1
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Pickard HM, Haque F, Sunderland EM. Bioaccumulation of Perfluoroalkyl Sulfonamides (FASA). Environ Sci Technol Lett 2024; 11:350-356. [PMID: 38645703 PMCID: PMC11027762 DOI: 10.1021/acs.estlett.4c00143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Hundreds of sites across the United States have high concentrations of perfluoroalkyl sulfonamides (FASA), but little is known about their propensity to accumulate in fish. FASA are precursors to terminal per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that are abundant in diverse consumer products and aqueous film-forming foams manufactured using electrochemical fluorination (ECF AFFF). In this study, FASA with C3-C8 carbon chain lengths were detected in all fish samples from surface waters up to 8 km downstream of source zones with ECF AFFF contamination. Short-chain FASA ≤ C6 have rarely been included in routine screening for PFAS, but availability of new standards makes such analyses more feasible. Bioaccumulation factors (BAF) for FASA were between 1 and 3 orders of magnitude greater than their terminal perfluoroalkyl sulfonates. Across fish species, BAF for FASA were greater than for perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), which is presently the focus of national advisory programs. Similar concentrations of the C6 FASA (<0.36-175 ng g-1) and PFOS (0.65-222 ng g-1) were detected in all fish species. No safety thresholds have been established for FASA. However, high concentrations in fish next to contaminated sites and preliminary findings on toxicity suggest an urgent need for consideration by fish advisory programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi M Pickard
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Faiz Haque
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Elsie M Sunderland
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, 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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2
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Fischer FC, Ludtke S, Thackray C, Pickard HM, Haque F, Dassuncao C, Endo S, Schaider L, Sunderland EM. Binding of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) to Serum Proteins: Implications for Toxicokinetics in Humans. Environ Sci Technol 2024; 58:1055-1063. [PMID: 38166384 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c07415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2024]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a diverse class of highly persistent anthropogenic chemicals that are detectable in the serum of most humans. PFAS exposure has been associated with many adverse effects on human health including immunotoxicity, increased risk of certain cancers, and metabolic disruption. PFAS binding to the most abundant blood serum proteins (human serum albumin [HSA] and globulins) is thought to affect transport to active sites, toxicity, and elimination half-lives. However, few studies have investigated the competitive binding of PFAS to these proteins in human serum. Here, we use C18 solid-phase microextraction fibers to measure HSA-water and globulin-water distribution coefficients (DHSA/w, Dglob/w) for PFAS with carbon chains containing 4 to 13 perfluorinated carbons (ηpfc = 4-13) and several functional head-groups. PFAS with ηpfc < 7 were highly bound to HSA relative to globulins, whereas PFAS with ηpfc ≥ 7 showed a greater propensity for binding to globulins. Experimentally measured DHSA/w and Dglob/w and concentrations of serum proteins successfully predicted the variability in PFAS binding in human serum. We estimated that the unbound fraction of serum PFAS varied by up to a factor of 2.5 among individuals participating in the 2017-2018 U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. These results suggest that serum HSA and globulins are important covariates for epidemiological studies aimed at understanding the effects of PFAS exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Christoph Fischer
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Sophia Ludtke
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Colin Thackray
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Heidi M Pickard
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Faiz Haque
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Clifton Dassuncao
- Eastern Research Group, Inc. (ERG), Arlington, Virginia 22201, United States
| | - Satoshi Endo
- National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), Health and Environmental Risk Division, Onogawa 16-2, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8506, Japan
| | - Laurel Schaider
- Silent Spring Institute, Newton, Massachusetts 02460, United States
| | - Elsie M Sunderland
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
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3
