Aerobic biodegradation of 2 fluorotelomer sulfonamide–based aqueous film–forming foam components produces perfluoroalkyl carboxylates

D’Agostino, Lisa A.; Mabury, Scott A.

doi:10.1002/etc.3750

Cited by 93 publications

(105 citation statements)

References 44 publications

(119 reference statements)

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“…Based on the high energy of the carbon–fluorine bond [ 2 ], it can be assumed that short-chain PFAAs are extremely persistent similar to the persistence of long-chain PFAAs [ 38 , 39 ]. They do not undergo abiotic or biotic degradation at all under environmental conditions and are considered highly stable transformation products in which several precursors ultimately degrade into [ 13 , 40 ]. This extreme persistence is regarded as an incalculable hazard itself, as short-chain PFAAs will stay in the environment for decades to centuries [ 41 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Short-chain perfluoroalkyl acids: environmental concerns and a regulatory strategy under REACH

et al. 2018

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BackgroundShort-chain PFASs (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are widely used as alternatives to long-chain PFASs. Long-chain PFASs become gradually regulated under REACH (EC No. 1907/2006) and other international regulations, due to having persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic properties and/or being toxic for reproduction. The increasingly used short-chain PFASs are assumed to have a lower bioaccumulation potential. Nonetheless, they have other properties of concern and are already widely distributed in the environment, also in remote regions. The REACH Regulation does not directly address these emerging properties of concern, complicating the implementation of regulatory measures. Therefore, this study illustrates these environmental concerns and provides a strategy for a regulation of short-chain PFASs within REACH.ResultsShort-chain PFASs have a high mobility in soil and water, and final degradation products are extremely persistent. This results in a fast distribution to water resources, and consequently, also to a contamination of drinking water resources. Once emitted, short-chain PFASs remain in the environment. A lack of appropriate water treatment technologies results in everlasting background concentrations in the environment, and thus, organisms are permanently and poorly reversibly exposed. Considering such permanent exposure, it is very difficult to estimate long-term adverse effects in organisms. Short-chain PFASs enrich in edible parts of plants and the accumulation in food chains is unknown. Regarding these concerns and uncertainties, especially with respect to the precautionary principle, short-chain PFASs are of equivalent concern to PBT substances. Therefore, they should be identified as substances of very high concern (SVHC) under REACH. The SVHC identification should be followed by a restriction under REACH, which is the most efficient way to minimize the environmental and human exposure of short-chain PFASs in the European Union.ConclusionDue to an increasing use of short-chain PFASs, an effective regulation is urgently needed. The concerns of short-chain PFASs do not match the “classical” concerns as defined under REACH, but are not of minor concern. Therefore, it is of advantage to clearly define the concerns of short-chain PFASs. This might facilitate the following restriction process under REACH.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Short-chain perfluoroalkyl acids: environmental concerns and a regulatory strategy under REACH

et al. 2018

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“…Polyfluorinated forms of PFASs will biotransform in the environment to form PFAAs, although the rate of this transformation may be slow and some of the transient intermediates formed not yet defined (Benskin et al., ; D'Agostino & Mabury, ; Dasu, Lee, Turco, & Nies, ; Dasu, Liu, & Lee, ; Dinglasan, Ye, Edwards, & Mabury, ; Fromel & Knepper, ; Lee, D'Eon, & Mabury, ; Lee, Tevlin, Mabury, & Mabury, ; Liu, Wang, Buck, et al., ; Liu, Wang, Szostek, et al., ; Russell, Berti, Szostek, Wang, & Buck, ; Wang et al., ; Wang et al., ; Weiner et al., ).…”

Section: Treatment Of Pfassmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…PFASs do not biodegrade as they have not been reported to mineralize, which involves formation of stoichiometric quantities of fluoride, carbon dioxide, and, potentially, sulfate for the perfluoroalkyl sulfonates and their precursors. None of the approximately 3,000 PFASs can biodegrade, although some reports of biological attack on PFASs has been described as biodegradation (D'Agostino & Mabury, ; Dasu et al., ), the PFAAs precursors biotransform to create PFAAs, which persist.…”

