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Scheringer M, Cousins IT, Goldenman G. Is a Seismic Shift in the Landscape of PFAS Uses Occurring? Environ Sci Technol 2024; 58:6843-6845. [PMID: 38602346 PMCID: PMC11044584 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c01947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Scheringer
- Institute
of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Ian T. Cousins
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
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2
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Cordner A, Brown P, Cousins IT, Scheringer M, Martinon L, Dagorn G, Aubert R, Hosea L, Salvidge R, Felke C, Tausche N, Drepper D, Liva G, Tudela A, Delgado A, Salvatore D, Pilz S, Horel S. PFAS Contamination in Europe: Generating Knowledge and Mapping Known and Likely Contamination with "Expert-Reviewed" Journalism. Environ Sci Technol 2024; 58:6616-6627. [PMID: 38569050 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c09746] [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: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
While the extent of environmental contamination by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has mobilized considerable efforts around the globe in recent years, publicly available data on PFAS in Europe were very limited. In an unprecedented experiment of "expert-reviewed journalism" involving 29 journalists and seven scientific advisers, a cross-border collaborative project, the "Forever Pollution Project" (FPP), drew on both scientific methods and investigative journalism techniques such as open-source intelligence (OSINT) and freedom of information (FOI) requests to map contamination across Europe, making public data that previously had existed as "unseen science". The FPP identified 22,934 known contamination sites, including 20 PFAS manufacturing facilities, and 21,426 "presumptive contamination sites", including 13,745 sites presumably contaminated with fluorinated aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) discharge, 2911 industrial facilities, and 4752 sites related to PFAS-containing waste. Additionally, the FPP identified 231 "known PFAS users", a new category for sites with an intermediate level of evidence of PFAS use and considered likely to be contamination sources. However, the true extent of contamination in Europe remains significantly underestimated due to a lack of comprehensive geolocation, sampling, and publicly available data. This model of knowledge production and dissemination offers lessons for researchers, policymakers, and journalists about cross-field collaborations and data transparency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alissa Cordner
- Department of Sociology, Whitman College, Walla Walla, Washington 99362, United States
| | - Phil Brown
- Department of Sociology and Anthropology and Department of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Ian T Cousins
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Stockholm SE-10691, Sweden
| | - Martin Scheringer
- Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zürich, Zürich 8092, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Catharina Felke
- Norddeutscher Rundfunk, Ressort Investigation, Berlin 10117, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Derrick Salvatore
- Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Woburn, Massachusetts 01801, United States
| | - Sarah Pilz
- Freelance Journalist, Weißenfelder Straße 7, Parsdorf, Munich 85599, Germany
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Sha B, Johansson JH, Salter ME, Blichner SM, Cousins IT. Constraining global transport of perfluoroalkyl acids on sea spray aerosol using field measurements. Sci Adv 2024; 10:eadl1026. [PMID: 38579007 PMCID: PMC10997204 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adl1026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are highly persistent anthropogenic pollutants that have been detected in the global oceans. Our previous laboratory studies demonstrated that PFAAs in seawater are remobilized to the air in sea spray aerosols (SSAs). Here, we conducted field experiments along a north-south transect of the Atlantic Ocean to study the enrichment of PFAAs in SSA. We show that in some cases PFAAs were enriched >100,000 times in the SSA relative to seawater concentrations. On the basis of the results of the field experiments, we estimate that the secondary emission of certain PFAAs from the global oceans via SSA emission is comparable to or greater than estimates for the other known global sources of PFAAs to the atmosphere from manufacturing emissions and precursor degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Sha
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jana H. Johansson
- Department of Thematic Studies—Environmental Change, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Matthew E. Salter
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Bolin Centre for Climate Research, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sara M. Blichner
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ian T. Cousins
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
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Cousins IT, Hornbuckle KC, Li XD. ACS Environmental Au Recognizes 2023 Rising Stars in Environmental Research. ACS Environ Au 2024; 4:51-53. [PMID: 38525022 PMCID: PMC10958652 DOI: 10.1021/acsenvironau.4c00010] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
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Dalmijn J, Glüge J, Scheringer M, Cousins IT. Emission inventory of PFASs and other fluorinated organic substances for the fluoropolymer production industry in Europe. Environ Sci Process Impacts 2024; 26:269-287. [PMID: 38231136 DOI: 10.1039/d3em00426k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Fluoropolymers are a group of fluorinated polymers within the broad class of substances known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). During their production, a wide array of additional fluorinated organic substances (many PFASs and some not defined as PFASs) are used, formed and emitted to air and water. This study aims to assess, and make an inventory of, all emissions of PFASs and other fluorinated organic substances by the fluoropolymer production industry in Europe using available emission databases and permits. Air emissions of the fluorinated gases (i.e., chlorofluorocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons, hydrochlorofluorocarbons and perfluorocarbons (CFCs, H(C)FCs and PFCs)) by this industry have reportedly decreased between 2007 and 2021 from roughly 500 to 150 tonnes per year. Emissions of fluorosurfactants to air and water have also been reduced significantly. However, large uncertainties remain regarding the emissions of substances that are neither fluorinated gases nor fluorosurfactants but are classified as PFASs, such as polymerization by-products, chain transfer agents and fluorinated solvents. The available data indicate that the release of these substances is not decreasing but remains relatively stable. As this inventory probably underestimates emissions, further research, improved data availability and more harmonized reporting of emissions are necessary to obtain more accurate emission data for these substances. Nevertheless, based on the available data, it is clear that the emissions from fluoropolymer production plants to air and water are still significant and that the production of fluoropolymers continues to introduce persistent substances to the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joost Dalmijn
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Juliane Glüge
- Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Martin Scheringer
- Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Ian T Cousins
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden.
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6
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Skedung L, Savvidou E, Schellenberger S, Reimann A, Cousins IT, Benskin JP. Identification and quantification of fluorinated polymers in consumer products by combustion ion chromatography and pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Environ Sci Process Impacts 2024; 26:82-93. [PMID: 38099738 DOI: 10.1039/d3em00438d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Total fluorine was determined in 45 consumer product samples from the Swedish market which were either suspected or known to contain fluorinated polymers. Product categories included cookware (70-550 000 ppm F), textiles (10-1600 ppm F), electronics (20-2100 ppm F), and personal care products (10-630 000 ppm F). To confirm that the fluorine was organic in nature, and deduce structure, a qualitative pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (pyr-GC/MS) method was validated using a suite of reference materials. When applied to samples with unknown PFAS content, the method was successful at identifying polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) in cookware, dental products, and electronics at concentrations as low as 0.1-0.2 wt%. It was also possible to distinguish between 3 different side-chain fluorinated polymers in textiles. Several products appeared to contain high levels of inorganic fluorine. This is one of the few studies to quantify fluorine in a wide range of consumer plastics and provides important data on the concentration of fluorine in materials which may be intended for recycling, along with insights into the application of pyr-GC/MS for structural elucidation of fluorinated polymers in consumer products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Skedung
- RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Department Materials and Surface Design, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Eleni Savvidou
- Stockholm University, Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Steffen Schellenberger
- RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Unit Environment and Sustainable Chemistry, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anders Reimann
- RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Department Materials and Surface Design, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Ian T Cousins
- Stockholm University, Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Jonathan P Benskin
- Stockholm University, Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Arp HPH, Wolf R, Hale SE, Baskaran S, Glüge J, Scheringer M, Trier X, Cousins IT, Timmer H, Hofman-Caris R, Lennquist A, Bannink AD, Stroomberg GJ, Sjerps RMA, Montes R, Rodil R, Quintana JB, Zahn D, Gallard H, Mohr T, Schliebner I, Neumann M. Letter to the editor regarding Collard et al. (2023): "Persistence and mobility (defined as organic-carbon partitioning) do not correlate to the detection of substances found in surface and groundwater: Criticism of the regulatory concept of persistent and mobile substances". Sci Total Environ 2024; 906:165927. [PMID: 37532049 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Hans Peter H Arp
- Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI), P.O. Box 3930, Ullevål Stadion, 0806 Oslo, Norway; Department of Chemistry, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), N-7491 Trondheim, Norway.
| | - Raoul Wolf
- Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI), P.O. Box 3930, Ullevål Stadion, 0806 Oslo, Norway
| | - Sarah E Hale
- Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI), P.O. Box 3930, Ullevål Stadion, 0806 Oslo, Norway; DVGW-Technologiezentrum Wasser, Karlsruher Str. 84, 76139 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Sivani Baskaran
- Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI), P.O. Box 3930, Ullevål Stadion, 0806 Oslo, Norway
| | - Juliane Glüge
- Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Martin Scheringer
- Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Xenia Trier
- University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Ian T Cousins
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Harrie Timmer
- Vewin, Association of Dutch water companies, Bezuidenhoutseweg 12, NL 2594 AV The Hague, the Netherlands
| | - Roberta Hofman-Caris
- KWR Water Research Institute, Groningenhaven 7, Nieuwegein, the Netherlands; University of Applied Sciences, Life Sciences and Chemistry, Heidelberglaan 7, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Wageningen University and Research, Environmental Technology, Droevendaalsesteeg 4, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Anna Lennquist
- The International Chemical Secretariat, ChemSec, Första Långgatan 18, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - André D Bannink
- RIWA Association of River Waterworks, Groenendael 6, 3439 LV Nieuwegein, the Netherlands
| | - Gerard J Stroomberg
- RIWA Association of River Waterworks, Groenendael 6, 3439 LV Nieuwegein, the Netherlands
| | | | - Rosa Montes
- Institute for Research on Chemical and Biological Analysis (IAQBUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, R. Constantino Candeira S.N., 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Rosario Rodil
- Institute for Research on Chemical and Biological Analysis (IAQBUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, R. Constantino Candeira S.N., 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - José Benito Quintana
- Institute for Research on Chemical and Biological Analysis (IAQBUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, R. Constantino Candeira S.N., 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Daniel Zahn
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Hervé Gallard
- Institut de Chimie des Milieux et Matériaux de Poitiers UMR CNRS 7285, 1 rue Marcel Doré, TSA 41105, 86073 Poitiers Cedex 9, France
| | - Tobias Mohr
- German Environment Agency (UBA), Section IV 2.3 Chemicals, Wörlitzer Platz 1, 06844 Dessau-Roßlau, Germany
| | - Ivo Schliebner
- German Environment Agency (UBA), Section IV 2.3 Chemicals, Wörlitzer Platz 1, 06844 Dessau-Roßlau, Germany
| | - Michael Neumann
- German Environment Agency (UBA), Section IV 2.3 Chemicals, Wörlitzer Platz 1, 06844 Dessau-Roßlau, Germany.
