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Hughes ML, Kuiper G, Hoskovec L, WeMott S, Young BN, Benka-Coker W, Quinn C, Erlandson G, Martinez N, Mendoza J, Dooley G, Magzamen S. Association of ambient air pollution and pesticide mixtures on respiratory inflammatory markers in agricultural communities. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH, HEALTH : ERH 2024; 2:035007. [PMID: 38962451 PMCID: PMC11220826 DOI: 10.1088/2752-5309/ad52ba] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Air pollution exposure is associated with adverse respiratory health outcomes. Evidence from occupational and community-based studies also suggests agricultural pesticides have negative health impacts on respiratory health. Although populations are exposed to multiple inhalation hazards simultaneously, multidomain mixtures (e.g. environmental and chemical pollutants of different classes) are rarely studied. We investigated the association of ambient air pollution-pesticide exposure mixtures with urinary leukotriene E4 (LTE4), a respiratory inflammation biomarker, for 75 participants in four Central California communities over two seasons. Exposures included three criteria air pollutants estimated via the Community Multiscale Air Quality model (fine particulate matter, ozone, and nitrogen dioxide) and urinary metabolites of organophosphate (OP) pesticides (total dialkyl phosphates (DAPs), total diethyl phosphates (DE), and total dimethyl phosphates (DM)). We implemented multiple linear regression models to examine associations in single pollutant models adjusted for age, sex, asthma status, occupational status, household member occupational status, temperature, and relative humidity, and evaluated whether associations changed seasonally. We then implemented Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) to analyse these criteria air pollutants, DE, and DM as a mixture. Our multiple linear regression models indicated an interquartile range (IQR) increase in total DAPs was associated with an increase in urinary LTE4 in winter (β: 0.04, 95% CI: [0.01, 0.07]). Similarly, an IQR increase in total DM was associated with an increase in urinary LTE4 in winter (β:0.03, 95% CI: [0.004, 0.06]). Confidence intervals for all criteria air pollutant effect estimates included the null value. BKMR analysis revealed potential non-linear interactions between exposures in our air pollution-pesticide mixture, but all confidence intervals contained the null value. Our analysis demonstrated a positive association between OP pesticide metabolites and urinary LTE4 in a low asthma prevalence population and adds to the limited research on the joint effects of ambient air pollution and pesticides mixtures on respiratory health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew L Hughes
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
| | - Grace Kuiper
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
| | - Lauren Hoskovec
- Department of Statistics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
| | - Sherry WeMott
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
| | - Bonnie N Young
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
| | - Wande Benka-Coker
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
- Department of Environmental Studies, Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA, United States of America
| | - Casey Quinn
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
| | - Grant Erlandson
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
| | - Nayamin Martinez
- Central California Environmental Justice Network, Fresno, CA, United States of America
| | - Jesus Mendoza
- Central California Environmental Justice Network, Fresno, CA, United States of America
| | - Greg Dooley
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
| | - Sheryl Magzamen
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
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Pomazal R, Malecki K, Stanton N, Shelton B, Lange M, Irving R, Meiman J, Remucal CK, Cochran A, Schultz AA. Determinants of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure among Wisconsin residents. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 254:119131. [PMID: 38759771 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119131] [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: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) include thousands of manufactured compounds with growing public health concerns due to their potential for widespread human exposure and adverse health outcomes. While PFAS contamination remains a significant concern, especially from ingestion of contaminated food and water, determinants of the variability in PFAS exposure among regional and statewide populations in the United States remains unclear. OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to leverage The Survey of the Health of Wisconsin (SHOW), the only statewide representative cohort in the US, to assess and characterize the variability of PFAS exposure in a general population. METHODS This study sample included a sub-sample of 605 adult participants from the 2014-2016 tri-annual statewide representative sample. Geometric means for PFOS, PFOA, PFNA, PFHxS, PFPeS, PFHpA, and a summed measure of 38 analyzed serum PFAS were presented by demographic, diet, behavioral, and residential characteristics. Multivariate linear regression was used to determine significant predictors of serum PFAS after adjustment. RESULTS Overall, higher serum concentrations of long-chain PFAS were observed compared with short-chain PFAS. Older adults, males, and non-Hispanic White individuals had higher serum PFAS compared to younger adults, females, and non-White individuals. Eating caught fish in the past year was associated with elevated levels of several PFAS. DISCUSSION This is among the first studies to characterize serum PFAS among a representative statewide sample in Wisconsin. Both short- and long-chain serum PFAS were detectable for six prominent PFAS. Age and consumption of great lakes fish were the most significant predictors of serum PFAS. State-level PFAS biomonitoring is important for identifying high risk populations and informing state public health standards and interventions, especially among those not living near known contamination sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Pomazal
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Population Health Sciences, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Kristen Malecki
- Division of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Noel Stanton
- Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene, Madison, WI, USA
| | | | - Meshel Lange
- Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Roy Irving
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services Madison, WI, USA
| | | | - Christina K Remucal
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Amy Cochran
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Population Health Sciences, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Amy A Schultz
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Population Health Sciences, Madison, WI, USA.
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Holder C, Cohen Hubal EA, Luh J, Lee MG, Melnyk LJ, Thomas K. Systematic evidence mapping of potential correlates of exposure for per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) based on measured occurrence in biomatrices and surveys of dietary consumption and product use. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2024; 259:114384. [PMID: 38735219 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2024.114384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely observed in environmental media and often are found in indoor environments as well as personal-care and consumer products. Humans may be exposed through water, food, indoor dust, air, and the use of PFAS-containing products. Information about relationships between PFAS exposure sources and pathways and the amounts found in human biomatrices can inform source-contribution assessments and provide targets for exposure reduction. This work collected and collated evidence for correlates of PFAS human exposure as measured through sampling of biomatrices and surveys of dietary consumption and use of consumer products and articles. A systematic evidence mapping approach was applied to perform a literature search, conduct title-abstract and full-text screening, and to extract primary data into a comprehensive database for 16 PFAS. Parameters of interest included: sampling dates and locations, cohort descriptors, PFAS measured in a human biomatrix, information about food consumption in 11 categories, use of products/articles in 11 categories, and reported correlation values (and their statistical strength). The literature search and screening process yielded 103 studies with information for correlates of PFAS exposures. Detailed data were extracted and compiled on measures of PFAS correlations between biomatrix concentrations and dietary consumption and other product/article use. A majority of studies (61/103; 59%) were published after 2015 with few (8/103; 8%) prior to 2010. Studies were most abundant for dietary correlates (n = 94) with fewer publications reporting correlate assessments for product use (n = 56), while some examined both. PFOA and PFOS were assessed in almost all studies, followed by PFHxS, PFNA, and PFDA which were included in >50% of the studies. No relevant studies included PFNS or PFPeS. Among the 94 studies of dietary correlates, significant correlations were reported in 83% of the studies for one or more PFAS. The significant dietary correlations most commonly were for seafood, meats/eggs, and cereals/grains/pulses. Among the 56 studies of product/article correlates, significant correlations were reported in 70% of the studies. The significant product/article correlations most commonly were for smoking/tobacco, cosmetics/toiletries, non-stick cookware, and carpet/flooring/furniture and housing. Six of 11 product/article categories included five or fewer studies, including food containers and stain- and water-resistant products. Significant dietary and product/article correlations most commonly were positive. Some studies found a mix of positive and negative correlations depending on the PFAS, specific correlate, and specific response level, particularly for fats/oils, dairy consumption, food containers, and cosmetics/toiletries. Most of the significant findings for cereals/grains/pulses were negative correlations. Substantial evidence was found for correlations between dietary intake and biomatrix levels for several PFAS in multiple food groups. Studies examining product/article use relationships were relatively sparse, except for smoking/tobacco, and would benefit from additional research. The resulting database can inform further assessments of dietary and product use exposure relationships and can inform new research to better understand PFAS source-to-exposure relationships. The search strategy should be extended and implemented to support living evidence review in this rapidly advancing area.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elaine A Cohen Hubal
- U.S. EPA, Office of Research and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA, 27711.
| | | | | | - Lisa Jo Melnyk
- U.S. EPA, Office of Research and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Cincinnati, OH, 45268, USA.
| | - Kent Thomas
- U.S. EPA, Office of Research and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA, 27711.
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Petali JM, Pulster EL, McCarthy C, Pickard HM, Sunderland EM, Bangma J, Carignan CC, Robuck A, Crawford KA, Romano ME, Lohmann R, von Stackelburg K. Considerations and challenges in support of science and communication of fish consumption advisories for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2024. [PMID: 38752651 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.4947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
Federal, state, tribal, or local entities in the United States issue fish consumption advisories (FCAs) as guidance for safer consumption of locally caught fish containing contaminants. Fish consumption advisories have been developed for commonly detected compounds such as mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls. The existing national guidance does not specifically address the unique challenges associated with bioaccumulation and consumption risk related to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). As a result, several states have derived their own PFAS-related consumption guidelines, many of which focus on one frequently detected PFAS, known as perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). However, there can be significant variation between tissue concentrations or trigger concentrations (TCs) of PFOS that support the individual state-issued FCAs. This variation in TCs can create challenges for risk assessors and risk communicators in their efforts to protect public health. The objective of this article is to review existing challenges, knowledge gaps, and needs related to issuing PFAS-related FCAs and to provide key considerations for the development of protective fish consumption guidance. The current state of the science and variability in FCA derivation, considerations for sampling and analytical methodologies, risk management, risk communication, and policy challenges are discussed. How to best address PFAS mixtures in the development of FCAs, in risk assessment, and establishment of effect thresholds remains a major challenge, as well as a source of uncertainty and scrutiny. This includes developments better elucidating toxicity factors, exposures to PFAS mixtures, community fish consumption behaviors, and evolving technology and analytical instrumentation, methods, and the associated detection limits. Given the evolving science and public interests informing PFAS-related FCAs, continued review and revision of FCA approaches and best practices are vital. Nonetheless, consistent, widely applicable, PFAS-specific approaches informing methods, critical concentration thresholds, and priority compounds may assist practitioners in PFAS-related FCA development and possibly reduce variability between states and jurisdictions. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;00:1-20. © 2024 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Michael Petali
- Environmental Health Program, New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, Concord, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Erin L Pulster
- US Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | | | - Heidi M Pickard
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Elsie M Sunderland
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jacqueline Bangma
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA
- Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Courtney C Carignan
- Department Food Science and Human Nutrition, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Anna Robuck
- Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, US Environmental Protection Agency, Narragansett, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Kathryn A Crawford
- Environmental Studies Programs, Middlebury College, Middlebury, Vermont, USA
| | - Megan E Romano
- Department of Epidemiology, The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Rainer Lohmann
- Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, Narragansett, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Katherine von Stackelburg
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Hansen S, Xu S, Huber S, Alvarez MV, Odland JØ. Profile of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, source appointment, and determinants in Argentinean postpartum women. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 915:170096. [PMID: 38224894 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of synthetic chemicals with potential adverse health effects. Information concerning PFAS concentrations in relation to pregnancy is scarce in South America and non-existent in Argentina. AIM We aimed to investigate an extended maternal PFAS profile herein serum concentrations in a regional and global view, source appointment, and determinants in Argentinean women. METHODS A cross-sectional study with a sampling period from 2011 to 2012 included 689 women from Ushuaia and Salta in Argentina. Serum samples collected two days postpartum were analyzed by ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray negative ionisation tandem-quadrupole mass-spectrometry. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) following absolute principal component score-multiple linear regression (APCS-MLR) was used for PFAS source appointments. Determinants of PFAS were explored through a MLR approach. A review of previous studies within the same period was conducted to compare with present levels. RESULTS Argentinean PFAS concentrations were the lowest worldwide, with PFOS (0.74 ng/mL) and PFOA (0.11 ng/mL) as the dominant substances. Detection frequencies largely aligned with the compared studies, indicating the worldwide PFAS distribution considering the restrictions. The PCA revealed region-specific loading patterns of two component groups of PFAS, a mixture of replaced and legacy substances in Ushuaia and long-chain in Salta. This might relate to a mix of non-diet and diet exposure in Ushuaia and diet in Salta. Region, age, lactation, parity, household members, migration, bottled water, and freshwater fish were among the determinants of various PFAS. CONCLUSION This is the first study to monitor human PFAS exposure in Argentina. Maternal PFAS concentrations were the lowest observed worldwide in the same period. Exposure contributions are suggested to be affected by restrictions and substitutions. Given the limited population-based studies and the emergence of PFAS, it is essential to conduct further monitoring of PFAS in Argentina and South America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solrunn Hansen
- Department of Health and Care Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, 9037 Tromsø, Norway.
| | - Shanshan Xu
- Centre for International Health, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, 5009 Bergen, Norway.
| | - Sandra Huber
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital of North Norway, 9038 Tromsø, Norway.
| | | | - Jon Øyvind Odland
- Department of Public Health and Nursing, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 7491 Trondheim, Norway; Department of General Hygiene I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119992 Moscow, Russia; School of Health Systems and Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa.
