissue samples sourced from the five primary red swamp crayfish breeding provinces in China. The health risks associated with dietary exposure were also assessed. Our findings revealed widespread detection of PFASs in crayfish samples, with short-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) exhibiting the highest concentrations. Notably, the total PFAS concentration in the hepatopancreas (median: 160 ng/g) significantly exceeded that in muscle tissue (5.95 ng/g), as did the concentration of every single substance. The hazard quotient of perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) via consuming crayfish during peak season exceeded 1. In this case, a potential total non-cancer health risk of PFASs, which is mainly from the hepatopancreas and associated with PFHxS, is also observed (hazard index>1). Thus, it is recommended to avoid consuming the hepatopancreas of red swamp crayfish. Greater attention should be paid to governance technology innovation and regulatory measure strengthening for short-chain PFASs.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in senior care facilities and older adult residents

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are fluorinated organic compounds used in a variety of consumer products and industrial applications that persist in the environment, bioaccumulate in biological tissues, and can have adverse effects on human health, especially in vulnerable populations. In this study, we focused on PFAS exposures in residents of senior care facilities. To investigate relationships between indoor, personal, and internal PFAS exposures, we analyzed 19 PFAS in matched samples of dust collected from the residents' bedrooms, and wristbands and serum collected from the residents. The median ∑PFAS concentrations (the sum of all PFAS detected in the samples) measured in dust, wristbands, and serum were 120 ng/g, 0.05 ng/g, and 4.0 ng/mL, respectively. The most abundant compounds in serum were linear- and branched-perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (L-PFOS and B-PFOS, respectively) at medians of 1.7 ng/mL and 0.83 ng/mL, respectively, followed by the linear perfluorooctanoic acid (L-PFOA) found at a median concentration of 0.59 ng/mL. Overall, these three PFAS comprised 80 % of the serum ∑PFAS concentrations. A similar pattern was observed in dust with L-PFOS and L-PFOA found as the most abundant PFAS (median concentrations of 13 and 7.8 ng/g, respectively), with the overall contribution of 50 % to the ∑PFAS concentration. Only L-PFOA was found in wristbands at a median concentration of 0.02 ng/g. Significant correlations were found between the concentrations of several PFAS in dust and serum, and in dust and wristbands, suggesting that the indoor environment could be a significant contributor to the personal and internal PFAS exposures in seniors. Our findings demonstrate that residents of assisted living facilities are widely exposed to PFAS, with several PFAS found in blood of each study participant and in the assisted living environment.

Per-and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) eternal pollutants: Sources, environmental impacts and treatment processes

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.

Emerging contaminants in food matrices: An overview of the occurrence, pathways, impacts and detection techniques of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been used in industrial and consumer applications for ages. The pervasive and persistent nature of PFAS in the environment is a universal concern due to public health risks. Experts acknowledge that exposure to high levels of certain PFAS have consequences, including reduced vaccine efficacy, elevated cholesterol, and increased risk of high blood pressure. While considerable research has been conducted to investigate the presence of PFAS in the environment, the pathways for human exposure through food and food packaging/contact materials (FCM) remain unclear. In this review, we present an exhaustive overview of dietary exposure pathways to PFAS. Also, the mechanism of PFAS migration from FCMs into food and the occurrence of PFAS in certain foods were considered. Further, we present the analytical techniques for PFAS in food and food matrices as well as exposure pathways and human health impacts. Further, recent regulatory actions working to set standards and guidelines for PFAS in food packaging materials were highlighted. Alternative materials being developed and evaluated for their safety and efficacy in food contact applications, offering promising alternatives to PFAS were also considered. Finally, we reported on general considerations and perspectives presently considered.

Nationwide distribution of perfluoroalkyl ether carboxylic acids in Chinese diets: An emerging concern

With the phase-out of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and its replacement by perfluoroalkyl ether carboxylic acids (PFECAs), there is a potential for increased exposure to various new PFECAs among the general population in China. While there are existing studies on dietary exposure to legacy perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), research on dietary exposure to PFECAs, especially among the general Chinese populace, remains scarce. In the present study, we investigated the distribution of PFECAs in dietary sources from 33 cities across five major regions in China, along with the associated dietary intake. Analysis indicated that aquatic animal samples contained higher concentrations of legacy PFASs compared to those from terrestrial animals and plants. In contrast, PFECAs were found in higher concentrations in plant and terrestrial animal samples. Notably, hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer (HFPO-DA) was identified as the dominant compound in vegetables, cereals, pork, and mutton across the five regions, suggesting widespread dietary exposure. PFECAs constituted the majority of PFAS intake (57 %), with the estimated daily intake (EDI) of HFPO-DA ranging from 2.33 to 3.96 ng/kg bw/day, which corresponds to 0.78-1.32 times the reference dose (RfD) (3.0 ng/kg bw/day) set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Given the ubiquity of HFPO-DA and many other PFECAs in the nationwide diet of China, there is an urgent need for further research into these chemicals to establish relevant safety benchmarks or consumption advisory values for the diet.

Associations of dietary intake and longitudinal measures of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in predominantly Hispanic young Adults: A multicohort study

BACKGROUND

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are pollutants linked to adverse health effects. Diet is an important source of PFAS exposure, yet it is unknown how diet impacts longitudinal PFAS levels.

OBJECTIVE

To determine if dietary intake and food sources were associated with changes in blood PFAS concentrations among Hispanic young adults at risk of metabolic diseases.

METHODS

Predominantly Hispanic young adults from the Children's Health Study who underwent two visits (CHS; n = 123) and young adults from NHANES 2013-2018 who underwent one visit (n = 604) were included. Dietary data at baseline was collected using two 24-hour dietary recalls to measure individual foods and where foods were prepared/consumed (home/restaurant/fast-food). PFAS were measured in blood at both visits in CHS and cross-sectionally in NHANES. In CHS, multiple linear regression assessed associations of baseline diet with longitudinal PFAS; in NHANES, linear regression was used.

RESULTS

In CHS, all PFAS except PFDA decreased across visits (all p < 0.05). In CHS, A 1-serving higher tea intake was associated with 24.8 %, 16.17 %, and 12.6 % higher PFHxS, PFHpS, and PFNA at follow-up, respectively (all p < 0.05). A 1-serving higher pork intake was associated with 13.4 % higher PFOA at follow-up (p < 0.05). Associations were similar in NHANES, including unsweetened tea, hot dogs, and processed meats. For food sources, in CHS each 200-gram increase in home-prepared food was associated with 0.90 % and 1.6 % lower PFOS at baseline and follow-up, respectively, and in NHANES was associated with 0.9 % lower PFDA (all p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Results suggest that beverage consumption habits and food preparation are associated with differences in PFAS levels in young adults. This highlights the importance of diet in determining PFAS exposure and the necessity of public monitoring of foods and beverages for PFAS contamination.

PFOS exposure destroys the integrity of the blood-testis barrier (BTB) through PI3K/AKT/mTOR-mediated autophagy

Perfluorooctanesulfonate or perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), a type of perfluorinated compound, is mainly found in consumer products. Exposure to PFOS could cause male reproductive toxicity by causing injury to the blood-testis barrier (BTB). However, the specific mechanisms through which PFOS affects male reproduction remain unclear. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a vital protein kinase that is believed to be a central regulator of autophagy. In this study, we established in vivo and in vitro models to explore the effects of PFOS on the BTB, autophagy, and the regulatory role of the mTOR signaling pathway. Adult mice were developmentally exposed to 0, 0.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg/day PFOS for five weeks. Thereafter, their testicular morphology, sperm counts, serum testosterone, expression of BTB-related proteins, and autophagy-related proteins were evaluated. Additionally, TM4 cells (a mouse Sertoli cell line) were used to delineate the molecular mechanisms that mediate the effects of PFOS on BTB. Our results demonstrated that exposure to PFOS induced BTB injury and autophagy, as evidenced by increased expression of autophagy-related proteins, accumulation of autophagosomes, observed through representative electron micrographs, and decreased activity of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Moreover, treatment with chloroquine, an autophagy inhibitor, alleviated the effects of PFOS on the integrity of TM4 cells in the BTB and the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Overall, this study highlights that exposure to PFOS destroys the integrity of the BTB through PI3K/AKT/mTOR-mediated autophagy.