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Ruyle BJ, Pickard HM, Schultes L, Fredriksson F, Heffernan AL, Knappe DRU, Lord HL, Meng P, Mills MA, Ndungu K, Roesch P, Rundberget JT, Tettenhorst DR, Van Buren J, Vogel C, Westerman DC, Yeung LWY, Sunderland EM. Interlaboratory Comparison of Extractable Organofluorine Measurements in Groundwater and Eel ( Anguilla rostrata): Recommendations for Methods Standardization. Environ Sci Technol 2023; 57:20159-20168. [PMID: 37934924 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c04560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Research on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) frequently incorporates organofluorine measurements, particularly because they could support a class-based approach to regulation. However, standardized methods for organofluorine analysis in a broad suite of matrices are currently unavailable, including a method for extractable organofluorine (EOF) measured using combustion ion chromatography (CIC). Here, we report the results of an international interlaboratory comparison. Seven laboratories representing academia, government, and the private sector measured paired EOF and PFAS concentrations in groundwater and eel (Anguilla rostrata) from a site contaminated by aqueous film-forming foam. Among all laboratories, targeted PFAS could not explain all EOF in groundwater but accounted for most EOF in eel. EOF results from all laboratories for at least one replicate extract fell within one standard deviation of the interlaboratory mean for groundwater and five out of seven laboratories for eel. PFAS spike mixture recoveries for EOF measurements in groundwater and eel were close to the criterion (±30%) for standardized targeted PFAS methods. Instrumental operation of the CIC such as replicate sample injections was a major source of measurement uncertainty. Blank contamination and incomplete inorganic fluorine removal may introduce additional uncertainties. To elucidate the presence of unknown organofluorine using paired EOF and PFAS measurements, we recommend that analysts carefully consider confounding methodological uncertainties such as differences in precision between measurements, data processing steps such as blank subtraction and replicate analyses, and the relative recoveries of PFAS and other fluorine compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridger J Ruyle
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Heidi M Pickard
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Lara Schultes
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Felicia Fredriksson
- MTM Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, Örebro 701 82, Sweden
| | - Amy L Heffernan
- Eurofins Environment Testing Australia, Murarrie 2066, Queensland, Australia
| | - Detlef R U Knappe
- Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
| | | | - Pingping Meng
- Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
| | - Marc A Mills
- Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, Office of Research and Development, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio 45268, United States
| | - Kuria Ndungu
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Oslo N-0349, Norway
| | - Philipp Roesch
- Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, Berlin 12205, Germany
| | | | - Daniel R Tettenhorst
- Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, Office of Research and Development, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio 45268, United States
| | - Jean Van Buren
- Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, Office of Research and Development, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio 45268, United States
| | - Christian Vogel
- Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, Berlin 12205, Germany
| | - Danielle C Westerman
- Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
| | - Leo W Y Yeung
- MTM Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, Örebro 701 82, Sweden
| | - Elsie M Sunderland
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
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4
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Ruyle BJ, Schultes L, Akob DM, Harris CR, Lorah MM, Vojta S, Becanova J, McCann S, Pickard HM, Pearson A, Lohmann R, Vecitis CD, Sunderland EM. Nitrifying Microorganisms Linked to Biotransformation of Perfluoroalkyl Sulfonamido Precursors from Legacy Aqueous Film-Forming Foams. Environ Sci Technol 2023; 57:5592-5602. [PMID: 36972708 PMCID: PMC10100541 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c07178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Drinking water supplies across the United States have been contaminated by firefighting and fire-training activities that use aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Much of the AFFF is manufactured using electrochemical fluorination by 3M. Precursors with six perfluorinated carbons (C6) and non-fluorinated amine substituents make up approximately one-third of the PFAS in 3M AFFF. C6 precursors can be transformed through nitrification (microbial oxidation) of amine moieties into perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), a compound of regulatory concern. Here, we report biotransformation of the most abundant C6 sulfonamido precursors in 3M AFFF with available commercial standards (FHxSA, PFHxSAm, and PFHxSAmS) in microcosms representative of the groundwater/surface water boundary. Results show rapid (<1 day) biosorption to living cells by precursors but slow biotransformation into PFHxS (1-100 pM day-1). The transformation pathway includes one or two nitrification steps and is supported by the detection of key intermediates using high-resolution mass spectrometry. Increasing nitrate concentrations and total abundance of nitrifying taxa occur in parallel with precursor biotransformation. Together, these data provide multiple lines of evidence supporting microbially limited biotransformation of C6 sulfonamido precursors involving ammonia-oxidizing archaea (Nitrososphaeria) and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (Nitrospina). Further elucidation of interrelationships between precursor biotransformation and nitrogen cycling in ecosystems would help inform site remediation efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridger J. Ruyle
- Harvard
John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts 02134, United States
| | - Lara Schultes
- Harvard
John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts 02134, United States