Section: Treatment Of Pfassmentioning

confidence: 99%

A review of emerging technologies for remediation of PFASs

Ross

McDonough

Miles

et al. 2018

Remediation Journal

354

268

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The need for remediation of poly‐ and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) is growing as a result of more regulatory attention to this new class of contaminants with diminishing water quality standards being promulgated, commonly in the parts per trillion range. PFASs comprise >3,000 individual compounds, but the focus of analyses and regulations has generally been PFASs termed perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs), which are all extremely persistent, can be highly mobile, and are increasingly being reported to bioaccumulate, with understanding of their toxicology evolving. However, there are thousands of polyfluorinated “PFAA precursors”, which can transform in the environment and in higher organisms to create PFAAs as persistent daughter products. Some PFASs can travel miles from their point of release, as they are mobile and persistent, potentially creating large plumes. The use of a conceptual site model (CSM) to define risks posed by specific PFASs to potential receptors is considered essential. Granular activated carbon (GAC) is commonly used as part of interim remedial measures to treat PFASs present in water. Many alternative treatment technologies are being adapted for PFASs or ingenious solutions developed. The diversity of PFASs commonly associated with use of multiple PFASs in commercial products is not commonly assessed. Remedial technologies, which are adsorptive or destructive, are considered for both soils and waters with challenges to their commercial application outlined. Biological approaches to treat PFASs report biotransformation which creates persistent PFAAs, no PFASs can biodegrade. Water treatment technologies applied ex situ could be used in a treatment train approach, for example, to concentrate PFASs and then destroy them on‐site. Dynamic groundwater recirculation can greatly enhance contaminant mass removal via groundwater pumping. This review of technologies for remediation of PFASs describes that: GAC may be effective for removal of long‐chain PFAAs, but does not perform well on short‐chain PFAAs and its use for removal of precursors is reported to be less effective; Anion‐exchange resins can remove a wider array of long‐ and short‐chain PFAAs, but struggle to treat the shortest chain PFAAs and removal of most PFAA precursors has not been evaluated; Ozofractionation has been applied for PFASs at full scale and shown to be effective for removal of total PFASs; Chemical oxidation has been demonstrated to be potentially applicable for some PFAAs, but when applied in situ there is concern over the formation of shorter chain PFAAs and ongoing rebound from sorbed precursors; Electrochemical oxidation is evolving as a destructive technology for many PFASs, but can create undesirable by‐products such as perchlorate and bromate; Sonolysis has been demonstrated as a potential destructive technology in the laboratory but there are significant challenges when considering scale up; Soils stabilization approaches are evolving and have been used at full scale but performance need to be assessed usin...

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“…6:2 FTSA, for instance, is a key active ingredient in Capstone products, marketed for use in coatings, paints, and industrial cleaning products (Field and Seow, 2017). It can also be generated at elevated levels from fluorotelomer-based aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) components via environmental transformation processes (Harding-Marjanovic et al, 2015;D'Agostino and Mabury, 2017;Mejia-Avendaño et al, 2017;Shaw et al, 2019). Fluorotelomer precursors can ultimately degrade to short-chain or long-chain PFCA, depending on the length of the fluorocarbon chain involved.…”

Section: Spatial Variations Of Pfas In Fishmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fish Exhibit Distinct Fluorochemical and δ15N Isotopic Signatures in the St. Lawrence River Impacted by Municipal Wastewater Effluents

Kaboré

Goeury

Desrosiers³

et al. 2022

Front. Environ. Sci.

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We examined the influence of Montreal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents on two top predators, Walleye (Sander vitreus) and Sauger (Sander canadensis), with a focus on δ15N isotopic signatures and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These two fish species were collected in the summer 2013 in the St. Lawrence River upstream and downstream from a major WWTP, as well as in background sites (semi-remote lakes). Most of the δ15N variations for Sauger and Walleye are attributable to 1) δ15N values of the primary producers and sewage-derived particulate organic matter (SDPOM) at the base of the trophic food chain, 2) agricultural activities combined with biogeochemical processes, and 3) food web length. δ15N was significantly lower in fish collected in the effluent-mixed water masses than other sites of the St. Lawrence River, attributed to the SDPOM of the WWTP effluent. Relative to the background sites, certain PFAS were present at much higher levels in the St. Lawrence River, with profiles dominated by perfluoroalkyl sulfonates (PFSA). However, PFSA profiles generally remained consistent along the St. Lawrence River. PFOS levels in fish from the St. Lawrence exceeded the current Federal Environmental Quality Guidelines for protecting piscivorous mammals or birds. However, the human chronic daily intake of PFOS remained below current thresholds suggested by national agencies.

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Aerobic biodegradation of 2 fluorotelomer sulfonamide–based aqueous film–forming foam components produces perfluoroalkyl carboxylates

Cited by 93 publications

References 44 publications

Short-chain perfluoroalkyl acids: environmental concerns and a regulatory strategy under REACH

Short-chain perfluoroalkyl acids: environmental concerns and a regulatory strategy under REACH

A review of emerging technologies for remediation of PFASs

Fish Exhibit Distinct Fluorochemical and δ15N Isotopic Signatures in the St. Lawrence River Impacted by Municipal Wastewater Effluents

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