Deciphering the Role of the Gut Microbiota in Exposure to Emerging Contaminants and Diabetes: A Review

Emerging pollutants, a category of compounds currently not regulated or inadequately regulated by law, have recently become a focal point of research due to their potential toxic effects on human health. The gut microbiota plays a pivotal role in human health; it is particularly susceptible to disruption and alteration upon exposure to a range of toxic environmental chemicals, including emerging contaminants. The disturbance of the gut microbiome caused by environmental pollutants may represent a mechanism through which environmental chemicals exert their toxic effects, a mechanism that is garnering increasing attention. However, the discussion on the toxic link between emerging pollutants and glucose metabolism remains insufficiently explored. This review aims to establish a connection between emerging pollutants and glucose metabolism through the gut microbiota, delving into the toxic impacts of these pollutants on glucose metabolism and the potential role played by the gut microbiota.

First insights into per-and polyfluoroalkyl substance contamination in edible fish species of the Indus water system of Pakistan

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a group of emerging contaminants, that have a wide range of applications in industrial and commercial products. The direct discharge of untreated industrial and domestic wastewater into freshwater bodies is a common practice in developing countries, which are the main contributors to PFASs in the aquatic environment. The situation is further worsened due to poor wastewater treatment facilities and weak enforcement of environmental regulations in countries like Pakistan. The current study was designed to assess PFASs contamination in muscle tissues of edible fish species from major tributaries of the Indus System, including Head Panjnad (HP), Head Trimmu (HT), Chashma Barrage (CB), Head Blloki (HB) and Head Qadirabad (HQ). The analysis of target PFAS was performed using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a quadrupole Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry. The highest levels of ∑17PFASs were observed in S. seenghala, C. mirigala from HB, and C. mirigala from HQ with a mean value of 45.4 ng g-1, 43.7 ng g-1, and 40.8 ng g-1, respectively. Overall, the compositional profile of fish samples was predominated by long-chain PFASs such as PFOA, PFOS, PFHpS, and PFDS. The accumulation of PFASs in fish species is dependent on the physiochemical properties of PFASs, characteristics of the aquatic environment, and fish species. Significant associations of PFASs with isotopic composition (p < 0.05), feeding habits (p < 0.05), and zones (p < 0.05) indicate that dietary proxies could be an important predictor of PFASs distribution among species. The C7-C10 PFASs exhibited bio-accumulative tendency with an accumulation factor ranging from 0.5 to 3.4. However, none of the fish samples had sufficiently high levels of PFOS to cause human health risk (HR < 1). For future studies, it is s recommended to conduct seasonal monitoring and the bioaccumulation pattern along trophic levels of both legacy and emerging PFASs.

Factors affecting the occurrence and accumulation of perfluoroalkyl acids in indoor dust in Tainan, Taiwan

Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are environmentally and biologically persistent chemicals. In this study, we investigated the concentrations of six PFAAs in dust samples collected from different indoor environments in a college campus in Tainan, Taiwan, and assessed the health risk of PFAAs exposure to college students. We also analyzed the effects of dust characteristics (total organic carbon, moisture content, and dust content) on PFAAs levels. With regard to the space type, the median of total PFAAs concentrations were in the order of laboratories (528.9 μg kg-1) > offices (304.2 μg kg-1) > dormitories (180.1 μg kg-1) > classrooms (105.1 μg kg-1). With regard to the height from the ground, the median total PFAAs concentrations were in the order of dust near the floors (>2 m; 383.6 μg kg-1) > near the ceiling (0-2 m; 202.5 μg kg-1) > on the ground (0 m; 145.6 μg kg-1). The main species of PFAAs, perfluorooctane sulfonate and short-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylates, accounted for respectively 30%-60% and ∼20%-37% of total PFAAs pollution in the indoor space types and sampling heights under consideration. The average daily intake (ADI) values of six PFAAs for college students were found to be 0.059-0.126 ng kg-1 BW day-1 (BW: body weight), with dormitories and workplaces (i.e., laboratories and offices) accounting for over 40% and ∼50% of the ADI, respectively. The estimated hazard quotient ranged from 0.0029 to 0.0063, three orders of magnitude lower than 1, suggesting relatively low risks for college students exposed to the six PFAAs monitored in indoor dust. The analysis of dust characteristics revealed that total organic carbon did not have a significant effect on PFAAs levels as we expected. In contrast, dust moisture and cation content dominated PFAAs accumulation.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in grocery store foods: method optimization, occurrence, and exposure assessment

Dietary exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is poorly understood. Evaluating PFAS in food is complicated by the need to evaluate varied matrices and a lack of a standard, matrix-specific sample extraction methods. Prior food studies implemented universal rather than matrix-specific extraction approaches, which may yield false negatives and an underestimation of PFAS dietary exposure if methods are not suitable to all matrices. Here the objectives were to screen and optimize PFAS extraction methods for plants, tissues, and dairy; apply optimized extraction methods to a grocery store food survey; and compare estimated exposure to published reference doses (RfDs). Optimized, matrix-specific extractions generally yielded internal standard recoveries of 50-150% and matrix spike recoveries of 70-130%. The frequency of PFAS detection in grocery store foods (16 of 22 products) was higher than in previous work. PFAS were detected at concentrations of 10 ng kgdw-1 (perfluorobutane sulfonate; washed green beans and perfluorohexanoic acid; unwashed tomato) to 2680 ng kgdw-1 (perfluorohexane sulfonate; radish). Concentrations of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in carrots, lettuce, radish, and canned green beans yielded median exposure intake (EI) values of 0.016-0.240 ng per kgbw-day, which exceeded the EPA RfD (0.0015 ng per kgbw-day). Washing reduced radish PFOA concentrations below detection, but EIs at the reporting limit still exceeded the RfD. The combination of improved data quality and greater frequency of PFAS detection vs. prior studies plus EI > RfD for some PFAS suggests a need for matrix-specific extractions and analysis of PFAS in additional grocery store foods from broader geographic regions.

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals and male reproductive health

Modifiable factors, such as environmental exposures, can impact human fertility. The objective of this review is to summarize the potential effects of exposure to important endocrine-disrupting chemicals on male reproductive health. Most experimental and animal data demonstrate strong evidence for the negative effects of exposure to phenols, phthalates, pesticides, and perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances on male reproductive health. Although evidence of negative associations in humans was overall strong for phthalates and pesticides, limited and inconclusive relationships were found for the other examined chemical biomarkers. Reasons for the discrepancies in results include but are not limited to, differences in study populations, exposure concentrations, number of samples collected, sample sizes, study design, and residual confounding. Additional studies are needed, particularly for newer phenols and perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, given the scarce literature on the topic and increasing exposures over time.

