Blood serum concentrations of perfluorinated compounds in men from Greenlandic Inuit and European populations

Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), such as perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), are used in large quantities. They are persistent and found in measurable levels in human serum around the world. They have been associated with developmental, hepatic, and carcinogenic effects in animal studies. The aim of the present study was to describe levels of PFCs in serum among Inuits from Greenland and inhabitants from Warsaw, Poland and Kharkiv, Ukraine. Furthermore, the aim was to define social- and lifestyle related determinants of exposure for these compounds. Serum levels of seven PFCs were analyzed by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). The concentrations of PFOS and PFOA were the highest of all PFCs in all three populations with a total amount of almost 90% of the PFCs. The mean levels of PFOS and PFOA were in the Greenlandic Inuits 52 and 4.8 ng mL(-1), in Poland 19 and 5.2 ng mL(-1), and in Ukraine 8.1 and 1.9 ng mL(-1), respectively. Thus, levels of PFCs in the serum of Inuits on Greenland were among the highest described in a general population whereas the levels in Poland were similar to other industrialized countries. The exposure in Ukraine was rather low. In the Greenlandic Inuit population, intake of seafood, tea, age and area of living were significant determinants of PFOS concentrations and explained about 22% of the variation. For the other populations no strong determinants were found.     

First assessment of population exposure to perfluorinated compounds in Flanders, Belgium

With the objective to evaluate exposure of the population in Flanders (Belgium) to perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), we measured perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in settled dust in homes and offices, in a selection of food items from local origin, in drinking-water and in human serum. We complemented the data with results from a literature survey. Based on this dataset we calculated intake by children and adults from food, drinking-water, settled dust and soil, and air. Dietary exposure dominated overall intake. For adults, average dietary intake equalled 24.2 (P95 40.9) ng PFOS kg⁻¹ d⁻¹ and 6.1 (P95 9.6) ng PFOA kg⁻¹ d⁻¹, whereas for children the dietary intake was about 3 times higher. Predicted intake is high when compared to assessments in other countries, and to serum levels from Flanders, but comparable to the intakes published by The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in 2008. Intake of PFOS and PFOA remained below the Tolerable Daily Intake.     

Brominated flame retardants and perfluorinated chemicals, two groups of persistent contaminants in Belgian human blood and milk

We assessed the exposure of the Flemish population to brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) by analysis of pooled cord blood, adolescent and adult serum, and human milk. Levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in blood (range 1.6-6.5 ng/g lipid weight, lw) and milk (range 2.0-6.4 ng/g lw) agreed with European data. Hexabromocyclododecane ranged between <2.1-5.7 ng/g lw in milk. Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) dominated in blood and ranged between 1 and 171 ng/mL and <0.9-9.5 ng/mL, respectively. Total PFC levels in milk ranged between <0.5-29 ng/mL. A significant increase in PBDE concentrations was detected from newborns (median 2.1) to the adolescents and adults (medians 3.8 and 4.6 ng/g lw, respectively). An identical trend was observed for PFOS, but not for PFOA. We estimated that newborn exposure to BFRs and PFCs occurs predominantly post-natally, whereas placental transfer has a minor impact on the body burden.     

Background levels of Persistent Organic Pollutants in humans from Taiwan: Perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoic acid

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) have recently received attention due to their widespread contamination of the environment. PFOS and PFOA are stable in the environment and resistant to metabolism, hydrolysis, photolysis and biodegradation. PFOS and PFOA have been found in human blood and tissue samples from both occupationally exposed workers and the general worldwide population. This study aimed to determine the background levels of PFOS and PFOA in the Taiwanese population, investigate related factors, and compare exposure in Taiwan to that in other countries. The concentration of PFOS in the 59 serum samples collected from the general population in Taiwan ranged from 3.45 to 25.65 ng mL⁻¹ (median: 8.52), and the concentration of PFOA ranged from 1.55 to 7.69 ng mL⁻¹ (median: 3.22). There was a significant positive correlation (r = 0.51; p < 0.0001) between PFOS and PFOA concentrations. Males had higher concentrations of PFOA and PFOS than females. PFOS levels in serum increased with age. This study is the first investigation to reveal the PFOS and PFOA levels of serum samples in the general population of Taiwan. The levels of PFOS and PFOA in Taiwanese serum samples were comparable with those from other countries (PFOS: 5.0–35 ng mL⁻¹, PFOA: 1.5–10 ng mL⁻¹).     

