Although
perfluoroalkyl ether carboxylic (PFECAs) and sulfonic
acids (PFESAs) have been widely detected in environmental matrices,
their occurrence in humans and impact on human health remains insufficiently
understood. Here, we report on 13 PFECAs and PFESAs in 977 sera samples
collected from residents living near a fluorochemical plant in Shandong,
China. The sum concentration of these emerging PFECAs accounted for
13% of the total PFASs in the serum of the participants, with the
frequent detection of several PFECAs (>95%) (PFMOAA, PFO4DA, and
PFO5DoDA
at median concentrations of 12.91, 0.142, and 0.987 ng/mL, respectively)
and PFESAs (98.7%) (Nafion byproduct 2 at a median concentration of
0.097 ng/mL). Serum PFMOAA, PFO5DoDA, and 6:2 Cl-PFESA levels were
significantly higher in males than in females. Positive relationships
were observed between age and PFMOAA, 6:2 Cl-PFESA, and H-PFMO2OSA
levels, whereas HFPO-TA and PFO5DoDA serum concentrations in the 0–40-year
age group were lower than that in the >40-year age group. Furthermore,
multivariate linear regression models and sensitivity analyses showed
positive associations among PFO5DoDA levels, elevated lipid parameters
(cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides),
liver function markers (albumin levels and alanine transaminase, aspartate
aminotransferase, and glutamyl transpeptidase activities), and uric
acid levels. Thus, our results suggest potential health risks from
exposure to novel PFESAs and PFECAs (especially PFO5DoDA).
As
novel alternatives to legacy poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances
(PFAS), perfluoroalkyl ether carboxylic acids (PFECAs) have been widely
detected in the environment; however, there is limited information
and knowledge regarding their bioaccumulation and trophic transfer
behavior along the food chain. This research presents the first known
published data on the bioaccumulation and trophic transfer characteristics
of PFECAs in a source-impacted estuary. Elevated PFECA concentrations
were observed in organisms (for instance, conch, with perfluoro-2-methoxyacetic
acid (PFMOAA) concentration reaches up to 16 700 ng/g dry weight
(dw)), indicating exposure risks to the consumers. Conch can be acted
as a potential environmental bioindicator of PFMOAA. PFMOAA, hexafluoropropylene
oxide trimer acid (HFPO-TrA) and PFOA were predominant detected in
biotas. On the basis of trophic magnification factors (TMFs), PFECAs
with ≥6 perfluorinated carbons (HFPO-TrA, hexafluoropropylene
oxide tetramer acid (HFPO-TeA) and perfluoro (3, 5, 7, 9, 11-pentaoxadodecanoic)
acid (PFO5DoA)) could be biomagnified along the food chain (TMF >
1), while PFMOAA with the least perfluorinated carbons undergone biodilution
(TMF < 1). As seafood is an important dietary source of protein
to human, there is a potential health risk related to the consuming
polluted aquatic products.
Due
to its wide usage and recent detection in environmental matrices,
hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO–DA, commercial name
GenX) has attracted considerable attention. Here, we explored and
compared the toxicity of GenX and its novel analogs with that of perfluorooctanoic
acid (PFOA) to provide guidance on the structural design and optimization
of novel alternatives to poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs).
Adult male BALB/c mice were continuously exposed to PFOA, GenX, perfluoro-2-methyl-3,6-dioxo-heptanoic
acid (PFMO2HpA), and perfluoro-2-methyl-3,6,8-trioxo-nonanoic acid
(PFMO3NA; 0, 0.4, 2, or 10 mg/kg/d) via oral gavage for 28 days. The
PFOA, GenX, and PFMO3NA treatment groups showed an increase in relative
liver weight, and bile acid metabolism was the most significantly
affected pathway in all treatment groups, as shown via weighted gene
coexpression network analysis. The highest total bile acid levels
were observed in the 2 and 10 mg/kg/d PFMO3NA groups. The ratios of
primary bile acids to all bile acids increased in the high-dose groups,
while the ratios of secondary bile acids showed a downward trend.
Thus, bile acid metabolism disorder may be a prominent adverse effect
induced by exposure to GenX, its analogs, and PFOA. Results also showed
that the hepatotoxicity of PFMO2HpA was lower than that of GenX, whereas
the hepatotoxicity of PFMO3NA was stronger, suggesting that PFMO2HpA
may be a potential alternative to GenX.
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