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Schäffer A, Groh KJ, Sigmund G, Azoulay D, Backhaus T, Bertram MG, Carney Almroth B, Cousins IT, Ford AT, Grimalt JO, Guida Y, Hansson MC, Jeong Y, Lohmann R, Michaels D, Mueller L, Muncke J, Öberg G, Orellana MA, Sanganyado E, Schäfer RB, Sheriff I, Sullivan RC, Suzuki N, Vandenberg LN, Venier M, Vlahos P, Wagner M, Wang F, Wang M, Soehl A, Ågerstrand M, Diamond ML, Scheringer M. Conflicts of Interest in the Assessment of Chemicals, Waste, and Pollution. Environ Sci Technol 2023; 57:19066-19077. [PMID: 37943968 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c04213] [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: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Pollution by chemicals and waste impacts human and ecosystem health on regional, national, and global scales, resulting, together with climate change and biodiversity loss, in a triple planetary crisis. Consequently, in 2022, countries agreed to establish an intergovernmental science-policy panel (SPP) on chemicals, waste, and pollution prevention, complementary to the existing intergovernmental science-policy bodies on climate change and biodiversity. To ensure the SPP's success, it is imperative to protect it from conflicts of interest (COI). Here, we (i) define and review the implications of COI, and its relevance for the management of chemicals, waste, and pollution; (ii) summarize established tactics to manufacture doubt in favor of vested interests, i.e., to counter scientific evidence and/or to promote misleading narratives favorable to financial interests; and (iii) illustrate these with selected examples. This analysis leads to a review of arguments for and against chemical industry representation in the SPP's work. We further (iv) rebut an assertion voiced by some that the chemical industry should be directly involved in the panel's work because it possesses data on chemicals essential for the panel's activities. Finally, (v) we present steps that should be taken to prevent the detrimental impacts of COI in the work of the SPP. In particular, we propose to include an independent auditor's role in the SPP to ensure that participation and processes follow clear COI rules. Among others, the auditor should evaluate the content of the assessments produced to ensure unbiased representation of information that underpins the SPP's activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Schäffer
- Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, 210023 Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-Environment, Chongqing University, 400045 Chongqing, China
| | - Ksenia J Groh
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Gabriel Sigmund
- Environmental Technology, Wageningen University and Research, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - David Azoulay
- Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), Washington, D.C. 20005, United States
| | - Thomas Backhaus
- Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Michael G Bertram
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå 907 36, Sweden
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm 114 18, Sweden
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne 3800, Australia
| | - Bethanie Carney Almroth
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ian T Cousins
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Alex T Ford
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth PO4 9LY, United Kingdom
| | - Joan O Grimalt
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, IDAEA-CSIC, 08034 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Yago Guida
- National Institute for Environmental Studies, 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba 305-8506, Ibaraki, Japan
- Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Maria C Hansson
- The Centre for Environmental and Climate Science (CEC), Lund University, 22362 Lund, Sweden
| | - Yunsun Jeong
- Division of Environmental Health, Korea Environment Institute (KEI), 30147 Sejong, Republic of Korea
| | - Rainer Lohmann
- Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, Narragansett, Rhode Island 02881, United States
| | - David Michaels
- Department of Environmental & Occupational Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C. 20052, United States
| | - Leonie Mueller
- Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Jane Muncke
- Food Packaging Forum Foundation, 8045 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Gunilla Öberg
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Marcos A Orellana
- Global Toxics and Human Rights Project, American University Washington College of Law, Washington, D.C. 20016, United States
| | - Edmond Sanganyado
- Department of Applied Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, United Kingdom
| | - Ralf Bernhard Schäfer
- Institute for Environmental Sciences Landau, RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau, 76829 Landau, Germany
| | - Ishmail Sheriff
- School of Civil Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 14300 Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Ryan C Sullivan
- Department of Chemistry and Department of Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15217, United States
| | - Noriyuki Suzuki
- National Institute for Environmental Studies, 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba 305-8506, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Laura N Vandenberg
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health & Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
| | - Marta Venier
- Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | - Penny Vlahos
- Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Martin Wagner
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Fang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Mengjiao Wang
- Greenpeace Research Laboratories, Department of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4RN, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Soehl
- International Panel on Chemical Pollution, 8044 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Marlene Ågerstrand
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Miriam L Diamond
- Department of Earth Sciences and School of the Environment, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 3B1, Canada
| | - Martin Scheringer
- Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
- RECETOX, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
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9
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Rensmo A, Savvidou EK, Cousins IT, Hu X, Schellenberger S, Benskin JP. Lithium-ion battery recycling: a source of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to the environment? Environ Sci Process Impacts 2023; 25:1015-1030. [PMID: 37195252 DOI: 10.1039/d2em00511e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Recycling of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is a rapidly growing industry, which is vital to address the increasing demand for metals, and to achieve a sustainable circular economy. Relatively little information is known about the environmental risks posed by LIB recycling, in particular with regards to the emission of persistent (in)organic fluorinated chemicals. Here we present an overview on the use of fluorinated substances - in particular per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) - in state-of-the-art LIBs, along with recycling conditions which may lead to their formation and/or release to the environment. Both organic and inorganic fluorinated substances are widely reported in LIB components, including the electrodes and binder, electrolyte (and additives), and separator. Among the most common substances are LiPF6 (an electrolyte salt), and the polymeric PFAS polyvinylidene fluoride (used as an electrode binder and a separator). Currently the most common LIB recycling process involves pyrometallurgy, which operates at high temperatures (up to 1600 °C), sufficient for PFAS mineralization. However, hydrometallurgy, an increasingly popular alternative recycling approach, operates under milder temperatures (<600 °C), which could favor incomplete degradation and/or formation and release of persistent fluorinated substances. This is supported by the wide range of fluorinated substances detected in bench-scale LIB recycling experiments. Overall, this review highlights the need to further investigate emissions of fluorinated substances during LIB recycling and suggests that substitution of PFAS-based materials (i.e. during manufacturing), or alternatively post-treatments and/or changes in process conditions may be required to avoid formation and emission of persistent fluorinated substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Rensmo
- RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Environment and Sustainable Chemistry Unit, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Stockholm University, Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eleni K Savvidou
- Stockholm University, Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ian T Cousins
- Stockholm University, Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Xianfeng Hu
- SWERIM AB, Aronstorpsvägen 1, SE-974 37 Luleå, Sweden
| | - Steffen Schellenberger
- RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Environment and Sustainable Chemistry Unit, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Jonathan P Benskin
- Stockholm University, Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm, Sweden
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van Dijk J, Figuière R, Dekker SC, van Wezel AP, Cousins IT. Managing PMT/vPvM substances in consumer products through the concepts of essential-use and functional substitution: a case-study for cosmetics. Environ Sci Process Impacts 2023. [PMID: 37199459 DOI: 10.1039/d3em00025g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Measures are needed to protect water sources from substances that are mobile, persistent and toxic (PMT) or very persistent and very mobile (vPvM). PMT/vPvM substances are used in a diverse range of applications, including consumer products. The combined application of the essential-use and functional substitution concepts has been proposed to phase out substances of concern and support the transition to safer and more sustainable chemicals, a key goal of the European Commission's Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability. Here, we first identified the market share of PMT/vPvM containing cosmetic products. We found that 6.4% of cosmetic products available on the European market contain PMT or vPvM substances. PMT/vPvM substances were most often found in hair care products. Based on their high occurrence, the substances Allura red (CAS 25956-17-6), benzophenone-4 (CAS 4065-45-6) and climbazole (CAS 38083-17-9) were selected as case-studies for assessment of their functionality, availability of safer alternatives and essentiality. Following the functional substitution framework, we found that the technical function of Allura red was not necessary for the performance of some cosmetic products, making the use non-essential. For other applications of Allura red, as well as all applications of benzophenone-4 and climbazole, the technical function of the chemical was considered necessary for the performance. Via the alternative's assessment procedure, which used experimental and in silico data and three different multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) strategies, safer alternatives were identified for all case-study chemicals. All assessed uses of PMT/vPvM substances were thus deemed non-essential and should consequently be phased out.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanke van Dijk
- Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, 3584 CB Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, PO Box 94240, 1090 GE Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Romain Figuière
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Stefan C Dekker
- Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, 3584 CB Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Annemarie P van Wezel
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, PO Box 94240, 1090 GE Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ian T Cousins
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
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11
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Savvidou EK, Sha B, Salter ME, Cousins IT, Johansson JH. Horizontal and Vertical Distribution of Perfluoroalkyl Acids (PFAAs) in the Water Column of the Atlantic Ocean. Environ Sci Technol Lett 2023; 10:418-424. [PMID: 37181535 PMCID: PMC10173459 DOI: 10.1021/acs.estlett.3c00119] [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] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are widely distributed in the oceans which are their largest global reservoir, but knowledge is limited about their vertical distribution and fate. This study measured the concentrations of PFAAs (perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) with 6 to 11 carbons and perfluoroalkanesulfonic acids (PFSAs) with 6 and 8 carbons) in the surface and deep ocean. Seawater depth profiles from the surface to a 5000 m depth at 28 sampling stations were collected in the Atlantic Ocean from ∼50° N to ∼50° S. The results demonstrated PFAA input from the Mediterranean Sea and the English Channel. Elevated PFAA concentrations were observed at the eastern edge of the Northern Atlantic Subtropical Gyre, suggesting that persistent contaminants may accumulate in ocean gyres. The median ΣPFAA surface concentration in the Northern Hemisphere (n = 17) was 105 pg L-1, while for the Southern Hemisphere (n = 11) it was 28 pg L-1. Generally, PFAA concentrations decreased with increasing distance to the coast and increasing depth. The C6-C9 PFCAs and C6 and C8 PFSAs dominated in surface waters, while longer-chain PFAAs (C10-C11 PFCAs) peaked at intermediate depths (500-1500 m). This profile may be explained by stronger sedimentation of longer-chain PFAAs, as they sorb more strongly to particulate organic matter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni K. Savvidou
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bo Sha
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Matthew E. Salter
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- Bolin
Centre for Climate Research, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ian T. Cousins
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jana H. Johansson