Perfluoroalkyl chemicals in vacuum cleaner dust from 39 Wisconsin homes

Perfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFCs) have been used as surfactants and stain repellants in a variety of consumer products for more than 50 years and there is growing concern regarding their persistence and toxicity. Human exposure to these chemicals is essentially universal in North America and researchers have linked them to a variety of health problems ranging from higher rates of cancer, to developmental and reproductive problems, and higher cholesterol levels. Major exposure pathways are food and water ingestion, dust ingestion via hand to mouth transfer. In an effort to assess residential exposure, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services tested vacuum cleaner contents from thirty-nine homes for 16 perflouroalkyl chemicals. PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS, PFHpA and PFNA were found in all of the vacuum dust samples and dust from eight homes contained all 16 PFCs included in our analysis. The most commonly detected compounds were perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), perfluorohexanesulfonate (PFHxS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) which together made up 70% of the total PFC residues in dust from these homes. Summed PFC concentrations in these dust samples ranged from 70 to 2513 ng/g (median 280 ng/g). Our investigation suggests that these chemicals may be ubiquitous contaminants in US homes.     

Occurrence and dietary exposure assessment of PFOS and PFOA in cultured Trachinotus ovatus in China

In this study, investigation was conducted into concentrations of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in Chinese farmed Trachinotus ovatus between 2014 and 2015 using a modified QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) and ultra fast liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UFLC-MS/MS) method. The tissue distribution (muscle, skin, liver, kidney and gill) in Trachinotus ovatus was also assessed. The detection frequencies of PFOS and PFOA in fish were 92% and 3%, respectively, and the mean concentrations were 0.392 and 0.015 μg/kg wet weight. The analysis of PFOS distribution in different tissues in Trachinotus ovatus showed the following trend: skin> gill> kidney> liver> flesh. Results revealeded farmed Trachinotus ovatus in China to generally be contaminated with PFOS. Moreover, the average daily intake for Chinese urban residents calculated on the basis of pollution content was 0.268 ng/kg body weight/d (PFOS) and 0.014 ng/kg body weight /d (PFOA), respectively. Both hazard ratio values were less than 1, indicating that exposure levels of PFOS and PFOA through Trachinotus ovatus consumption may not lead to adverse health effects in the Chinese population.     

Perfluorooctanesulfonate and perfluorooctanoate in raw and treated tap water from Osaka, Japan

Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) have been recognized as emerging environmental pollutants because of their ubiquitous occurrence in the environment, biota, and humans. PFOS and PFOA have been detected in water in Japan. Nevertheless, occurrence of PFOS and PFOA in potable water from municipal water treatment plants is not clearly known. We analyzed PFOS and PFOA in raw and tap water samples collected from 14 drinking water treatment plants in winter and summer seasons in Osaka to determine the concentrations of PFOS and PFOA in raw and potable tap water samples. PFOS and PFOA were detected in all raw water samples. Concentration ranges of PFOS and PFOA in raw water were 0.26-22 ng/l and 5.2-92 ng/l, respectively. Whereas the concentrations PFOS in raw water from Osaka were similar to those in other areas in Japan, the concentrations of PFOA were higher than in other areas. Concentration ranges of PFOS and PFOA in potable tap water were 0.16-22 ng/l and 2.3-84 ng/l, respectively. There were positive correlations between PFC concentrations in raw water and tap water samples. Therefore, the removal efficiency of PFCs by the present water treatment may be low. Based on the current action value reported by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, PFOA concentrations found in tap water in Osaka is not expected to pose health risks.     

Preliminary evidence of a decline in perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) concentrations in American Red Cross blood donors

