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Meng L, Zhou B, Liu H, Chen Y, Yuan R, Chen Z, Luo S, Chen H. Advancing toxicity studies of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (pfass) through machine learning: Models, mechanisms, and future directions. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 946:174201. [PMID: 38936709 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Perfluorinated and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), encompassing a vast array of isomeric chemicals, are recognized as typical emerging contaminants with direct or potential impacts on human health and the ecological environment. With the complex and elusive toxicological profiles of PFASs, machine learning (ML) has been increasingly employed in their toxicity studies due to its proficiency in prediction and data analytics. This integration is poised to become a predominant trend in environmental toxicology, propelled by the swift advancements in computational technology. This review diligently examines the literature to encapsulate the varied objectives of employing ML in the toxicity studies of PFASs: (1) Utilizing ML to establish Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) models for PFASs with diverse toxicity endpoints, facilitating the targeted toxicity prediction of unidentified PFASs; (2) Investigating and substantiating the Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) through the synergy of ML and traditional toxicological methods, with this refining the toxicity assessment framework for PFASs; (3) Dissecting and elucidating the features of established ML models to advance Open Research into the toxicity of PFASs, with a primary focus on determinants and mechanisms. The discourse extends to an in-depth examination of ML studies, segregating findings based on their distinct application trajectories. Given that ML represents a nascent paradigm within PFASs research, this review delineates the collective challenges encountered in the ML-mediated study of PFAS toxicity and proffers strategic guidance for ensuing investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingxuan Meng
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Beihai Zhou
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Haijun Liu
- School of Resources and Environment, Anqing Normal University, Anqing, China.
| | - Yuefang Chen
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Rongfang Yuan
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Zhongbing Chen
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 16500 Praha-Suchdol, Czech Republic.
| | - Shuai Luo
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Huilun Chen
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China.
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2
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Phelps D, Parkinson LV, Boucher JM, Muncke J, Geueke B. Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Food Packaging: Migration, Toxicity, and Management Strategies. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:5670-5684. [PMID: 38501683 PMCID: PMC10993423 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c03702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
PFASs are linked to serious health and environmental concerns. Among their widespread applications, PFASs are known to be used in food packaging and directly contribute to human exposure. However, information about PFASs in food packaging is scattered. Therefore, we systematically map the evidence on PFASs detected in migrates and extracts of food contact materials and provide an overview of available hazard and biomonitoring data. Based on the FCCmigex database, 68 PFASs have been identified in various food contact materials, including paper, plastic, and coated metal, by targeted and untargeted analyses. 87% of these PFASs belong to the perfluorocarboxylic acids and fluorotelomer-based compounds. Trends in chain length demonstrate that long-chain perfluoroalkyl acids continue to be found, despite years of global efforts to reduce the use of these substances. We utilized ToxPi to illustrate that hazard data are available for only 57% of the PFASs that have been detected in food packaging. For those PFASs for which toxicity testing has been performed, many adverse outcomes have been reported. The data and knowledge gaps presented here support international proposals to restrict PFASs as a group, including their use in food contact materials, to protect human and environmental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drake
W. Phelps
- Independent
Consultant, Raleigh, North Carolina 27617, United States
| | | | | | - Jane Muncke
- Food
Packaging Forum Foundation, 8045 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Birgit Geueke
- Food
Packaging Forum Foundation, 8045 Zürich, Switzerland
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3