- Department
of Thematic Studies − Environmental Change, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden
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12
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Li X, Cousins IT, Hornbuckle KC. ACS Environmental Au Best Paper Awards 2021–2022. ACS Environ Au 2023; 3:56-57. [PMID: 37102086 PMCID: PMC10118068 DOI: 10.1021/acsenvironau.3c00005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
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13
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Li XD, Cousins IT, Hornbuckle KC. ACS Environmental Au Recognizes 2022 Rising Stars in Environmental Research. ACS Environ Au 2023; 3:1-4. [PMID: 37101841 PMCID: PMC10118069 DOI: 10.1021/acsenvironau.2c00069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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14
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Scheringer M, Johansson JH, Salter ME, Sha B, Cousins IT. Stories of Global Chemical Pollution: Will We Ever Understand Environmental Persistence? Environ Sci Technol 2022; 56:17498-17501. [PMID: 36458501 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c06611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Scheringer
- Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
- RECETOX, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jana H Johansson
- Department of Thematic Studies - Environmental Change, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Matthew E Salter
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bo Sha
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ian T Cousins
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
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15
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Pistocchi A, Alygizakis NA, Brack W, Boxall A, Cousins IT, Drewes JE, Finckh S, Gallé T, Launay MA, McLachlan MS, Petrovic M, Schulze T, Slobodnik J, Ternes T, Van Wezel A, Verlicchi P, Whalley C. European scale assessment of the potential of ozonation and activated carbon treatment to reduce micropollutant emissions with wastewater. Sci Total Environ 2022; 848:157124. [PMID: 35792263 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Micropollutants (MPs) in wastewater pose a growing concern for their potential adverse effects on the receiving aquatic environment, and some countries have started requiring that wastewater treatment plants remove them to a certain extent. Broad spectrum advanced treatment processes, such as ozonation, activated carbon or their combination, are expected to yield a significant reduction in the toxicity of effluents. Here we quantify the reduction of effluent toxicity potentially achieved by implementing these advanced treatment solutions in a selection of European wastewater treatment plants. To this end, we refer to a list of "total pollution proxy substances" (TPPS) composed of 1337 chemicals commonly found in wastewater effluents according to a compilation of datasets of measured concentrations. We consider these substances as an approximation of the "chemical universe" impinging on the European wastewater system. We evaluate the fate of the TPPS in conventional and advanced treatment plants using a compilation of experimental physicochemical properties that describe their sorption, volatilization and biodegradation during activated sludge treatment, as well as known removal efficiency in ozonation and activated carbon treatment, while filling the gaps through in silico prediction models. We estimate that the discharge of micropollutants with wastewater effluents in the European Union has a cumulative MP toxicity to the environment equal to the discharge of untreated wastewater of ca. 160 million population equivalents (PE), i.e. about 30 % of the generated wastewater in the EU. If all plants above a capacity of 100,000 PE were equipped with advanced treatment, we show that this load would be reduced to about 95 million PE. In addition, implementing advanced treatment in wastewater plants above 10,000 PE discharging to water bodies with an average dilution ratio smaller than 10 would yield a widespread improvement in terms of exposure of freshwater ecosystems to micropollutants, almost halving the part of the stream network exposed to the highest toxic risks. Our analysis provides background for a cost-effectiveness appraisal of advanced treatment "at the end of the pipe", which could lead to optimized interventions. This should not be regarded as a stand-alone solution, but as a complement to policies for the control of emissions at the source for the most problematic MPs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Werner Brack
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Effect-Directed Analysis, Permoserstr. 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; Department of Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Alistair Boxall
- Environment and Geography Department, University of York, Heslington York YO10 5NG, UK
| | - Ian T Cousins
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jörg E Drewes
- Urban Water Systems Engineering, Technical University of Munich, D-85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Saskia Finckh
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Effect-Directed Analysis, Permoserstr. 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Tom Gallé
- LIST, Environmental Research and Innovation Dept., 41 rue du Brill, L-4422 Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Marie A Launay
- Micropollutants Competence Centre Baden-Württemberg, Institute of Sanitary Engineering, Water Quality and Solid Waste Management, University of Stuttgart, Bandtaele 2, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Michael S McLachlan
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mira Petrovic
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Girona, and Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Tobias Schulze
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Effect-Directed Analysis, Permoserstr. 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | | | | | - Annemarie Van Wezel
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Paola Verlicchi
- Department of Engineering, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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16
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Cousins IT, Johansson JH, Salter ME, Sha B, Scheringer M. Outside the Safe Operating Space of a New Planetary Boundary for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). Environ Sci Technol 2022; 56:11172-11179. [PMID: 35916421 PMCID: PMC9387091 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c02765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.0] [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: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
It is hypothesized that environmental contamination by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) defines a separate planetary boundary and that this boundary has been exceeded. This hypothesis is tested by comparing the levels of four selected perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) (i.e., perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)) in various global environmental media (i.e., rainwater, soils, and surface waters) with recently proposed guideline levels. On the basis of the four PFAAs considered, it is concluded that (1) levels of PFOA and PFOS in rainwater often greatly exceed US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Lifetime Drinking Water Health Advisory levels and the sum of the aforementioned four PFAAs (Σ4 PFAS) in rainwater is often above Danish drinking water limit values also based on Σ4 PFAS; (2) levels of PFOS in rainwater are often above Environmental Quality Standard for Inland European Union Surface Water; and (3) atmospheric deposition also leads to global soils being ubiquitously contaminated and to be often above proposed Dutch guideline values. It is, therefore, concluded that the global spread of these four PFAAs in the atmosphere has led to the planetary boundary for chemical pollution being exceeded. Levels of PFAAs in atmospheric deposition are especially poorly reversible because of the high persistence of PFAAs and their ability to continuously cycle in the hydrosphere, including on sea spray aerosols emitted from the oceans. Because of the poor reversibility of environmental exposure to PFAS and their associated effects, it is vitally important that PFAS uses and emissions are rapidly restricted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian T. Cousins
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jana H. Johansson
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Matthew E. Salter
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bo Sha
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Martin Scheringer
- Institute
of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
- RECETOX, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
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17
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Glüge J, London R, Cousins IT, DeWitt J, Goldenman G, Herzke D, Lohmann R, Miller M, Ng CA, Patton S, Trier X, Wang Z, Scheringer M. Information Requirements under the Essential-Use Concept: PFAS Case Studies. Environ Sci Technol 2022; 56:6232-6242. [PMID: 34608797 PMCID: PMC8980108 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c03732] [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] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of substances for which there are widespread concerns about their extreme persistence in combination with toxic effects. It has been argued that PFAS should only be employed in those uses that are necessary for health or safety or are critical for the functioning of society and where no alternatives are available ("essential-use concept"). Implementing the essential-use concept requires a sufficient understanding of the current uses of PFAS and of the availability, suitability, and hazardous properties of alternatives. To illustrate the information requirements under the essential-use concept, we investigate seven different PFAS uses, three in consumer products and four industrial applications. We investigate how much information is available on the types and functions of PFAS in these uses, how much information is available on alternatives, their performance and hazardous properties and, finally, whether this information is sufficient as a basis for deciding on the essentiality of a PFAS use. The results show (i) the uses of PFAS are highly diverse and information on alternatives is often limited or lacking; (ii) PFAS in consumer products often are relatively easy to replace; (iii) PFAS uses in industrial processes can be highly complex and a thorough evaluation of the technical function of each PFAS and of the suitability of alternatives is needed; (iv) more coordination among PFAS manufacturers, manufacturers of alternatives to PFAS, users of these materials, government authorities, and other stakeholders is needed to make the process of phasing out PFAS more transparent and coherent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Glüge
- Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Rachel London
- Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Ian T. Cousins
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jamie DeWitt
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
| | | | - Dorte Herzke
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU), Fram Centre, N-9296 Tromsø, Norway, and Institute for Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Rainer Lohmann
- Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, Narragansett, RI 02882, USA
| | - Mark Miller
- National Institute of Environmental Health Science and U.S. Public Health Service, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Carla A. Ng
- Departments of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Chemical & Petroleum Engineering, and Environmental & Occupational Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Sharyle Patton
- Health and Environment Program, Commonweal, Bolinas, California 94924, USA
| | - Xenia Trier
- European Environment Agency, Kongens Nytorv 6, DK-1050 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Zhanyun Wang
- Chair of Ecological Systems Design, Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Martin Scheringer
- Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
- RECETOX, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
- corresponding author:
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18
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Schellenberger S, Liagkouridis I, Awad R, Khan S, Plassmann M, Peters G, Benskin JP, Cousins IT. An Outdoor Aging Study to Investigate the Release of Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) from Functional Textiles. Environ Sci Technol 2022; 56:3471-3479. [PMID: 35213128 PMCID: PMC8928479 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c06812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [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: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The emission of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from functional textiles was investigated via an outdoor weathering experiment in Sydney, Australia. Polyamide (PA) textile fabrics treated with different water-repellent, side-chain fluorinated polymers (SFPs) were exposed on a rooftop to multiple natural stressors, including direct sunlight, precipitation, wind, and heat for 6-months. After weathering, additional stress was applied to the fabrics through abrasion and washing. Textile characterization using a multiplatform analytical approach revealed loss of both PFAS-containing textile fragments (e.g., microfibers) as well as formation and loss of low molecular weight PFAS, both of which occurred throughout weathering. These changes were accompanied by a loss of color and water repellency of the textile. The potential formation of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) from mobile residuals was quantified by oxidative conversion of extracts from unweathered textiles. Each SFP-textile finish emitted a distinct PFAA pattern following weathering, and in some cases the concentrations exceeded regulatory limits for textiles. In addition to transformation of residual low molecular weight PFAA-precursors, release of polymeric PFAS from degradation and loss of textile fibers/particles contributed to overall PFAS emissions during weathering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steffen Schellenberger