The purpose of this pilot study was to determine whether perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS,C(8)F(17)SO(3)(-)) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA,C(7)F(15)CO(2)(-)) concentrations in American Red Cross blood donors from Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota have declined after the 2000-2002 phase-out of perfluorooctanesulfonyl-fluoride (POSF, C(8)F(17)SO(2)F)-based materials by the primary global manufacturer, 3M Company. Forty donor plasma samples, categorized by age and sex, were collected in 2005, and PFOS and PFOA concentrations were compared to 100 (non-paired) donor serum samples collected in 2000 from the same general population that were analyzed at the time using ion-pair extraction methods with tetrahydroperfluorooctanesulfonate as an internal standard. Eleven of the 100 samples originally collected were reanalyzed with present study methods that involved (13)C- labeled PFOA spiked into the donor samples, original samples, control human plasma, and the calibration curve prior to extraction, and was used as a surrogate to monitor extraction efficiency. Quantification was performed by high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry methods. Among the 100 serum samples analyzed for PFOS, the geometric mean was 33.1 ng ml(-1) (95% CI 29.8-36.7) in 2000 compared to 15.1 ng ml(-1) (95% CI 13.3-17.1) in 2005 (p<0.0001) for the 40 donor plasma samples. The geometric mean concentration for PFOA was 4.5 ng ml(-1) (95% CI 4.1-5.0) in 2000 compared to 2.2 ng ml(-1) (95% CI 1.9-2.6) in 2005 (p<0.0001). The decrease was consistent across donors' age and sex. To confirm these preliminary findings, additional sub-sets of year 2000 samples will be analyzed, and a much larger biomonitoring study of other locations is planned.     

Levels of perfluorochemicals in water samples from Catalonia,Spain: is drinking water a significant contribution to human exposure?

Background, aim, and scope  In recent years, due to a high persistence, biomagnification in food webs, presence in remote regions, and potential toxicity, perfluorochemicals (PFCs) have generated a considerable interest. The present study was aimed to determine the levels of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and other PFCs in drinking water (tap and bottled) and river water samples from Tarragona Province (Catalonia, Spain). Materials and methods  Municipal drinking (tap) water samples were collected from the four most populated towns in the Tarragona Province, whereas samples of bottled waters were purchased from supermarkets. River water samples were collected from the Ebro (two samples), Cortiella, and Francolí Rivers. After pretreatment, PFC analyses were performed by HPLC-MS. Quantification was done using the internal standard method, with recoveries between 68% and 118%. Results  In tap water, PFOS and PFOA levels ranged between 0.39 and 0.87 ng/L (0.78 and 1.74 pmol/L) and between 0.32 and 6.28 ng/L (0.77 and 15.2 pmol/L), respectively. PFHpA, PFHxS, and PFNA were also other detected PFCs. PFC levels were notably lower in bottled water, where PFOS could not be detected in any sample. Moreover, PFHpA, PFHxS, PFOA, PFNA, PFOS, PFOSA, and PFDA could be detected in the river water samples. PFOS and PFOA concentrations were between <0.24 and 5.88 ng/L (<0.48 and 11.8 pmol/L) and between <0.22 and 24.9 ng/L (<0.53 and 60.1 pmol/L), respectively. Discussion  Assuming a human water consumption of 2 L per day, the daily intake of PFOS and PFOA by the population of the area under evaluation was calculated (0.78–1.74 and 12.6 ng, respectively). It was found that drinking water might be a source of exposure to PFCs as important as the dietary intake of these pollutants. Conclusions  The contribution of drinking water (tap and bottled) to the human daily intake of various PFCs has been compared for the first time with data from dietary intake of these PFCs. It was noted that in certain cases, drinking water can be a source of exposure to PFCs as important as the dietary intake of these pollutants although the current concentrations were similar or lower than those reported in the literature for surface water samples from a number of regions and countries. Recommendations and perspectives  Further studies should be carried out in order to increase the knowledge of the role of drinking water in human exposure to PFCs.     

Determinants of maternal and fetal exposure and temporal trends of perfluorinated compounds

In recent years, some perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) have been identified as potentially hazardous substances which are harmful to the environment and human health. According to limited data, PFC levels in humans could be influenced by several determinants. However, the findings are inconsistent. In the present study, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) were measured in paired maternal and cord serum samples (N?=?237) collected between 1978 and 2001 in Southern Sweden to study the relationship between these and to investigate several potential determinants of maternal and fetal exposure to PFCs. Time trends of PFCs in Swedish women were also evaluated. The study is a part of the Fetal Environment and Neurodevelopment Disorders in Epidemiological Research project. PFOS, PFOA, and PFNA levels (median) were higher in maternal serum (15, 2.1, and 0.24 ng/ml, respectively) than in cord serum (6.5, 1.7, and 0.20 ng/ml, respectively). PFC levels were among the highest in women originating from the Nordic countries and the lowest in women from the Middle East, North Africa, and sub-Saharan Africa. Multiparous women had lower serum PFOA levels (1.7 ng/ml) than primiparous women (2.4 ng/ml). Maternal age, body mass index, cotinine levels, and whether women carried male or female fetuses did not affect serum PFC concentrations. Umbilical cord serum PFC concentrations showed roughly similar patterns as the maternal except for the gestational age where PFC levels increased with advancing gestational age. PFOS levels increased during the study period in native Swedish women. In summary, PFOS levels tend to increase while PFOA and PFNA levels were unchanged between 1978 and 2001 in our study population. Our results demonstrate that maternal country of origin, parity, and gestational age might be associated with PFC exposure.     