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Zoodsma JD, Boonkanon C, Running L, Basharat R, Atilla-Gokcumen GE, Aga DS, Sirotkin HI. Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) Negatively Impacts Prey Capture Capabilities in Larval Zebrafish. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2023. [PMID: 38153236 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely used in many industrial and domestic applications, which has resulted in unintentional human exposures and bioaccumulation in blood and other organs. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is among the most prevalent PFAS in the environment and has been postulated to affect brain functions in exposed organisms. However, the impacts of PFOS in early neural development have not been well described. We used zebrafish larvae to assess the effects of PFOS on two fundamental complex behaviors, prey capture and learning. Zebrafish exposed to PFOS concentrations ranging from 2 to 20 µM for differing 48-h periods were viable through early larval stages. In addition, PFOS uptake was unaffected by the presence of a chorion. We employed two different experimental paradigms; first we assessed the impacts of increasing organismal PFOS bioaccumulation on prey capture and learning, and second, we probed stage-specific sensitivity to PFOS by exposing zebrafish at different developmental stages (0-2 vs. 3-5 days post fertilization). Following both assays we measured the amount of PFOS present in each larva and found that PFOS levels varied in larvae from different groups within each experimental paradigm. Significant negative correlations were observed between larval PFOS accumulation and percentage of captured prey, whereas nonsignificant negative correlations were observed between PFOS accumulation and experienced-induced prey capture learning. These findings suggest that PFOS accumulation negatively affects larval zebrafish's ability to perform complicated multisensory behaviors and highlights the potential risks of PFOS exposure to animals in the wild, with implications for human health. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;00:1-9. © 2023 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josiah D Zoodsma
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- Department of Neurobiology & Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Chanita Boonkanon
- Department of Chemistry, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA
- Integrated Science and Technology Research Center, Faculty of Technology and Environment, Prince of Songkla University, Phuket Campus, Phuket, Thailand
| | - Logan Running
- Department of Chemistry, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Rehman Basharat
- Department of Neurobiology & Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - G Ekin Atilla-Gokcumen
- Department of Chemistry, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Diana S Aga
- Department of Chemistry, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Howard I Sirotkin
- Department of Neurobiology & Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
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Sonnenberg NK, Ojewole AE, Ojewole CO, Lucky OP, Kusi J. Trends in Serum Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance (PFAS) Concentrations in Teenagers and Adults, 1999-2018 NHANES. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6984. [PMID: 37947542 PMCID: PMC10648322 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20216984] [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: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Some types of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been banned over the last two decades, but millions of Americans continue to have exposure to the compounds through drinking water and consumer products. Therefore, understanding the changes in serum PFAS concentrations after their limited use is necessary to protect public health. In this study, we evaluated trends of serum PFAS compounds (PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS, PFDA, and PFNA) to determine their distribution among the United States general population. We analyzed serum concentrations of PFAS measured from random subsamples of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) participants. The study results demonstrated that demographic factors such as race/ethnicity, age, and sex may influence the levels of serum PFAS over time. Adults, males, Asians, Non-Hispanic Blacks, and Non-Hispanic Whites had high risks of exposure to the selected PFAS. Overall, serum PFAS levels declined continuously in the studied population from 1999 to 2018. Among the studied population, PFOS and PFDA were the most and least prevalent PFAS in blood serum, respectively. Serum levels of PFDA, PFOA, and PFHxS showed upward trends in at least one racial/ethnic group after 2016, which underscores the need for continuous biomonitoring of PFAS levels in humans and the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Joseph Kusi
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, 44 Circle Drive, Campus Box 1099, Edwardsville, IL 62026, USA; (N.K.S.); (A.E.O.); (C.O.O.); (O.P.L.)
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Bedi M, Sapozhnikova Y, Taylor RB, Ng C. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) measured in seafood from a cross-section of retail stores in the United States. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 459:132062. [PMID: 37480610 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
Seafood is a dominant source of human exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Existing studies on foodborne PFAS exposure have focused on only a subset of these compounds. Here, we conducted a pilot study to screen 33 PFAS in 46 seafood samples from a cross-section of national and local stores in the US. Low levels of 8 PFAS were measured in 74% of the samples, predominated by PFHxS (59%). Total PFAS ranged between 0.12 and 20 ng/g; highest levels were measured in Estonia-sourced smelt. The highest median levels were of PFOA (0.84 ng/g) with elevated concentrations found in Chinese clams (2.4 ng/g), which exceeds the EU established maximum limits (MLs). Measured levels of PFHxS, PFOA, and PFNA also exceeded MLs in 24%, 7%, and 5% of the samples, respectively. For average consumption levels, exposures were below the EU established tolerable weekly intakes (TWIs). However, for more frequent consumption of flounder, catfish, and cod, exposures exceeded regulations, which warrants identifying vulnerable high seafood consuming populations. Accidental PFBS cross contamination from sample storage bags resulted in 100% detection in samples, highlighting the problem with post-purchase food handling practices such as storage and cooking that could also have a substantial impact on human exposure, potentially in larger amounts than the (sea)food itself.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megha Bedi
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Yelena Sapozhnikova
- USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Eastern Regional Research Center, 600 East Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA, 19038, USA
| | - Raegyn B Taylor
- USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Eastern Regional Research Center, 600 East Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA, 19038, USA
| | - Carla Ng
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA; Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
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Rokoff LB, Wallenborn JT, Harris MH, Rifas-Shiman SL, Criswell R, Romano ME, Young JG, Calafat AM, Oken E, Sagiv SK, Fleisch AF. Plasma concentrations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in pregnancy and breastfeeding duration in Project Viva. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 891:164724. [PMID: 37290653 PMCID: PMC10327962 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may disrupt mammary gland development and function; thereby inhibiting milk supply and breastfeeding duration. However, conclusions on the potential effects of PFAS and breastfeeding duration are limited by prior epidemiologic studies that inconsistently adjusted for past cumulative breastfeeding duration and by a lack of examination of the joint effects of PFAS mixtures. METHODS In Project Viva, a longitudinal cohort that enrolled pregnant participants from 1999 to 2002 in the greater Boston, MA area, we studied 1079 women who ever attempted to lactate. We investigated associations of plasma concentrations of select PFAS in early pregnancy (mean: 10.1 weeks gestation) with breastfeeding termination by 9 months, after which women typically cite self-weaning as the reason for terminating breastfeeding. We used Cox regression for single-PFAS models and quantile g-computation for mixture models, adjusting for sociodemographics, prior breastfeeding duration, and weeks of gestation at the time of blood draw. RESULTS We detected 6 PFAS [perfluorooctane sulfonate; perfluorooctanoate (PFOA); perfluorohexane sulfonate; perfluorononanoate; 2-(N-ethyl-perfluorooctane sulfonamido) acetate (EtFOSAA); 2-(N-methyl-perfluorooctane sulfonamide) acetate (MeFOSAA)] in >98 % of samples. Sixty percent of lactating women terminated breastfeeding by 9 months postpartum. Women with higher plasma concentrations of PFOA, EtFOSAA, and MeFOSAA had a greater hazard of terminating breastfeeding in the first 9 months postpartum [HR (95 % CI) per doubling concentration: 1.20 (1.04, 1.38) for PFOA; 1.10 (1.01, 1.20) for EtFOSAA; 1.18 (1.08, 1.30) for MeFOSAA]. In the quantile g-computation model, simultaneously increasing all PFAS in the mixture by one quartile was associated with 1.17 (95 % CI: 1.05, 1.31) greater hazard of terminating breastfeeding in the first 9 months. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that exposure to PFAS may be associated with reduced breastfeeding duration and draw further attention to environmental chemicals that may dysregulate human lactation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa B Rokoff
- Center for Interdisciplinary Population & Health Research, MaineHealth Institute for Research, Portland, ME, USA.
| | - Jordyn T Wallenborn
- Center of Excellence in Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA; Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Maria H Harris
- Center for Environmental Research and Children's Health, School of Public Health, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Sheryl L Rifas-Shiman
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rachel Criswell
- Skowhegan Family Medicine, Redington-Fairview General Hospital, Skowhegan, ME, USA
| | - Megan E Romano
- Department of Epidemiology, The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Jessica G Young
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Antonia M Calafat
- National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Emily Oken
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sharon K Sagiv
- Center for Environmental Research and Children's Health, School of Public Health, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Abby F Fleisch
- Center for Interdisciplinary Population & Health Research, MaineHealth Institute for Research, Portland, ME, USA; Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Maine Medical Center, Portland, ME, USA
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10
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Tewfik EL, Noisel N, Verner MA. Biomonitoring equivalents for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) for the interpretation of biomonitoring data. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 179:108170. [PMID: 37657409 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is detected in the blood of virtually all biomonitoring study participants. Assessing health risks associated with blood PFOA levels is challenging because exposure guidance values (EGVs) are typically expressed in terms of external dose. Biomonitoring equivalents (BEs) consistent with EGVs could facilitate health-based interpretations. OBJECTIVE To i) derive BEs for serum/plasma PFOA corresponding to non-cancer EGVs of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and Health Canada, and ii) compare with PFOA concentrations from national biomonitoring surveys. METHODS Starting from EGV points of departure, we employed pharmacokinetic data/models and uncertainty factors. Points of departure in pregnant rodents (U.S. EPA 2016, ATSDR) were converted into fetus and pup serum concentrations using an animal gestation/lactation pharmacokinetic model, and equivalent human fetus and child concentrations were converted into BEs in maternal serum using a human gestation/lactation model. The point of departure in adult rodents (Health Canada) was converted into a BE using experimental data. For epidemiology-based EGVs (U.S. EPA 2023, draft), BEs were directly based on epidemiological data or derived using a human gestation/lactation pharmacokinetic model. BEs were compared with Canadian/U.S. biomonitoring data. RESULTS Non-cancer BEs (ng/mL) were 684 (Health Canada, 2018) or ranged from 15 to 29 (U.S. EPA, 2016), 6-10 (ATSDR, 2021) and 0.2-0.8 (U.S. EPA, 2023, draft). Ninety-fifth percentiles of serum levels from the 2018-2019 Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) and the 2017-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were slightly below the BE for ATSDR, and geometric means were above the non-cancer BEs for the U.S. EPA (2023, draft). CONCLUSION Non-cancer BEs spanned three orders of magnitude. The lowest BEs were for EGVs based on developmental endpoints in epidemiological studies. Concentrations in Canadian/U.S. national surveys were higher than or close to BEs for the most recent non-cancer EGVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernest-Louli Tewfik
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada; Centre de Recherche en Santé Publique, Université de Montréal and CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Canada
| | - Nolwenn Noisel
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada; Centre de Recherche en Santé Publique, Université de Montréal and CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Canada
| | - Marc-André Verner
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada; Centre de Recherche en Santé Publique, Université de Montréal and CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Canada.
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11
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M F Coêlho AC, Cioni L, Van Dreunen W, Berg V, Rylander C, Urbarova I, Herzke D, Sandanger TM. Legacy perfluoroalkyl acids and their oxidizable precursors in plasma samples of Norwegian women. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 178:108026. [PMID: 37356307 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108026] [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: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
Humans are exposed to perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAA) mainly through direct pathways, such as diet and drinking water, but indirect exposure also occurs when PFAA precursors break down to form legacy PFAA. Exposure to PFAA precursors raises particular concern, as neither the exposure nor the precursors themselves have been well described. In the present study, we aimed to assess the indirect contribution of oxidizable PFAA precursors to the total per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) burden in human plasma following the voluntary phase-out of production of long-chain PFAS. In addition, multiple logistic regression was used to explore associations between selected lifestyle and dietary factors and the oxidizable PFAA precursors fraction. This study included 302 cancer-free participants of the Norwegian Women and Cancer postgenome cohort. PFAS analyses were performed in plasma samples to determine PFAS concentrations before and after oxidation with the Total Oxidizable Precursor (TOP) assay. In pre-TOP analyses, perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) was the dominant compound, followed by perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).The vast majority (98%) of the study population had increased post-TOP concentrations for at least one PFAA. The formation of PFAA accounted for 12% of the total PFAS burden, with seven PFAA observed post-TOP in at least 30% of study participants. PFHpA, br- PFOA, and PFDA were only detected in post-TOP analyses and showed the highest increase in concentrations. Of the PFAA with increased concentrations, we noted significant associations for year of birth, parity, BMI, and some dietary factors, although they were not consistent between the different PFAA. These results indicate that while the TOP assay might not provide a complete assessment of total PFAS burden in humans, it offers comprehensive assessment of unknown PFAA precursors that might be present in plasma, and it could therefore be implemented as an auxiliary tool in this regard.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Carolina M F Coêlho
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
| | - Lara Cioni
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway; Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Fram Centre, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Wendy Van Dreunen
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Vivian Berg
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Diagnostic Services, University Hospital of North-Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Charlotta Rylander
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Ilona Urbarova
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Dorte Herzke
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Fram Centre, Tromsø, Norway; Department for Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Torkjel M Sandanger
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway; Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Fram Centre, Tromsø, Norway
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12
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Guo M, Wu F, Geng Q, Wu H, Song Z, Zheng G, Peng J, Zhao X, Tan Z. Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in aquatic products from the Yellow-Bohai Sea coasts, China: Concentrations and profiles across species and regions. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 327:121514. [PMID: 36990342 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are emerging contaminants capable of harming human health, primarily via ingesting aquatic products. The current study monitored a survey of 23 PFASs in 1049 aquatic products from the coasts of the Yellow-Bohai Sea in China to comprehensively investigate the concentrations and distributions of PFASs. PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFOSA, and PFUdA were more predominantly and frequently detected than other PFASs in all samples, dominating PFAS patterns in aquatic products. The mean levels of ∑PFASs in different species followed the order: marine shellfish > marine crustaceans > fish > cephalopods > sea cucumber. Profiles of PFASs differ between species, suggesting species-specific accumulation plays a role. Various aquatic species are potential environmental bioindicators that signal individual PFAS contamination. For instance, clams can act as a potential PFOA bioindicator. High ∑PFAS levels in some sites (such as Binzhou, Dongying, Cangzhou, and Weifang) could be attributed to industrial activities involving fluoropolymer manufacture. The differences between PFAS concentrations and profiles in aquatic products across the study regions have been proposed as PFAS fingerprints of the Yellow-Bohai Sea coasts. Analyses of principal components and Spearman correlations indicated that the precursor biodegradation possibly contribute to C8-C10 PFCAs in the study samples. This study reported a wide presence of PFASs in different species of aquatic products across the Yellow-Bohai Sea coasts. The potential health risks that PFASs pose in certain species (such as marine shellfish and marine crustaceans) should not be neglected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengmeng Guo
- Key Laboratory of Testing and Evaluation for Aquatic Product Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Feng Wu
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266042, China
| | - Qianqian Geng
- Key Laboratory of Testing and Evaluation for Aquatic Product Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Haiyan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Testing and Evaluation for Aquatic Product Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Zhiling Song
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266042, China
| | - Guanchao Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Testing and Evaluation for Aquatic Product Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Jixing Peng
- Key Laboratory of Testing and Evaluation for Aquatic Product Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Xinnan Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Testing and Evaluation for Aquatic Product Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Zhijun Tan
- Key Laboratory of Testing and Evaluation for Aquatic Product Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China; Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao, 266071, China.