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Li J, Li X, An R, Duan L, Wang G. Occurrence, source apportionment, and ecological risk of legacy and emerging per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in the Dahei river basin of a typical arid region in China. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 246:118111. [PMID: 38184065 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118111] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are artificial chemicals with broad commercial and industrial applications. Many studies about PFASs have been conducted in densely industrial and populated regions. However, fewer studies have focused on the PFASs' status in a typical arid region. Here, we investigated 30 legacy and emerging PFASs in surface water from the mainstream and tributaries of the Dahei River. Our results revealed that total PFASs concentrations (∑30PFASs) in water ranged from 3.13 to 289.1 ng/L (mean: 25.40 ng/L). Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) had the highest mean concentration of 2.44 ng/L with a 100% detection frequency (DF), followed by perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) (mean concentration: 1.34 ng/L, DF: 59.26%). Also, perfluorohexane sulfonate (DF: 44.44%), perfluorobutane sulfonate (DF: 88.89%), and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) (DF: 92.59%) had mean concentrations of 12.94, 2.00, and 1.05 ng/L, respectively. Source apportionment through ratio analysis and principal component analysis-multiple linear regression analysis showed that treated or untreated sewage, aqueous film-forming foam, degradation of precursors, and fluoropolymer production were the primary sources. The PFOS alternatives were more prevalent than those of PFOA. Conductivity, total phosphorus, and chlorophyll a positively correlated with Σ30PFASs and total perfluoroalkane sulfonates concentrations. Furthermore, ecological risk assessment showed that more attention should be paid to perfluorooctadecanoic acid, perfluorohexadecanoic acid, perfluorooctane sulfonate, perfluorohexane sulfonate, and (6:2 and 6:2/8:2) polyfluoroalkyl phosphate mono- and di-esters. The mass load of PFASs to the Yellow River was 1.28 kg/year due to the low annual runoff in the Dahei River in the arid region. This study provides baseline data for PFASs in the Dahei River that can aid in the development of effective management strategies for controlling PFASs pollution in typical arid regions in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Li
- . Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China.
| | - Xinlei Li
- . Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Rui An
- . China Institute for Geo-Environmental Monitoring, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Limin Duan
- . Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Water Resource Protection and Utilization, College of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Guoqiang Wang
- . Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China.
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4
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Chen YF, Liu T, Hu LX, Chen CE, Yang B, Ying GG. Unveiling per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance contamination in Chinese paper products and assessing their exposure risk. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 185:108540. [PMID: 38428191 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
The contamination characteristics, migration patterns and health risks of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were investigated in 66 Chinese paper products by using target and non-target screening methods. Among 57 target PFASs, 5 and 6 PFASs were found in the hygiene paper products (
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Fei Chen
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Ting Liu
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Li-Xin Hu
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Chang-Er Chen
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Bin Yang
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Guang-Guo Ying
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
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5
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Hoang AQ, Tran TL, Tuyen LH, Nguyen TAH, Pham DM, Nguyen TC, Nguyen TN, Phan DQ, Nguyen MK, Tran VQ, Pham CT, Do Bui Q, Nguyen TQH. Perfluoroalkyl substances in food contact materials: preliminary investigation in Vietnam and global comparison. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:104181-104193. [PMID: 37698798 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-29746-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a group of concerned persistent toxic substances, especially for their application or unintentional formation in food contact materials (FCMs). However, information about the occurrence, sources, and fate of these pollutants in food packaging materials from Vietnam as well as Southeast Asian countries is probably still obscured. In this study, levels of 13 perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) and 4 sulfonates (PFSs) were determined in various types of food packaging samples collected from Vietnamese markets. Generally low concentrations of total 17 PFASs (median 0.341; max 624 ng/g) suggested that these compounds were mainly inadvertently produced rather than intentionally added to the packaging materials. A few mochi paper tray samples had relatively high PFAS levels (372-624 ng/g), which were dominated by long-chain (C8-C12) PFCAs. A comprehensive and updated overview of PFASs in FCMs from different countries in the world was also provided. Current database could not provide conclusive trends of PFAS concentrations and profiles in FCMs between continents and countries. The highest levels up to ppm were reported for PFCAs (e.g., PFBA, PFHxA, PFOA, and PFDA) and several fluorotelomer alcohols and carboxylic acids, while PFSs were almost absent in FCMs. FPASs can emit from FCMs, migrate to food, and then contribute to dietary exposure in humans and animals. Additional investigations on the occurrence, sources, behavior and fate, and impacts of PFASs in FCMs are critically needed, especially in emerging and developing countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anh Quoc Hoang
- University of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, 334 Nguyen Trai, Hanoi, 10000, Vietnam
| | - Thi Lieu Tran
- University of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, 334 Nguyen Trai, Hanoi, 10000, Vietnam
- Vietnam National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, 99 Tran Quoc Toan, Hanoi, 10000, Vietnam
| | - Le Huu Tuyen
- University of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, 334 Nguyen Trai, Hanoi, 10000, Vietnam
| | - Thi Anh Huong Nguyen
- University of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, 334 Nguyen Trai, Hanoi, 10000, Vietnam
| | - Dang Minh Pham
- University of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, 334 Nguyen Trai, Hanoi, 10000, Vietnam
| | - Thi Chuc Nguyen
- Faculty of Chemical Technology and Environment, Hung Yen University of Technology and Education, Khoai Chau, Hung Yen, 17000, Vietnam
| | - Trong Nghia Nguyen
- Faculty of Chemical Technology and Environment, Hung Yen University of Technology and Education, Khoai Chau, Hung Yen, 17000, Vietnam
| | - Dinh Quang Phan
- Vietnam National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, 99 Tran Quoc Toan, Hanoi, 10000, Vietnam
| | - Manh Khai Nguyen
- University of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, 334 Nguyen Trai, Hanoi, 10000, Vietnam
| | - Van Quy Tran
- University of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, 334 Nguyen Trai, Hanoi, 10000, Vietnam
| | - Chau Thuy Pham
- University of Engineering and Technology, Vietnam National University, 144 Xuan Thuy, Hanoi, 10000, Vietnam
| | - Quang Do Bui
- University of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, 334 Nguyen Trai, Hanoi, 10000, Vietnam
| | - Thi Quynh Hoa Nguyen
- Faculty of Chemical Technology and Environment, Hung Yen University of Technology and Education, Khoai Chau, Hung Yen, 17000, Vietnam.
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6
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Muncke J, Andersson AM, Backhaus T, Belcher SM, Boucher JM, Carney Almroth B, Collins TJ, Geueke B, Groh KJ, Heindel JJ, von Hippel FA, Legler J, Maffini MV, Martin OV, Peterson Myers J, Nadal A, Nerin C, Soto AM, Trasande L, Vandenberg LN, Wagner M, Zimmermann L, Thomas Zoeller R, Scheringer M. A vision for safer food contact materials: Public health concerns as drivers for improved testing. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 180:108161. [PMID: 37758599 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108161] [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: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Food contact materials (FCMs) and food contact articles are ubiquitous in today's globalized food system. Chemicals migrate from FCMs into foodstuffs, so called food contact chemicals (FCCs), but current regulatory requirements do not sufficiently protect public health from hazardous FCCs because only individual substances used to make FCMs are tested and mostly only for genotoxicity while endocrine disruption and other hazard properties are disregarded. Indeed, FCMs are a known source of a wide range of hazardous chemicals, and they likely contribute to highly prevalent non-communicable diseases. FCMs can also include non-intentionally added substances (NIAS), which often are unknown and therefore not subject to risk assessment. To address these important shortcomings, we outline how the safety of FCMs may be improved by (1) testing the overall migrate, including (unknown) NIAS, of finished food contact articles, and (2) expanding toxicological testing beyond genotoxicity to multiple endpoints associated with non-communicable diseases relevant to human health. To identify mechanistic endpoints for testing, we group chronic health outcomes associated with chemical exposure into Six Clusters of Disease (SCOD) and we propose that finished food contact articles should be tested for their impacts on these SCOD. Research should focus on developing robust, relevant, and sensitive in-vitro assays based on mechanistic information linked to the SCOD, e.g., through Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs) or Key Characteristics of Toxicants. Implementing this vision will improve prevention of chronic diseases that are associated with hazardous chemical exposures, including from FCMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Muncke
