An Outdoor Aging Study to Investigate the Release of Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) from Functional Textiles

Schellenberger, Steffen; Liagkouridis, Ioannis; Awad, Raed; Khan, Stuart J.; Plassmann, Merle; Peters, Gregory; Benskin, Jonathan P.; Cousins, Ian T.

doi:10.1021/acs.est.1c06812

Cited by 70 publications

(57 citation statements)

References 35 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“… 12 , 14 , 16 , 19 , 20 , 22 The significance of these results is that 6:2 FTOH measured here can be released from clothing via volatilization, with implications for inhalation exposure and dermal transfer (discussed below), and also it can be released to the environment during laundering (to WWTP effluent and biosolids during washing, and to the air via volatilization and fiber loss during drying) (see Figure S3 ). 44 , 69 …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… 66 It is likely that the PFAS concentration in school uniforms will decrease over time due to laundering since some PFAS is likely washed out and then released to surface waters via wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) or septic field discharges; however, mass loss is anticipated to be minimal relative to the total amount added. 44 …”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… 43 For example, Nikiforov reported that the FTOH content increased by up to 500–1300 times after hydrolysis of textile samples. 43 The presence of large amounts of PFAS that usually go undetected with targeted analyses carries the potential for release during use, including releases to wastewater during laundering, 9 , 14 , 17 , 22 , 44 , 45 and the end-of-life stage and hence for exposure.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in North American School Uniforms

Xia

Diamond

Peaslee

et al. 2022

Environ. Sci. Technol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

We analyzed 72 children’s textile products marketed as stain-resistant from US and Canadian stores, particularly school uniforms, to assess if clothing represents a significant route of exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Products were first screened for total fluorine (total F) using particle-induced γ-ray emission (PIGE) spectroscopy ( n = 72), followed by targeted analysis of 49 neutral and ionic PFAS ( n = 57). PFAS were detected in all products from both markets, with the most abundant compound being 6:2 fluorotelomer alcohol (6:2 FTOH). Total targeted PFAS concentrations for all products collected from both countries ranged from 0.250 to 153 000 ng/g with a median of 117 ng/g (0.0281–38 100 μg/m 2 , median: 24.0 μg/m 2 ). Total targeted PFAS levels in school uniforms were significantly higher than in other items such as bibs, hats, stroller covers, and swimsuits, but comparable to outdoor wear. Higher total targeted PFAS concentrations were found in school uniforms made of 100% cotton than synthetic blends. Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) precursors were abundant in school uniforms based on the results of hydrolysis and total oxidizable precursor assay. The estimated median potential children’s exposure to PFAS via dermal exposure through school uniforms was 1.03 ng/kg bw/day. Substance flow analysis estimated that ∼3 tonnes/year (ranging from 0.05 to 33 tonnes/year) of PFAS are used in US children’s uniforms, mostly of polymeric PFAS but with ∼0.1 tonne/year of mobile, nonpolymeric PFAS.

show abstract

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in North American School Uniforms

Xia

Diamond

Peaslee

et al. 2022

Environ. Sci. Technol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…While SFPs were not detected in ATs from this study (based on TOP results), they occur widely in plastics (in particular textiles) and may transform into PFAAs during weathering. 36 Filling (and to some extent blades) also remains a highly problematic component of AT considering its potential to disperse into the environment as micro/nanoplastic (estimated between 1638 and 2456 t of filling in Sweden in 2016 18 ), and considering the recent discovery of nanoplastics in human blood. 37 Finally, concerns surrounding the production and end of life of AT remain.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Widespread Occurrence of Non-Extractable Fluorine in Artificial Turfs from Stockholm, Sweden

Lauria

Naim

Plassmann

et al. 2022

Environ. Sci. Technol. Lett.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are frequently used in the production of rubber and plastic, but little is known about the identity, concentration, or prevalence of PFAS in these products. In this study, a representative sample of plastic- and rubber-containing artificial turf (AT) fields from Stockholm, Sweden, was subjected to total fluorine (TF), extractable organic fluorine (EOF), and target PFAS analysis. TF was observed in all 51 AT samples (ranges of 16–313, 12–310, and 24–661 μg of F/g in backing, filling, and blades, respectively), while EOF and target PFAS occurred in <42% of all samples (<200 and <1 ng of F/g, respectively). A subset of samples extracted with water confirmed the absence of fluoride. Moreover, application of the total oxidizable precursor assay revealed negligible perfluoroalkyl acid (PFAA) formation across all three sample types, indicating that the fluorinated substances in AT are not low-molecular weight PFAA precursors. Collectively, these results point toward polymeric organofluorine (e.g., fluoroelastomer, polytetrafluoroethylene, and polyvinylidene fluoride), consistent with patent literature. The combination of poor extractability and recalcitrance toward advanced oxidation suggests that the fluorine in AT does not pose an imminent risk to users. However, concerns surrounding the production and end of life of AT, as well as the contribution of filling and blades to environmental microplastic contamination, remain.

show abstract

“…While SFPs were not detected in in the present study (based on TOP results), they occur widely in plastics (in particular textiles) and may transform to PFAAs during weathering. 33 Filling also remains a highly problematic component of ATs considering its potential to disperse into the environment as micro/nanoplastic (estimated between 1638 and 2456 tons in Sweden in 2016), 18 and considering the recent discovery of nanoplastics in human blood. 34 Finally, concerns remain surrounding the production and end-of-life of ATs.…”

Section: Implications For Human and Environmental Exposurementioning

confidence: 99%

Widespread Occurrence of Non-Extractable Fluorine in Artificial Turfs from Stockholm, Sweden

Lauria

Naim

Plassmann

et al. 2022

Preprint

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are frequently used in the production of rubber and plastic, but little is known about the identity, concentration, or prevalence of PFAS in these products. In this study, a representative sample of plastic- and rubber-containing artificial turf (AT) fields from Stockholm, Sweden, were subjected to total fluorine (TF), extractable organic fluorine (EOF) and target PFAS analysis. TF was observed in all 51 AT samples (range: 16-313, 12-310, and 24-661 µg F/g in backing, filling, and blades, respectively), while EOF and target PFAS occurred in <42% of all samples (<200 and <1 ng F/g, respectively). A subset of samples extracted with water confirmed the absence of fluoride. Moreover, application of the total oxidizable precursor assay revealed negligible perfluoroalkyl acid (PFAA) formation across all three sample types, indicating that the fluorinated substance(s) in AT are not low molecular weight PFAA-precursors. Collectively, these results point towards polymeric organofluorine (e.g. fluoroelastomer, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride), consistent with patent literature. The combination of poor extractability and recalcitrance towards advanced oxidation suggests that the fluorine in AT does not pose an imminent risk to users. However, concerns remain surrounding the production and end-of-life of ATs, as well as the contribution of filling to environmental microplastic contamination.

show abstract

An Outdoor Aging Study to Investigate the Release of Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) from Functional Textiles

Cited by 70 publications

References 35 publications

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in North American School Uniforms

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in North American School Uniforms

Widespread Occurrence of Non-Extractable Fluorine in Artificial Turfs from Stockholm, Sweden

Widespread Occurrence of Non-Extractable Fluorine in Artificial Turfs from Stockholm, Sweden

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About