Research Priorities for the Environmental Risk Assessment of Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances

Per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) are a group of thousands of ubiquitously applied persistent industrial chemicals. The field of PFAS environmental research is developing rapidly, but suffers from substantial biases toward specific compounds, environmental compartments, and organisms. The aim of our study was therefore to highlight current developments and to identify knowledge gaps and subsequent research needs that would contribute to a comprehensive environmental risk assessment for PFAS. To this end, we consulted the open literature and databases and found that knowledge of the environmental fate of PFAS is based on the analysis of <1% of the compounds categorized as PFAS. Moreover, soils and suspended particulate matter remain largely understudied. The bioavailability, bioaccumulation, and food web transfer studies of PFAS also focus on a very limited number of compounds and are biased toward aquatic biota, predominantly fish, and less frequently aquatic invertebrates and macrophytes. The available ecotoxicity data revealed that only a few PFAS have been well studied for their environmental hazards, and that PFAS ecotoxicity data are also strongly biased toward aquatic organisms. Ecotoxicity studies in the terrestrial environment are needed, as well as chronic, multigenerational, and community ecotoxicity research, in light of the persistency and bioaccumulation of PFAS. Finally, we identified an urgent need to unravel the relationships among sorption, bioaccumulation, and ecotoxicity on the one hand and molecular descriptors of PFAS chemical structures and physicochemical properties on the other, to allow predictions of exposure, bioaccumulation, and toxicity. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:2302-2316. © 2023 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

Dietary per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) exposure in adolescents: The HOME study

BACKGROUND

Diet is the primary exposure pathway for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in non-occupationally exposed populations. Few studies have examined associations of dietary quality and macronutrient intake with PFAS exposure among US adolescents.

OBJECTIVE

To assess relationships of self-reported dietary quality and macronutrient intake with serum PFAS concentrations in adolescents.

METHODS

We used cross-sectional data from 193 Cincinnati, Ohio area adolescents (median age 12.3 years) collected from 2016 to 2019. Using 24-h food recalls completed by adolescents on three separate days, we derived Healthy Eating Index (HEI) scores, HEI components, and macronutrient intake. We measured perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) concentrations in fasting serum samples. Using linear regression, we estimated covariate-adjusted associations between dietary variables and serum PFAS concentrations.

RESULTS

The median HEI score was 44 and median serum PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, and PFNA concentrations were 1.3, 2.4, 0.7, and 0.3 ng/mL respectively. In adjusted models, higher total HEI scores, whole fruit and total fruit HEI component scores, and total dietary fiber intake were associated with lower concentrations of all four PFAS. For example, serum PFOA concentrations were 7% lower (95% CI: -15, 2) per standard deviation increase in total HEI score and 9% lower (95% CI: -18, 1) per standard deviation increase in dietary fiber.

SIGNIFICANCE

Given adverse health effects associated with PFAS exposure, it is crucial to understand modifiable exposure pathways. Findings from this study may inform future policy decisions aiming to limit human exposure to PFAS.

Structural and molecular changes in the rat myocardium following perfluoroctane sulfonate (PFOS) exposure are mitigated by quercetin via modulating HSP 70 and SERCA 2

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is a man-made fluorinated compound employed in a variety of industrial and civilian applications. Due to its long elimination half-life and promotion of oxidative stress and inflammation, it is one of the most abundant organic contaminants. The present study was designed to determine the cytotoxic effect of PFOS on adult male rat cardiac tissue and to assess the cardioprotective role of the flavonoid quercetin (Que), which possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties. Twenty-four adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four equal groups: Group I (Control). Group II (Que) received Que (75 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks) by oral gavage. Group III (PFOS group): supplemented orally with PFOS (20 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks) and Group IV (PF OS/Que). The rat heart was processed for histological, immunohistochemical, and gene expression studies. The PFOS group showed histological alterations in the myocardium that were partially reversed by the administration of Que. The inflammatory biomarkers (TNF, IL-6, and IL-1), lipid profile, TSH, MDA, and serum cardiac enzymes (LDH and CK-MB) were all altered. These findings collectively suggest that PFOS had adverse effects on the cardiac muscle structure, and these effects were alleviated by quercetin, which is a promising cardioprotective flavonoid.

Analytical approaches for screening of per- and poly fluoroalkyl substances in food items: A review of recent advances and improvements

Per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals characterized by their ubiquitous nature in all environmental compartments which makes them of increasing concern due to their persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity (PBT). Several instrumental methodologies and separation techniques have been identified in the literature for the detection and quantification of PFAS in environmental samples. In this review, we have identified and compared common separation techniques adopted for the extraction of PFAS in food items, and analytical methodologies for identification and quantification of PFAS in food items of plant and animal origin, highlighting recent advances in tandem techniques for the high selectivity and separation of PFAS related compounds as well as knowledge gaps and research needs on current analytical methodologies.

PFAS in fish from AFFF-impacted environments: Analytical method development and field application at a Canadian international civilian airport

Methods targeting anionic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in aquatic biota are well established, but commonly overlook many PFAS classes present in aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs). Here, we developed an analytical method for the expanded analysis of negative and positive ion mode PFAS in fish tissues. Eight variations of extraction solvents and clean-up protocols were first tested to recover 70 AFFF-derived PFAS from the fish matrix. Anionic, zwitterionic, and cationic PFAS displayed the best responses with methanol-based ultrasonication methods. The response of long-chain PFAS was improved for extracts submitted to graphite filtration alone compared with those involving solid-phase extraction. The validation included an assessment of linearity, absolute recovery, matrix effects, accuracy, intraday/interday precision, and trueness. The method was applied to a set of freshwater fish samples collected in 2020 in the immediate vicinity (creek, n = 15) and downstream (river, n = 15) of an active fire-training area at an international civilian airport in Ontario, Canada. While zwitterionic fluorotelomer betaines were major components of the subsurface AFFF source zone, they were rarely detected in fish, suggesting limited bioaccumulation potential. PFOS largely dominated the PFAS profile, with record-high concentrations in brook sticklebacks (Culaea inconstans) from the creek (16000-110,000 ng/g wet weight whole-body). These levels exceeded the Canadian Federal Environmental Quality Guidelines (FEQG) for PFOS pertaining to the Federal Fish Tissue Guideline (FFTG) for fish protection and Federal Wildlife Diet Guidelines (FWiDG) for the protection of mammalian and avian consumers of aquatic biota. Perfluorohexane sulfonamide and 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate were among the precursors detected at the highest levels (maximum of ∼340 ng/g and ∼1100 ng/g, respectively), likely reflecting extensive degradation and/or biotransformation of C6 precursors originally present in AFFF formulations.

Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS): Do They Matter to Aquatic Ecosystems?

Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a group of anthropogenic chemicals with an aliphatic fluorinated carbon chain. Due to their durability, bioaccumulation potential, and negative impacts on living organisms, these compounds have drawn lots of attention across the world. The negative impacts of PFASs on aquatic ecosystems are becoming a major concern due to their widespread use in increasing concentrations and constant leakage into the aquatic environment. Furthermore, by acting as agonists or antagonists, PFASs may alter the bioaccumulation and toxicity of certain substances. In many species, particularly aquatic organisms, PFASs can stay in the body and induce a variety of negative consequences, such as reproductive toxicity, oxidative stress, metabolic disruption, immunological toxicity, developmental toxicity, cellular damage and necrosis. PFAS bioaccumulation plays a significant role and has an impact on the composition of the intestinal microbiota, which is influenced by the kind of diet and is directly related to the host's well-being. PFASs also act as endocrine disruptor chemicals (EDCs) which can change the endocrine system and result in dysbiosis of gut microbes and other health repercussions. In silico investigation and analysis also shows that PFASs are incorporated into the maturing oocytes during vitellogenesis and are bound to vitellogenin and other yolk proteins. The present review reveals that aquatic species, especially fishes, are negatively affected by exposure to emerging PFASs. Additionally, the effects of PFAS pollution on aquatic ecosystems were investigated by evaluating a number of characteristics, including extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) and chlorophyll content as well as the diversity of the microorganisms in the biofilms. Therefore, this review will provide crucial information on the possible adverse effects of PFASs on fish growth, reproduction, gut microbial dysbiosis, and its potential endocrine disruption. This information aims to help the researchers and academicians work and come up with possible remedial measures to protect aquatic ecosystems as future works need to be focus on techno-economic assessment, life cycle assessment, and multi criteria decision analysis systems that screen PFAS-containing samples. New innovative methods requires further development to reach detection at the permissible regulatory limits.

