Distribution and Exposure Risk Assessment of Perfluorinated Alkyl Substances in Aquatic Products along the Coastal Region of the South China Sea

Abstract

ObjectiveThe purpose of this investigation was to monitor the contamination characters and spatial and temporal distributions of 23 Per uorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) in seafood along South China Coastal Regions. The exposure risks of PFOA and PFOS to human health in marine aquatic products were also evaluated. MethodsA total of 844 samples including 359 shes, 391 shell shes and 94 crustaceans were collected from Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan provinces. The samples were extracted and puri ed using a modi ed QuEChERS procedure and analyzed by UPLC-MS / MS. The statistical analysis was performed in view of the detection of different PFAS components in variety of shes, shell shes and crustaceans, respectively. ResultsSixteen PFASs were detected in the survived samples and the total detection rates reached to 99.21 %. The highest ∑PFASs in each sample was 28.27 μg/kg, and the average and medium values of ∑PFAS were 1.83 μg/kg and 1.18 μg/kg, respectively. PFOS and PFBA have been considered as predominant PFAS components with corresponding pollution contribution rates of 29.14% and 24.71%, respectively. However, it is noted that PFNA and PFBS were primarily enriched in the oyster and mussel. During the period of this investigation (2014-2016), ∑PFAS average concentrations turned out constantly rising trend and new pollution component PFHxS detected in 2016. ∑PFAS concentrations of Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan provinces were approximately at similar level. ConclusionThe contamination status of PFASs were getting worse in South China Coastal Regions. Safety and risk exposure assessments of PFOA and PFOS via daily diet intakes showed relatively low to local residents.

Early Warnings by Liver Organoids on Short- and Long-Chain PFAS Toxicity

“…A general pattern of increasing half-lives in humans was reported with increasing chain length with a respective half-life for PFOS and PFOA of 1.8-5.4 y and 2.3-3.8 years and no more than 62-70 days for HFBA [57][58][59][60]. Some authors highlighted critical considerations on the risk associated with short chain PFAS because the concentrations measured in blood and tissues both in animals and humans are many orders of magnitude lower (in the ppt/ppb range) than those expected to produce toxic effects (in the ppm range) [61][62][63][64]. The concentrations tested in this study for which effects occurred were also many times higher than those verified to be present in the environment and in humans.…”

Neurotransmission Targets of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Neurotoxicity: Mechanisms and Potential Implications for Adverse Neurological Outcomes

“…Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) [previously called perfluorochemicals (PFCs)] are a group of thousands of man-made chemicals that are now ubiquitously found in the environment and in living organisms. − PFAS have been manufactured for over 70 years due to their useful characteristics that include the ability to repel dirt and water, act as a surfactant, and resist high temperatures . Products containing PFAS include carpets, furniture, corrosion resistant pipes, nonstick cookware, food packaging, firefighting foam, and microwaveable food containers. , PFAS have been identified as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) or “forever chemicals” and continue to be found in the environment and animals across the globe, even in the Arctic and Antarctic regions, due to the decades of large-scale manufacturing and uncontrolled pollution in the environment. − …”

“…Due to concerns of bioaccumulation and toxicity, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S.EPA) convinced industry to voluntarily stop or restrict production of PFOA, PFOS, their precursors, and other related compounds between 2000 and 2007. ,, Although the production of these PFAS was reduced by 95% in 2010, PFOS and PFOA remain prevalent in the environment in the United States due to historical pollution, and they continue to be produced in some countries worldwide. ,,, A 2020 study in Japan found that 100% of over 12 000 sampled mothers had PFOS measured in their serum . A recent report on European PFAS exposure reported PFAS with the highest levels in human serum are PFOS (∼65% of total PFAS in adults, ∼35% of total PFAS in children) and PFOA (∼15% of total PFAS in adults, ∼35% of total PFAS in children) .…”

“…A recent report on European PFAS exposure reported PFAS with the highest levels in human serum are PFOS (∼65% of total PFAS in adults, ∼35% of total PFAS in children) and PFOA (∼15% of total PFAS in adults, ∼35% of total PFAS in children) . In a 2021 survey of environmental PFAS contamination, the greatest contributing chemicals were PFOS (29% of total PFAS) and perfluorobutyric acid (PFBA; a four-carbon PFAS) (25% of total PFAS) …”

“…Highly industrialized regions, such as south China, have recently reported increasing environmental levels of PFAS including both legacy and emerging PFAS . Furthermore, the legacy PFAS have been replaced by PFAS containing fewer carbons with less known toxic effects.…”