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- RISE
Research Institutes of Sweden, Stockholm 111 21, Sweden
| | - Ioannis Liagkouridis
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- IVL
Swedish Environmental Institute, 114 28 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Raed Awad
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- IVL
Swedish Environmental Institute, 114 28 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Stuart Khan
- School
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Merle Plassmann
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gregory Peters
- School
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
- Department
of Technology Management and Economics, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg 412 96, Sweden
| | - Jonathan P. Benskin
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ian T. Cousins
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
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19
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Sha B, Johansson JH, Tunved P, Bohlin-Nizzetto P, Cousins IT, Salter ME. Sea Spray Aerosol (SSA) as a Source of Perfluoroalkyl Acids (PFAAs) to the Atmosphere: Field Evidence from Long-Term Air Monitoring. Environ Sci Technol 2022; 56:228-238. [PMID: 34907779 PMCID: PMC8733926 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c04277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [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: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
The effective enrichment of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in sea spray aerosols (SSA) demonstrated in previous laboratory studies suggests that SSA is a potential source of PFAAs to the atmosphere. In order to investigate the influence of SSA on atmospheric PFAAs in the field, 48 h aerosol samples were collected regularly between 2018 and 2020 at two Norwegian coastal locations, Andøya and Birkenes. Significant correlations (p < 0.05) between the SSA tracer ion, Na+, and PFAA concentrations were observed in the samples from both locations, with Pearson's correlation coefficients (r) between 0.4-0.8. Such significant correlations indicate SSA to be an important source of atmospheric PFAAs to coastal areas. The correlations in the samples from Andøya were observed for more PFAA species and were generally stronger than in the samples from Birkenes, which is located further away from the coast and closer to urban areas than Andøya. Factors such as the origin of the SSA, the distance of the sampling site to open water, and the presence of other PFAA sources (e.g., volatile precursor compounds) can have influence on the contribution of SSA to PFAA in air at the sampling sites and therefore affect the observed correlations between PFAAs and Na+.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Sha
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jana H. Johansson
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Peter Tunved
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- Bolin
Centre for Climate Research, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Ian T. Cousins
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Matthew E. Salter
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- Bolin
Centre for Climate Research, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
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20
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Wang Z, Buser AM, Cousins IT, Demattio S, Drost W, Johansson O, Ohno K, Patlewicz G, Richard AM, Walker GW, White GS, Leinala E. A New OECD Definition for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances. Environ Sci Technol 2021; 55:15575-15578. [PMID: 34751569 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c06896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhanyun Wang
- Chair of Ecological Systems Design, Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zürich, John-von-Neumann-Weg 9, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Andreas M Buser
- Swiss Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), 3063 Ittigen, Switzerland
| | - Ian T Cousins
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, SE-10691, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Silvia Demattio
- European Chemicals Agency, Telakkakatu 6, 00150 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Wiebke Drost
- German Environment Agency, Wörlitzer Platz 1, 06844 Dessau-Roßlau, Germany
| | - Olof Johansson
- Swedish Chemicals Agency, Esplanaden 3A, 172 67 Sundbyberg, Sweden
| | - Koichi Ohno
- Health and Environmental Risk Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies, 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8506, Japan
| | - Grace Patlewicz
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, Durham, North Carolina 27711, United States
| | - Ann M Richard
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, Durham, North Carolina 27711, United States
| | - Glen W Walker
- Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, Australian Government, General Post Office Box 858, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
| | - Graham S White
- New Substances Assessment and Control Bureau, Safe Environments Directorate, Health Canada, Ottawa K1A 0K9, Canada
| | - Eeva Leinala
- Environment, Health and Safety Division, Environment Directorate, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, 2, rue André Pascal, 75016, Paris, France
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21
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Guelfo JL, Korzeniowski S, Mills MA, Anderson J, Anderson RH, Arblaster JA, Conder JM, Cousins IT, Dasu K, Henry BJ, Lee LS, Liu J, McKenzie ER, Willey J. Environmental Sources, Chemistry, Fate, and Transport of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances: State of the Science, Key Knowledge Gaps, and Recommendations Presented at the August 2019 SETAC Focus Topic Meeting. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021; 40:3234-3260. [PMID: 34325493 PMCID: PMC8745034 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [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: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
A Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) Focused Topic Meeting (FTM) on the environmental management of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) convened during August 2019 in Durham, North Carolina (USA). Experts from around the globe were brought together to critically evaluate new and emerging information on PFAS including chemistry, fate, transport, exposure, and toxicity. After plenary presentations, breakout groups were established and tasked to identify and adjudicate via panel discussions overarching conclusions and relevant data gaps. The present review is one in a series and summarizes outcomes of presentations and breakout discussions related to (1) primary sources and pathways in the environment, (2) sorption and transport in porous media, (3) precursor transformation, (4) practical approaches to the assessment of source zones, (5) standard and novel analytical methods with implications for environmental forensics and site management, and (6) classification and grouping from multiple perspectives. Outcomes illustrate that PFAS classification will continue to be a challenge, and additional pressing needs include increased availability of analytical standards and methods for assessment of PFAS and fate and transport, including precursor transformation. Although the state of the science is sufficient to support a degree of site-specific and flexible risk management, effective source prioritization tools, predictive fate and transport models, and improved and standardized analytical methods are needed to guide broader policies and best management practices. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:3234-3260. © 2021 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L. Guelfo
- Department of Civil, Environmental, & Construction EngineeringTexas Tech UniversityLubbockTexasUSA
| | - Stephen Korzeniowski
- American Chemistry CouncilWashingtonDCUSA
- Associated General Contractors of AmericaExtonPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Marc A. Mills
- Office of Research and DevelopmentUS Environmental Protection Agency, CincinnatiOhioUSA
| | | | | | | | | | - Ian T. Cousins
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical ChemistryStockholm UniversityStockholmSweden
| | | | | | - Linda S. Lee
- Department of AgronomyPurdue University, West LafayetteIndianaUSA
| | - Jinxia Liu
- Department of Civil EngineeringMcGill UniversityMontrealQuebecCanada
| | - Erica R. McKenzie
- Department of Civil and Environmental EngineeringTemple UniversityPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Janice Willey
- Naval Sea Systems Command, Laboratory Quality and Accreditation Office, Goose CreekSouth CarolinaUSA
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22
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Li X, Cousins IT, Hornbuckle KC. ACS Environmental Au-Your Open Access Journal for Premier Environmental Research. ACS Environ Au 2021; 1:1-3. [PMID: 37101937 PMCID: PMC10114853 DOI: 10.1021/acsenvironau.1c00045] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
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23
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Ng C, Cousins IT, DeWitt JC, Glüge J, Goldenman G, Herzke D, Lohmann R, Miller M, Patton S, Scheringer M, Trier X, Wang Z. Addressing Urgent Questions for PFAS in the 21st Century. Environ Sci Technol 2021; 55:12755-12765. [PMID: 34519210 PMCID: PMC8590733 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c03386] [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] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Despite decades of research on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), fundamental obstacles remain to addressing worldwide contamination by these chemicals and their associated impacts on environmental quality and health. Here, we propose six urgent questions relevant to science, technology, and policy that must be tackled to address the "PFAS problem": (1) What are the global production volumes of PFAS, and where are PFAS used? (2) Where are the unknown PFAS hotspots in the environment? (3) How can we make measuring PFAS globally accessible? (4) How can we safely manage PFAS-containing waste? (5) How do we understand and describe the health effects of PFAS exposure? (6) Who pays the costs of PFAS contamination? The importance of each question and barriers to progress are briefly described, and several potential paths forward are proposed. Given the diversity of PFAS and their uses, the extreme persistence of most PFAS, the striking ongoing lack of fundamental information, and the inequity of the health and environmental impacts from PFAS contamination, there is a need for scientific and regulatory communities to work together, with cooperation from PFAS-related industries, to fill in critical data gaps and protect human health and the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Ng
- Departments of Civil & Environmental Engineering and Environmental & Occupational Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261 USA
| | - Ian T. Cousins
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jamie C. DeWitt
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834 USA
| | - Juliane Glüge
- Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Dorte Herzke
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU), Fram Centre, N-9296 Tromsø, Norway, and Institute for Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, N-9037 TromsH, Norway
| | - Rainer Lohmann
- Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, Narragansett, RI 02882, USA
| | - Mark Miller
- National Institute of Environmental Health Science and U.S. Public Health Service, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Sharyle Patton
- Health and Environment Program, Commonweal, Bolinas, California 94924, United States
| | - Martin Scheringer
- Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
- RECETOX, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Xenia Trier
- European Environment Agency, Kgs Nytorv 6, DK - 1050 Copenhagen K, Denmark
| | - Zhanyun Wang
- Chair of Ecological Systems Design, Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
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Cousins IT, De Witt JC, Glüge J, Goldenman G, Herzke D, Lohmann R, Miller M, Ng CA, Patton S, Scheringer M, Trier X, Wang Z. Finding essentiality feasible: common questions and misinterpretations concerning the "essential-use" concept. Environ Sci Process Impacts 2021; 23:1079-1087. [PMID: 34190275 PMCID: PMC8372848 DOI: 10.1039/d1em00180a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The essential-use concept is a tool that can guide the phase-out of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and potentially other substances of concern. This concept is a novel approach to chemicals management that determines whether using substances of concern, such as PFAS, is truly essential for a given functionality. To assess the essentiality of a particular use case, three considerations need to be addressed: (1) the function (chemical, end use and service) that the chemical provides in the use case, (2) whether the function is necessary for health and safety and critical for the functioning of society and (3) if the function is necessary, whether there are viable alternatives for the chemical for this particular use. A few illustrative examples of the three-step process are provided for use cases of PFAS. The essential-use concept takes chemicals management away from a substance-by-substance approach to a group approach. For PFAS and other substances of concern, it offers a more rapid pathway toward effective management or phase-out. Parts of the concept of essential use have already been widely applied in global treaties and international regulations and it has also been recently used by product manufacturers and retailers to phase out substances of concern from supply chains. Herein some of the common questions and misinterpretations regarding the practical application of the essential-use concept are reviewed, and answers and further clarifications are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian T Cousins
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden.