Perfluorooctanesulfonate and related fluorochemicals in biological samples from the north coast of Colombia

Perfluorinated compounds are widespread pollutants of toxicological importance that have been detected in environmental matrices. However, little is known on their distribution in South America. In this study, distribution of perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorohexanesulfonate (PFHxS), and perfluorooctanesulfonamide (PFOSA) was determined in the bile of mullet, Mugil incilis, and in tissues of pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) collected from North Colombia. Analysis was performed by HPLC mass spectrometry after ion-pair extraction. PFOS was found in all bile samples and PFOA and PFHxS were detected at lower frequency. Average concentrations of PFOS, PFOA, and PFHxS in bile of fish from Cartagena Bay, an industrialized site, and Totumo marsh, a reference site, were 3673, 370, 489 and 713, 47.4, 1.27 ng/mL, respectively. PFOS concentrations in pelican organs decreased in the order of spleen>liver>lung>kidney>brain>heart>muscle. These results suggest, for the first time, that perfluorinated compounds are also found in wildlife from Latin American countries.     

Extraction procedure optimization for perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoic acid in food packaging determination by LC-MS/MS

This research aimed to optimize the extraction method parameters for sample pretreatment and determine the levels of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) contamination in food packaging made of paper. Techniques used were pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) followed by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Influence parameters of PLE were carefully evaluated for extracted concentration of samples in low level (ng g^?1). The study found that the optimal conditions for PLE were 30 min static extraction time with a flush volume of 100% cell volume and one extraction cycle at 80°C and 1,000 psi. The extraction technique validated the absolute recovery from PFOS and PFOA fortified control samples at three different levels (5, 50, and 200 ng g^?1), with seven repeats at each fortification level. The average recoveries were 79% or higher, with relative standard deviation (RSD) less than 11%. Optimization of the PLE method was established based on recovery data, accuracy, precision, and repeatability of the method. Using optimal PLE technique, PFOS and PFOA were extracted from 34 food-packaging samples collected in Thailand. PFOS and PFOA were detected in all kinds of collected samples, with average concentrations of 4.89 and 2.87 ng g^?1, respectively. The concentrations of PFOS and PFOA were highest in fast-food container samples: 36.99 and 9.99 ng g^?1, respectively.     

Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in food and water from Faroe Islands

Diet and drinking water are suggested to be major exposure pathways for perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). In this study, food items and water from Faroe Islands sampled in 2011/2012 were analyzed for 11 perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) and 4 perfluoroalkane sulfonic acids (PFSAs). The food samples included milk, yoghurt, crème fraiche, potatoes, fish, and fish feed, and the water samples included surface water and purified drinking water. In total, nine PFCAs and four PFSAs were detected. Generally, the levels of PFAS were in the lower picogram per gram range. Perfluorobutanoic acid was a major contributor to the total PFASs concentration in water samples and had a mean concentration of 750 pg/L. Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA) was predominating in milk and wild fish with mean concentrations of 170 pg/g. Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) was most frequently detected in food items followed by PFUnDA, perfluorononanoic acid, and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Levels of PFUnDA and PFOA exceeded those of PFOS in milk and fish samples. Prevalence of long-chain PFCAs in Faroese food items and water is confirming earlier observations of their increase in Arctic biota. Predominance of short-chain and long-chain homologues indicates exposure from PFOS and PFOA replacement compounds.     

Historical and geographical aspects of the increasing perfluorooctanoate and perfluorooctane sulfonate contamination in human serum in Japan

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) have recently received attention due to their widespread contamination in the environment, as well as in wildlife and humans. We measured the PFOS and PFOA concentrations in historically recorded human serum samples at an age range between 20 and 59 years collected in Kyoto, 20 persons per each time point (n=100), and also the PFOS and PFOA concentrations in human serum samples at an age range between 20 and 59 years from 10 locations throughout Japan (n=200). The historical samples collected from 1983 to 1999 demonstrated that the PFOA concentrations in males and females from Kyoto have increased 4.4-fold and 4.3-fold at a rate of increase of 0.49 ng/ml/year and 0.42 ng/ml/year, respectively. In contrast, serum concentrations of PFOS reached a plateau in the late 1980s. There are also regional differences in both the PFOS and PFOA serum concentrations. The concentrations in serum [geometric mean (geometric standard deviation)] (ng/ml) in 2003-2004 ranged from 7.6(1.6) in the town of Matsuoka in Fukui prefecture to 27.8(1.6) in Kyoto city, and ranged from 2.3(1.5) in Matsuoka to 14.5(1.3) in Osaka city for PFOS and PFOA, respectively.     