| | - Denise M. Akob
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Geology, Energy and Minerals
Science Center, Reston, Virginia 20192, United
States
| | - Cassandra R. Harris
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Geology, Energy and Minerals
Science Center, Reston, Virginia 20192, United
States
| | - Michelle M. Lorah
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Maryland-Delaware-DC
Water Science Center, Baltimore, Maryland 21228, United States
| | - Simon Vojta
- Graduate
School of Oceanography, University of Rhode
Island, Narragansett, Rhode Island 02882, United States
| | - Jitka Becanova
- Graduate
School of Oceanography, University of Rhode
Island, Narragansett, Rhode Island 02882, United States
| | - Shelley McCann
- Department
of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Harvard
University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Heidi M. Pickard
- Harvard
John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts 02134, United States
| | - Ann Pearson
- Harvard
John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts 02134, United States
- Department
of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Harvard
University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Rainer Lohmann
- Graduate
School of Oceanography, University of Rhode
Island, Narragansett, Rhode Island 02882, United States
| | - Chad D. Vecitis
- Harvard
John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts 02134, United States
| | - Elsie M. Sunderland
- Harvard
John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts 02134, United States
- Department
of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Harvard
University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
- Department
of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan
School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
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5
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Barber LB, Pickard HM, Alvarez DA, Becanova J, Keefe SH, LeBlanc DR, Lohmann R, Steevens JA, Vajda AM. Uptake of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances by Fish, Mussel, and Passive Samplers in Mobile-Laboratory Exposures Using Groundwater from a Contamination Plume at a Historical Fire Training Area, Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Environ Sci Technol 2023; 57:5544-5557. [PMID: 36972291 PMCID: PMC10116195 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c06500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Aqueous film-forming foams historically were used during fire training activities on Joint Base Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and created an extensive per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) groundwater contamination plume. The potential for PFAS bioconcentration from exposure to the contaminated groundwater, which discharges to surface water bodies, was assessed with mobile-laboratory experiments using groundwater from the contamination plume and a nearby reference location. The on-site continuous-flow 21-day exposures used male and female fathead minnows, freshwater mussels, polar organic chemical integrative samplers (POCIS), and polyethylene tube samplers (PETS) to evaluate biotic and abiotic uptake. The composition of the PFAS-contaminated groundwater was complex and 9 PFAS were detected in the reference groundwater and 17 PFAS were detected in the contaminated groundwater. The summed PFAS concentrations ranged from 120 to 140 ng L-1 in reference groundwater and 6100 to 15,000 ng L-1 in contaminated groundwater. Biotic concentration factors (CFb) for individual PFAS were species, sex, source, and compound-specific and ranged from 2.9 to 1000 L kg-1 in whole-body male fish exposed to contaminated groundwater for 21 days. The fish and mussel CFb generally increased with increasing fluorocarbon chain length and were greater for sulfonates than for carboxylates. The exception was perfluorohexane sulfonate, which deviated from the linear trend and had a 10-fold difference in CFb between sites, possibly because of biotransformation of precursors such as perfluorohexane sulfonamide. Uptake for most PFAS in male fish was linear over time, whereas female fish had bilinear uptake indicated by an initial increase in tissue concentrations followed by a decrease. Uptake of PFAS was less for mussels (maximum CFb = 200) than for fish, and mussel uptake of most PFAS also was bilinear. Although abiotic concentration factors were greater than CFb, and values for POCIS were greater than for PETS, passive samplers were useful for assessing PFAS that potentially bioconcentrate in fish but are present at concentrations below method quantitation limits in water. Passive samplers also accumulate short-chain PFAS that are not bioconcentrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larry B Barber
- U.S. Geological Survey, 3215 Marine Street, Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
| | - Heidi M Pickard
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - David A Alvarez
- U.S. Geological Survey, 4200 New Haven Road, Columbia, Missouri 65201, United States
| | - Jitka Becanova
- Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, Horn Building 118, 215 South Ferry Road, Narragansett, Rhode Island 02882, United States
| | - Steffanie H Keefe
- U.S. Geological Survey, 3215 Marine Street, Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
| | - Denis R LeBlanc
- U.S. Geological Survey, 10 Bearfoot Road, Northborough, Massachusetts 01532, United States
| | - Rainer Lohmann
- Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, Horn Building 118, 215 South Ferry Road, Narragansett, Rhode Island 02882, United States
