Extractable Organofluorine Analysis in Pooled Human Serum and Placental Tissue Samples from an Austrian Subpopulation—A Mass Balance Analysis Approach

Abstract

Embryos and fetuses are of major concern due to their high vulnerability. Previous studies demonstrated that human exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may be underestimated because only a limited number of known PFAS can be measured. This investigation studied the total PFAS exposure by measuring the extractable organofluorine (EOF) in pooled maternal serum, placental tissue, and cord serum samples (total number of pooled samples: n = 45). The EOF was analyzed using combustion ion chromatography, and the concentrations of known PFAS were determined using ultraperformance liquid chromatography coupled with a tandem mass spectrometer. Using a mass balance analysis approach, the amount of unknown PFAS was estimated between the levels of known PFAS and EOF. The EOF levels ranged from 2.85 to 7.17 ng F/mL (21 PFAS were quantified) in the maternal serum, from 1.02 to 1.85 ng F/g (23 PFAS were quantified) in the placental tissue, and from 1.2 to 2.10 ng F/mL (18 PFAS were quantified) in the cord serum. An average of 24, 51, and 9% of EOF is unidentified in the maternal serum, placental tissue, and cord serum, respectively. The results show that the levels of unidentified EOF are higher in the placental tissue, suggesting accumulation or potential transformation of precursors in the placenta.

A pilot study on extractable organofluorine and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water from drinking water treatment plants around Taihu Lake, China: what is missed by target PFAS analysis?

“…Details of the LC and MS conditions are provided elsewhere. 35 The EOF were analyzed by combustion ion chromatography (CIC) (Metrohm, Switzerland), consisting of a combustion module, a 920 absorbent module and a 930 compact IC ex. In brief, the sample was placed in a quartz boat, and all uorine was converted to hydrogen uoride and absorbed into the water aer combustion at 1000-1050 C. The dissolved uoride was then analyzed by using the ion chromatograph.…”

FindPFΔS: Non-Target Screening for PFAS─Comprehensive Data Mining for MS2 Fragment Mass Differences

“…Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large and diverse group of anthropogenic chemicals with unique properties, such as stain-, oil-, and water repellency, and very high stability against extreme temperature and pH conditions, resulting from their strong C–F bonds. , These characteristics result in countless applications for PFAS, ranging from consumer products such as textiles, aqueous film-forming foams for firefighting to surfactants, and additives in industrial manufacturing. , Their widespread use resulted in the global distribution of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in all environmental compartments including air, water, , and soil, as well as exposure of wildlife and humans . While the well-known PFAAs perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) are nowadays largely regulated as persistent organic pollutants due to their PBT properties (other long chain PFAAs are already proposed for listing), there are still more than 600 individual PFAS estimated to be on the global market and in daily use .…”

Nontarget Identification of Novel Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Cord Blood Samples

“…In this study, two extensive PFASs, namely fipronil sulfone and 2-chloro-6-(trifluoromethyl)­pyridine-3-ol, were identified, contributing a median of 8.1% to the total quantified PFASs concentrations. The results might partially explain the unknown EOF in human blood reported in a previous study, and thus those chemicals should be included in further EOF analysis.…”

“…13−15 However, mass balance analysis results showed that an average of 9% of extractable organofluorine (EOF) was unidentified in cord serum, indicating the presence of unknown PFASs in exposed fetuses. 16 Consequently, the novel PFASs identification in cord blood and their relationship with birth outcomes are essential to evaluate prenatal exposure risk of PFASs.…”

“…Fetuses are highly sensitive to xenobiotics, so early life exposure could have strong and persistent impacts on normal development. Numerous studies have verified that PFASs can penetrate the placental barrier and reach the embryos through umbilical cord blood, relating to adverse health effects and birth outcomes of fetuses, such as low birth weight, decrease in immune function, and endocrine disorder. − However, mass balance analysis results showed that an average of 9% of extractable organofluorine (EOF) was unidentified in cord serum, indicating the presence of unknown PFASs in exposed fetuses . Consequently, the novel PFASs identification in cord blood and their relationship with birth outcomes are essential to evaluate prenatal exposure risk of PFASs.…”