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13
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Maddalon A, Pierzchalski A, Kretschmer T, Bauer M, Zenclussen AC, Marinovich M, Corsini E, Herberth G. Mixtures of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) reduce the in vitro activation of human T cells and basophils. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 336:139204. [PMID: 37315852 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
In the last decades, per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), widely used industrial chemicals, have been in the center of attention because of their omnipotent presence in water and soils worldwide. Although efforts have been made to substitute long-chain PFAS towards safer alternatives, their persistence in humans still leads to exposure to these compounds. PFAS immunotoxicity is poorly understood as no comprehensive analyses on certain immune cell subtypes exist. Furthermore, mainly single entities and not PFAS mixtures have been assessed. In the present study we aimed to investigate the effect of PFAS (short-chain, long-chain and a mixture of both) on the in vitro activation of primary human immune cells. Our results show the ability of PFAS to reduce T cells activation. In particular, exposure to PFAS affected T helper cells, cytotoxic T cells, Natural Killer T cells, and Mucosal associated invariant T (MAIT) cells, as assessed by multi-parameter flow cytometry. Furthermore, the exposure to PFAS reduced the expression of several genes involved in MAIT cells activation, including chemokine receptors, and typical proteins of MAIT cells, such as GZMB, IFNG and TNFSF15 and transcription factors. These changes were mainly induced by the mixture of both short- and long-chain PFAS. In addition, PFAS were able to reduce basophil activation induced by anti-FcεR1α, as assessed by the decreased expression of CD63. Our data clearly show that the exposure of immune cells to a mixture of PFAS at concentrations mimicking real-life human exposure resulted in reduced cell activation and functional changes of primary innate and adaptive human immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ambra Maddalon
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences 'Rodolfo Paoletti', Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Arkadiusz Pierzchalski
- Department of Environmental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research -UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Tobias Kretschmer
- Department of Environmental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research -UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Mario Bauer
- Department of Environmental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research -UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ana C Zenclussen
- Department of Environmental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research -UFZ, Leipzig, Germany; Perinatal Immunology Research Group, Medical Faculty, Saxonian Incubator for Clinical Translation (SIKT), University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Marina Marinovich
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences 'Rodolfo Paoletti', Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Emanuela Corsini
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences 'Rodolfo Paoletti', Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Gunda Herberth
- Department of Environmental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research -UFZ, Leipzig, Germany.
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14
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Meyyazhagan A, Kuchi Bhotla H, Tsibizova V, Pappuswamy M, Chaudhary A, Arumugam VA, Al Qasem M, Di Renzo GC. Nutrition paves the way to environmental toxicants and influences fetal development during pregnancy. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol 2023; 89:102351. [PMID: 37295316 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2023.102351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Nutrition plays a major role in the healthy pregnancy and development of the fetus. In addition, nutrition can expose humans to a wide range of potentially hazardous environmental constituents, such as organic pollutants and heavy metals from marine or agricultural food products while processing, producing, and packaging. Humans constantly face these constituents through air, water, soil, food, and domestic products. During pregnancy, the rate of cellular division and differentiation is higher; exposure to any of these environmental toxicants can lead to developmental defects as they cross the placental barrier and, in some cases, can harm the successive generation too, as some contaminants can act on the reproductive cells of the fetus (Diethylstilbestrol). Pregnant women are considered a vulnerable population to food contaminant exposure and require a proper dietary chart and conscious food choices. Food is a source of both essential nutrients and environmental toxicants. Here, we have researched the possible toxicants of the food industry and their influence on the fetus's in-utero development, along with the importance of dietary interventions and the need to balance a healthy diet to overcome the harms. The cumulative exposure to environmental toxicants can influence the mother's prenatal environment and affect the fetus's development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun Meyyazhagan
- Perinatology Research Branch, Wayne State University, Detroit, USA; Centre of Perinatal and Reproductive Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy; Department of Life Sciences, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru, 560029, Karnataka, India
| | - Haripriya Kuchi Bhotla
- Department of Life Sciences, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru, 560029, Karnataka, India
| | - Valentina Tsibizova
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IM Sechenov First State University, Moscow, Russia; Almazov National Medical Research Centre, St Petersburg, Russia; PREIS International School, Firenze, Italy
| | - Manikantan Pappuswamy
- Department of Life Sciences, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru, 560029, Karnataka, India
| | - Aditi Chaudhary
- Department of Life Sciences, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru, 560029, Karnataka, India
| | - Vijaya Anand Arumugam
- Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, 641046, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Malek Al Qasem
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Mutah University, Al-Karak, Jordan
| | - Gian Carlo Di Renzo
- Perinatology Research Branch, Wayne State University, Detroit, USA; Centre of Perinatal and Reproductive Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IM Sechenov First State University, Moscow, Russia; Almazov National Medical Research Centre, St Petersburg, Russia; PREIS International School, Firenze, Italy.
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15
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Meeks J, Mass S, Adgate JL, Barton K, Singha K, McCray JE, Starling AP, Higgins CP. Estimating historical exposure to perfluoroalkyl acids in Security, Fountain, and Widefield Colorado: use of water-infrastructure blending and toxicokinetic models. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2023; 25:996-1006. [PMID: 37133397 DOI: 10.1039/d2em00337f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Drinking water can be a major source of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) exposure for humans. The lack of historic data on PFAS drinking-water concentrations and consumption patterns are a limiting factor for developing estimates of past exposure. Here, in contribution to a community-scale PFAS health effects study near fire training facilities that contaminated a local aquifer with PFASs, we present a novel water-infrastructure, mass-balance mixing model coupled to a non-steady state, single-compartment toxicokinetic model that used Monte Carlo simulations to estimate the start of PFAS exposure in drinking water for individuals within three PFAS-impacted communities in El Paso County, Colorado. Our modeling focused on perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) because median serum PFHxS concentrations in a sample of local residents (n = 213) were twelve times the median observed in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2015-2016). Modeling results for study participants were grouped according to their community of residence, revealing a median start of exposure for the town of Fountain of 1998 (25-75% interquartile range [IQR], 1992 to 2010), 2006 (IQR 1995 to 2012) for Security, and 2009 (IQR 1996-2012) for Widefield. Based on the towns' locations relative to an identified hydraulically upgradient PFAS source, the modeled exposure sequencing does not completely align with this conceptual flow model, implying the presence of an additional PFAS source for the groundwater between Widefield and Fountain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Meeks
- Hydrologic Science and Engineering Program, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois St, Golden, CO 80401, USA.
- Department of Geology and Geological Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois St, Golden, CO 80401, USA
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois St., Golden, CO 80401, USA
| | - Sarah Mass
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois St., Golden, CO 80401, USA
| | - John L Adgate
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Campus, 13001 East 17th Place, Mail Stop B119, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Kelsey Barton
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Campus, 13001 East 17th Place, Mail Stop B119, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Kamini Singha
- Hydrologic Science and Engineering Program, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois St, Golden, CO 80401, USA.
- Department of Geology and Geological Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois St, Golden, CO 80401, USA
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois St., Golden, CO 80401, USA
| | - John E McCray
- Hydrologic Science and Engineering Program, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois St, Golden, CO 80401, USA.
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois St., Golden, CO 80401, USA
| | - Anne P Starling
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Campus, 13001 East 17th Place, Mail Stop B119, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Christopher P Higgins
- Hydrologic Science and Engineering Program, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois St, Golden, CO 80401, USA.
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois St., Golden, CO 80401, USA
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16
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Nguyen HTM, Nilsson S, Mueller AAR, Toms LM, Kennedy C, Langguth D, Hobson P, Mueller JF. First indication of perfluoroalkyl substances in human serum from Papua New Guinea. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 870:161749. [PMID: 36690112 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Human biomonitoring programs of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been conducted around the world to assess human exposure and health risk. Inquiry into population PFAS levels in a socioeconomically and geographically unique region such as the Pacific Island Papua New Guinea, may provide new insights into PFAS exposure pathways and sources. This study presented the first indication of PFAS exposure in the Papua New Guinea population. De-identified serum samples were pooled from surplus pathology serum samples collected between 2019 and 2020. A total of 11 PFAS were detected in the serum pools including 10 perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAA) and 9Cl-F53B (a perfluorooctane sulfonic acid - PFOS alternative). The observed PFAA profile was somewhat similar to that observed for general population data of other countries such as Australia, Malaysia, and Canada suggesting similar exposure sources and/or pathways. However, PFAS concentrations were consistently lower than concentrations in the serum measured in pools obtained from Australia. The detection of 9Cl-F53B in all pools was a new finding which might be related to exposure from locally industrial sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong T M Nguyen
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia.
| | - Sandra Nilsson
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Ava A R Mueller
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Leisa-Maree Toms
- School of Public Health and Social Work, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Musk Avenue, Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Australia
| | - Carl Kennedy
- Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology, 24 Hurworth St, Bowen Hills 4006, QLD, Australia
| | - Daman Langguth
- Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology, 24 Hurworth St, Bowen Hills 4006, QLD, Australia
| | - Peter Hobson
- Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology, 24 Hurworth St, Bowen Hills 4006, QLD, Australia
| | - Jochen F Mueller
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
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17
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Hall AM, Braun JM. Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Outcomes Related to Metabolic Syndrome: A Review of the Literature and Current Recommendations for Clinicians. Am J Lifestyle Med 2023. [DOI: 10.1177/15598276231162802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of toxic, ubiquitous, anthropogenic chemicals known to bioaccumulate in humans. Substantial concern exists regarding the human health effects of PFAS, particularly metabolic syndrome (MetS), a precursor to cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of mortality worldwide. This narrative review provides an overview of the PFAS literature on 4 specific components of MetS: insulin resistance/glucose dysregulation, central adiposity, dyslipidemia, and blood pressure. We focus on prospective cohort studies as these provide the best body of evidence compared to other study designs. Available evidence suggests potential associations between some PFAS and type-2 diabetes in adults, dyslipidemia in children and adults, and blood pressure in adults. Additionally, some studies found that sex and physical activity may modify these relationships. Future studies should consider modification by sex and lifestyle factors (e.g., diet and physical activity), as well quantifying the impact of PFAS mixtures on MetS features and related clinical disease. Finally, clinicians can follow recently developed clinical guidance to screen for PFAS exposure in patients, measure PFAS levels, conduct additional clinical care based on PFAS levels, and advise on PFAS exposure reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber M. Hall
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Joseph M. Braun
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
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18
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Savoca D, Pace A, Arizza V, Arculeo M, Melfi R. Controlled uptake of PFOA in adult specimens of Paracentrotus lividus and evaluation of gene expression in their gonads and embryos. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:26094-26106. [PMID: 36350439 PMCID: PMC9995410 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-23940-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario Savoca
- Dipartimento Di Scienze E Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche E Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università Degli Studi Di Palermo, 90100, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Andrea Pace
- Dipartimento Di Scienze E Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche E Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università Degli Studi Di Palermo, 90100, Palermo, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Arizza
- Dipartimento Di Scienze E Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche E Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università Degli Studi Di Palermo, 90100, Palermo, Italy
| | - Marco Arculeo
- Dipartimento Di Scienze E Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche E Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università Degli Studi Di Palermo, 90100, Palermo, Italy
| | - Raffaella Melfi
- Dipartimento Di Scienze E Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche E Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università Degli Studi Di Palermo, 90100, Palermo, Italy
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19
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Aker A, Ayotte P, Caron-Beaudoin É, De Silva A, Ricard S, Lemire M. Associations between dietary profiles and perfluoroalkyl acids in Inuit youth and adults. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 857:159557. [PMID: 36272489 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159557] [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: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs), a subset of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are synthetic chemicals used in industrial and consumer applications. They are exceptionally stable and highly mobile in the environment, and were detected in high concentrations in Arctic wildlife and Nunavik Inuit. The study's objective was to study the association between dietary profiles in Nunavik and plasma PFAAs concentrations. METHODS The study used data from the Qanuilirpitaa? 2017 Nunavik Inuit Health Survey (Q2017) (N = 1172) on Inuit adults aged 16-80 years. Nine PFAAs congeners were measured in plasma samples (six were detected). Dietary profiles were identified using latent profile analysis. Two sets of dietary profiles were included; the first included market (store-bought) and country foods (harvested/hunted from the land), and the second included only country foods. Multiple linear regression models regressed log-transformed PFAAs concentrations against the dietary profiles, adjusting for sociodemographic variables. RESULTS We identified statistically significant 24.54-57.55 % increases in all PFAAs congeners (PFOA, PFNA, PFDA, PFUnDA, PFHxS, and PFOS) in the dietary profile defined by frequent country food consumption compared to the dietary profile defined by frequent market food consumption. Individuals defined by low consumption of foods (related to food insecurity) had higher concentrations of six PFAAs compared to individuals with frequent market food consumption. The associations were stronger with profiles defined by more frequent country food consumption, and particularly those with increased marine mammal consumption. PFDA, PFUnDA, and PFOS were particularly associated with high country food consumption frequency, such that their concentrations increased by approximately 67-83 % compared to those reporting no or very little consumption of any country foods. CONCLUSIONS Increased country food consumption was strongly associated with higher PFAAs concentrations, particularly PFOS, PFDA, and PFUnDA. The results provide further evidence that the quality of country foods is being threatened by PFAAs contamination. Additional national and international regulations are required to protect the Arctic and its inhabitants from these pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amira Aker
- Axe santé des populations et pratiques optimales en santé, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, Quebec, Canada; Département de médecine sociale et préventive, Université Laval, Québec, Quebec, Canada.