Perfluoroalkyl substances promote breast cancer progression via ERα and GPER mediated PI3K/Akt and MAPK/Erk signaling pathways

Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a classic environmental endocrine disruptor with carcinogenic risk. Epidemiological studies have shown that PFASs contamination is associated with breast cancer development, but the mechanism remains largely unknown. This study first obtained complex biological information about PFASs-induced breast cancer through the comparative toxicogenomics database (CTD). The Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO) analysis were utilized to investigate molecular pathways. The ESR1 and GPER expression levels at different pathological stages and the prognosis of Breast Cancer patients were confirmed using the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Furthermore, we verified this by cellular experiments and the results showed breast cancer cell migration and invasion were promoted by PFOA. Two estrogen receptors (ER), ERα and G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER), mediated the promoting effects of PFOA by activating MAPK/Erk and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. These pathways were regulated by ERα and GPER in MCF-7 cells or independently by GPER in MDA-MB-231 cells. Overall, our study provides a better overview of the mechanisms associated with PFASs-induced breast cancer development and progression.

Mechanistic Middle-Out Physiologically Based Toxicokinetic Modeling of Transporter-Dependent Disposition of Perfluorooctanoic Acid in Humans

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is an environmental toxicant exhibiting a years-long biological half-life (t_1/2) in humans and is linked with adverse health effects. However, limited understanding of its toxicokinetics (TK) has obstructed the necessary risk assessment. Here, we constructed the first middle-out physiologically based toxicokinetic (PBTK) model to mechanistically explain the persistence of PFOA in humans. In vitro transporter kinetics were thoroughly characterized and scaled up to in vivo clearances using quantitative proteomics-based in vitro-to-in vivo extrapolation. These data and physicochemical parameters of PFOA were used to parameterize our model. We uncovered a novel uptake transporter for PFOA, highly likely to be monocarboxylate transporter 1 which is ubiquitously expressed in body tissues and may mediate broad tissue penetration. Our model was able to recapitulate clinical data from a phase I dose-escalation trial and divergent half-lives from clinical trial and biomonitoring studies. Simulations and sensitivity analyses confirmed the importance of renal transporters in driving extensive PFOA reabsorption, reducing its clearance and augmenting its t_1/2. Crucially, the inclusion of a hypothetical, saturable renal basolateral efflux transporter provided the first unified explanation for the divergent t_1/2 of PFOA reported in clinical (116 days) versus biomonitoring studies (1.3-3.9 years). Efforts are underway to build PBTK models for other perfluoroalkyl substances using similar workflows to assess their TK profiles and facilitate risk assessments.

Nonlethal detection of PFAS bioaccumulation and biomagnification within fishes in an urban- and wastewater-dominant Great Lakes watershed

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic endocrine disruptors that are particularly stable and pervasive due to strong carbon-fluorine bonds. They are known to bioaccumulate in protein-rich tissues of fish, and most cannot be eliminated with cooking. Despite studies linking PFAS to adverse health outcomes, there is a lack of international regulations of PFAS as a hazardous material. To investigate PFAS in an aquatic food web and the potential human health implications, we analyzed the concentrations of 40 PFAS from muscle biopsy and serum samples of fish representing different trophic levels along the Lake Huron - Lake Erie Corridor. In Summer (2021), walleye (Sander vitreus; WAE), yellow perch (Perca flavescens; YEP) and round gobies (Neogobius melanostomus; ROG) were collected for analysis from the Detroit River (contaminated site) and St. Clair River (reference site). Eight PFAS congeners were detected in muscle and 15 congeners in serum, leading to the novel detection in Great Lakes fish of 7:3 FTCA in muscle and PFHpS, PFNS, MeFOSAA, and EtFOSAA in serum. PFOS was detected in 100% of muscle and serum pools across all species at concentrations lower than those associated with fish toxicity. Muscle PFOS concentration in DR WAE fell under the 8 meals per month (>13 ng-19 ng) fish consumption advisory according to the State of Michigan. Log bioaccumulation factor was significantly different (p = 0.01) among species in DR, driven by higher log BAF for WAE (3.8 ± 0.1) compared to ROG (3.2± 0.02). Biomagnification factor greater than 1 for all species in both rivers indicates that PFOS is biomagnifying in SCR and DR food webs. Successful detection and quantification of PFAS in the muscle and serum of three fish species demonstrates the potential for using this nonlethal sampling method to monitor PFAS and better understand ecological and human health impacts of PFAS exposure.

Controlled uptake of PFOA in adult specimens of Paracentrotus lividus and evaluation of gene expression in their gonads and embryos

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) has been largely used in the manufacturing industry but a few years ago it turned out to be a dangerous pollutant which is now of concern for terrestrial and aquatic environments. Here, we investigated the bioaccumulation of PFOA in the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus after exposure to different concentrations of the pollutant for 28 days. We observed rapid uptake of PFOA in the coelomic fluid collected weekly during the exposure period and high bioaccumulation in gonads at the end of the experiment. Interestingly, animals were also able to fast depurate when relocated to a clean environment. In addition, to assess the effect of PFOA on sea urchins' physiological pathways, we analysed the expression profile of some marker genes both in the gonads and in the embryos obtained from parents exposed to PFOA. Our results suggest that PFOA is a persistent, bioaccumulative compound that adversely affects the health of the exposed organisms and their offspring by causing significant changes in the expression of some key target genes and the occurrence of developmental anomalies in the embryos.

Isomer-Specific Serum Concentrations of Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid among U.S. Adults: Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation Multi-Pollutant Study (SWAN-MPS)

Electrochemical fluorination manufacture of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), one of the most studied per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, produces mixtures of linear and branched isomers, but little is known about human exposure to linear or branched PFOS isomers. We examined determinants affecting isomer-specific patterns of PFOS in serum in two adult populations in the United States, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation Multi-Pollutant Study (SWAN-MPS). After adjusting for demographic variables, fish consumption (in both populations), a glomerular filtration rate above 90 mL/min/1.73 m2 (observed in NHANES; not tested in SWAN-MPS), premenopausal status (only observed in SWAN-MPS), and less consumption of processed food (observed in SWAN-MPS; not tested in NHANES) were associated with a higher proportion of linear PFOS. Non-Hispanic Black and Asian participants were likely to have a higher proportion of linear PFOS than non-Hispanic White participants in both populations. Our findings suggest that isomer-specific patterns of PFOS serum concentrations in humans vary depending on population characteristics that affect PFOS exposure and excretion. Consideration of specific PFOS isomers in future human biomonitoring and epidemiologic studies can provide useful insight to better understand PFOS exposure.

Computational estimates of daily aggregate exposure to PFOA/PFOS from 2011 to 2017 using a basic intake model

BACKGROUND

Human exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances has been modeled to estimate serum concentrations. Given that the production and use of these compounds have decreased in recent years, especially PFOA and PFOS, and that additional concentration data have become available from the US and other industrialized countries over the past decade, aggregate median intakes of these two compounds were estimated using more recent data.