- Food Packaging Forum Foundation, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Anna-Maria Andersson
- Dept. of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet and Centre for Research and Research Training in Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas Backhaus
- Dept of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Scott M Belcher
- Dept. of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | | | | | | | - Birgit Geueke
- Food Packaging Forum Foundation, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ksenia J Groh
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Jerrold J Heindel
- Healthy Environment and Endocrine Disruptor Strategies, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Frank A von Hippel
- Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Juliette Legler
- Dept. of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht, Netherlands
| | | | - Olwenn V Martin
- Plastic Waste Innovation Hub, Department of Arts and Science, University College London, UK
| | - John Peterson Myers
- Dept. of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Environmental Health Sciences, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Angel Nadal
- IDiBE and CIBERDEM, Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Alicante, Spain
| | - Cristina Nerin
- Dept. of Analytical Chemistry, I3A, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Ana M Soto
- Department of Immunology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; Centre Cavaillès, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris, France
| | - Leonardo Trasande
- College of Global Public Health and Grossman School of Medicine and Wagner School of Public Service, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Laura N Vandenberg
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health & Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Martin Wagner
- Dept. of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | | | - R Thomas Zoeller
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health & Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Martin Scheringer
- RECETOX, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zurich, Switzerland.
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7
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Sapozhnikova Y, Taylor RB, Bedi M, Ng C. Assessing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in globally sourced food packaging. CHEMOSPHERE 2023:139381. [PMID: 37392795 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence and levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food packaging originating from different geographic locations. Food packaging samples were extracted and analyzed by targeted analysis with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) before and after a total oxidizable precursor (TOP) assay. Additionally, full-scan high resolution MS (HRMS) was used to screen for PFAS not included in the targeted list. Of the 88 food packaging samples, 84% had detectable levels of at least one PFAS prior to oxidation with a TOP assay, with 6:2 fluorotelomer phosphate diester (6:2 diPAP) found most frequently and at the highest levels (224 ng/g). Other frequently detected substances (in 15-17% of samples) were PFHxS, PFHpA and PFDA. Shorter chain perfluorinated carboxylic acids PFHpA (C7), PFPeA (C5) and PFHxS (C6) were present at levels up to 51.3, 24.1 and 18.2 ng/g, respectively. Average ∑PFAS levels were 28.3 ng/g and 381.9 ng/g before and after oxidation with the TOP assay. The 25 samples with highest frequency of detection and amounts of measured PFAS were selected for migration experiments with food simulants to better understand potential dietary exposure. PFHxS, PFHpA, PFHxA and 6:2 diPAP were measured in the food simulants of five samples at concentrations ranging from 0.04 to 12.2 ng/g and at increasing concentrations over the 10-day migration period. To estimate potential exposure to PFAS that had migrated from food packaging samples, weekly intake was calculated and ranged from 0.0006 ng/kg body weight/week for PFHxA exposure in tomato packaging to 1.1200 ng/kg body weight/week for PFHxS exposure in cake paper. These values were below the established EFSA maximum tolerable weekly intake (TWI) of 4.4 ng/kg body weight/week for the sum of PFOA, PFNA, PFHxS and PFOS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yelena Sapozhnikova
- USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Eastern Regional Research Center, Wyndmoor, PA, USA.