| | - Pierre Ayotte
- Axe santé des populations et pratiques optimales en santé, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, Quebec, Canada; Département de médecine sociale et préventive, Université Laval, Québec, Quebec, Canada; Centre de Toxicologie du Québec, Institut National de Santé Publique du Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Élyse Caron-Beaudoin
- Department of Health and Society University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Amila De Silva
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Water Science Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sylvie Ricard
- Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services, Kuujjuaq, QC, Canada
| | - Mélanie Lemire
- Axe santé des populations et pratiques optimales en santé, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, Quebec, Canada; Département de médecine sociale et préventive, Université Laval, Québec, Quebec, Canada; Institut de biologie intégrative et des systèmes (IBIS), Université Laval, Quebec, Quebec, Canada
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20
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Li X, Liu H, Wan H, Li Y, Xu S, Xiao H, Xia W. Sex-specific associations between legacy and novel per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and telomere length in newborns in Wuhan, China: Mixture and single pollutant associations. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 857:159676. [PMID: 36283531 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Telomere length (TL) at birth predicts later life TL and is related to health. Prenatal exposure to environmental pollutants might affect TL, but the associations between intrauterine per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) exposure and neonatal TL remained inconclusive. This study aimed to explore the single pollutant and mixture associations between legacy and novel PFASs and TL in newborns. In 908 mother-newborn pairs from Wuhan, China, thirteen PFASs were measured in cord serum, and TL was determined in cord leukocytes. Weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression and generalized linear model (GLM) were utilized to analyze the associations between PFASs mixture and single PFASs and TL in newborns. Furthermore, stratified and interaction analyses were performed to evaluate if there were sex-specific associations. The concentrations of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and 6:2 chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate (6:2 Cl-PFESA) ranked the highest (geometric mean, 4.12, 1.61, and 0.77 ng/mL, respectively) among the 13 measured PFASs. Each unit increase in WQS index of PFASs mixture was associated with -5.19 % change (95% CI, -9.44, -0.73) of neonatal TL, and 8:2 Cl-PFESA contributed most (32.59 %) to the mixture association. In stratified analyses by neonatal sex, PFOS (-4.73 % change, 95% CI, -8.40, -0.93 for per doubling concentration) and 8:2 Cl-PFESA (-4.52 % change, 95% CI, -8.20, -0.70) were negatively associated with neonatal TL in male newborns, but no significant association appeared in females. In summary, intrauterine exposure to PFASs in mixture was associated with shorter neonatal TL, and the negative associations of 8:2 Cl-PFESA and PFOS with neonatal TL were observed only in boys. Future risk assessments are needed to pay more attention to the health effects of novel PFASs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojun Li
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubation), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, PR China.
| | - Hongxiu Liu
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubation), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, PR China.
| | - Hongxia Wan
- Ningguo Meilin Hospital, Ningguo, Anhui 242321, PR China.
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubation), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, PR China.
| | - Shunqing Xu
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubation), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, PR China.
| | - Han Xiao
- Institute of Maternal and Child Health, Wuhan Children's Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China.
| | - Wei Xia
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubation), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, PR China.
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21
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Harrall KK, Muller KE, Starling AP, Dabelea D, Barton KE, Adgate JL, Glueck DH. Power and sample size analysis for longitudinal mixed models of health in populations exposed to environmental contaminants: a tutorial. BMC Med Res Methodol 2023; 23:12. [PMID: 36635621 PMCID: PMC9835314 DOI: 10.1186/s12874-022-01819-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND When evaluating the impact of environmental exposures on human health, study designs often include a series of repeated measurements. The goal is to determine whether populations have different trajectories of the environmental exposure over time. Power analyses for longitudinal mixed models require multiple inputs, including clinically significant differences, standard deviations, and correlations of measurements. Further, methods for power analyses of longitudinal mixed models are complex and often challenging for the non-statistician. We discuss methods for extracting clinically relevant inputs from literature, and explain how to conduct a power analysis that appropriately accounts for longitudinal repeated measures. Finally, we provide careful recommendations for describing complex power analyses in a concise and clear manner. METHODS For longitudinal studies of health outcomes from environmental exposures, we show how to [1] conduct a power analysis that aligns with the planned mixed model data analysis, [2] gather the inputs required for the power analysis, and [3] conduct repeated measures power analysis with a highly-cited, validated, free, point-and-click, web-based, open source software platform which was developed specifically for scientists. RESULTS As an example, we describe the power analysis for a proposed study of repeated measures of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in human blood. We show how to align data analysis and power analysis plan to account for within-participant correlation across repeated measures. We illustrate how to perform a literature review to find inputs for the power analysis. We emphasize the need to examine the sensitivity of the power values by considering standard deviations and differences in means that are smaller and larger than the speculated, literature-based values. Finally, we provide an example power calculation and a summary checklist for describing power and sample size analysis. CONCLUSIONS This paper provides a detailed roadmap for conducting and describing power analyses for longitudinal studies of environmental exposures. It provides a template and checklist for those seeking to write power analyses for grant applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kylie K Harrall
- Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, University of Colorado - Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, USA.
| | - Keith E Muller
- Health Outcomes & Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Anne P Starling
- Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, University of Colorado - Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Dana Dabelea
- Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, University of Colorado - Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Kelsey E Barton
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - John L Adgate
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Deborah H Glueck
- Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, University of Colorado - Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
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22
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Wallis DJ, Barton KE, Knappe DRU, Kotlarz N, McDonough CA, Higgins CP, Hoppin JA, Adgate JL. Source apportionment of serum PFASs in two highly exposed communities. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 855:158842. [PMID: 36122706 PMCID: PMC10564447 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are synthetic chemicals that are ubiquitous in environmental and biological systems, including human serum. PFASs are used in many products and industrial processes and are tied to numerous health effects. Due to multiple sources and exposure pathways, methods are needed to identify PFAS sources in communities to develop targeted interventions. We assessed effectiveness of three source apportionment methods (UNMIX, positive matrix factorization [PMF], and principal component analysis - multiple linear regression [PCA-MLR]) for identifying contributors to human serum PFAS concentrations in two highly exposed populations in Colorado and North Carolina where drinking water was contaminated via upstream sources, including a Space Force base and a fluorochemical manufacturing plant. UNMIX and PMF models extracted three to four potential PFAS exposure sources in the Colorado and North Carolina cohorts while PCA-MLR classified two in each cohort. No sources were characterized in NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Study). Results suggest that these three methods can successfully identify sources in highly exposed populations. Future PFAS exposure research should focus on analyzing serum for an expanded PFAS panel, identifying cohorts with other distinct point source exposures, and combining biological and environmental data to better understand source apportionment results in the context of PFAS toxicokinetic behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan J Wallis
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
| | - Kelsey E Barton
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Detlef R U Knappe
- Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7908, USA; Center for Human Health and the Environment (CHHE), North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Nadine Kotlarz
- Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7908, USA; Center for Human Health and the Environment (CHHE), North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Carrie A McDonough
- Department of Civil Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Christopher P Higgins
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO, USA
| | - Jane A Hoppin
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA; Center for Human Health and the Environment (CHHE), North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - John L Adgate
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
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23
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Pickard HM, Ruyle BJ, Thackray CP, Chovancova A, Dassuncao C, Becanova J, Vojta S, Lohmann R, Sunderland EM. PFAS and Precursor Bioaccumulation in Freshwater Recreational Fish: Implications for Fish Advisories. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:15573-15583. [PMID: 36280234 PMCID: PMC9670858 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c03734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a diverse class of fluorinated anthropogenic chemicals that include perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAA), which are widely used in modern commerce. Many products and environmental samples contain abundant precursors that can degrade into terminal PFAA associated with adverse health effects. Fish consumption is an important dietary exposure source for PFAS that bioaccumulate in food webs. However, little is known about bioaccumulation of PFAA precursors. Here, we identify and quantify PFAS in recreational fish species collected from surface waters across New Hampshire, US, using a toolbox of analytical methods. Targeted analysis of paired water and tissue samples suggests that many precursors below detection in water have a higher bioaccumulation potential than their terminal PFAA. Perfluorobutane sulfonamide (FBSA), a short-chain precursor produced by electrochemical fluorination, was detected in all fish samples analyzed for this compound. The total oxidizable precursor assay interpreted using Bayesian inference revealed fish muscle tissue contained additional, short-chain precursors in high concentration samples. Suspect screening analysis indicated these were perfluoroalkyl sulfonamide precursors with three and five perfluorinated carbons. Fish consumption advisories are primarily being developed for perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), but this work reinforces the need for risk evaluations to consider additional bioaccumulative PFAS, including perfluoroalkyl sulfonamide precursors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi M. Pickard
- Harvard
John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Bridger J. Ruyle
- Harvard
John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Colin P. Thackray
- Harvard
John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Adela Chovancova
- Harvard
John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Clifton Dassuncao
- Harvard
John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
- Eastern
Research Group, Inc., Arlington, Virginia 22201, United States
| | - Jitka Becanova
- Graduate
School of Oceanography, University of Rhode
Island, Narragansett, Rhode Island 02882, United States
| | - Simon Vojta
- Graduate
School of Oceanography, University of Rhode
Island, Narragansett, Rhode Island 02882, United States
| | - Rainer Lohmann
- Graduate
School of Oceanography, University of Rhode
Island, Narragansett, Rhode Island 02882, United States
| | - Elsie M. Sunderland
- Harvard
John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
- Department
of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
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24
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Sun JM, Kelly BC, Gobas FAPC, Sunderland EM. A food web bioaccumulation model for the accumulation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in fish: how important is renal elimination? ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2022; 24:1152-1164. [PMID: 35678632 PMCID: PMC9384792 DOI: 10.1039/d2em00047d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large class of highly fluorinated anthropogenic chemicals. Some PFAS bioaccumulate in aquatic food webs, thereby posing risks for seafood consumers. Existing models for persistent organic pollutants (POPs) perform poorly for ionizable PFAS. Here we adapt a well-established food web bioaccumulation model for neutral POPs to predict the bioaccumulation behavior of six perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) and two perfluoroalkyl ether acids (HFPO-DA, 9-Cl-PF3ONS) produced as PFAA replacements. The new model includes sorption to blood plasma proteins and phospholipids, empirically parameterized membrane transport, and renal elimination for PFAAs. Improved performance relative to prior models without these updates is shown by comparing simulations to field and lab measurements. PFAS with eight or more perfluorinated carbons (ηpfc ≥ 8, i.e., C8 perfluorosulfonic acid, C10-C11 perfluorocarboxylic acid, 9-Cl-PF3ONS) are often the most abundant in aquatic food webs. The new model reproduces their observed bioaccumulation potential within a factor of two for >80% of fish species, indicating its readiness to support development of fish consumption advisories for these compounds. Results suggest bioaccumulation of ηpfc ≥ 8 PFAS is primarily driven by phospholipid partitioning, and that renal elimination is negligible for these compounds. However, specific protein binding mechanisms are important for reproducing the observed tissue concentrations of many shorter-chain PFAAs, including protein transporter-mediated renal elimination. Additional data on protein-binding and membrane transport mechanisms for PFAS are needed to better understand the biological behavior of shorter-chain PFAAs and their alternatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M Sun
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA, 02138. jennifersun@.g.harvard.edu
| | - Barry C Kelly
- Meta Analytical Inc., Calgary, AB, T3H 2Z5, Canada
- School of Resource and Environmental Management, Faculty of the Environment, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Frank A P C Gobas
- School of Resource and Environmental Management, Faculty of the Environment, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Elsie M Sunderland
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA, 02138. jennifersun@.g.harvard.edu
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25
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Rodgers K, Swartz CH, Occhialini J, Bassignani P, McCurdy M, Schaider LA. How Well Do Product Labels Indicate the Presence of PFAS in Consumer Items Used by Children and Adolescents? ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:6294-6304. [PMID: 35506608 PMCID: PMC9118540 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c05175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
PFAS are persistent and toxic chemicals used in many commercial and industrial applications that are often added to consumer products, including those used by children and adolescents, to impart water and stain resistance. Since product labels rarely list chemical additives, including PFAS, we evaluated whether other information on product labels can be used by consumers to select products without PFAS. We selected 93 items marketed to or often used by children and adolescents across three product types (furnishings, apparel, bedding) and five labeling groups representing different combinations of water and/or stain resistance and "green" (including "nontoxic") assurances. We screened all products for total fluorine (F) and analyzed solvent extracts from a subset (n = 61) for 36 targeted PFAS and from a smaller subset (n = 30) for perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) generated by precursor oxidation using the total oxidizable precursor (TOP) assay. Products advertised as water- and/or stain-resistant had more frequent detections and higher concentrations of total F than those without such claims, and targeted PFAS were detected only in products labeled as water- and/or stain-resistant. Concentrations of PFAAs generated by precursor oxidation using the TOP assay often exceeded pre-oxidation concentrations, suggesting that PFAA precursors contribute to solvent-extractable PFAS from products. Among products advertised as water- and/or stain-resistant, detection frequencies and concentrations of targeted PFAS were similar regardless of green assurances. This study illustrates many nonessential uses of PFAS in products used by children and adolescents and suggests that while water- and stain-resistant assurances can identify products likely to contain PFAS, current green assurances do not consistently indicate the absence of PFAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn
M. Rodgers
- Silent
Spring Institute, 320 Nevada Street, Suite 302, Newton, Massachusetts 02460, United States
| | - Christopher H. Swartz
- Silent
Spring Institute, 320 Nevada Street, Suite 302, Newton, Massachusetts 02460, United States
| | - James Occhialini
- Alpha
Analytical Laboratories, 320 Forbes Blvd, Mansfield, Massachusetts 02048, United States
| | - Philip Bassignani
- Alpha
Analytical Laboratories, 320 Forbes Blvd, Mansfield, Massachusetts 02048, United States
| | - Michelle McCurdy
- Galbraith
Laboratories, Inc., 2323 Sycamore Drive, Knoxville, Tennessee 37921, United States
| | - Laurel A. Schaider
- Silent
Spring Institute, 320 Nevada Street, Suite 302, Newton, Massachusetts 02460, United States
- . Phone: 617-332-4288 ext 224
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26
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Birtek RI, Karpuzcu ME, Ozturk I. Occurrence of priority substances in urban wastewaters of Istanbul and the estimation of the associated risks in the effluents. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2022; 194:426. [PMID: 35552554 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-022-09840-w] [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: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Increase in the contamination of the aquatic environments is a global challenge; hence, understanding the sources of priority substances (PSs) is essential. In an attempt to implement this principle, a year-long monitoring covering all seasons was carried out in the influents and effluents of four largest wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Istanbul. Results obtained showed the presence of 48 PSs (66% of the target compounds) including pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), dioxins and dioxin-like compounds (DLCs), alkylphenols, phthalates, and metals ranging from low nanograms to micrograms per liter. Priority hazardous substances that were banned for long were still found to be present in wastewaters. PAHs, DLCs, alkylphenols, and metals were found to be present in all samples. Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and DLCs were detected in more than 80% of the influent samples. Trichloromethane had the highest concentrations among the most frequently (80-100%) detected PSs in the influents and effluents. The potential risks that may arise from WWTP effluents containing PSs were estimated by calculating the risk quotients (RQs). Upon the risk estimation conducted on the PSs in effluents, monitoring of the endrin, alpha-cypermethrin, theta-cypermethrin, zeta-cypermethrin, quinoxyfen, bifenox, benzo-ghi-perylene, and DEHP is recommended for the WWTP effluents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahime Iclal Birtek
- Istanbul Water and Sewage Administration, HQ Directorate General, Eyüpsultan, 34060, Istanbul, Turkey.