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25
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Sha B, Johansson JH, Benskin JP, Cousins IT, Salter ME. Influence of Water Concentrations of Perfluoroalkyl Acids (PFAAs) on Their Size-Resolved Enrichment in Nascent Sea Spray Aerosols. Environ Sci Technol 2021; 55:9489-9497. [PMID: 32859129 PMCID: PMC8296677 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c03804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are persistent organic substances that have been widely detected in the global oceans. Previous laboratory experiments have demonstrated effective enrichment of PFAAs in nascent sea spray aerosols (SSA), suggesting that SSA are an important source of PFAAs to the atmosphere. In the present study, the effects of the water concentration of PFAAs on their size-resolved enrichment in SSA were examined using a sea spray simulation chamber. Aerosolization of the target compounds in almost all sizes of SSA revealed a strong linear relationship with their water concentrations (p < 0.05, r2 > 0.9). The enrichment factors (EF) of the target compounds showed no correlation with their concentrations in the chamber water, despite the concentrations varying by a factor of 500 (∼0.3 to ∼150 ng L-1). The particle surface-area-to-volume ratio appeared to be a key predictor of the enrichment of perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) with ≥7 perfluorinated carbons and perfluoroalkanesulfonic acids (PFSAs) with ≥6 perfluorinated carbons in supermicron particles (p < 0.05, r2 > 0.8), but not in submicron particles. The different enrichment behaviors of PFAAs in submicron and supermicron particles might be a result of the different production mechanisms of film droplets and jet droplets. The results suggest that the variability in seawater concentrations of PFAAs has little influence on EFs and that modeling studies designed to quantify the source of PFAAs via SSA emissions do not need to consider this factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Sha
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, 11418 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jana H. Johansson
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, 11418 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jonathan P. Benskin
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, 11418 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ian T. Cousins
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, 11418 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Matthew E. Salter
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, 11418 Stockholm, Sweden
- Bolin
Centre for Climate Research, 11418 Stockholm, Sweden
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26
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Johnson MS, Buck RC, Cousins IT, Weis CP, Fenton SE. Estimating Environmental Hazard and Risks from Exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs): Outcome of a SETAC Focused Topic Meeting. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021; 40:543-549. [PMID: 32452041 PMCID: PMC8387100 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [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: 03/11/2020] [Revised: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of highly fluorinated synthetic chemicals that were originally developed for uses as surfactants and surface protectors. Increasingly, specific substances of this class are being found in environmental media (e.g., surface water, soils, sediments, food sources), and concerns regarding exposure to humans and environmental receptors have been described by the public, legislators, and the general population. Data suggest that some PFAS (such as certain of the long-chain ones) bioaccumulate and have long biological half-lives, particularly in humans. Toxicity data in various organisms are variable as are their toxicokinetics. A Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) Focused Topic Meeting and workshop entitled Environmental Risk Assessment of PFAS convened during 12 to 15 August, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina (USA) and brought together experts from around the globe to highlight recent advances in research pertinent to evaluating environmental and human health risks from exposures. The objectives of the Focused Topic Meeting and workshop were: 1) to review new and emerging information on PFAS chemical classification and grouping, environmental chemistry, detection technology, fate and transport, exposure potential, human health toxicity, and ecological toxicity; and 2) to harness the expertise of attendees to discuss and formulate a roadmap to prioritize the study of specific PFAS with the goal of developing a risk assessment approach that considers mechanistic (including computational) data for extrapolating exposure and data across different species/scenarios and compounds within environmental exposure pathways. We present the key issues that were discussed. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:543-549. © 2020 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark S Johnson
- Army Public Health Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Ian T Cousins
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christopher P Weis
- National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Suzanne E Fenton
- Division of the National Toxicology Program/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
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Umeh AC, Naidu R, Shilpi S, Boateng EB, Rahman A, Cousins IT, Chadalavada S, Lamb D, Bowman M. Sorption of PFOS in 114 Well-Characterized Tropical and Temperate Soils: Application of Multivariate and Artificial Neural Network Analyses. Environ Sci Technol 2021; 55:1779-1789. [PMID: 33449633 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c07202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The influence of soil properties on PFOS sorption are not fully understood, particularly for variable charge soils. PFOS batch sorption isotherms were conducted for 114 temperate and tropical soils from Australia and Fiji, that were well-characterized for their soil properties, including total organic carbon (TOC), anion exchange capacity, and surface charge. In most soils, PFOS sorption isotherms were nonlinear. PFOS sorption distribution coefficients (Kd) ranged from 5 to 229 mL/g (median: 28 mL/g), with 63% of the Fijian soils and 35% of the Australian soils showing Kd values that exceeded the observed median Kd. Multiple linear regression showed that TOC, amorphous aluminum and iron oxides contents, anion exchange capacity, pH, and silt content, jointly explained about 53% of the variance in PFOS Kd in soils. Variable charge soils with net positive surface charges, and moderate to elevated TOC content, generally displayed enhanced PFOS sorption than in temperate or tropical soils with TOC as the only sorbent phase, especially at acidic pH ranges. For the first time, two artificial neural networks were developed to predict the measured PFOS Kd (R2 = 0.80) in the soils. Overall, both TOC and surface charge characteristics of soils are important for describing PFOS sorption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony C Umeh
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia
- Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CRC CARE), University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia
| | - Ravi Naidu
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia
- Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CRC CARE), University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia
| | - Sonia Shilpi
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia
| | - Emmanuel B Boateng
- School of Health Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia
- Department of Civil and Construction Engineering, Swinburne University of Technology, Victoria 3122, Australia
| | - Aminur Rahman
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia
| | - Ian T Cousins
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, SE-10691, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sreenivasulu Chadalavada
- Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CRC CARE), University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia
| | - Dane Lamb
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia
| | - Mark Bowman
- Australian Department of Defence, BP26-2-B009, Brindabella Business Park, Canberra Airport, Deakin ACT 2600, Australia
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Cousins IT, DeWitt JC, Glüge J, Goldenman G, Herzke D, Lohmann R, Ng CA, Scheringer M, Wang Z. The high persistence of PFAS is sufficient for their management as a chemical class. Environ Sci Process Impacts 2020; 22:2307-2312. [PMID: 33230514 PMCID: PMC7784706 DOI: 10.1039/d0em00355g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of synthetic organic substances with diverse structures, properties, uses, bioaccumulation potentials and toxicities. Despite this high diversity, all PFAS are alike in that they contain perfluoroalkyl moieties that are extremely resistant to environmental and metabolic degradation. The vast majority of PFAS are therefore either non-degradable or transform ultimately into stable terminal transformation products (which are still PFAS). Under the European chemicals regulation this classifies PFAS as very persistent substances (vP). We argue that this high persistence is sufficient concern for their management as a chemical class, and for all "non-essential" uses of PFAS to be phased out. The continual release of highly persistent PFAS will result in increasing concentrations and increasing probabilities of the occurrence of known and unknown effects. Once adverse effects are identified, the exposure and associated effects will not be easily reversible. Reversing PFAS contamination will be technically challenging, energy intensive, and costly for society, as is evident in the efforts to remove PFAS from contaminated land and drinking water sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian T Cousins
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | | | - Juliane Glüge
- Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Dorte Herzke
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU), Fram Centre, N-9296 Tromsø, Norway and Institute for Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Rainer Lohmann
- Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, Narragansett, RI 02882, USA
| | - Carla A Ng
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering and Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Martin Scheringer
- Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Zhanyun Wang
- Chair of Ecological Systems Design, Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
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Glüge J, Scheringer M, Cousins IT, DeWitt JC, Goldenman G, Herzke D, Lohmann R, Ng CA, Trier X, Wang Z. An overview of the uses of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Environ Sci Process Impacts 2020. [PMID: 33125022 DOI: 10.31224/osf.io/2eqac] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are of concern because of their high persistence (or that of their degradation products) and their impacts on human and environmental health that are known or can be deduced from some well-studied PFAS. Currently, many different PFAS (on the order of several thousands) are used in a wide range of applications, and there is no comprehensive source of information on the many individual substances and their functions in different applications. Here we provide a broad overview of many use categories where PFAS have been employed and for which function; we also specify which PFAS have been used and discuss the magnitude of the uses. Despite being non-exhaustive, our study clearly demonstrates that PFAS are used in almost all industry branches and many consumer products. In total, more than 200 use categories and subcategories are identified for more than 1400 individual PFAS. In addition to well-known categories such as textile impregnation, fire-fighting foam, and electroplating, the identified use categories also include many categories not described in the scientific literature, including PFAS in ammunition, climbing ropes, guitar strings, artificial turf, and soil remediation. We further discuss several use categories that may be prioritised for finding PFAS-free alternatives. Besides the detailed description of use categories, the present study also provides a list of the identified PFAS per use category, including their exact masses for future analytical studies aiming to identify additional PFAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Glüge
- Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland.
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30
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Glüge J, Scheringer M, Cousins IT, DeWitt JC, Goldenman G, Herzke D, Lohmann R, Ng CA, Trier X, Wang Z. An overview of the uses of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Environ Sci Process Impacts 2020; 22:2345-2373. [PMID: 33125022 PMCID: PMC7784712 DOI: 10.1039/d0em00291g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 463] [Impact Index Per Article: 115.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are of concern because of their high persistence (or that of their degradation products) and their impacts on human and environmental health that are known or can be deduced from some well-studied PFAS. Currently, many different PFAS (on the order of several thousands) are used in a wide range of applications, and there is no comprehensive source of information on the many individual substances and their functions in different applications. Here we provide a broad overview of many use categories where PFAS have been employed and for which function; we also specify which PFAS have been used and discuss the magnitude of the uses. Despite being non-exhaustive, our study clearly demonstrates that PFAS are used in almost all industry branches and many consumer products. In total, more than 200 use categories and subcategories are identified for more than 1400 individual PFAS. In addition to well-known categories such as textile impregnation, fire-fighting foam, and electroplating, the identified use categories also include many categories not described in the scientific literature, including PFAS in ammunition, climbing ropes, guitar strings, artificial turf, and soil remediation. We further discuss several use categories that may be prioritised for finding PFAS-free alternatives. Besides the detailed description of use categories, the present study also provides a list of the identified PFAS per use category, including their exact masses for future analytical studies aiming to identify additional PFAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Glüge
- Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland.