| | - Jeffery A Steevens
- U.S. Geological Survey, 4200 New Haven Road, Columbia, Missouri 65201, United States
| | - Alan M Vajda
- University of Colorado Denver, P.O. Box 173364, Denver, Colorado 80217, United States
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6
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Young AS, Pickard HM, Sunderland EM, Allen JG. Organic Fluorine as an Indicator of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Dust from Buildings with Healthier versus Conventional Materials. Environ Sci Technol 2022; 56:17090-17099. [PMID: 36331119 PMCID: PMC9730836 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c05198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of thousands of persistent, organic fluorinated chemicals added to materials and products mainly to repel stains and water. PFAS have been associated with many adverse human health effects. We aimed to determine whether buildings with "healthier" materials─defined here as reportedly free of all PFAS─exhibit lower PFAS in dust. In addition to analyzing targeted PFAS with available commercial standards, we measured extractable organic fluorine (EOF) as a novel proxy that includes both known and unknown types of PFAS. We measured at least 15 targeted PFAS (n = 24), EOF (n = 24), and total fluorine (TF; n = 14) in dust collected from university common spaces and classrooms, half of which had "healthier" furniture and carpet. We observed lower PFAS contamination in buildings with "healthier" materials: "healthier" rooms had a 66% lower median summed PFAS and a 49% lower Kaplan-Meier estimated mean EOF level in dust in comparison to conventional rooms. The summed targeted PFAS were significantly correlated with EOF but accounted for up to only 9% of EOF, indicating the likely presence of unidentified PFAS. EOF levels explained less than 1% of TF in dust. We emphasize the need to use chemical class-based methods (e.g., EOF) for evaluating class-based solutions and to expand non-PFAS solutions for other building materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna S. Young
- HarvardT. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts02115, United States
| | - Heidi M. Pickard
- HarvardJohn A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Boston, Massachusetts02134, United States
| | - Elsie M. Sunderland
- HarvardT. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts02115, United States
- HarvardJohn A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Boston, Massachusetts02134, United States
| | - Joseph G. Allen
- HarvardT. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts02115, United States
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7
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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. Environ Sci Technol 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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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8
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Wilkinson BP, Robuck AR, Lohmann R, Pickard HM, Jodice PGR. Urban proximity while breeding is not a predictor of perfluoroalkyl substance contamination in the eggs of brown pelicans. Sci Total Environ 2022; 803:150110. [PMID: 34525704 PMCID: PMC8595685 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Identifying sources of exposure to chemical stressors is difficult when both target organisms and stressors are highly mobile. While previous studies have demonstrated that populations of some organisms proximal to urban centers may display increased burdens of human-created chemicals compared to more distal populations, this relationship may not be universal when applied to organisms and stressors capable of transboundary movements. We examined eggs of brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis), a nearshore seabird with daily movements ranging from local to 50 km and annual migrations ranging from year-round residency to 1500 km. Thirty-six eggs from three breeding colonies located at increasing distances to a major urban center (Charleston, South Carolina, USA) were analyzed for concentrations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Areas of high use for each colony during the breeding season were also assessed via the tracking of adult pelicans from each colony using GPS-PTT satellite transmitters and overlapped with measures of relative urbanization via land cover data. We report potentially significant ∑PFAS concentrations in the eggs of pelicans (175.4 ± 120.1 ng/g w wt. SD), driven largely by linear perfluorooctane sulfonate (n-PFOS) (48-546 ng/g w wt.). Residues of the precursor compound perfluorooctane sulfonamide (FOSA) were also present in pelican eggs, suggesting continued exposure of local wildlife beyond implemented phaseouts of some PFAS. For most analytes, egg concentrations did not exhibit a significant spatial structure despite some differentiation in high-use areas unlike similar data for another regional apex predator, the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). We suggest that the partially migratory nature of brown pelicans during the non-breeding season, combined with daily ranges that may extend to 50 km from local point sources, may have homogenized exposure across individuals. Charleston likely remains a major source for PFAS in the overall region, however, given the high concentrations observed as well as known releases of PFAS in the nearshore environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley P Wilkinson
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, South Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA.