PFOS and PFC releases and associated pollution from a PFC production plant in Minnesota (USA)

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and PFOS-related substances have been listed as persistent organic pollutants in the Stockholm Convention. From August 2012, Parties to the Convention needed to address the use, storage, and disposal of PFOS—including production sites and sites where PFOS wastes have been deposited—in their national implementation plans. The paper describes the pollution in Minnesota (USA) caused by the 3M Company at one of the largest per/polyfluorinated chemical (PFC) production facilities. From early 1950s until the end of 2002, when 3M terminated PFOS and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) production, PFOS, PFOA, and other PFC production wastes were disposed around the plant and in local disposal sites. Discharges from the site and releases from deposits caused widespread contamination of ground and surface waters including local drinking water wells. Fish in the river downstream were contaminated with PFOS to levels that led to fish consumption advisories. Human exposures resulted from ingesting contaminated drinking water, requiring installation of water treatment facilities and alternate water supplies. The critical evaluation of the assessments done revealed a range of gaps in particular of human exposure where relevant exposure pathways including the entire exposure via food have not been taken into consideration. Currently, the exposure assessment of vulnerable groups such as children or Hmong minorities is inadequate and needs to be improved/validated by epidemiological studies. The assessment methodology described for this site may serve—with highlighted improvements—as a model for assessment of other PFOS/PFC production sites in the Stockholm Convention implementation.     

Effects of perfluorinated compounds on development of zebrafish embryos

Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) have been widely used in industrial and consumer products and frequently detected in many environmental media. Potential reproductive effects of perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) have been reported in mice, rats and water birds. PFOS and PFOA were also confirmed developing toxicants towards zebrafish embryos; however, the reported effect concentrations were contradictory. Polyfluorinated alkylated phosphate ester surfactants (including FC807) are precursor of PFOS and PFOA; however, there is no published information about the effects of FC807 and PFNA on zebrafish embryos. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the effects of these four PFCs on zebrafish embryos. Normal fertilized zebrafish embryos were selected to be exposed to several concentrations of PFOA, PFNA, PFOS or FC807 in 24-well cell culture plates. A digital camera was used to image morphological anomalies of embryos with a stereomicroscope. Embryos were observed through matching up to 96-h post-fertilization (hpf) and rates of survival and abnormalities recorded. PFCs caused lethality in a concentration-dependent manner with potential toxicity in the order of PFOS > FC807 > PFNA > PFOA based on 72-h LC(50). Forty-eight-hour post-fertilization pericardial edema and 72- or 96-hpf spine crooked malformation were all observed. PFOA, PFNA, PFOS and FC807 all caused structural abnormalities using early stages of development of zebrafish. The PFCs all retarded the development of zebrafish embryos. The toxicity of the PFCs was related to the length of the PFC chain and functional groups.     

Perfluorinated chemicals in selected residents of the American continent

Perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) are used in multiple consumer products. Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), the most widely studied PFCs, may be potential developmental, reproductive, and systemic toxicants. Although PFCs seem to be ubiquitous contaminants found both in humans and animals, geographic differences may exist in human exposure patterns to PFCs. We measured 11 PFCs in 23 pooled serum samples collected in the United States from 1990 through 2002, and in serum samples collected in 2003 from 44 residents from Trujillo, Peru. PFOS and PFOA were detected in all the pooled samples; perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) was detected in 21. Median concentrations were 31.1 micrograms per liter (mug/l, PFOS), 11.6 microg/l (PFOA), and 2 microg/l (PFHxS). The 90th percentile concentrations of PFCs in the 44 Peruvian residents were 0.7 microg/l (PFOS), 0.1 microg/l (PFOA), and <0.3 microg/l (PFHxS). The frequencies of detection were 20% (PFOS), 25% (PFOA), and 9% (PFHxS). The frequent detection of selected PFCs in the pooled samples from the United States and the lack of clear concentration trends based on a year of collection suggest a sustained widespread exposure to these compounds among US residents, at least since the 1990s. By contrast, the much lower frequency of detection and concentration ranges of PFCs in Peru suggest a lower exposure of Peruvians to PFCs compared with North Americans. Genetic variability, diet, lifestyle, or a combination of all these may contribute to the different patterns of human exposure to PFCs in the United States and Peru.     