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31
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Fang S, Plassmann MM, Cousins IT. Levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in ski wax products on the market in 2019 indicate no changes in formulation. Environ Sci Process Impacts 2020; 22:2142-2146. [PMID: 33000820 DOI: 10.1039/d0em00357c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In the summer of 2019, eleven of the best-selling fluorinated ski wax products were purchased from one of Norway's largest sports stores and soon after analysed for a suite of 26 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The waxes were shown to contain a wide range of perfluoroalkyl acids, including perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids with up to 25 carbons. Of particular concern was the finding that perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) levels in nine of the eleven ski lubrication products analysed were above the EU limit values of 25 ng g-1, which came into force on 4th July 2020. The ski wax with the highest PFOA levels had a concentration that was 1215 times higher than the EU restrictions. Although some of the ski wax manufacturers have indicated that they have switched to formulations that contain chemistries based on shorter perfluoroalkyl chains, the analytical results show that this is not the case.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuhong Fang
- College of Resources and Environment, Chengdu University of Information Technology, Chengdu 610225, PR China
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Lohmann R, Cousins IT, DeWitt JC, Glüge J, Goldenman G, Herzke D, Lindstrom AB, Miller MF, Ng CA, Patton S, Scheringer M, Trier X, Wang Z. Are Fluoropolymers Really of Low Concern for Human and Environmental Health and Separate from Other PFAS? Environ Sci Technol 2020; 54:12820-12828. [PMID: 33043667 PMCID: PMC7700770 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c03244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Fluoropolymers are a group of polymers within the class of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The objective of this analysis is to evaluate the evidence regarding the environmental and human health impacts of fluoropolymers throughout their life cycle(s). Production of some fluoropolymers is intimately linked to the use and emissions of legacy and novel PFAS as polymer processing aids. There are serious concerns regarding the toxicity and adverse effects of fluorinated processing aids on humans and the environment. A variety of other PFAS, including monomers and oligomers, are emitted during the production, processing, use, and end-of-life treatment of fluoropolymers. There are further concerns regarding the safe disposal of fluoropolymers and their associated products and articles at the end of their life cycle. While recycling and reuse of fluoropolymers is performed on some industrial waste, there are only limited options for their recycling from consumer articles. The evidence reviewed in this analysis does not find a scientific rationale for concluding that fluoropolymers are of low concern for environmental and human health. Given fluoropolymers' extreme persistence; emissions associated with their production, use, and disposal; and a high likelihood for human exposure to PFAS, their production and uses should be curtailed except in cases of essential uses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rainer Lohmann
- Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, Narragansett, RI 02882, USA
| | - Ian T. Cousins
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jamie C. DeWitt
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
| | - Juliane Glüge
- Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Dorte Herzke
- NILU in Fram Centre, Tromsø, Norway
- Institute for Arctic and Marine Biology; The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Andrew B. Lindstrom
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Mark F. Miller
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences & U.S. Public Health Service, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Carla A. Ng
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
- Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Sharyle Patton
- Health and Environment Program Commonweal, Bolinas, CA 94924, USA
| | - Martin Scheringer
- Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Xenia Trier
- European Environment Agency, Kgs. Nytorv 6, DK-1050 Copenhagen K, Denmark
| | - Zhanyun Wang
- Chair of Ecological Systems Design, Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
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van Gils J, Posthuma L, Cousins IT, Brack W, Altenburger R, Baveco H, Focks A, Greskowiak J, Kühne R, Kutsarova S, Lindim C, Markus A, van de Meent D, Munthe J, Schueder R, Schüürmann G, Slobodnik J, de Zwart D, van Wezel A. Computational material flow analysis for thousands of chemicals of emerging concern in European waters. J Hazard Mater 2020; 397:122655. [PMID: 32388089 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.122655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Revised: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Knowledge of exposure to a wide range of chemicals, and the spatio-temporal variability thereof, is urgently needed in the context of protecting and restoring aquatic ecosystems. This paper discusses a computational material flow analysis to predict the occurrence of thousands of man-made organic chemicals on a European scale, based on a novel temporally and spatially resolved modelling framework. The goal was to increase understanding of pressures by emerging chemicals and to complement surface water monitoring data. The ambition was to provide a first step towards a "real-life" mixture exposure situation accounting for as many chemicals as possible. Comparison of simulated concentrations and chemical monitoring data for 226 substance/basin combinations showed that the simulated concentrations were accurate on average. For 65% and 90% of substance/basin combinations the error was within one and two orders of magnitude respectively. An analysis of the relative importance of uncertainties revealed that inaccuracies in use volume or use type information contributed most to the error for individual substances. To resolve this, we suggest better registration of use types of industrial chemicals, investigation of presence/absence of industrial chemicals in wastewater and runoff samples and more scientific information exchange.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jos van Gils
- Deltares, P.O. Box 177, 2600 MH, Delft, The Netherlands.
| | - Leo Posthuma
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands; Department of Environmental Science, Radboud University, P.O. Box 9102, 6500 HC Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Ian T Cousins
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Werner Brack
- UFZ Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; RWTH Aachen University, Institute for Environmental Research, ABBt-Aachen Biology, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Rolf Altenburger
- UFZ Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; RWTH Aachen University, Institute for Environmental Research, ABBt-Aachen Biology, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Hans Baveco
- Wageningen Environmental Research, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Andreas Focks
- Wageningen Environmental Research, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Janek Greskowiak
- Carl Von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, Ammerländer Heerstraße 114-118, D-26129 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Ralph Kühne
- UFZ Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Stela Kutsarova
- Laboratory of Mathematical Chemistry, "Prof. Assen Zlatarov" University, 1 Yakimov Str., Bourgas 8010, Bulgaria
| | - Claudia Lindim
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Arjen Markus
- Deltares, P.O. Box 177, 2600 MH, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Dik van de Meent
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands; Department of Environmental Science, Radboud University, P.O. Box 9102, 6500 HC Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Mermayde, Harrie Kuijtenweg 1, 1873 HL Groet, The Netherlands; Association of Retired Environmental Scientists ARES, Odijk, The Netherlands
| | - John Munthe
- IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, P.O. Box 53201, 400 15 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Rudy Schueder
- Deltares, P.O. Box 177, 2600 MH, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Gerrit Schüürmann
- UFZ Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; Technical University Bergakademie Freiberg, Institute of Organic Chemistry, Leipziger Straße 29, 09599 Freiberg, Germany
| | | | - Dick de Zwart
- Mermayde, Harrie Kuijtenweg 1, 1873 HL Groet, The Netherlands; Association of Retired Environmental Scientists ARES, Odijk, The Netherlands
| | - Annemarie van Wezel
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94240, 1090 GE Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Giovanoulis G, Bui T, Xu F, Papadopoulou E, Padilla-Sanchez JA, Covaci A, Haug LS, Palm Cousins A, Magnér J, Cousins IT, de Wit CA. Corrigendum to "Multi-pathway human exposure assessment of phthalate esters and DINCH" [Environ. Int. 112 (2018) 115-126]. Environ Int 2020; 143:106071. [PMID: 32861475 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106071] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Giovanoulis
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden; IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, SE-100 31 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Thuy Bui
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Fuchao Xu
- Toxicological Center, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitplein 1, B-2610, Wilrijk, Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Eleni Papadopoulou
- Domain of Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Lovisenberggata 8, 0477 Oslo, Norway
| | - Juan A Padilla-Sanchez
- Domain of Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Lovisenberggata 8, 0477 Oslo, Norway
| | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Center, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitplein 1, B-2610, Wilrijk, Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Line S Haug
- Domain of Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Lovisenberggata 8, 0477 Oslo, Norway
| | - Anna Palm Cousins
- IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, SE-100 31 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jörgen Magnér
- IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, SE-100 31 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ian T Cousins
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cynthia A de Wit
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden.
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Holmquist H, Fantke P, Cousins IT, Owsianiak M, Liagkouridis I, Peters GM. Correction to "An (Eco)Toxicity Life Cycle Impact Assessment Framework for Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances". Environ Sci Technol 2020; 54:11640. [PMID: 32869992 PMCID: PMC7853613 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c03965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
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Fang S, Sha B, Yin H, Bian Y, Yuan B, Cousins IT. Environment occurrence of perfluoroalkyl acids and associated human health risks near a major fluorochemical manufacturing park in southwest of China. J Hazard Mater 2020; 396:122617. [PMID: 32298866 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.122617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 03/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2020] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Despite China being the largest global manufacturer of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs), few studies have been carried out on the environmental occurrence and associated human health risks of PFAAs emitted from manufacturing sites in China. Here, river water, tap water, soil and leaf samples were collected around a major fluorochemical manufacturing park (FMP) in the southwest of China in 2019. High ΣPFAA concentrations (sum of 12 PFAAs) of 3817 ng/L, 3254 ng/L, 322-476 ng/g dw and 23401-33749 ng/g dw were measured near the FMP in river water, tap water, soil and leaves, respectively, indicating that the FMP is a point source of PFAAs. PFOA was the predominant PFAA in all samples (58.5-98.6 %) indicating the production or use of PFOA at the FMP. PFOA concentrations in most tap water samples (> 300 ng/L in 31 of 38 samples) exceeded the U.S. EPA health advisory. Proportions of branched PFOA isomers in all samples were in 5.9-47.4 %, suggesting the production or use of PFOA manufactured by electrochemical fluorination at the FMP. It is recommended to focus more attention on branched PFOA isomers in the future because otherwise health risks may be underestimated due to their relatively high proportions in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuhong Fang
- College of Resources and Environment, Chengdu University of Information Technology, Chengdu 610225, PR China; Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Bo Sha
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hongling Yin
- College of Resources and Environment, Chengdu University of Information Technology, Chengdu 610225, PR China
| | - Yuxia Bian
- College of Resources and Environment, Chengdu University of Information Technology, Chengdu 610225, PR China
| | - Bo Yuan
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ian T Cousins
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
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Cousins IT, DeWitt JC, Glüge J, Goldenman G, Herzke D, Lohmann R, Miller M, Ng CA, Scheringer M, Vierke L, Wang Z. Strategies for grouping per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to protect human and environmental health. Environ Sci Process Impacts 2020; 22:1444-1460. [PMID: 32495786 PMCID: PMC7585739 DOI: 10.1039/d0em00147c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Grouping strategies are needed for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), in part, because it would be time and resource intensive to test and evaluate the more than 4700 PFAS on the global market on a chemical-by-chemical basis. In this paper we review various grouping strategies that could be used to inform actions on these chemicals and outline the motivations, advantages and disadvantages for each. Grouping strategies are subdivided into (1) those based on the intrinsic properties of the PFAS (e.g. persistence, bioaccumulation potential, toxicity, mobility, molecular size) and (2) those that inform risk assessment through estimation of cumulative exposure and/or effects. The most precautionary grouping approach of those reviewed within this article suggests phasing out PFAS based on their high persistence alone (the so-called "P-sufficient" approach). The least precautionary grouping approach reviewed advocates only grouping PFAS for risk assessment that have the same toxicological effects, modes and mechanisms of action, and elimination kinetics, which would need to be well documented across different PFAS. It is recognised that, given jurisdictional differences in chemical assessment philosophies and methodologies, no one strategy will be generally acceptable. The guiding question we apply to the reviewed grouping strategies is: grouping for what purpose? The motivation behind the grouping (e.g. determining use in products vs. setting guideline levels for contaminated environments) may lead to different grouping decisions. This assessment provides the necessary context for grouping strategies such that they can be adopted as they are, or built on further, to protect human and environmental health from potential PFAS-related effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian T Cousins
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden.