METHODS

Summary statistics from secondary sources were collected, averaged, and mapped for indoor and outdoor air, water, dust, and soil for PFOA and PFOS to estimate exposures for adults and children. European dietary intake estimates were used to estimate daily intake from food.

RESULTS

In accordance with decreased concentrations in media, daily intake estimates among adults, i.e., 40 ng/day PFOA and 40 ng/day PFOS, are substantially lower than those reported previously, as are children's estimates of 14 ng/day PFOA and 17 ng/day PFOS. Using a first-order pharmacokinetic model, these results compare favorably to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey serum concentration measurements.

CONCLUSION

Concomitant blood concentrations support this enhanced estimation approach that captures the decline of PFOA/PFOS serum concentration over a decade.

Perfluorodecanoic acid promotes adipogenesis via NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pathway in HepG2 and 3T3-L1 cells

Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) is a toxic persistent pollutant that is extensively used in food applications, such as food packaging and cookware. Emerging evidence indicates that PFDA exposure were associated with higher plasma triglyceride concentration in human. In contrast, it is unknown how PFDA might affect adipogenesis. To explore the effects and underlying mechanisms of PFDA on lipid metabolism in this study, both HepG2 cells and 3T3-L1 differentiation model were used. The results showed that PFDA promoted the cellular triglyceride accumulation and triglyceride content in concentration-dependent manners. Furthermore, PFDA activated the NLRP3 inflammasome, which is crucial for the induction of lipogenic genes expression including fatty acid synthase (FAS), hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A synthase (HMGCS), and stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1). Additionally, PFDA-induced adipogenesis was abolished by caspase-1 inhibitor and siNLRP3 in HepG2 cells. Moreover, after PFDA treatment, the expression of SREBP1, an important regulator of lipid metabolism, was increased, as well as its target genes, and PFDA-induced SREBP1 enhanced expression can be abolished by caspase-1 inhibitor and siNLRP3 as well. Together, these results provide to understanding of the potential health implications of exposure to PFDA on lipid accumulation, and suggest that PFDA can promote adipogenesis via an NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated SREBP1 pathway.

Analysis of Per- and Poly(fluoroalkyl) Substances (PFASs) in Highly Consumed Seafood Products from U.S. Markets

Seafood consumption has been identified as one of the major contributors of per- and poly(fluoroalkyl) substances (PFASs) to the human diet. To assess dietary exposure, highly consumed seafood products in the United States were selected for analysis. The analytical method previously used for processed food was extended to include four additional long-chain perflurocarboxylic acids (PFCAs), which have been reported in seafood samples. This method was single-lab-validated, and method detection limits were reported at 345 ng kg^-1 for perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) and 207 ng kg^-1 for perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA) and below 100 ng kg^-1 for the rest of the PFAS analytes. The 81 seafood samples (clams, crab, tuna, shrimp, tilapia, cod, salmon, pollock) were analyzed for 20 PFASs using the updated analytical method. Most of the seafood packaging was also analyzed by Fourier transform infrared-attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR) to identify packaging potentially coated with PFASs. None of the packaging samples in this study were identified as having PFASs. A wide range of concentrations was observed among the seafood samples, ranging from below the method detection limit to the highest concentration of 23 μg kg^-1 for the sum of PFASs in one of the canned clam samples. Such a wide range is consistent with those reported in previous studies. The highest concentrations were reported in clams and crabs, followed by cod, tuna, pollock, tilapia, salmon, and shrimp. Technical perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) dominated the profile of the clam samples, which has been consistently found in other clam samples, especially in Asia. Long-chain PFCAs, specifically perfluoroundecanoic (PFUdA) and perfluorododecanoic (PFDoA), were the most frequently detected analytes across all seafood samples. The trends observed are comparable with those in the literature where benthic organisms tend to have the highest PFAS concentrations, followed by lean fish, fatty fish, and aquaculture. The results from this study will be used to prioritize future studies and to inform steps to reduce consumer exposure to PFASs.

Food grown on fire stations as a potential pathway for firefighters' exposure to per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)

Human exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances also known as PFAS is an ongoing occupational and environmental health problem. This study seeks to characterise multiple pathways for firefighters' exposure to PFAS. PFAS were analysed in 688 environmental samples such as eggs, fruits, vegetables, dust, soil, surface swabs, appliance washes and water obtained from fire stations. Relevant exposure pathways were identified and daily intake levels were estimated using PFAS concentrations and exposure factors relevant to firefighters. Five PFAS including perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate (6:2 FTS), and 8:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (8:2 FTS) were frequently detected in the samples. Based on the median concentrations in each sample type, PFOS was the most abundant contaminant in eggs (80%), fruits (52%), dust (81%), surface swab (66%), soil (83%) and appliance wash (31%) samples. On the other hand, PFHxS was most abundant in vegetables (77%) and 8:2 FTS in water (58%). The intake estimation results show that dietary exposure from ingestion of foods produced on fire stations was the predominant exposure pathway, representing 82% and 62% of firefighters' total PFAS intake under typical and worst-case exposure scenarios, respectively. Incidental ingestion and dermal absorption of PFAS in dust contributed 15% for typical and 34% for worst-case exposure scenarios. The relative contributions from incidental ingestion and dermal absorption of PFAS in soil and appliance washes were insignificant. Overall, the study identifies multiple exposure pathways relevant to career firefighters including consumption of food grown on fire stations, which has not previously been recognised within the occupational exposure context. The results suggest exposure control strategies that target foods produced on fire stations could substantially reduce firefighters' exposure to PFAS.

Perfluoroalkyl acids in representative edible aquatic species from the lower Yangtze River: Occurrence, distribution, sources, and health risk

Perfluoroalkyl acid (PFAA) exposure poses a potential hazard to wildlife and humans. Food consumption is one of the main routes of PFAA exposure for the general population, with aquatic organisms being the major contributors. To evaluate the risk of coastal residents' intake of wild aquatic organisms, 14 PFAAs were detected in crucian carp and oriental river prawn from 18 sampling sites from the lower reaches of Yangtze River. The total PFAA (∑PFAA) concentrations ranged from 5.9 to 51.3 ng/g wet weight (ww) in the muscle of crucian carp and river prawn, suggesting the potential risk to human and wildlife. Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and long-chain PFAAs (C ≥ 10) were the main pollutants in the tissues of crucian carp and river prawn, which are known for their higher bioaccumulation capacity. The ∑PFAA concentration in all the samples showed an increasing trend from upstream to downstream and was higher in the south bank, owing to population density, prevailing winds, background pollution and industrial emission. Principal component analysis-multiple linear regression and Pearson correlation analysis showed that WWTP effluent, industrial pollution and surface runoff ware the main sources of PFAAs in the aquatic organisms and industrial pollution highest contributor, suggesting better regulation is needed to manage them. The assessment of risk to human health and wild life suggested a low risk for most residents of cities along the Yangtze River except for resident of Nantong, where frequent consumption of wild aquatic organisms may cause potential risk to human health, especially for traditional eaters and middle-aged people.