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, Maslak, 34469, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Mahmut Ekrem Karpuzcu
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, Maslak, 34469, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Izzet Ozturk
- Istanbul Water and Sewage Administration, HQ Directorate General, Eyüpsultan, 34060, Istanbul, Turkey
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, Maslak, 34469, Istanbul, Turkey
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27
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Wattigney WA, Savadatti SS, Liu M, Pavuk M, Lewis-Michl E, Kannan K, Wang W, Spliethoff H, Marquez-Bravo L, Hwang SA. Biomonitoring of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in minority angler communities in central New York State. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 204:112309. [PMID: 34728236 PMCID: PMC8715741 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.112309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Onondaga Lake in central New York State was listed as a Superfund site in 1994 due to industrial disposal of pollutants. A biomonitoring program was conducted to assess exposure to over 70 legacy contaminants and contaminants of emerging concern in populations disproportionately at risk for exposure residing near Onondaga Lake and to educate these communities on how to reduce exposures. The populations of focus were refugees from Burma and Bhutan and low-income, primarily African American, anglers (urban anglers). These communities consume locally caught fish for economic as well as cultural reasons and therefore may be at higher risk of exposure. This study focuses on assessment of exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and associations with local fish consumption. Using respondent driven sampling, 311 refugees and 89 urban anglers were enrolled in the study. Following informed consent, study participants provided blood and urine specimens and completed a questionnaire. Percentiles of locally caught fish meals in the past 12 months by race/ethnicity groups showed that the Burmese participants of Karen ethnicity were the highest consumers, with a median of 135 meals compared to 103 meals for the other Burmese participants, 70 meals for the urban anglers, and 44 meals for the Bhutanese participants. Compared to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2015-16 sample of the general U.S. population, the Karen participants had markedly elevated perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) levels with median serum concentrations 9.5 times greater (41.6 ng/mL vs. 4.4 ng/mL) and 26.9 times greater (2.69 ng/mL vs. 0.10 ng/mL), respectively; the other Burmese participants had moderately elevated levels of PFOS and PFDA with median serum concentrations 3.0 times greater (13.3 ng/mL vs. 4.4 ng/mL) and 7.3 greater times greater (0.73 ng/mL vs. 0.10 ng/mL), respectively; and, PFAS levels were not elevated in the Bhutanese or urban angler cohorts. Male gender was consistently the strongest predictor of PFAS exposure among all study cohorts. A positive association between local fish consumption was indicated only for PFOS among urban anglers. An association between local fish consumption and PFAS was not statistically significant among the refugee cohorts, perhaps due to the lack of 'lower-end' exposure or exposure variability. Community events were held by the program staff to present the biomonitoring results and distribute community outreach materials with visual aids specific for the study populations to promote safe fish eating.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy A Wattigney
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Office of Community Health and Hazard Assessment, 4770 Buford Highway, Atlanta, GA, 30341, United States.
| | - Sanghamitra S Savadatti
- New York State Department of Health, Center for Environmental Health, Division of Environmental Health Assessment, Empire State Plaza-Corning Tower, Albany, NY, 12237, United States; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, 12144, United States
| | - Ming Liu
- New York State Department of Health, Center for Environmental Health, Division of Environmental Health Assessment, Empire State Plaza-Corning Tower, Albany, NY, 12237, United States
| | - Marian Pavuk
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Office of Community Health and Hazard Assessment, 4770 Buford Highway, Atlanta, GA, 30341, United States
| | - Elizabeth Lewis-Michl
- New York State Department of Health, Center for Environmental Health, Division of Environmental Health Assessment, Empire State Plaza-Corning Tower, Albany, NY, 12237, United States
| | - Kurunthachalam Kannan
- New York State Department of Health, Wadsworth Center, Division of Environmental Health Sciences, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY, 12201, United States; Department of Pediatrics and Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, United States
| | - Wei Wang
- New York State Department of Health, Wadsworth Center, Division of Environmental Health Sciences, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY, 12201, United States
| | - Henry Spliethoff
- New York State Department of Health, Center for Environmental Health, Division of Environmental Health Assessment, Empire State Plaza-Corning Tower, Albany, NY, 12237, United States
| | - Lydia Marquez-Bravo
- New York State Department of Health, Center for Environmental Health, Division of Environmental Health Assessment, Empire State Plaza-Corning Tower, Albany, NY, 12237, United States
| | - Syni-An Hwang
- New York State Department of Health, Center for Environmental Health, Division of Environmental Health Assessment, Empire State Plaza-Corning Tower, Albany, NY, 12237, United States; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, 12144, United States
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Liu H, Sun W, Zhou Y, Griffin N, Faulkner S, Wang L. iTRAQ-Based Quantitative Proteomics Analysis of Sprague-Dawley Rats Liver Reveals Perfluorooctanoic acid-induced Lipid Metabolism and Urea Cycle Dysfunction. Toxicol Lett 2021; 357:20-32. [PMID: 34958885 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2021.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2021] [Revised: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a typical C8 representative compound of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) widely used in industrial and domestic products. It is a persistent organic pollutant found in the environment as well as in the tissues of humans and wildlife. Despite emerging scientific and public interest, the precise mechanisms of PFOA toxicity remain unclear. In this study, male rats were exposed to 1.25, 5, and 20 mg PFOA/kg body weight/day for 14 days by gavage; food intake and bodyweight changes were recorded every day. After 14 days, blood was collected for sera biochemistry, livers were quickly stripped and weighed after execution. Part of the liver tissue was frozen by liquid nitrogen for iTRAQ-Based Quantitative Proteomics Analysis; and some was fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde (PFA) for histological section and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Urine samples were also collected and monitored by raising rats in metabolic cages. Real-time quantitative PCR and western blot was used to validate the proteomics assay after bioinformatics analysis. The results demonstrate that 20 mg/kg/d PFOA exposure cause body weight loss and significant liver swelling and reduced urea metabolism. The sera biochemistry assay shows that ALT, GGT, BILD and UREA levels have significant changes compared with normal control group and reference range of rat sera. The subsequent iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomics analysis of rat livers identified 3,327 non-redundant proteins of which 112 proteins were significantly upregulated and 80 proteins were downregulated. Gene ontology analysis revealed proteins are primarily involved in cellular, metabolic and single-organism processes. Among them, eight proteins (ACOX1, ACOX2, ACOX3, ACSL1, EHHADH, GOT2, MTOR and ACAA1) were related to oxidation of fatty acids and two proteins (ASS1 and CPS1) were found to be associated with urea cycle disorder. The downregulation of urea synthesis proteins ASS1 and CPS1 after exposure to PFOA was then confirmed through qPCR and western blot analysis. Together, these data demonstrate that PFOA exposure directly influences urea metabolism and provides insight into specific mechanisms of hepatotoxicity as a result of PFOA exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Laboratory Medicine, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Immunology in Chronic Diseases, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233030, PR China.
| | - Weiqiang Sun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Laboratory Medicine, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Immunology in Chronic Diseases, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233030, PR China
| | - Yongbing Zhou
- School of Public Health, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Immunology in Chronic Diseases, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233030, PR China
| | - Nathan Griffin
- Department of Cell and Tissue Biology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Sam Faulkner
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, New Lambton, NSW, Australia
| | - Li Wang
- School of Public Health, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Immunology in Chronic Diseases, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233030, PR China.
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Polachova A, Gramblicka T, Bechynska K, Parizek O, Parizkova D, Dvorakova D, Honkova K, Rossnerova A, Rossner P, Sram RJ, Topinka J, Pulkrabova J. Biomonitoring of 89 POPs in blood serum samples of Czech city policemen. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 291:118140. [PMID: 34555793 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In this biomonitoring study, we evaluated the concentrations of 8 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 11 organochlorinated pesticides (OCPs), 33 brominated flame retardants (BFRs), 7 novel brominated and chlorinated flame retardants (novel FRs) and 30 per- and polyfluoroalkylated substances (PFAS) in human serum samples (n = 274). A total of 89 persistent organic pollutants (POPs) were measured in blood serum samples of city policemen living in three large cities and their adjacent areas (Ostrava, Prague, and Ceske Budejovice) in the Czech Republic. All samples were collected during the year 2019 in two sampling periods (spring and autumn). The identification/quantification of PCBs, OCPs, BFRs, novel FRs and PFAS was performed by means of gas chromatography coupled to (tandem) mass spectrometry (GC-MS/(MS)) and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). The most frequently detected pollutants were perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), perfluorohexanesulfonate (PFHxS), 2,2',3,4,4',5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (CB 138), 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (CB 153), 2,2',3,3',4,4',5-heptachlorobiphenyl (CB 170), 2,2',3,4,4',5,5'-heptachlorobiphenyl (CB 180), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE) quantified in 100% of serum samples. In the serum samples, the concentrations of determined POPs were in the range of 0.108-900 ng g-1 lipid weight (lw) for PCBs, 0.106-1016 ng g-1 lw for OCPs, <0.1-618 ng g-1 lw for FRs and <0.01-18.3 ng mL-1 for PFAS, respectively. Locality, sampling season, and age were significantly associated with several POP concentrations. One of the important conclusions was that within the spring sampling period, statistically significant higher concentrations of CB 170 and CB 180 were observed in the samples from Ostrava (industrial area) compared to Prague and Ceske Budejovice. Older policemen had higher concentrations of five PCBs and two OCPs in blood serum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Polachova
- University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Faculty of Food and Biochemical Technology, Department of Food Analysis and Nutrition, Technicka 3, 166 28, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Gramblicka
- University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Faculty of Food and Biochemical Technology, Department of Food Analysis and Nutrition, Technicka 3, 166 28, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Kamila Bechynska
- University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Faculty of Food and Biochemical Technology, Department of Food Analysis and Nutrition, Technicka 3, 166 28, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Ondrej Parizek
- University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Faculty of Food and Biochemical Technology, Department of Food Analysis and Nutrition, Technicka 3, 166 28, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Denisa Parizkova
- University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Faculty of Food and Biochemical Technology, Department of Food Analysis and Nutrition, Technicka 3, 166 28, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Darina Dvorakova
- University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Faculty of Food and Biochemical Technology, Department of Food Analysis and Nutrition, Technicka 3, 166 28, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Katerina Honkova
- Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Department of Genetic Toxicology and Epigenetics, Videnska 1083, 142 20, Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Andrea Rossnerova
- Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Department of Genetic Toxicology and Epigenetics, Videnska 1083, 142 20, Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Rossner
- Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Department of Nanotoxicology and Molecular Epidemiology Videnska 1083, 142 20, Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Radim J Sram
- Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Department of Genetic Toxicology and Epigenetics, Videnska 1083, 142 20, Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Topinka
- Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Department of Genetic Toxicology and Epigenetics, Videnska 1083, 142 20, Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Pulkrabova
- University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Faculty of Food and Biochemical Technology, Department of Food Analysis and Nutrition, Technicka 3, 166 28, Prague 6, Czech Republic.