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Holmquist H, Fantke P, Cousins IT, Owsianiak M, Liagkouridis I, Peters GM. An (Eco)Toxicity Life Cycle Impact Assessment Framework for Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances. Environ Sci Technol 2020; 54:6224-6234. [PMID: 32364377 PMCID: PMC7304862 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b07774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
A framework for characterizing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) is proposed. Thousands of PFASs are used worldwide, with special properties imparted by the fluorinated alkyl chain. Our framework makes it possible to characterize a large part of the family of PFASs by introducing transformation fractions that translate emissions of primary emitted PFASs into the highly persistent terminal degradation products: the perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs). Using a PFAA-adapted characterization model, human toxicity as well as marine and freshwater aquatic ecotoxicity characterization factors are calculated for three PFAAs, namely perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) and perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS). The model is evaluated to adequately capture long-term fate, where PFAAs are predicted to accumulate in open oceans. The characterization factors of the three PFAAs are ranked among the top 5% for marine ecotoxicity, when compared to 3104 chemicals in the existing USEtox results databases. Uncertainty analysis indicates potential for equally high ranks for human health impacts. Data availability constitutes an important limitation creating uncertainties. Even so, a life cycle assessment (LCA) case study illustrates practical application of our proposed framework, demonstrating that even low emissions of PFASs can have large effects on LCA results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Holmquist
- Division
of Environmental Systems Analysis, Chalmers
University of Technology, SE-412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Peter Fantke
- Quantitative
Sustainability Assessment, Department of Technology, Management and
Economics, Technical University of Denmark, Produktionstorvet 424, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Ian T. Cousins
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mikołaj Owsianiak
- Quantitative
Sustainability Assessment, Department of Technology, Management and
Economics, Technical University of Denmark, Produktionstorvet 424, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Ioannis Liagkouridis
- Department
of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gregory M. Peters
- Division
of Environmental Systems Analysis, Chalmers
University of Technology, SE-412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden
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Meng P, Jiang X, Wang B, Huang J, Wang Y, Yu G, Cousins IT, Deng S. Role of the air-water interface in removing perfluoroalkyl acids from drinking water by activated carbon treatment. J Hazard Mater 2020; 386:121981. [PMID: 31896003 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.121981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/25/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Contamination of drinking water by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) is a worldwide problem. In this study, we for the first time revealed the role of the air-water interface in enhancing the removal of long-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylic (PFCAs; CnF2n+1COOH, n ≥ 7) and perfluoroalkane sulfonic (PFSAs; CnF2n+1SO3H, n ≥ 6) acids, collectively termed as perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs), through combined aeration and adsorption on two kinds of activated carbon (AC). Aeration was shown to enhance the removal of long-chain PFAAs through adsorption at the air-water interface and subsequent adsorption of PFAA-enriched air bubbles to the AC. The removal of selected long-chain PFAAs was increased by 50-115 % with the assistance of aeration, depending on the perfluoroalkyl chain length. Aeration is more effective in enhancing long-chain PFAA removal as air-water interface adsorption increases with PFAA chain length due to higher surface activity. After removing adsorbed air bubbles by centrifugation, up to 80 % of the long-chain PFAAs were able to desorb from the sorbent, confirming the contribution of the air-water interface to the adsorption of PFAAs on AC. Aeration during AC treatment of water could enhance the removal of long-chain PFAAs, and improve the performance of AC during water treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pingping Meng
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, Beijing Key Laboratory for Emerging Organic Contaminants Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China; Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, United States
| | - Xiangzhe Jiang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, Beijing Key Laboratory for Emerging Organic Contaminants Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Bin Wang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, Beijing Key Laboratory for Emerging Organic Contaminants Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Jun Huang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, Beijing Key Laboratory for Emerging Organic Contaminants Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Yujue Wang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, Beijing Key Laboratory for Emerging Organic Contaminants Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Gang Yu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, Beijing Key Laboratory for Emerging Organic Contaminants Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Ian T Cousins
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, SE-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Shubo Deng
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, Beijing Key Laboratory for Emerging Organic Contaminants Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
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Holmquist H, Schellenberger S, van der Veen I, Peters GM, Leonards PEG, Cousins IT. Corrigendum to "Properties, performance and associated hazards of state-of-the-art durable water repellent (DWR) chemistry for textile finishing" [Environ. Int. 91 (2016) 251-264]. Environ Int 2020; 134:105289. [PMID: 31739137 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.105289] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- H Holmquist
- Chemical Environmental Science, Department of Chemical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - S Schellenberger
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - I van der Veen
- Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM), VU University, De Boelelaan 1087, NL-1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - G M Peters
- Chemical Environmental Science, Department of Chemical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - P E G Leonards
- Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM), VU University, De Boelelaan 1087, NL-1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - I T Cousins
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
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Schellenberger S, Jönsson C, Mellin P, Levenstam OA, Liagkouridis I, Ribbenstedt A, Hanning AC, Schultes L, Plassmann MM, Persson C, Cousins IT, Benskin JP. Release of Side-Chain Fluorinated Polymer-Containing Microplastic Fibers from Functional Textiles During Washing and First Estimates of Perfluoroalkyl Acid Emissions. Environ Sci Technol 2019; 53:14329-14338. [PMID: 31697071 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b04165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The quantity and composition of fibers released from functional textiles during accelerated washing were investigated using the GyroWash method. Two fabrics [polyamide (PA) and polyester/cotton (PES/CO)] were selected and coated with perfluorohexane-based side-chain fluorinated polymers. Fibers released during washing ranged from ∼10 to 500 μ with a similar distribution for the two textile types. The PA-based fabric released considerably more fibers >20 μm in length compared to the PES/CO-based fabric (>1000/GyroWash for PA vs ∼200/GyroWash fibers for PES/CO). After one GyroWash (2-15 domestic washes), fibers that contained approximately 240 and 1300 μg total fluorine per square meter (μg F/m2) were released from the PA and PES/CO fabrics, respectively. Current understanding of the fate of microplastic fibers suggests that a large fraction of these fibers reach the environment either in effluent wastewater or sewage sludge applied to land. In the environment, the fluorinated side chains will be slowly cleaved from the backbone of the side-chain fluorinated polymers coated on the fibers and then transformed into short-chain perfluoroalkyl acids. On the European scale, emissions of up to ∼0.7 t of fluorotelomer alcohol (6:2 FTOH) per year were estimated for outdoor rain jackets treated with fluorotelomer-based side-chain fluorinated polymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steffen Schellenberger
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry , Stockholm University , Stockholm 114 19 , Sweden
| | - Christina Jönsson
- Division Materials and Production , RISE Research Institutes of Sweden , Stockholm and Gothenburg 111 21 , Sweden
| | - Pelle Mellin
- Swerim, Powder Materials & Additive Manufacturing , Kista 164 40 , Sweden
| | - Oscar A Levenstam
- Division Materials and Production , RISE Research Institutes of Sweden , Stockholm and Gothenburg 111 21 , Sweden
| | - Ioannis Liagkouridis
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry , Stockholm University , Stockholm 114 19 , Sweden
| | - Anton Ribbenstedt
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry , Stockholm University , Stockholm 114 19 , Sweden
| | - Anne-Charlotte Hanning
- Division Materials and Production , RISE Research Institutes of Sweden , Stockholm and Gothenburg 111 21 , Sweden
| | - Lara Schultes
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry , Stockholm University , Stockholm 114 19 , Sweden
| | - Merle M Plassmann
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry , Stockholm University , Stockholm 114 19 , Sweden
| | - Caiza Persson
- Division Materials and Production , RISE Research Institutes of Sweden , Stockholm and Gothenburg 111 21 , Sweden
| | - Ian T Cousins
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry , Stockholm University , Stockholm 114 19 , Sweden
| | - Jonathan P Benskin
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry , Stockholm University , Stockholm 114 19 , Sweden
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Fang S, Li C, Zhu L, Yin H, Yang Y, Ye Z, Cousins IT. Spatiotemporal distribution and isomer profiles of perfluoroalkyl acids in airborne particulate matter in Chengdu City, China. Sci Total Environ 2019; 689:1235-1243. [PMID: 31466162 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.06.498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Airborne particulate matter (APM) was collected in four seasons at five different areas of the city of Chengdu, China to study the spatial and seasonal contamination pattern of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs). The results showed that ∑PFAA concentrations in Downtown Chengdu (mean value: 297 ± 238 pg/m3) were higher than concentrations in suburban areas. The highest concentrations of PFAAs occurred during spring (97.5-709 pg/L; arithmetic mean concentration: 297 ± 191 pg/L) while the lowest concentration occurred during autumn (9.27-105 pg/L; arithmetic mean concentration 41.1 ± 24.8 pg/L). Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was the main PFAA quantified during winter, summer and autumn, and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) was the predominant PFAA in spring. Relative humidity (RH) and average daily precipitation (PRE) showed significant negative correlations with PFAA concentrations in winter and summer, suggesting that they played an important role in controlling PFAA concentrations in APM. The linear structural isomer of PFOA (n-PFOA) was the most abundant isomer in APM in Chengdu, with the average proportion of 85.6% ± 6.13%, higher than the proportion in ECF PFOA commercial products (74.3-77.6%). However, the consistent fingerprint of branched PFOA in the APM implies that ECF PFOA makes a significant contribution to the PFOA in APM. PFOS in the APM collected throughout the year had a mean proportion of 54.0 ± 8.81% of n-PFOS. This proportion of n-PFOS is lower than commercial ECF products (62.9-78.2%), suggesting an additional proportion of branched PFOS isomers in APM in Chengdu.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuhong Fang
- College of Resources and Environment, Chengdu University of Information Technology, Chengdu 610225, PR China.