Evaluating the Distribution of Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Rice Paddy Lysimeter with an Andosol

The properties of potential emerging persistent contaminants, perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), in an andosol rice paddy lysimeter were analyzed to determine their mobility and leaching behavior regarding carbon chain length and functional groups. For this purpose, simulated contaminated water (ΣPFAS = 1,185,719 ng/L) was used in the lysimeter. The results showed that PFAS distribution in the paddy soil lysimeter was influenced by the migration of these substances into irrigation water and their adsorption into the soil. PFHxS (C6) and PFOS (C8), which are the main components of the simulated contaminated water, were mostly captured in the soil layers of the low-humic andosol layer (0-35 cm). PFAS distribution may depend on soil properties, such as total carbon (TC) content. Compared with perfluoroalkane sulfonic acids (PFSAs), the distribution of perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) in soil showed significant variation. The remaining PFCAs were distributed across all layers of the lysimeter, except for the longer-chain PFCAs. Moreover, the PFSA distribution was directly correlated with the carbon chain number, whereby longer- and shorter-chain PFSAs accumulated in the top and bottom soil layers, respectively. This study provides detailed information on the distribution, leaching, uptake, and accumulation of individual PFAS in andosol paddy fields in Japan.

Perfluorinated alkyl substances in Canadian human milk as part of the Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals (MIREC) study

Perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) were determined in human milk samples (n = 664) from participants in the Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals (MIREC) study. ΣPFAS concentrations (sum of seven PFAS) ranged from 3.1 ng L^-1 to 603 ng L^-1, with a median concentration of 106 ng L^-1 in the Canadian mothers' milk analyzed. These data comprise the first pan-Canadian dataset of PFAS in human milk. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and linear perfluorooctanesulfonate (L-PFOS) were the dominant contributors to ΣPFAS in human milk samples. An inverse relationship between ΣPFAS concentrations and age was observed (Spearman correlation - 0.184). Primiparous women had elevated PFAS concentrations in milk relative to women who had children previously (p < 0.001). In contrast, the region of maternal birth did not influence ΣPFAS concentrations (p = 0.156). Although China and Norway have observed consistently detectable levels of perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUdA) in human milk, PFAS with long carbon chains (n ≥ 11) were not present above method detection limits in Canadian human milk samples analyzed as part of the MIREC study. In conclusion, despite the presence of low levels of environmental contaminants in human milk, Health Canada supports breastfeeding due to the benefits to both infants and mothers.

Composition and contamination of source separated food waste from different sources and regulatory environments

Food waste recycling is needed to create a more sustainable, circular food system; however, the process must be carefully managed to avoid the introduction and build-up of contaminants. We collected and screened source-separated food waste for five classes of contaminants (physical contaminants, heavy metals, halogenated organics, pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes) from two regulatory environments (voluntary vs mandated food separation) to quantify contamination. Physical contamination was frequently found; 57% of samples contained non-compostable waste. Most heavy metals were not detected, and although copper and zinc were present in most samples, they were always below the most stringent global standards for compost. Some samples had detectable halogenated organics, including perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which is cause for concern because some of these accumulate in the food chain. PFBA was detected in 60%, PFHxS in 8% and PFNA in 4% of samples tested. The pathogen Salmonella was present in 3% (2/71) and L. monocytogenes in 11% (8/71) of samples. Shiga toxin-producing E. coli was not detected. Next generation sequencing showed the presence of several genera that contain foodborne pathogens, most commonly Yersinia. Antibiotic resistance genes tet(M) and bla_TEM were present in 96% and 97% of samples respectively, however the last-resort colistin resistance gene mcr-1 was not detected. Overall contamination in our source-separated samples was low, with the exception of some antibiotic resistance genes, however our processing method might have underestimated packaging-associated contamination. Regulatory environment did not affect contamination, but carbon, nitrogen phosphorus, calcium, copper, tet (M), and physical contamination varied by source type.

Prenatal Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) Exposure Is Associated With Lower Infant Birthweight Within the MADRES Pregnancy Cohort

Introduction

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent synthetic chemicals found in household products that can cross the placenta during pregnancy. We investigated whether PFAS exposure during pregnancy was associated with infant birth outcomes in a predominantly urban Hispanic population.

Methods

Serum concentrations of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) were measured in 342 prenatal biospecimens (mean gestational age: 21 ± 9 weeks) from participants in the ongoing Maternal And Developmental Risks from Environmental and Social Stressors (MADRES) cohort. PFAS compounds were modeled continuously or categorically, depending on the percentage of samples detected. The birth outcomes assessed were birthweight, gestational age at birth, and birthweight for gestational age (BW-for-GA) z-scores that accounted for parity or infant sex. Single pollutant and multipollutant linear regression models were performed to evaluate associations between PFAS exposures and birth outcomes, adjusting for sociodemographic, perinatal, and study design covariates.

Results

Maternal participants (n = 342) were on average 29 ± 6 years old at study entry and were predominantly Hispanic (76%). Infants were born at a mean of 39 ± 2 weeks of gestation and weighed on average 3,278 ± 522 g. PFOS and PFHxS were detected in 100% of the samples while PFNA, PFOA, and PFDA were detected in 70%, 65%, and 57% of the samples, respectively. PFAS levels were generally lower in this cohort than in comparable cohorts. Women with detected levels of PFOA during pregnancy had infants weighing on average 119.7 g less (95% CI -216.7, -22.7) than women with undetected levels of PFOA in adjusted single pollutant models. PFOA results were also statistically significant in BW-for-GA z-score models that were specific for sex or parity. In models that were mutually adjusted for five detected PFAS compounds, PFOA results remained comparable; however, the association was only significant in BW-for-GA z-scores that were specific for parity (β = -0.3; 95% CI -0.6, -0.01). We found no significant adjusted associations with the remaining PFAS concentrations and the birth outcomes assessed.

Conclusion

Prenatal exposure to PFOA was associated with lower birthweight in infants, suggesting that exposure to these chemicals during critical periods of development might have important implications for children's health.

Thermal processing reduces PFAS concentrations in blue food - A systematic review and meta-analysis

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are ubiquitous in the environment and often ingested with food. PFAS exposure in people can have detrimental health consequences. Therefore, reducing PFAS burdens in food items is of great importance to public health. Here, we investigated whether cooking reduces PFAS concentrations in animal-derived food products by synthesizing experimental studies. Further, we examined the moderating effects of the following five variables: cooking time, liquid/animal tissue ratio, cooking temperature, carbon chain length of PFAS and the cooking category (oil-based, water-based & no-liquid cooking). In our systematic review searches, we obtained 512 effect sizes (relative differences in PFAS concentration between raw and cooked samples) from 10 relevant studies. These studies exclusively explored changes in PFAS concentrations in cooked seafood and freshwater fish. Our multilevel-meta-analysis has revealed that, on average, cooking reduced PFAS concentrations by 29%, although heterogeneity among effect sizes was very high (I² = 94.65%). Our five moderators cumulatively explained 49% of the observed heterogeneity. Specifically, an increase in cooking time and liquid/animal tissue ratio, as well as shorter carbon chain length of PFAS (when cooked with oil) were associated with significant reductions in PFAS concentrations. The effects of different ways of cooking depended on the other moderators, while the effect of cooking temperature itself was not significant. Overall, cooking can reduce PFAS concentrations in blue food (seafood and freshwater fish). However, it is important to note that complete PFAS elimination requires unrealistically long cooking times and large liquid/animal tissue ratios. Currently, literature on the impact of cooking of terrestrial animal produce on PFAS concentrations is lacking, which limits the inference and generalisation of our meta-analysis. However, our work represents the first step towards developing guidelines to reduce PFAS in food via cooking exclusively with common kitchen items and techniques.