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30
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Rogers RD, Reh CM, Breysse P. Advancing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) research: an overview of ATSDR and NCEH activities and recommendations. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2021; 31:961-971. [PMID: 33795841 PMCID: PMC8015929 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-021-00316-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH), part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) support and conduct research advancing national, state, and local public health response to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS are a group of manufactured chemicals used in industry and consumer products that persist in the environment. Given the growing evidence linking PFAS with adverse health effects in humans, NCEH and ATSDR developed a public health research framework to capture the broad range of PFAS research activities being conducted and supported by the agency to determine future research priorities and identify opportunities for interagency collaboration. The framework was conceptualized via a multidisciplinary visioning process designed to identify compelling questions and research activities that span five scientific domains: toxicology, exposure, human health, public health action, and cross-cutting priorities. This paper presents a framework, compelling questions and research activities to help NCEH and ATSDR advance scientific discovery in partnership with federal, state, and local stakeholders as part of a comprehensive public health response to PFAS contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel D Rogers
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, Georgia.
| | | | - Patrick Breysse
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, Georgia
- National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
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31
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Young AS, Sparer-Fine EH, Pickard HM, Sunderland EM, Peaslee GF, Allen JG. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and total fluorine in fire station dust. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2021; 31:930-942. [PMID: 33542478 PMCID: PMC8339150 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-021-00288-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of over 4700 fluorinated compounds used in industry and consumer products. Studies have highlighted the use of aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) as an exposure source for firefighters, but little is known about PFAS occurrence inside fire stations, where firefighters spend most of their shifts. In this study, we aimed to characterize PFAS concentrations and sources inside fire stations. We measured 24 PFAS (using LC-MS/MS) and total fluorine (using particle-induced gamma ray emission) in dust from multiple rooms of 15 Massachusetts stations, many of which (60%) no longer use PFAS-containing AFFF at all and the rest of which only use it very rarely. Compared to station living rooms, turnout gear locker rooms had higher dust levels of total fluorine (p < 0.0001) and three PFAS: perfluorohexanoate (PFHxA), perfluoroheptanoate (PFHpA), and perfluorodecanoate (PFDoDA) (p < 0.05). These PFAS were also found on six wipes of station turnout gear. By contrast, the dominant PFAS in living rooms was N-ethyl perfluorooctane sulfonamidoacetic acid (N-MeFOSAA), a precursor to perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) that still persists despite phase-outs almost two decades ago. The Σ24 PFAS accounted for less than 2% of fluorine in dust (n = 39), suggesting the potential presence of unknown PFAS. Turnout gear may be an important PFAS source in stations due to intentional additives and/or contamination from firefighting activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna S Young
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | | | - Heidi M Pickard
- Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Elsie M Sunderland
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Graham F Peaslee
- Department of Physics, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - Joseph G Allen
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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32
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Chang CJ, Ryan PB, Smarr MM, Kannan K, Panuwet P, Dunlop AL, Corwin EJ, Barr DB. Serum per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) concentrations and predictors of exposure among pregnant African American women in the Atlanta area, Georgia. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 198:110445. [PMID: 33186575 PMCID: PMC8107192 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has been associated with adverse health outcomes, especially when exposure occurs within sensitive time windows such as the pre- and post-natal periods and early childhood. However, few studies have focused on PFAS exposure distribution and predictors in pregnant women, especially among African American women. We quantified serum concentrations of the four most common PFAS collected in all 453 participants and an additional 10 PFAS in 356 participants who were pregnant African American women enrolled from 2014 to 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia, and investigated the sociodemographic predictors of exposure. Additional home environment and behavior predictors were also examined in 130 participants. Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) were detected in >95% of the samples with PFOS having the highest concentrations (geometric mean (GM) 2.03 ng/mL). N-Methyl perfluorooctane sulfonamido acetic acid (NMeFOSAA), perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), and perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA) were found in 40-50% of the samples, whereas the detection frequencies for the other six PFAS were below 15%. When compared to National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) participants matching sex, race, and age with this study, our results showed similar concentrations of most PFAS, but higher concentrations of PFHxS (GM 0.99 ng/mL in this study; 0.63 and 0.4 ng/mL in NHANES, 2014-2015 and 2016-2017 cycles). A decline in concentrations over the study period was found for most PFAS but not PFPeA. In adjusted models, education, sampling year, parity, BMI, tobacco and marijuana use, age of house, drinking water source, and cosmetic use were significantly associated with serum PFAS concentrations. Our study reports the first PFAS exposure data among pregnant African American women in the Atlanta area, Georgia. The identified predictors will facilitate the setting of research priorities and enable development of exposure mitigation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Che-Jung Chang
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - P Barry Ryan
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Melissa M Smarr
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Kurunthachalam Kannan
- Department of Pediatrics and Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Parinya Panuwet
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Anne L Dunlop
- Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Dana Boyd Barr
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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33
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Savoca D, Pace A. Bioaccumulation, Biodistribution, Toxicology and Biomonitoring of Organofluorine Compounds in Aquatic Organisms. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:6276. [PMID: 34207956 PMCID: PMC8230574 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22126276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
This review is a survey of recent advances in studies concerning the impact of poly- and perfluorinated organic compounds in aquatic organisms. After a brief introduction on poly- and perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) features, an overview of recent monitoring studies is reported illustrating ranges of recorded concentrations in water, sediments, and species. Besides presenting general concepts defining bioaccumulative potential and its indicators, the biodistribution of PFCs is described taking in consideration different tissues/organs of the investigated species as well as differences between studies in the wild or under controlled laboratory conditions. The potential use of species as bioindicators for biomonitoring studies are discussed and data are summarized in a table reporting the number of monitored PFCs and their total concentration as a function of investigated species. Moreover, biomolecular effects on taxonomically different species are illustrated. In the final paragraph, main findings have been summarized and possible solutions to environmental threats posed by PFCs in the aquatic environment are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrea Pace
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università Degli Studi di Palermo, 90100 Palermo, Italy;
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34
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Zheng G, Schreder E, Dempsey JC, Uding N, Chu V, Andres G, Sathyanarayana S, Salamova A. Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Breast Milk: Concerning Trends for Current-Use PFAS. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:7510-7520. [PMID: 33982557 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c06978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
This is the first study in the last 15 years to analyze per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in breast milk collected from mothers (n = 50) in the United States, and our findings indicate that both legacy and current-use PFAS now contaminate breast milk, exposing nursing infants. Breast milk was analyzed for 39 PFAS, including 9 short-chain and 30 long-chain compounds, and 16 of these PFAS were detected in 4-100% of the samples. The ∑PFAS concentration in breast milk ranged from 52.0 to 1850 pg/mL with a median concentration of 121 pg/mL. Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) were the most abundant PFAS in these samples (medians 30.4 and 13.9 pg/mL, respectively). Two short-chain PFAS, including perfluoro-n-hexanoic acid (PFHxA, C6) and perfluoro-n-heptanoic acid (PFHpA, C7), were detected in most of the samples with median concentrations of 9.69 and 6.10 pg/mL, respectively. Analysis of the available breast milk PFAS data from around the world over the period of 1996-2019 showed that while the levels of the phased-out PFOS and PFOA have been declining with halving times of 8.1 and 17 years, respectively, the detection frequencies of current-use short-chain PFAS have been increasing with a doubling time of 4.1 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guomao Zheng
- Paul H. O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | - Erika Schreder
- Toxic-Free Future, Seattle, Washington 98103, United States
| | | | - Nancy Uding
- Toxic-Free Future, Seattle, Washington 98103, United States
| | - Valerie Chu
- Toxic-Free Future, Seattle, Washington 98103, United States
| | - Gabriel Andres
- Toxic-Free Future, Seattle, Washington 98103, United States
| | - Sheela Sathyanarayana
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington/Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington 91807, United States
| | - Amina Salamova
- Paul H. O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
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Charbonnet JA, Rodowa AE, Joseph NT, Guelfo JL, Field JA, Jones GD, Higgins CP, Helbling DE, Houtz EF. Environmental Source Tracking of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances within a Forensic Context: Current and Future Techniques. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:7237-7245. [PMID: 33983714 PMCID: PMC9724633 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c08506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The source tracking of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) is a new and increasingly necessary subfield within environmental forensics. We define PFAS source tracking as the accurate characterization and differentiation of multiple sources contributing to PFAS contamination in the environment. PFAS source tracking should employ analytical measurements, multivariate analyses, and an understanding of PFAS fate and transport within the framework of a conceptual site model. Converging lines of evidence used to differentiate PFAS sources include: identification of PFASs strongly associated with unique sources; the ratios of PFAS homologues, classes, and isomers at a contaminated site; and a site's hydrogeochemical conditions. As the field of PFAS source tracking progresses, the development of new PFAS analytical standards and the wider availability of high-resolution mass spectral data will enhance currently available analytical capabilities. In addition, multivariate computational tools, including unsupervised (i.e., exploratory) and supervised (i.e., predictive) machine learning techniques, may lead to novel insights that define a targeted list of PFASs that will be useful for environmental PFAS source tracking. In this Perspective, we identify the current tools available and principal developments necessary to enable greater confidence in environmental source tracking to identify and apportion PFAS sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph A Charbonnet
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Alix E Rodowa
- Biochemical and Exposure Science Group, National Institute of Standards & Technology, Charleston, South Carolina 29412, United States
| | - Nayantara T Joseph
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853-0001, United States
| | - Jennifer L Guelfo
- Department of Civil, Environmental, and Construction Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409, United States
| | - Jennifer A Field
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-7301, United States
| | - Gerrad D Jones
- Department of Biological and Ecological Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
| | - Christopher P Higgins
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Damian E Helbling
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853-0001, United States
| | - Erika F Houtz
- Arcadis, 100 Montgomery Street, Suite 300, San Francisco, California 94104, United States
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36
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Seshasayee SM, Rifas-Shiman SL, Chavarro JE, Carwile JL, Lin PID, Calafat AM, Sagiv SK, Oken E, Fleisch AF. Dietary patterns and PFAS plasma concentrations in childhood: Project Viva, USA. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 151:106415. [PMID: 33706127 PMCID: PMC7979513 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diet is thought to account for most adult human exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Children are particularly vulnerable to adverse health effects of PFAS and may have different eating habits than adults. However, studies of dietary patterns and PFAS in children are limited. METHODS We studied 548 Boston-area children with food frequency questionnaire data (89 food items) in early childhood (median age 3.3 years) and plasma concentrations of 6 PFAS quantified in mid-childhood (median age 7.7 years). We used univariate linear regression to examine associations between each food item and PFAS, accounting for multiple comparisons. We next used reduced rank regression (RRR) to estimate overall percent variation in PFAS explained by diet and identify dietary patterns most correlated with PFAS. All models were adjusted for race/ethnicity, maternal education, and household income. RESULTS In univariate analyses, 2-(N-methyl-perfluorooctane sulfonamide) acetate (MeFOSAA) plasma concentrations were 17.8% (95% CI: 7.2, 29.5) and 17.0% (95% CI: 6.4, 28.7) higher per SD increment in intake of ice cream and soda, respectively. RRR identified 6 dietary patterns that together explained 18% variation in the plasma concentrations of the 6 PFAS, of which 50% was explained by a dietary pattern consisting of primarily packaged foods (including ice cream and soda) and fish. Children with higher intake of the packaged foods and fish dietary pattern had higher plasma concentrations of all PFAS, particularly MeFOSAA and PFOS. CONCLUSIONS Our analysis examined food intake in association with several PFAS in children and identified dietary determinants that may be sources of PFAS exposure or reflect correlated lifestyle or toxicokinetic factors. Further investigation may help inform measures to modify childhood PFAS exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shravanthi M Seshasayee
- Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Portland, ME, USA
| | - Sheryl L Rifas-Shiman
- Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jorge E Chavarro
- Department of Nutrition and Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jenny L Carwile
- Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Portland, ME, USA
| | - Pi-I D Lin
- Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Antonia M Calafat
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sharon K Sagiv
- Center for Environmental Research and Children's Health (CERCH), School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Emily Oken
- Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Abby F Fleisch
- Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Portland, ME, USA; Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Maine Medical Center, Portland, ME, USA.
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Biomarkers of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Sub-Arctic and Arctic communities in Canada. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2021; 235:113754. [PMID: 33984600 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2021.113754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Polyfluoroalkyl substances and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a family of anthropogenic chemicals that are used in food packaging, waterproof clothing, and firefighting foams for their water and oil resistant properties. Though levels of some PFAS appear to be decreasing in Canada's south, environmental levels have been increasing in the Arctic due to long-range transport. However, the implications of this on human exposures in sub-Arctic and Arctic populations in Canada have yet to be established. To address this data gap, human biomonitoring research was completed in Old Crow, Yukon, and the Dehcho region, Northwest Territories. Blood samples were collected from adults residing in seven northern First Nations and were analyzed by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. A total of nine PFAS were quantified: perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulphonic acid (PFOS), perfluorohexane sulphonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), and perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUdA), perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA), perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), and perfluorobutane sulphonic acid (PFBS). In the Dehcho (n = 124), five PFAS had a detection rate greater than 50% including PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS, PFNA, and PFDA. In addition to these PFAS, PFUdA was also detected in at least half of the samples collected in Old Crow (n = 54). Generally, male participants had higher concentrations of PFAS compared to female participants, and PFAS concentrations tended to increase with age. For most PFAS, Old Crow and Dehcho levels were similar or lower to those measured in the general Canadian population (as measured through the Canadian Health Measures Survey or CHMS) and other First Nations populations in Canada (as measured through the First Nations Biomonitoring Initiative or FNBI). The key exception to this was for PFNA which, relative to the CHMS (0.51 μg/L), was approximately 1.8 times higher in Old Crow (0.94 μg/L) and 2.8 times higher in Dehcho (1.42 μg/L) than observed in the general Canadian population. This project provides baseline PFAS levels for participating communities, improving understanding of human exposures to PFAS in Canada. Future research should investigate site-specific PFNA exposure sources and monitor temporal trends in these regions.
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Zhu Y, Ro A, Bartell SM. Household low pile carpet usage was associated with increased serum PFAS concentrations in 2005-2006. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 195:110758. [PMID: 33549621 PMCID: PMC8104467 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.110758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are ubiquitous in the serum of the general US population. Food, drinking water, consumer products, dust, and air have been assessed as PFAS exposure sources for humans. The effects of various types of carpeting on serum PFAS concentrations have been less studied, despite the known use of PFAS in stain-resistant carpet treatments. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to examine the associations between serum PFAS concentrations and type of residential flooring among the general US population aged 12 years and older using the 2005-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). METHODS We used multiple linear regressions adjusted for complex survey design and relevant covariates to analyze the relations between serum PFAS concentrations and type of floor covering (smooth surface, low pile carpet, medium to high pile carpet, and combination of carpet and smooth surface), as well as other potential exposure factors. We used multiple imputation to address missing values. RESULTS We found significantly higher serum concentrations of perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) and 2-(N-methyl-perfluorooctane sulfonamido) acetic acid (MeFOSAA) in US residents residing in homes with low pile carpeting compared with those residing in homes with smooth surface. We concluded that among US residents aged 12 years and older residing in homes with low pile carpeting in the home in 2005-2006, on average 24% and 19% of the PFHxS and MeFOSAA body burdens, respectively, could be attributed to carpeting. We found associations between other types of floor covering (medium to high pile carpet, combination of carpet and smooth surface) and some PFAS concentrations compared with the smooth surface, but these results were less consistent and generally not statistically significant. Additionally, a group Wald Chi-squared test showed a significant result for PFOS, indicating different contributions of various types of flooring to PFOS serum concentration. SIGNIFICANCE Our results are representative of the general US population at the time of the survey, and potentially informative regarding ongoing PFAS exposure from a variety of sources including carpeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yachen Zhu
- Program in Public Health, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697-3957, USA
| | - Annie Ro
- Program in Public Health, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697-3957, USA
| | - Scott M Bartell
- Program in Public Health, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697-3957, USA; Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697-1250, USA; Department of Statistics, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697-1250, USA.