| | - Anna R Robuck
- Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, Narragansett, RI 02882, USA
| | - Rainer Lohmann
- Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, Narragansett, RI 02882, USA
| | - Heidi M Pickard
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Patrick G R Jodice
- U.S. Geological Survey South Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
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9
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Tokranov AK, LeBlanc DR, Pickard HM, Ruyle BJ, Barber LB, Hull RB, Sunderland EM, Vecitis CD. Surface-water/groundwater boundaries affect seasonal PFAS concentrations and PFAA precursor transformations. Environ Sci Process Impacts 2021; 23:1893-1905. [PMID: 34779453 PMCID: PMC8673475 DOI: 10.1039/d1em00329a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Elevated concentrations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking-water supplies are a major concern for human health. It is therefore essential to understand factors that affect PFAS concentrations in surface water and groundwater and the transformation of perfluoroalkyl acid (PFAA) precursors that degrade into terminal compounds. Surface-water/groundwater exchange can occur along the flow path downgradient from PFAS point sources and biogeochemical conditions can change rapidly at these exchange boundaries. Here, we investigate the influence of surface-water/groundwater boundaries on PFAS transport and transformation. To do this, we conducted an extensive field-based analysis of PFAS concentrations in water and sediment from a flow-through lake fed by contaminated groundwater and its downgradient surface-water/groundwater boundary (defined as ≤100 cm below the lake bottom). PFAA precursors comprised 45 ± 4.6% of PFAS (PFAA precursors + 18 targeted PFAA) in the predominantly oxic lake impacted by a former fire-training area and historical wastewater discharges. In shallow porewater downgradient from the lake, this percentage decreased significantly to 25 ± 11%. PFAA precursor concentrations decreased by 85% between the lake and 84-100 cm below the lake bottom. PFAA concentrations increased significantly within the surface-water/groundwater boundary and in downgradient groundwater during the winter months despite lower stable concentrations in the lake water source. These results suggest that natural biogeochemical fluctuations associated with surface-water/groundwater boundaries may lead to PFAA precursor loss and seasonal variations in PFAA concentrations. Results of this work highlight the importance of dynamic biogeochemical conditions along the hydrological flow path from PFAS point sources to potentially affected drinking water supplies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea K Tokranov
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northborough, MA 01532, USA
| | | | - Heidi M Pickard
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
| | - Bridger J Ruyle
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
| | | | | | - Elsie M Sunderland
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Chad D Vecitis
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
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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. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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11
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Ruyle BJ, Pickard HM, LeBlanc DR, Tokranov AK, Thackray CP, Hu XC, Vecitis CD, Sunderland EM. Isolating the AFFF Signature in Coastal Watersheds Using Oxidizable PFAS Precursors and Unexplained Organofluorine. Environ Sci Technol 2021; 55:3686-3695. [PMID: 33667081 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c07296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Water supplies for millions of U.S. individuals exceed maximum contaminant levels for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Contemporary and legacy use of aqueous film forming foams (AFFF) is a major contamination source. However, diverse PFAS sources are present within watersheds, making it difficult to isolate their predominant origins. Here we examine PFAS source signatures among six adjacent coastal watersheds on Cape Cod, MA, U.S.A. using multivariate clustering techniques. A distinct signature of AFFF contamination enriched in precursors with six perfluorinated carbons (C6) was identified in watersheds with an AFFF source, while others were enriched in C4 precursors. Principal component analysis of PFAS composition in impacted watersheds showed a decline in precursor composition relative to AFFF stocks and a corresponding increase in terminal perfluoroalkyl sulfonates with < C6 but not those with ≥ C6. Prior work shows that in AFFF stocks, all extractable organofluorine (EOF) can be explained by targeted PFAS and precursors inferred using Bayesian inference on the total oxidizable precursor assay. Using the same techniques for the first time in impacted watersheds, we find that only 24%-63% of the EOF can be explained by targeted PFAS and oxidizable precursors. Our work thus indicates the presence of large non-AFFF organofluorine sources in these coastal watersheds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridger J Ruyle
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Heidi M Pickard