| | - Cheng Li
- College of Resources and Environment, Chengdu University of Information Technology, Chengdu 610225, PR China
| | - Lingyan Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, PR China
| | - Hongling Yin
- College of Resources and Environment, Chengdu University of Information Technology, Chengdu 610225, PR China
| | - Yingchun Yang
- College of Resources and Environment, Chengdu University of Information Technology, Chengdu 610225, PR China
| | - Zhixiang Ye
- College of Resources and Environment, Chengdu University of Information Technology, Chengdu 610225, PR China
| | - Ian T Cousins
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
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Ahrens L, Benskin JP, Cousins IT, Crimi M, Higgins CP. Themed issues on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Environ Sci Process Impacts 2019; 21:1797-1802. [PMID: 31687716 DOI: 10.1039/c9em90047k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Guest editors Lutz Ahrens, Jonathan Benskin, Ian Cousins, Michelle Crimi and Christopher Higgins introduce the “Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs)” themed issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lutz Ahrens
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), SE-75007, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jonathan P Benskin
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, SE-10691, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Ian T Cousins
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, SE-10691, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Michelle Crimi
- Engineering & Management, Clarkson University, Potsdam, New York, USA
| | - Christopher P Higgins
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO 80401, USA
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Balk FGP, Winkens Pütz K, Ribbenstedt A, Gomis MI, Filipovic M, Cousins IT. Children's exposure to perfluoroalkyl acids - a modelling approach. Environ Sci Process Impacts 2019; 21:1875-1886. [PMID: 31549993 DOI: 10.1039/c9em00323a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Adults are mainly exposed to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) via ingestion of food, inhalation of air and ingestion of dust, whereas for children the exposure to PFASs is largely unknown. This study aimed to reconstruct the serum concentrations of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) in children after infancy up to 10.5 years of age and to test if dietary intake is the major exposure pathway for children to PFOA, PFOS and PFHxS after infancy. For this work, a dataset from a Finnish child cohort study was available, which comprised serum concentrations of the studied perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) and PFAS concentration measurements in dust and air samples from the children's bedrooms. The calculated PFAA intakes were used in a pharmacokinetic model to reconstruct the PFAA serum concentrations from 1 to 10.5 years of age. The calculated PFOA and PFOS intakes were close to current regulatory intake thresholds and diet was the major exposure medium for the 10.5 year-olds. The one-compartment PK model reconstructed median PFOA and PFOS serum concentrations well compared to corresponding measured median serum concentrations, while the modelled PFHxS serum concentrations showed a constant underestimation. The results imply that children's exposure to PFOA and PFOS after breastfeeding and with increasing age resembles the exposure of adults. Further, the children in the Finnish cohort experienced a rather constant exposure to PFOA and PFOS between 1 and 10.5 years of age. The PFHxS exposure sources and respective pharmacokinetic parameter estimations need further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian G P Balk
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius väg 8c, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden. and Department of Environmental Toxicology, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Überlandstrasse 133, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Kerstin Winkens Pütz
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius väg 8c, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden. and Department of Environmental Research and Monitoring, Swedish Museum of Natural History, P.O. Box 50007, 10405 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anton Ribbenstedt
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius väg 8c, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Melissa I Gomis
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius väg 8c, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden. and Université Paris-Saclay, 91190 Saint-Aubin, France
| | - Marko Filipovic
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius väg 8c, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden. and NIRAS Sweden AB, Fleminggatan 14, Box 70375, 107 24 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ian T Cousins
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius väg 8c, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden.
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Sha B, Schymanski EL, Ruttkies C, Cousins IT, Wang Z. Exploring open cheminformatics approaches for categorizing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). Environ Sci Process Impacts 2019; 21:1835-1851. [PMID: 31576380 DOI: 10.1039/c9em00321e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a large and diverse class of chemicals of great interest due to their wide commercial applicability, as well as increasing public concern regarding their adverse impacts. A common terminology for PFASs was recommended in 2011, including broad categorization and detailed naming for many PFASs with rather simple molecular structures. Recent advancements in chemical analysis have enabled identification of a wide variety of PFASs that are not covered by this common terminology. The resulting inconsistency in categorizing and naming of PFASs is preventing efficient assimilation of reported information. This article explores how a combination of expert knowledge and cheminformatics approaches could help address this challenge in a systematic manner. First, the "splitPFAS" approach was developed to systematically subdivide PFASs (for eventual categorization) following a CnF2n+1-X-R pattern into their various parts, with a particular focus on 4 PFAS categories where X is CO, SO2, CH2 and CH2CH2. Then, the open, ontology-based "ClassyFire" approach was tested for potential applicability to categorizing and naming PFASs using five scenarios of original and simplified structures based on the "splitPFAS" output. This workflow was applied to a set of 770 PFASs from the latest OECD PFAS list. While splitPFAS categorized PFASs as intended, the ClassyFire results were mixed. These results reveal that open cheminformatics approaches have the potential to assist in categorizing PFASs in a consistent manner, while much development is needed for future systematic naming of PFASs. The "splitPFAS" tool and related code are publicly available, and include options to extend this proof-of-concept to encompass further PFASs in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Sha
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, SE-10691, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Emma L Schymanski
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, 6 Avenue du Swing, L-4367 Belvaux, Luxembourg.
| | - Christoph Ruttkies
- Department Biochemistry of Plant Interactions, Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Weinberg 3, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Ian T Cousins
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, SE-10691, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Zhanyun Wang
- Chair of Ecological Systems Design, Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland.
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Cousins IT, Goldenman G, Herzke D, Lohmann R, Miller M, Ng CA, Patton S, Scheringer M, Trier X, Vierke L, Wang Z, DeWitt JC. The concept of essential use for determining when uses of PFASs can be phased out. Environ Sci Process Impacts 2019; 21:1803-1815. [PMID: 31204421 PMCID: PMC6992415 DOI: 10.1039/c9em00163h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Because of the extreme persistence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and their associated risks, the Madrid Statement argues for stopping their use where they are deemed not essential or when safer alternatives exist. To determine when uses of PFASs have an essential function in modern society, and when they do not, is not an easy task. Here, we: (1) develop the concept of "essential use" based on an existing approach described in the Montreal Protocol, (2) apply the concept to various uses of PFASs to determine the feasibility of elimination or substitution of PFASs in each use category, and (3) outline the challenges for phasing out uses of PFASs in society. In brief, we developed three distinct categories to describe the different levels of essentiality of individual uses. A phase-out of many uses of PFASs can be implemented because they are not necessary for the betterment of society in terms of health and safety, or because functional alternatives are currently available that can be substituted into these products or applications. Some specific uses of PFASs would be considered essential because they provide for vital functions and are currently without established alternatives. However, this essentiality should not be considered as permanent; rather, constant efforts are needed to search for alternatives. We provide a description of several ongoing uses of PFASs and discuss whether these uses are essential or non-essential according to the three essentiality categories. It is not possible to describe each use case of PFASs in detail in this single article. For follow-up work, we suggest further refining the assessment of the use cases of PFASs covered here, where necessary, and expanding the application of this concept to all other uses of PFASs. The concept of essential use can also be applied in the management of other chemicals, or groups of chemicals, of concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian T Cousins
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, SE-10691, Sweden.
| | | | - Dorte Herzke
- NILU, Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Rainer Lohmann
- Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, Narragansett, RI, USA
| | - Mark Miller
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, U.S. Public Health Service, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Carla A Ng
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | | | - Martin Scheringer
- Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Xenia Trier
- DTU Technical University of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lena Vierke
- German Environment Agency (UBA), Dessau-Roßlau, Germany
| | - Zhanyun Wang
- Chair of Ecological Systems Design, Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
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Abstract
Persistence is a hazard criterion for chemicals enshrined in chemical regulation worldwide. In this paper, we argue that the higher the persistence of a chemical, the greater the emphasis that it should be given in chemicals assessment and decision making. We provide case studies for three classes of highly persistent chemicals (chlorofluorocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) to exemplify problems unique to highly persistent chemicals, despite their otherwise diverse properties. Many well-known historical chemical pollution problems were the result of the release of highly persistent chemicals. Using evaluative modeling calculations, we demonstrate that if a chemical is highly persistent, its continuous release will lead to continuously increasing contamination irrespective of the chemical's physical-chemical properties. We argue that these increasing concentrations will result in increasing probabilities of the occurrence of known and unknown effects and that, once adverse effects are identified, it will take decades, centuries or even longer to reverse contamination and therefore effects. Based on our findings we propose that high persistence alone should be established as a sufficient basis for regulation of a chemical, which we term the "P-sufficient approach". We argue that regulation on high persistence alone is not over-precautionary given the historical and ongoing problems that persistent chemicals have caused. Regulation of highly persistent chemicals, for example by restriction of emissions, would not only be precautionary, but would serve to prevent poorly reversible future impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian T Cousins
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
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Cousins IT, Ng CA, Wang Z, Scheringer M. Correction: Why is high persistence alone a major cause of concern? Environ Sci Process Impacts 2019; 21:904. [PMID: 31041436 DOI: 10.1039/c9em90019e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Correction for 'Why is high persistence alone a major cause of concern?' by Ian T. Cousins et al., Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2019, DOI: 10.1039/c8em00515j.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian T Cousins
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
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49
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Abstract
Persistence is a hazard criterion for chemicals enshrined in chemical regulation worldwide. In this paper, we argue that the higher the persistence of a chemical, the greater the emphasis that it should be given in chemicals assessment and decision making. We provide case studies for three classes of highly persistent chemicals (chlorofluorocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) to exemplify problems unique to highly persistent chemicals, despite their otherwise diverse properties. Many well-known historical chemical pollution problems were the result of the release of highly persistent chemicals. Using evaluative modeling calculations, we demonstrate that if a chemical is highly persistent, its continuous release will lead to continuously increasing contamination irrespective of the chemical's physical-chemical properties. We argue that these increasing concentrations will result in increasing probabilities of the occurrence of known and unknown effects and that, once adverse effects are identified, it will take decades, centuries or even longer to reverse contamination and therefore effects. Based on our findings we propose that high persistence alone should be established as a sufficient basis for regulation of a chemical, which we term the "P-sufficient approach". We argue that regulation on high persistence alone is not over-precautionary given the historical and ongoing problems that persistent chemicals have caused. Regulation of highly persistent chemicals, for example by restriction of emissions, would not only be precautionary, but would serve to prevent poorly reversible future impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian T Cousins
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
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Johansson JH, Salter ME, Acosta Navarro JC, Leck C, Nilsson ED, Cousins IT. Global transport of perfluoroalkyl acids via sea spray aerosol. Environ Sci Process Impacts 2019; 21:635-649. [PMID: 30888351 DOI: 10.1039/c8em00525g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are persistent organic pollutants found throughout the world's oceans. Previous research suggests that long-range atmospheric transport of these substances may be substantial. However, it remains unclear what the main sources of PFAAs to the atmosphere are. We have used a laboratory sea spray chamber to study water-to-air transfer of 11 PFAAs via sea spray aerosol (SSA). We observed significant enrichment of all PFAAs relative to sodium in the SSA generated. The highest enrichment was observed in aerosols with aerodynamic diameter < 1.6 μm, which had aerosol PFAA concentrations up to ∼62 000 times higher than the PFAA water concentrations in the chamber. In surface microlayer samples collected from the sea spray chamber, the enrichment of the substances investigated was orders of magnitude smaller than the enrichment observed in the aerosols. In experiments with mixtures of structural isomers, a lower contribution of branched PFAA isomers was observed in the surface microlayer compared to the bulk water. However, no clear trend was observed in the comparison of structural isomers in SSA and bulk water. Using the measured enrichment factors of perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid versus sodium we have estimated global annual emissions of these substances to the atmosphere via SSA as well as their global annual deposition to land areas. Our experiments suggest that SSA may currently be an important source of these substances to the atmosphere and, over certain areas, to terrestrial environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- J H Johansson
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry, Stockholm University, 11418 Stockholm, Sweden.
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