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Schroeder T, Bond D, Foley J. PFAS soil and groundwater contamination via industrial airborne emission and land deposition in SW Vermont and Eastern New York State, USA. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2021; 23:291-301. [PMID: 33443261 DOI: 10.1039/d0em00427h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
In order to understand the extent to which airborne PFAS emission can impact soil and groundwater, we conducted a sampling campaign in areas of conserved forest lands near Bennington, VT/Hoosick Falls, NY. This has been home to sources of PFAS air-emissions from Teflon-coating operations for over 50 years. Since 2015, the Vermont and New York Departments of Environmental Conservation have documented ∼1200 residential wells and two municipal water systems across a 200 km2 area contaminated with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Given the large areal extent of the plume, and the fact that much of the contaminated area lies up-gradient and across rivers from manufactures, we seek to determine if groundwater contamination could have resulted primarily from air-emission, land deposition, and subsequent leaching to infiltrating groundwater. Sampling of soils and groundwater in the Green Mountain National Forest (GMNF) downwind of factories shows that both soil and groundwater PFOA contamination extend uninterrupted from inhabited areas into conserved forest lands. Groundwater springs and seeps in the GMNF located 8 km downwind, but >300 meters vertically above factories, contain up to 100 ppt PFOA. Our results indicate that air-emitted PFAS can contaminate groundwater and soil in areas outside of those normally considered down-gradient of a source with respect to regional groundwater flow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Schroeder
- Bennington College, 1 College Drive, Bennington, VT 05201, USA.
| | - David Bond
- Bennington College, 1 College Drive, Bennington, VT 05201, USA.
| | - Janet Foley
- Bennington College, 1 College Drive, Bennington, VT 05201, USA.
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Mikkonen AT, Martin J, Dourson ML, Hinwood A, Johnson MS. Suggestions for Improving the Characterization of Risk from Exposures to Per and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2021; 40:871-886. [PMID: 33201555 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Many state and federal environmental and health agencies have developed risk-based criteria for assessing the risk of adverse health effects of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) exposure to humans and the environment. However, the criteria that have been developed vary; drinking water criteria developed for perfluorooctanoic acid, for example, can vary by up to 750 fold. This is due to differences and variability in the data and information used, study/endpoint selection, assumptions and magnitude of uncertainty factors used in the absence and extrapolation of critical effect data, differences in underlying approaches to addressing exposure within criteria development, and/or policy decisions on levels of acceptable risk. We have critically evaluated the methods used to develop these criteria while focusing on derivation and application of drinking water criteria and discuss a range of improvements to risk-characterization practice recently presented at a Focused Topic Meeting on PFAS conducted by the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry in Durham, North Carolina, USA, 12 to 15 August 2019. We propose methods that consider maximizing the use of disparate data streams, seeking patterns, and proposing biologically based approaches to evidence integration toward informed criteria development. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:883-898. © 2020 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antti T Mikkonen
- University of South Australia Clinical and Health Sciences, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Environment Protection Authority Victoria, Macleod, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jennifer Martin
- Environment Protection Authority Victoria, Macleod, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Andrea Hinwood
- Environment Protection Authority Victoria, Macleod, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mark S Johnson
- US Army Public Health Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland
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De Silva AO, Armitage JM, Bruton TA, Dassuncao C, Heiger-Bernays W, Hu XC, Kärrman A, Kelly B, Ng C, Robuck A, Sun M, Webster TF, Sunderland EM. PFAS Exposure Pathways for Humans and Wildlife: A Synthesis of Current Knowledge and Key Gaps in Understanding. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2021; 40:631-657. [PMID: 33201517 PMCID: PMC7906948 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 273] [Impact Index Per Article: 91.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
We synthesize current understanding of the magnitudes and methods for assessing human and wildlife exposures to poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Most human exposure assessments have focused on 2 to 5 legacy PFAS, and wildlife assessments are typically limited to targeted PFAS (up to ~30 substances). However, shifts in chemical production are occurring rapidly, and targeted methods for detecting PFAS have not kept pace with these changes. Total fluorine measurements complemented by suspect screening using high-resolution mass spectrometry are thus emerging as essential tools for PFAS exposure assessment. Such methods enable researchers to better understand contributions from precursor compounds that degrade into terminal perfluoroalkyl acids. Available data suggest that diet is the major human exposure pathway for some PFAS, but there is large variability across populations and PFAS compounds. Additional data on total fluorine in exposure media and the fraction of unidentified organofluorine are needed. Drinking water has been established as the major exposure source in contaminated communities. As water supplies are remediated, for the general population, exposures from dust, personal care products, indoor environments, and other sources may be more important. A major challenge for exposure assessments is the lack of statistically representative population surveys. For wildlife, bioaccumulation processes differ substantially between PFAS and neutral lipophilic organic compounds, prompting a reevaluation of traditional bioaccumulation metrics. There is evidence that both phospholipids and proteins are important for the tissue partitioning and accumulation of PFAS. New mechanistic models for PFAS bioaccumulation are being developed that will assist in wildlife risk evaluations. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:631-657. © 2020 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Carla Ng
- University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Anna Robuck
- University of Rhode Island, Graduate School of Oceanography, Narragansett, RI USA
| | - Mei Sun
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC USA
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Augustsson A, Lennqvist T, Osbeck CMG, Tibblin P, Glynn A, Nguyen MA, Westberg E, Vestergren R. Consumption of freshwater fish: A variable but significant risk factor for PFOS exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 192:110284. [PMID: 33022218 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 09/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
PFOS, PFOA, PFNA and PFHxS are the PFAS substances that currently contribute most to human exposure, and in 2020 the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) presented a draft opinion on a tolerable intake of 8 ng/kg/week for the sum of these four substances (equaling 0.42 μg/kg if expressed as an annual dose). Diet is usually the dominating exposure pathway, and in particular the intake of PFOS has been shown to be strongly related to the consumption of fish and seafood. Those who eat freshwater fish may be especially at risk since freshwater and its biota typically display higher PFOS concentrations than marine systems. In this study, we estimated the range in PFOS intake among average Swedish "normal" and "high" consumers of freshwater fish. By average we mean persons of average weight who eat average-sized portions. The "normal consumers" were assumed to eat freshwater fish 3 times per year, and the "high consumers" once a week. Under these assumptions, the yearly tolerable intake for "normal" and "high" consumers is reached when the PFOS concentrations in fish equals 59 and 3.4 μg per kg fish meat. For this study, PFOS concentrations in the muscle tissue of edible-sized perch, pike and pikeperch were retrieved from three different Swedish datasets, covering both rural and urban regions and a total of 78 different inland waters. Mean PFOS concentrations in fish from these sites varied from 0.3 to 750 μg/kg. From the available data, the annual min-max dietary PFOS intake for male "normal consumers" was found to be in the range 0.0021-5.4 μg/kg/yr for the evaluated scenarios, with median values of 0.02-0.16 μg/kg/yr. For male "high consumers", the total intake range was estimated to be 0.04-93 μg/kg/yr, with median values being 0.27-1.6 μg/kg/yr. For women, the exposure estimates were slightly lower, about 79% of the exposure in men. Despite highly variable PFOS concentrations in fish from different sites, we conclude that the three most commonly consumed freshwater species in Sweden constitute an important source for the total annual intake even for people who eat this kind of fish only a few times per year. The analyses of PFOA, PFNA and PFHxS showed values which were all below detection limit, and their contribution to the total PFAS intake via freshwater fish consumption is negligible in comparison to PFOS.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Augustsson
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden.
| | - T Lennqvist
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - C M G Osbeck
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - P Tibblin
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - A Glynn
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - M A Nguyen
- IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - E Westberg
- IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - R Vestergren
- IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
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Caron-Beaudoin É, Ayotte P, Blanchette C, Muckle G, Avard E, Ricard S, Lemire M. Perfluoroalkyl acids in pregnant women from Nunavik (Quebec, Canada): Trends in exposure and associations with country foods consumption. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 145:106169. [PMID: 33041046 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are persistent and ubiquitous environmental contaminants that potentially disrupt endocrine system functions. While some PFAAs (perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)) are regulated, currently used fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs) can be transported to the Arctic and are degraded in a number of PFAAs which biomagnify in Arctic wildlife (e.g. perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUdA)). OBJECTIVES From 2004 to 2017, 279 pregnant Inuit women were recruited as part of biomonitoring projects in Nunavik. Our goal was to evaluate: (i) time-trends in plasma/serum PFAAs levels in pregnant Nunavimmiut women between 2004 and 2017; (ii) compare plasma/serum PFAAs levels in Nunavimmiut women in 2016-2017 to those measured in women of childbearing age in the Canadian Health Measure Survey (CHMS); and (iii) evaluate the associations of PFAAs levels with the consumption of country foods and pregnancy and maternal characteristics during pregnancy in the 97 participants recruited in 2016-2017. METHODS Individual blood sample were collected for serum or plasma PFAAs (PFOS, PFOA, pentafluorobenzoic acid (PFBA), perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS), perfluorohexane-1-sulfonic acid (PFHxS), PFNA, PFDA, PFUdA) analyses. Socio-demographic data, pregnancy and maternal characteristics and country foods consumption were documented using a questionnaire. Omega-3 and -6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were measured in red blood cell membranes and their ratio used as a biomarker of marine country foods consumption. Time-trends in PFAAs levels were evaluated using ANCOVA models adjusted for relevant co-variables. Serum/plasma levels of PFAAs in the 97 pregnant women aged 16 to 40 years old and recruited in 2016-2017 were compared to those measured in women aged 18 to 40 years old from the CHMS cycle 5 (2016-2017) using the geometric means (GM) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Multivariate regression analyses were performed to examine associations between concentrations of PFAAs and country foods consumption data. RESULTS Statistically-significant downward time trends were noted for concentrations of PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS in pregnant Nunavik women between 2004 and 2017. Conversely, between 2011 and 2016-2017, PFNA, PFDA and PFUdA maternal serum levels increased by 19, 13 and 21% respectively. Among participants in 2016-2017, mean concentrations for PFNA (GM: 2.4 μg/L), PFDA (0.53 μg/L) and PFUdA (0.61 μg/L) were higher than those measured in women aged 18-40 years old in the Cycle 5 (2016-2017) of the CHMS. PFOA (0.53 μg/L) and PFHxS (0.26 μg/L) were lower than in CHMS, whereas PFBA, PFHxA and PFBS were not detected in 2016-2017. Ratios of serum/plasma levels of PFNA/PFOA, PFNA/PFOS, PFNA/PFHxS and PFUdA/PFDA were significantly higher in the 97 pregnant women from Nunavik recruited in 2016-2017 compared to CHMS, highlighting their distinct exposure profile. In multivariate models, PFHxS, PFOS, PFNA, PFDA and PFUdA levels in 2016-2017 were strongly associated with the omega-3/omega-6 PUFA ratio, indicating a positive association between marine country foods consumption and higher exposure to PFAAs. CONCLUSIONS The exposure of pregnant women to long-chain PFAAs (PFNA, PFDA and PFUdA) increased from 2004 to 2017 in Nunavik. Associations noted between PFAAs levels and the omega-3/omega-6 ratio highlights the importance of implementing additional strict regulations on PFAAs and their precursors to protect the high nutritional quality and cultural importance of country foods in Nunavik.
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Affiliation(s)
- Élyse Caron-Beaudoin
- Department of Health and Society and Department of Environmental and Physical Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, Canada; Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Evaluation, VCH Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Pierre Ayotte
- Axe santé des populations et pratiques optimales en santé, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada; Département de médecine sociale et préventive, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada; Centre de toxicologie du Québec, Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Caty Blanchette
- Axe santé des populations et pratiques optimales en santé, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Gina Muckle
- Axe santé des populations et pratiques optimales en santé, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada; École de psychologie, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Ellen Avard
- Nunavik Research Centre, Makivik Corporation, Kuujjuaq, QC, Canada
| | - Sylvie Ricard
- Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services, Kuujjuaq, QC, Canada
| | - Mélanie Lemire
- Axe santé des populations et pratiques optimales en santé, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada; Département de médecine sociale et préventive, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.
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Schrenk D, Bignami M, Bodin L, Chipman JK, del Mazo J, Grasl‐Kraupp B, Hogstrand C, Hoogenboom L(R, Leblanc J, Nebbia CS, Nielsen E, Ntzani E, Petersen A, Sand S, Vleminckx C, Wallace H, Barregård L, Ceccatelli S, Cravedi J, Halldorsson TI, Haug LS, Johansson N, Knutsen HK, Rose M, Roudot A, Van Loveren H, Vollmer G, Mackay K, Riolo F, Schwerdtle T. Risk to human health related to the presence of perfluoroalkyl substances in food. EFSA J 2020; 18:e06223. [PMID: 32994824 PMCID: PMC7507523 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2020.6223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 223] [Impact Index Per Article: 55.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The European Commission asked EFSA for a scientific evaluation on the risks to human health related to the presence of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in food. Based on several similar effects in animals, toxicokinetics and observed concentrations in human blood, the CONTAM Panel decided to perform the assessment for the sum of four PFASs: PFOA, PFNA, PFHxS and PFOS. These made up half of the lower bound (LB) exposure to those PFASs with available occurrence data, the remaining contribution being primarily from PFASs with short half-lives. Equal potencies were assumed for the four PFASs included in the assessment. The mean LB exposure in adolescents and adult age groups ranged from 3 to 22, the 95th percentile from 9 to 70 ng/kg body weight (bw) per week. Toddlers and 'other children' showed a twofold higher exposure. Upper bound exposure was 4- to 49-fold higher than LB levels, but the latter were considered more reliable. 'Fish meat', 'Fruit and fruit products' and 'Eggs and egg products' contributed most to the exposure. Based on available studies in animals and humans, effects on the immune system were considered the most critical for the risk assessment. From a human study, a lowest BMDL 10 of 17.5 ng/mL for the sum of the four PFASs in serum was identified for 1-year-old children. Using PBPK modelling, this serum level of 17.5 ng/mL in children was estimated to correspond to long-term maternal exposure of 0.63 ng/kg bw per day. Since accumulation over time is important, a tolerable weekly intake (TWI) of 4.4 ng/kg bw per week was established. This TWI also protects against other potential adverse effects observed in humans. Based on the estimated LB exposure, but also reported serum levels, the CONTAM Panel concluded that parts of the European population exceed this TWI, which is of concern.