Phthalates and perfluorinated alkylated substances in Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) specimens from Mediterranean Sea (Sardinia,Italy): Levels and risks for human consumption

Atlantic blue fin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) is a species of great importance for Mediterranean Sea area, from both ecological and commercial points of view. The scientific literature reports few data on the contamination of this fish by emerging organic compounds such as perfluorinated alkylated substances(PFASs) and phthalates, being the latter never been studied in tuna. This study therefore investigated the presence of the PFASs perfluorooctane sulphonate (PFOS) and perfluoroctanoic acid (PFOA) and the phthalate di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), also monitored by its metabolite mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate(MEHP), to assess both the state of contamination of Atlantic bluefin tuna specimen and the risk due to the toxicity of these compounds for human consumption. While PFOA was never found, detectable levels of PFOS (0.4–1.88 ng/g), DEHP (9–14.62 ng/g) and MEHP (1.5–6.30 ng/g) were found. The results were elaborated relating the accumulation to the size and age of the individuals and showed a correlation between the levels of different pollutants investigated.     

River water contaminated with perfluorinated compounds potentially posing the greatest risk to young children

Although, humans are exposed to perflourinated compounds (PFCs) from various media, water consumption could be an important source for the residents living near to contaminated areas. Since comprehensive multimedia exposure model has not been developed for PFCs, assessment of the potential risk due to exposure to PFCs through direct water consumption could be a conservative estimate. The human health risks derived from the exposure to PFCs through water consumption were assessed for different age groups of general population in Taiwan using probabilistic approach. Based on available data on concentrations of PFCs in river water, exposure to PFOS, PFOA and PFDA via water consumption for different age groups were calculated using deterministic and probabilistic risk assessment methods. The oral non-cancer risks from PFOS, PFOA and their combination, expressed as a Hazard Index (HI), was determined by comparing oral exposure dose (through water intake) with the oral Reference Dose (RfD). The average exposure to PFOS, PFOA and PFDA via water consumption for adults ranged from 0.16 to 220.15, 0.43 to 12.5 and 0.43 to 2.36 ng kg-bw^?1 d^?1 and for children 0.13–354.3, 0.35–20.17 and 0.35–3.79 ng kg-bw^?1 d^?1, respectively. Probabilistic values of total HIs for all age groups reside near to Keya River exceed the RfD 2.4–4.8 times, corresponding mainly to PFOS with a percentage of 97%. In conclusions, children aged 1–3 years old and the residents reside near to Keya River are at the highest risk of exposure to PFCs via water consumption.     

Perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonate released from a waste water treatment plant in Bavaria, Germany

Purpose

Perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), and precursors and derivatives thereof have been employed as surfactants and anti-adhesives. PFOA and PFOS are environmentally persistent and the discharge of municipal waste waters is one of the principal routes of these compounds into the aquatic environment. In a previous study, the concentrations of PFOA and PFOS in grab samples collected from the waste water treatment plant (WWTP) of Bayreuth, a city of 72,000 inhabitants in Bavaria, Germany, during two periods showed considerable variability. For a better estimate of average mass flows, the surfactants were monitored (five samplings) from 16 March to 18 May 2007. In a second campaign, river water receiving the WWTP effluent was sampled twice a day for five consecutive days.

Methods

Quantitative analysis was done by stable-isotope dilution, pre-cleaning, and pre-concentration by solid-phase extraction, and liquid chromatography followed by electrospray ionization/tandem mass spectrometry.

Results

The mass flows of PFOA and PFOS through the WWTP were determined. PFOA is fully discharged into the river, while about half of PFOS is retained in the sewage sludge. The average daily mass load of the river Roter Main by the WWTP of Bayreuth is about 1.2?±?0.5 g PFOA and 5?±?2 g PFOS, with variations of up to 140% within one day.

Conclusion

Overall, the total annual release to the rivers of Germany may be in the range of several hundred kilograms of PFOA and several tons of PFOS.