Environment to embryo: intersections of contaminant exposure and preimplantation embryo development in agricultural animals

Environmental impacts on reproductive function are well documented in humans, yet little information is known about effects on large animals. The interface of environment and reproduction has evolved prudently with a concerted effort to ensure global food sustainability tightly integrated with application of technological advances in agriculture production that include nutrient and resource management. Exposure to environmental toxicants through chemical pesticide application and industry practices have coincided with a decline in cattle and human fertility. The increased adoption of agriculture animals for human biomedical models further emphasizes the importance of understanding the consequences of livestock exposure to environmentally and physiologically relevant levels of contaminants to preimplantation embryo development. In addition, increased awareness of paternal contributions to the early embryo that include both genetic and non-genetic factors support the need to define environmental interactions from gamete to genome. Herein we summarize current knowledge of common environmental contaminants on reproductive function including direct and indirect effects on embryo development success in livestock. Information obtained from a diverse number of species including humans is presented to illustrate gaps in knowledge within livestock directly pertaining to agriculture success, sustainability, clinical practice and biomedical research.

Chemical-specific determinants for pre-conceptional exposure to emerging and legacy per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances

The exposure of preconception women to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) could negatively affect her reproductive health. However, chemical-specific determinants for pre-conceptional exposure to PFASs, particularly the emerging ones, remain poorly understood. In the present study, it was found that the total PFAS concentration ranged from 8.9 to 440.3 ng/mL (median: 49.6 ng/mL) in 1060 preconception women. The PFAS exposure profile was dominated by PFOA (16.8 ng/mL), followed by PFOS (13.3 ng/mL), 6:2 Cl-PFESA (8.9 ng/mL), PFDA (2.4 ng/mL), PFNA (2.1 ng/mL), and others. The pre-conceptional exposure to the selected PFASs was significantly associated, in a chemical-specific pattern, with multiple demographic characteristics and the consumption frequency of different types of food. In particular, the exposure to 6:2 Cl-PFESA was associated with age, parity, alcohol drinking, educational level, household income, and the consumption frequency of red meat, marine and freshwater fish, shellfish, and shrimp. However, our analysis revealed that the investigated sociodemographic and diet variables only explained a relatively small proportion (1.3%-18.7%) of PFAS concentration variations, raising the need of exploring additional factors critical to pre-conceptional PFAS exposure. Overall, the identification of chemical-specific determinants would greatly facilitate the understanding of the link between pre-conceptional exposure and health outcomes, and the mitigation of human exposure to PFAS, particularly the emerging ones.

Killing two birds with one stone: Pregnancy is a sensitive window for endocrine effects on both the mother and the fetus

Pregnancy is a complex process requiring tremendous physiological changes in the mother in order to fulfill the needs of the growing fetus, and to give birth, expel the placenta and nurse the newborn. These physiological modifications are accompanied with psychological changes, as well as with variations in habits and behaviors. As a result, this period of life is considered as a sensitive window as impaired functional and physiological changes in the mother can have short- and long-term impacts on her health. In addition, dysregulation of the placenta and of mechanisms governing placentation have been linked to chronic diseases later-on in life for the fetus, in a concept known as the Developmental Origin of Health and Diseases (DOHaD). This concept stipulates that any change in the environment during the pre-conception and perinatal (in utero life and neonatal) period to puberty, can be "imprinted" in the organism, thereby impacting the health and risk of chronic diseases later in life. Pregnancy is a succession of events that is regulated, in large part, by hormones and growth factors. Therefore, small changes in hormonal balance can have important effects on both the mother and the developing fetus. An increasing number of studies demonstrate that exposure to endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) affect both the mother and the fetus giving rise to growing concerns surrounding these exposures. This review will give an overview of changes that happen during pregnancy with respect to the mother, the placenta, and the fetus, and of the current literature regarding the effects of EDCs during this specific sensitive window of exposure.

Method development and evaluation for the determination of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in multiple food matrices

A method for the determination of 21 perfluorinated and 10 polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) was developed for application in different food matrices. Acetonitrile was used as the extraction solvent with solid phase extraction weak anion-exchange (SPE-WAX) clean up, with LC-MS/MS analysis using both surrogate and performance standards to correct for losses during sample preparation and matrix effects. The method has been evaluated in four different matrices (fish, pizza, chicken nuggets and spinach). Originally, the focus was to develop a method for foods commonly thought to be a source of PFASs (e.g. fish). It was expanded to include foods where PFAS exposure would be possible through their presence in grease-proof food packaging (e.g. pizza, chicken nuggets). Vegetables (lettuce) and fruit (tomato) have recently been considered as part of proficiency testing programmes, so the inclusion of some testing in a vegetable matrix (i.e. spinach) was also added to the testing. Limits of quantification ranged from 0.018 ng g^-1 (L-PFDS) to 5.28 ng g^-1 (FHEA), although method quantification limits for PFBA (12.4 ng g^-1), 6:2 PAP (8.96 ng g^-1) and 8:2 PAP (3.49 ng g^-1) were elevated above instrumental limits owing to their consistent detection in reagent blank samples. PFAS analyses were strongly impacted by matrix, therefore the use of isotopically labelled internal standards was critical to the development of accurate results. The accuracy of the method using numerous proficiency testing schemes or interlaboratory comparison studies has shown the developed method to be successful with z-scores for all concerned analytes in all test matrices remaining within ±2.0, with the exception of PFBA in wheat flour which was -2.4.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) exposure, maternal metabolomic perturbation, and fetal growth in African American women: A meet-in-the-middle approach

BACKGROUND

Prenatal exposures to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been linked to reduced fetal growth. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. This study aims to investigate biological pathways and intermediate biomarkers underlying the association between serum PFAS and fetal growth using high-resolution metabolomics in a cohort of pregnant African American women in the Atlanta area, Georgia.

METHODS

Serum perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) measurements and untargeted serum metabolomics profiling were conducted in 313 pregnant African American women at 8-14 weeks gestation. Multiple linear regression models were applied to assess the associations of PFAS with birth weight and small-for-gestational age (SGA) birth. A high-resolution metabolomics workflow including metabolome-wide association study, pathway enrichment analysis, and chemical annotation and confirmation with a meet-in-the-middle approach was performed to characterize the biological pathways and intermediate biomarkers of the PFAS-fetal growth relationship.

RESULTS

Each log2-unit increase in serum PFNA concentration was significantly associated with higher odds of SGA birth (OR = 1.32, 95% CI 1.07, 1.63); similar but borderline significant associations were found in PFOA (OR = 1.20, 95% CI 0.94, 1.49) with SGA. Among 25,516 metabolic features extracted from the serum samples, we successfully annotated and confirmed 10 overlapping metabolites associated with both PFAS and fetal growth endpoints, including glycine, taurine, uric acid, ferulic acid, 2-hexyl-3-phenyl-2-propenal, unsaturated fatty acid C18:1, androgenic hormone conjugate, parent bile acid, and bile acid-glycine conjugate. Also, we identified 21 overlapping metabolic pathways from pathway enrichment analyses. These overlapping metabolites and pathways were closely related to amino acid, lipid and fatty acid, bile acid, and androgenic hormone metabolism perturbations.

CONCLUSION

In this cohort of pregnant African American women, higher serum concentrations of PFOA and PFNA were associated with reduced fetal growth. Perturbations of biological pathways involved in amino acid, lipid and fatty acid, bile acid, and androgenic hormone metabolism were associated with PFAS exposures and reduced fetal growth, and uric acid was shown to be a potential intermediate biomarker. Our results provide opportunities for future studies to develop early detection and intervention for PFAS-induced fetal growth restriction.