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Borghese MM, Walker M, Helewa ME, Fraser WD, Arbuckle TE. Association of perfluoroalkyl substances with gestational hypertension and preeclampsia in the MIREC study. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 141:105789. [PMID: 32408216 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Revised: 03/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been linked with a number of developmental, reproductive, hepatic, and cardiovascular health outcomes. However, the evidence for an association between PFAS and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (including gestational hypertension and preeclampsia) is equivocal and warrants further investigation. OBJECTIVES To examine the relationship between background levels of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) and the development of gestational hypertension or preeclampsia in a Canadian pregnancy cohort. We also explored the potential for effect modification according to fetal sex. METHODS Maternal plasma samples were collected in the first trimester from participants in the MIREC study and were analyzed for PFOA, PFOS, and PFHxS. Blood pressure was measured during each trimester. Gestational hypertension and preeclampsia were defined using the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada guidelines. Logistic regression models were used to derive adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for associations between PFAS concentrations (per doubling of concentration as well as according to tertiles) and gestational hypertension or preeclampsia. Linear mixed models were used to examine the association between PFAS concentrations and changes in blood pressure throughout pregnancy. RESULTS Data from 1739 participants were analyzed. 90% of women were normotensive throughout pregnancy, 7% developed gestational hypertension without preeclampsia, and 3% developed preeclampsia. In the full analyses, neither PFOA nor PFOS were associated with gestational hypertension or preeclampsia. However, each doubling of PFHxS plasma concentration was associated with higher odds of developing preeclampsia (OR = 1.32; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.70). In addition, participants in the highest PFHxS tertile (1.4-40.0 μg/L) had higher odds of developing preeclampsia relative to those in the lowest tertile (OR = 3.06; 95% CI: 1.27, 7.39). In stratified analyses, this effect was only apparent among women carrying a female fetus (OR = 4.90; 95% CI: 1.02, 22.3). However, among women carrying a male fetus, both PFOS and PFHxS were associated with gestational hypertension, but not preeclampsia. Higher plasma concentrations of all three PFAS were associated with increases in diastolic blood pressure throughout pregnancy, and PFOA and PFHxS were also associated with systolic blood pressure. Discrepant findings were similarly revealed in analyses stratified by fetal sex. CONCLUSIONS Higher levels of PFHxS were associated with the development of preeclampsia, but not gestational hypertension. Neither PFOA nor PFOS were associated with either outcome. However, we show, for the first time, that fetal sex may modify these associations, a finding which warrants replication and further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael M Borghese
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada.
| | - Mark Walker
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Newborn Care, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Michael E Helewa
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - William D Fraser
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Tye E Arbuckle
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada
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Seltenrich N. PFAS in Food Packaging: A Hot, Greasy Exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2020; 128:54002. [PMID: 32463326 PMCID: PMC7255411 DOI: 10.1289/ehp6335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
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Spaan KM, van Noordenburg C, Plassmann MM, Schultes L, Shaw S, Berger M, Heide-Jørgensen MP, Rosing-Asvid A, Granquist SM, Dietz R, Sonne C, Rigét F, Roos A, Benskin JP. Fluorine Mass Balance and Suspect Screening in Marine Mammals from the Northern Hemisphere. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020. [PMID: 32160740 DOI: 10.26434/chemrxiv.10128653.v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
There is increasing evidence that the ∼20 routinely monitored perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) account for only a fraction of extractable organofluorine (EOF) occurring in the environment. To assess whether PFAS exposure is being underestimated in marine mammals from the Northern Hemisphere, we performed a fluorine mass balance on liver tissues from 11 different species using a combination of targeted PFAS analysis, EOF and total fluorine determination, and suspect screening. Samples were obtained from the east coast United States (US), west and east coast of Greenland, Iceland, and Sweden from 2000 to 2017. Of the 36 target PFASs, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) dominated in all but one Icelandic and three US samples, where the 7:3 fluorotelomer carboxylic acid (7:3 FTCA) was prevalent. This is the first report of 7:3 FTCA in polar bears (∼1000 ng/g, ww) and cetaceans (<6-190 ng/g, ww). In 18 out of 25 samples, EOF was not significantly greater than fluorine concentrations derived from sum target PFASs. For the remaining 7 samples (mostly from the US east coast), 30-75% of the EOF was unidentified. Suspect screening revealed an additional 37 PFASs (not included in the targeted analysis) bringing the total to 63 detected PFASs from 12 different classes. Overall, these results highlight the importance of a multiplatform approach for accurately characterizing PFAS exposure in marine mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyra M Spaan
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 8, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Carmen van Noordenburg
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 8, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Merle M Plassmann
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 8, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lara Schultes
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 8, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Susan Shaw
- Shaw Institute, P.O. Box 1652, Blue Hill, Maine 04614 United States
| | - Michelle Berger
- Shaw Institute, P.O. Box 1652, Blue Hill, Maine 04614 United States
| | | | | | - Sandra M Granquist
- Marine and Freshwater Research Institute, Skúlagata 4, 101 Reykjavı́k, Reykjavík, Iceland
- The Icelandic Seal Center, Brekkugata 2, 530 Hvammstangi, Iceland
| | - Rune Dietz
- Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, P.O. Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Christian Sonne
- Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, P.O. Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Frank Rigét
- Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, P.O. Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Anna Roos
- Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, 3900 Nuuk, Greenland
- Department of Environmental Research and Monitoring, Swedish Museum of Natural History, P.O. Box 50007, 104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jonathan P Benskin
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 8, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
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48
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Spaan KM, van Noordenburg C, Plassmann MM, Schultes L, Shaw S, Berger M, Heide-Jørgensen MP, Rosing-Asvid A, Granquist SM, Dietz R, Sonne C, Rigét F, Roos A, Benskin JP. Fluorine Mass Balance and Suspect Screening in Marine Mammals from the Northern Hemisphere. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:4046-4058. [PMID: 32160740 PMCID: PMC7309329 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b06773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
There is increasing evidence that the ∼20 routinely monitored perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) account for only a fraction of extractable organofluorine (EOF) occurring in the environment. To assess whether PFAS exposure is being underestimated in marine mammals from the Northern Hemisphere, we performed a fluorine mass balance on liver tissues from 11 different species using a combination of targeted PFAS analysis, EOF and total fluorine determination, and suspect screening. Samples were obtained from the east coast United States (US), west and east coast of Greenland, Iceland, and Sweden from 2000 to 2017. Of the 36 target PFASs, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) dominated in all but one Icelandic and three US samples, where the 7:3 fluorotelomer carboxylic acid (7:3 FTCA) was prevalent. This is the first report of 7:3 FTCA in polar bears (∼1000 ng/g, ww) and cetaceans (<6-190 ng/g, ww). In 18 out of 25 samples, EOF was not significantly greater than fluorine concentrations derived from sum target PFASs. For the remaining 7 samples (mostly from the US east coast), 30-75% of the EOF was unidentified. Suspect screening revealed an additional 37 PFASs (not included in the targeted analysis) bringing the total to 63 detected PFASs from 12 different classes. Overall, these results highlight the importance of a multiplatform approach for accurately characterizing PFAS exposure in marine mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyra M. Spaan
- Department of Environmental
Science, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 8, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Carmen van Noordenburg
- Department of Environmental
Science, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 8, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Merle M. Plassmann
- Department of Environmental
Science, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 8, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lara Schultes
- Department of Environmental
Science, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 8, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Susan Shaw
- Shaw Institute, P.O. Box
1652, Blue Hill, Maine 04614 United States
| | - Michelle Berger
- Shaw Institute, P.O. Box
1652, Blue Hill, Maine 04614 United States
| | | | | | - Sandra M. Granquist
- Marine and Freshwater Research Institute, Skúlagata 4, 101 Reykjavík, Reykjavík, Iceland
- The Icelandic Seal
Center, Brekkugata 2, 530 Hvammstangi, Iceland
| | - Rune Dietz
- Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, P.O. Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Christian Sonne
- Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, P.O. Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Frank Rigét
- Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, P.O. Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Anna Roos
- Greenland
Institute of Natural Resources, 3900 Nuuk, Greenland
- Department of Environmental Research and Monitoring, Swedish Museum of Natural History, P.O.
Box 50007, 104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jonathan P. Benskin
- Department of Environmental
Science, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius Väg 8, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
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49
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Lin PID, Cardenas A, Hauser R, Gold DR, Kleinman KP, Hivert MF, Fleisch AF, Calafat AM, Sanchez-Guerra M, Osorio-Yáñez C, Webster TF, Horton ES, Oken E. Dietary characteristics associated with plasma concentrations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances among adults with pre-diabetes: Cross-sectional results from the Diabetes Prevention Program Trial. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 137:105217. [PMID: 32086073 PMCID: PMC7517661 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.105217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Diet is assumed to be the main source of exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in non-occupationally exposed populations, but studies on the diet-PFAS relationship in the United States are scarce. We extracted multiple dietary variables, including daily intakes of food group, diet scores, and dietary patterns, from self-reported dietary data collected at baseline (1996-1999) from adults with pre-diabetes enrolled in the Diabetes Prevention Program, and used linear regression models to evaluate relationships of each dietary variable with plasma concentrations of six PFAS (perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), 2-(N-ethyl-perfluorooctane sulfonamido) acetic acid (EtFOSAA), 2-(N-methyl-perfluorooctane sulfonamido) acetic acid (MeFOSAA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) adjusting for covariates. Participants (N = 941, 65% female, 58% Caucasian, 68% married, 75% with higher education, 95% nonsmoker) had similar PFAS concentrations compared to the general U.S. population during 1999-2000. Using a single food group approach, fried fish, other fish/shellfish, meat and poultry had positive associations with most PFAS plasma concentrations. The strongest effect estimate detected was between fried fish and PFNA [13.6% (95% CI: 7.7, 19.9) increase in median concentration per SD increase]. Low-carbohydrate and high protein diet score had positive association with plasma PFHxS. Some food groups, mostly vegetables and fruits, and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet score had inverse associations with PFOS and MeFOSAA. A vegetable diet pattern was associated with lower plasma concentrations of MeFOSAA, while high-fat meat and low-fiber and high-fat grains diet patterns were associated with higher plasma concentrations of PFOS, PFHxS, MeFOSAA and PFNA. We summarized four major dietary characteristics associated with variations in PFAS plasma concentrations in this population. Specifically, consuming more meat/fish/shellfish (especially fried fish, and excluding Omega3-rich fish), low-fiber and high-fat bread/cereal/rice/pasta, and coffee/tea was associated with higher plasma concentrations while dietary patterns of vegetables, fruits and Omega-3 rich fish were associated with lower plasma concentrations of some PFAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pi-I D. Lin
- Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andres Cardenas
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
| | - Russ Hauser
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Diane R. Gold
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ken P. Kleinman
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Human Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Marie-France Hivert
- Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Diabetes Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Abby F. Fleisch
- Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Maine Medical Center, Portland, ME, USA
- Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Portland, ME, USA
| | - Antonia M. Calafat
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Marco Sanchez-Guerra
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, National Institute of Perinatology, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Citlalli Osorio-Yáñez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico
| | - Thomas F. Webster
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Emily Oken
- Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Corresponding Author: Pi-I D. Lin, ScD, Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, 401 Park Drive, Suite 401, Boston, MA 02215, USA, Phone: (617) 867-4240; Fax: (617) 867-4845,
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50
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Temkin AM, Hocevar BA, Andrews DQ, Naidenko OV, Kamendulis LM. Application of the Key Characteristics of Carcinogens to Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E1668. [PMID: 32143379 PMCID: PMC7084585 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17051668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) constitute a large class of environmentally persistent chemicals used in industrial and consumer products. Human exposure to PFAS is extensive, and PFAS contamination has been reported in drinking water and food supplies as well as in the serum of nearly all people. The most well-studied member of the PFAS class, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), induces tumors in animal bioassays and has been associated with elevated risk of cancer in human populations. GenX, one of the PFOA replacement chemicals, induces tumors in animal bioassays as well. Using the Key Characteristics of Carcinogens framework for cancer hazard identification, we considered the existing epidemiological, toxicological and mechanistic data for 26 different PFAS. We found strong evidence that multiple PFAS induce oxidative stress, are immunosuppressive, and modulate receptor-mediated effects. We also found suggestive evidence indicating that some PFAS can induce epigenetic alterations and influence cell proliferation. Experimental data indicate that PFAS are not genotoxic and generally do not undergo metabolic activation. Data are currently insufficient to assess whether any PFAS promote chronic inflammation, cellular immortalization or alter DNA repair. While more research is needed to address data gaps, evidence exists that several PFAS exhibit one or more of the key characteristics of carcinogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis M. Temkin
- Environmental Working Group, Washington, DC 20009, USA; (D.Q.A.); (O.V.N.)
| | - Barbara A. Hocevar
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA; (B.A.H.); (L.M.K.)
| | - David Q. Andrews
- Environmental Working Group, Washington, DC 20009, USA; (D.Q.A.); (O.V.N.)
| | - Olga V. Naidenko
- Environmental Working Group, Washington, DC 20009, USA; (D.Q.A.); (O.V.N.)
| | - Lisa M. Kamendulis
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA; (B.A.H.); (L.M.K.)
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