| | - Raegyn B Taylor
- USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Eastern Regional Research Center, Wyndmoor, PA, USA
| | - Megha Bedi
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Carla Ng
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
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8
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Zhou Y, Lin X, Xing Y, Zhang X, Lee HK, Huang Z. Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Personal Hygiene Products: The Implications for Human Exposure and Emission to the Environment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:8484-8495. [PMID: 37262408 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c08912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been related to reproductive toxicity in humans, but their occurrence in some specific personal hygiene products, i.e., sanitary pads, panty liners, tampons, paper diapers, menstrual cups, and bactericidal liquids, has not been extensively studied. This work investigated 31 representative PFAS in six categories of such personal hygiene products (n = 91). Perfluorinated carboxylic acids were the primary PFAS found in the samples, accounting for over 85% of the total concentrations of PFAS. Paper diapers contained the highest sum of PFAS concentrations (64.6 ng/g) followed by sanitary pads (52.3 ng/g) and menstrual cups (21.1 ng/g). The estimated exposure doses of perfluorooctanoic acid through dermal absorption from the use of menstrual cups and paper diapers for infants (adults) were 0.77 and 2.1 (1.2) ng/kg-bw/day, which contributed more than normal dust ingestion. The estimated emission of paper diapers and sanitary pads into the environment was 2.58 and 322 kg/year with an assumed leaching rate of 100%. The potential exposure of PFAS through the use of personal hygiene products observed in this work suggests a previously unreported exposure pathway of these chemicals to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhou
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, P.R. China
| | - Xia Lin
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, P.R. China
| | - Yudong Xing
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, P.R. China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, P.R. China
| | - Hian Kee Lee
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117543, Singapore
| | - Zhenzhen Huang
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, P.R. China
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9
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Schwartz-Narbonne H, Xia C, Shalin A, Whitehead HD, Yang D, Peaslee GF, Wang Z, Wu Y, Peng H, Blum A, Venier M, Diamond ML. Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Canadian Fast Food Packaging. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS 2023; 10:343-349. [PMID: 37970096 PMCID: PMC10637757 DOI: 10.1021/acs.estlett.2c00926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
A suite of analytical techniques was used to obtain a comprehensive picture of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in selected Canadian food packaging used for fast foods (n = 42). Particle-induced gamma ray emission spectroscopy revealed that 55% of the samples contained <3580, 19% contained 3580-10 800, and 26% > 10 800 μg F/m2. The highest total F (1 010 000-1 300 000 μg F/m2) was measured in molded "compostable" bowls. Targeted analysis of 8 samples with high total F revealed 4-15 individual PFAS in each sample, with 6:2 fluorotelomer methacrylate (FTMAc) and 6:2 fluorotelomer alcohol (FTOH) typically dominating. Up to 34% of the total fluorine was released from samples after hydrolysis, indicating the presence of unknown precursors. Nontargeted analysis detected 22 PFAS from 6 different groups, including degradation products of FTOH. Results indicate the use of side-chain fluorinated polymers and suggest that these products can release short-chain compounds that ultimately can be transformed to compounds of toxicological concern. Analysis after 2 years of storage showed overall decreases in PFAS consistent with the loss of volatile compounds such as 6:2 FTMAc and FTOH. The use of PFAS in food packaging such as "compostable" bowls represents a regrettable substitution of single-use plastic food packaging.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chunjie Xia
- O’Neill
School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, Bloomington 47405, Indiana, United States
| | - Anna Shalin
- Department
of Earth Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 3B1, ON, Canada
| | - Heather D. Whitehead
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of Notre Dame, Notre
Dame 46556, Indiana, United States
| | - Diwen Yang
- Department
of Earth Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 3B1, ON, Canada
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 3H6, ON, Canada
| | - Graham F. Peaslee
- Department
of Physics and Astronomy, University of
Notre Dame, Notre Dame 46556, Indiana, United
States
| | - Zhanyun Wang
- Institute
of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zürich, Zürich 8093, Switzerland
- Empa
− Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Technology and Society Laboratory, St. Gallen CH-9014, Switzerland
| | - Yan Wu
- O’Neill
School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, Bloomington 47405, Indiana, United States
| | - Hui Peng
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 3H6, ON, Canada
- School
of the Environment, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 3E8, ON, Canada
| | - Arlene Blum
- Green
Science Policy Institute, Berkeley 94709, California, United States
| | - Marta Venier
- O’Neill
School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, Bloomington 47405, Indiana, United States
| | - Miriam L. Diamond
- Department
of Earth Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 3B1, ON, Canada
- School
of the Environment, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 3E8, ON, Canada
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