Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in United States tapwater: Comparison of underserved private-well and public-supply exposures and associated health implications

Smalling, Kelly L.; Romanok, Kristin M.; Bradley, Paul M.; Morriss, Mathew C.; Gray, James L.; Kanagy, Leslie K.; Gordon, Stephanie; Williams, Brianna; Breitmeyer, Sara E.; Jones, Daniel Fiske; DeCicco, Laura; Eagles‐Smith, Collin A.; Wagner, Tyler

doi:10.1016/j.envint.2023.108033

Cited by 53 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 71 publications

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“…Overall, four of the 450 study samples (1%) had one or more PFAS above a Wisconsin public health value, and 19 of the 450 (4%) had one or more PFAS above an EPA proposed MCL (including Health Based Water Concentrations). The 71% rate of detection of one or more PFAS in this study, in which we exclusively sampled wells with relatively shallow casing, is higher than the 45% rate suggested by modeling in a recent U.S.-wide study with a different set of sample types …”

Section: Resultscontrasting

confidence: 72%

Prevalence and Source Tracing of PFAS in Shallow Groundwater Used for Drinking Water in Wisconsin, USA

Silver,

Phelps,

Masarik

et al. 2023

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Samples from 450 homes with shallow private wells throughout the state of Wisconsin (USA) were collected and analyzed for 44 individual per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), general water quality parameters, and indicators of human waste as well as agricultural influence. At least one PFAS was detected in 71% of the study samples, and 22 of the 44 PFAS analytes were detected in one or more samples. Levels of PFOA and/or PFOS exceeded the proposed Maximum Contaminant Levels of 4 ng/L, put forward by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in March 2023, in 17 of the 450 samples, with two additional samples containing PFHxS ≳ 9 ng/L (the EPA-proposed hazard index reference value). Those samples above the referenced PFAS levels tend to be associated with developed land and human waste indicators (artificial sweeteners and pharmaceuticals), which can be released to groundwater via septic systems. For a few samples with levels of PFOA, PFOS, and/or PFHxS > 40 ng/L, application of wastes to agricultural land is a possible source. Overall, the study suggests that human waste sources, septic systems in particular, are important sources of perfluoroalkyl acids, especially ones with ≤8 perfluorinated carbons, in shallow groundwater.

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Section: Resultscontrasting

confidence: 72%

Prevalence and Source Tracing of PFAS in Shallow Groundwater Used for Drinking Water in Wisconsin, USA

Silver,

Phelps,

Masarik

et al. 2023

Environ. Sci. Technol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…For example, private drinking water wells in the Cape Fear River, NC, USA area measured up to 4000 ppt (4 ppb) GenX stemming from a PFAS manufacturing facility and PFBS was detected at up to 0.3 ppb in public drinking water in Minnesota (USA) . Moreover, in a study completed by the United States Geological Services (USGS) sampling public and private drinking water, the hazard index of 1 for the sum of GenX, PFBS, PFNA, and PFHxS was exceeded in 4.6% of the samples . It must also be remembered that drinking water is not the only exposure source for GenX and PFBS with diet and indoor air as additional primary exposure sources.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Differential Developmental Neurotoxicity and Tissue Uptake of the Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Alternatives, GenX and PFBS

Wasel,

King,

Choi

et al. 2023

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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“…1 Currently in the United States, it is estimated that millions of homes receive PFAS-contaminated drinking water, and local testing indicates widespread contamination of environmental media. 2,3 Human exposure to PFAS is thought to mainly occur through dietary and drinking water intake. 4 With PFAS exposure being a growing concern for governments, communities impacted by contamination, as well as the general public, models and tools that use available spatial data to identify hotspots and important predictors of PFAS contamination in environmental media are actively being developed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are man-made, pervasive compounds that are widely used in a range of industrial processes and consumer products . Currently in the United States, it is estimated that millions of homes receive PFAS-contaminated drinking water, and local testing indicates widespread contamination of environmental media. , Human exposure to PFAS is thought to mainly occur through dietary and drinking water intake . With PFAS exposure being a growing concern for governments, communities impacted by contamination, as well as the general public, models and tools that use available spatial data to identify hotspots and important predictors of PFAS contamination in environmental media are actively being developed. − Previous studies have developed predictive models to identify PFAS contamination in groundwater and drinking water, often in smaller regions that are relatively rich with PFAS occurrence data.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using Geospatial Data and Random Forest To Predict PFAS Contamination in Fish Tissue in the Columbia River Basin, United States

DeLuca,

Mullikin,

Brumm

et al. 2023

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Decision makers in the Columbia River Basin (CRB) are currently challenged with identifying and characterizing the extent of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination and human exposure to PFAS. This work aims to develop and pilot a methodology to help decision makers target and prioritize sampling investigations and identify contaminated natural resources. Here we use random forest models to predict ∑PFAS in fish tissue; understanding PFAS levels in fish is particularly important in the CRB because fish can be a major component of tribal and indigenous people diet. Geospatial data, including land cover and distances to known or potential PFAS sources and industries, were leveraged as predictors for modeling. Models were developed and evaluated for Washington state and Oregon using limited available empirical data. Mapped predictions show several areas where detectable concentrations of PFAS in fish tissue are predicted to occur, but prior sampling has not yet confirmed. Variable importance is analyzed to identify potentially important sources of PFAS in fish in this region. The cost-effective methodologies demonstrated here can help address sparsity of existing PFAS occurrence data in environmental media in this and other regions while also giving insights into potentially important drivers and sources of PFAS in fish.

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Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in United States tapwater: Comparison of underserved private-well and public-supply exposures and associated health implications

Cited by 53 publications

References 71 publications

Prevalence and Source Tracing of PFAS in Shallow Groundwater Used for Drinking Water in Wisconsin, USA

Prevalence and Source Tracing of PFAS in Shallow Groundwater Used for Drinking Water in Wisconsin, USA

Differential Developmental Neurotoxicity and Tissue Uptake of the Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Alternatives, GenX and PFBS

Using Geospatial Data and Random Forest To Predict PFAS Contamination in Fish Tissue in the Columbia River Basin, United States

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