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Denis R LeBlanc
- U.S. Geological Survey, New England Water Science Center, Northborough, Massachusetts 01532, United States
| | - Andrea K Tokranov
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
- U.S. Geological Survey, New England Water Science Center, Northborough, Massachusetts 01532, United States
| | - Colin P Thackray
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Xindi C Hu
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Mathematica, Incorporated, Oakland, California 94612, United States
| | - Chad D Vecitis
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Elsie M Sunderland
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, 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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12
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Tokranov AK, Nishizawa N, Amadei CA, Zenobio JE, Pickard HM, Allen JG, Vecitis CD, Sunderland EM. How Do We Measure Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) at the Surface of Consumer Products?: Environmental Science and Technology LETTERS. Environ Sci Technol Lett 2019; 6:38-43. [PMID: 33283017 PMCID: PMC7713715 DOI: 10.1021/acs.estlett.8b00600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Exposures to poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have been linked to metabolic disruption, immunotoxicity and cancer in humans. PFASs are known to be present in diverse consumer products including textiles and food packaging. Here we present a new method for quantifying the atomic percent fluorine (% F) in the surficial 0.01 μm of consumer products using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The surface of food contact materials and textiles measured in this study contained up to 28% F and 45% F, respectively. PTFE tape was measured to demonstrate XPS accuracy and precision. Depth profiles of fluorine content in consumer products measured using XPS showed highest levels at the upper-most surface in contact with the surrounding environment and a decrease below the surface. PFASs released in methanol extracts and quantified using traditional liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry typically accounted for <1% of the fluorine measured with XPS in consumer products. We conclude that XPS is a useful technique for characterizing PFASs in consumer products because it can precisely quantify the surficial fluorine content of materials. XPS also allows identification of CF2 and CF3 groups in materials and can elucidate the depth dependent distribution of fluorine in products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea K. Tokranov
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, MA 02138
- Andrea K. Tokranov 29 Oxford Street, Room 116, Cambridge, MA 02138,
| | - Nicole Nishizawa
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, MA 02138
| | - Carlo Alberto Amadei
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, MA 02138
| | - Jenny E. Zenobio
- Department of Agronomy, Interdisciplinary Ecological Science and Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2054
| | - Heidi M. Pickard
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, MA 02138
| | - Joseph G. Allen
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Chad D. Vecitis
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, MA 02138
| | - Elsie M. Sunderland
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, MA 02138
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115
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13
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Affiliation(s)
- H M Pickard
- Royal Dental Hospital of London School of Dental Surgery, Leicester Square, London WC2
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15
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Abstract
Stress distributions are presented for a normal and a restored mandibular second premolar under masticatory-type forces. These were obtained using the finite element method of stress analysis applied to two-dimensional models. The effect of the relative stiffness of the materials is examined in each instance.
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Pickard HM. Historical aspects of Vincent's disease. Proc R Soc Med 1973; 66:695-8. [PMID: 4582311 PMCID: PMC1645039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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17
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Pickard HM. Maxillofacial Injuries — An Account of Carelessness. Proc R Soc Med 1972. [DOI: 10.1177/003591577206501065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- H M Pickard
- School of Dental Surgery, Royal Dental Hospital, London WC2
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18
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Pickard HM. Restoration of teeth after facial injuries in road accidents. Proc R Soc Med 1972; 65:920. [PMID: 4404408 PMCID: PMC1644599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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20
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Pickard HM, Kirk EE. The slice preparation in crown and bridge work. Br Dent J 1967; 123:537. [PMID: 5234613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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