Occurrence of selected per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) in food available on the European market - A review on levels and human exposure assessment

Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) are considered emerging persistent organic pollutants, which are chemically, thermally, and biologically stable, or degrade to persistent end products. Dietary intake is considered as one of the main human exposure pathways of these chemicals and, having entered the human body, PFASs are not metabolised and accumulate in tissues, while their toxicological properties may cause various health problems. Several studies on the occurrence of PFASs in various food types have been conducted, including the assessment of dietary exposure. The most important sources were fish, meat, eggs, fruits, and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables recently showed relatively high levels of PFASs, and have become a more significant source of PFASs than meat. In 2020, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published an opinion, setting the tolerable weekly intake (TWI) of 4.4 ng kg-1 b.w. for the sum of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorohexanesulphonic acid (PFHxS), and perfluorooctanesulphonic acid (PFOS). The emphasis in this paper is on the systematization of available information on the distribution of PFASs and their levels in different food, with a special interest in data from the Europe. The current legislation and estimated dietary intakes by the general population are described. While the available information on tolerably daily intakes estimated in a number of European countries often exceeds the newly established EFSA TWI, a critical evaluation of performance characteristics of the reviewed analytical methodologies revealed the insufficient sensitivity of quantification procedures for accurate risk assessment according to the guidelines proposed by EFSA.

Maternal dietary patterns during pregnancy and exposure to persistent endocrine disrupting chemicals in two European birth cohorts

Food consumption, particularly of animal-based products, is considered the most important contributor to persistent endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) exposure. This study aims to describe the association between maternal diet during pregnancy and exposure to persistent EDCs using dietary pattern analysis. This study is based on subsamples of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) (N=422) and the Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort Study (MoBa) (N=276) which uses data from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway (MBRN). Women in both studies completed food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) during pregnancy, from which consumption data were categorized into 38 aggregated food groups. Maternal blood samples were collected during pregnancy and concentrations of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in serum/plasma were measured. Dietary patterns were identified using reduced rank regression, with blood EDC concentrations as response variables. Within ALSPAC, all patterns (PFAS, PCB, and OCP) were characterized by high consumption of meat, poultry, white fish, and biscuits. In MoBa, high consumption of sausages and burgers (representing processed meats), pasta, and chocolate bars characterized PCB and OCP dietary patterns, while high consumption of cheese characterized the PFAS pattern. Across both cohorts, PFAS patterns were characterized by high consumption of cheese, PCB patterns by high consumption of rice, and OCP patterns by poultry. Dietary patterns explained between 8 and 20% of the variation in serum EDC concentrations, with explained variance being the highest for PCBs in both cohorts. In conclusion, dietary patterns high in animal-based products appear to be associated with persistent EDC concentrations among pregnant women. Diet explains more variation in PCB concentrations than for other persistent EDC classes.

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Integrated Crop-Livestock Systems: Environmental Exposure and Human Health Risks

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are highly persistent synthetic organic contaminants that can cause serious human health concerns such as obesity, liver damage, kidney cancer, hypertension, immunotoxicity and other human health issues. Integrated crop–livestock systems combine agricultural crop production with milk and/or meat production and processing. Key sources of PFAS in these systems include firefighting foams near military bases, wastewater sludge and industrial discharge. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances regularly move from soils to nearby surface water and/or groundwater because of their high mobility and persistence. Irrigating crops or managing livestock for milk and meat production using adjacent waters can be detrimental to human health. The presence of PFAS in both groundwater and milk have been reported in dairy production states (e.g., Wisconsin and New Mexico) across the United States. Although there is a limit of 70 parts per trillion of PFAS in drinking water by the U.S. EPA, there are not yet regional screening guidelines for conducting risk assessments of livestock watering as well as the soil and plant matrix. This systematic review includes (i) the sources, impacts and challenges of PFAS in integrated crop–livestock systems, (ii) safety measures and protocols for sampling soil, water and plants for determining PFAS concentration in exposed integrated crop–livestock systems and (iii) the assessment, measurement and evaluation of human health risks related to PFAS exposure.

Half-lives of several polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in cattle serum and tissues

Cattle that were at steady-state serum polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) concentrations due to several years of exposure to water contaminated by residues of Aqueous Film-Forming (AFFF) firefighting foam had perfluorooctane sulphonate (PFOS) isomers, perfluoroheptane sulphonate (PFHpS), perfluorohexane sulphonate (PFHxS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) in serum. Elimination serum half-lives were determined in five heifers from serial blood sampling over 215 days. Eleven additional animals that had blood sampled on day 19 (d19) were euthanised on d63. PFAS half-life estimates from the serial blood sampling and from d19/d63 data were not significantly different. The combined (n = 16) serum half-lives (in days) were: total PFOS (tPFOS, 74.1 ± 13.4), PFHpS (45.7 ± 9.4), PFHxS (9.3 ± 1.3), PFNA (12.3 ± 3.2) and PFDA (60.4 ± 10.4). The half-lives of linear PFOS (L-PFOS, 69.4 ± 11.6) and mono branched PFOS isomers (m-PFOS, 83.6 ± 19) were not significantly different from tPFOS, but for the di-branched isomers (di-PFOS), the serum half-life was significantly lower (29.9 ± 5.8). Animal age (1.4-12.3 years old) and serum concentration at the start of depuration did not influence half-lives, and there was no difference between steers and heifers. Consideration of serum and tissue PFAS concentrations at d63 and d215 indicated there was no difference in tPFOS depuration from serum or muscle, but elimination from liver and kidney may be slightly longer. Depuration of PFHpS is essentially the same in serum, kidney and liver, and it is expected depletion from muscle would be comparable. The short half-life of di-PFOS, PFHxS and PFNA did not allow an assessment of clearance from tissues because they were not measurable at d215 but based on the results for PFOS and PFHpS, elimination of PFHxS from tissues is expected to mirror that from serum. Human health risk assessment implications are discussed.

Analysis of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in processed foods from FDA's Total Diet Study

Additional occurrence data are needed to better understand human exposure to per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from commercially available foods in the United States. The Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Total Diet Study (TDS) collects foods that are both nationally and regionally distributed. In 2018, 172 processed foods were collected from grocery stores around Lenexa, KS, as part of the TDS national collection. A previously developed method for the analysis of PFAS in foods as part of the TDS regional collection was modified and optimized for these samples. This method was single lab validated using 5 different matrices and method detection limits were calculated. During the analysis of these samples, challenges arose with method blanks and further investigation into statistical methods to distinguish between blank and sample concentrations were done. The confirmation of two short chain PFAS, perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) and perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA), was not possible using triple quadrupole mass spectrometry and a confirmation method was developed using high-resolution mass spectrometry. This technique was also used to investigate potential detections and interferents that fell within the retention time criteria for positive detections. In the national collection, positive detections of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) were found in frozen fish sticks/patties, PFOS and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) in canned tuna, and PFOS in protein powder. Concentrations were all below 150 ppt, and no other detects were confirmed above the method detection limits in any other foods.

The Dilemma of perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) human half-life

Disparity in the results from human observational and clinical studies is not uncommon, but risk assessment efforts often judge one set of data more relevant with the loss of valuable information. The assessment for perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) is a good example of this problem. The estimation of its safe dose is disparate among government groups due in part to differences in understanding of its half-life in humans. These differences are due in part to incomplete information on sources of exposure in the human observational half-life studies, which have been routinely acknowledged, but until recently not well understood. Exposure information is thus critical in understanding, and possibly resolving, this disparity in PFOA safe dose, and potentially for disparities with similar chemistries when both human observational and clinical findings are available. We explore several hypotheses to explain this disparity in PFOA half-life from human observational studies in light of findings of a clinical study in humans and relevant exposure information from a recent international meeting of the Society of Toxicology and Environmental Chemistry (SETAC). Based on information from both human observational studies and clinical data, we proposed a range for the half-life for PFOA of 0.5-1.5 years, which would likely raise many existing regulatory safe levels if all other parameters stayed the same.