Perfluoroalkyl Acids: A Review of Monitoring and Toxicological Findings

Abstract

In recent years, human and wildlife monitoring studies have identified perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAA) worldwide. This has led to efforts to better understand the hazards that may be inherent in these compounds, as well as the global distribution of the PFAAs. Much attention has focused on understanding the toxicology of the two most widely known PFAAs, perfluorooctanoic acid, and perfluorooctane sulfate. More recently, research was extended to other PFAAs. There has been substantial progress in understanding additional aspects of the toxicology of these compounds, particularly related to the developmental toxicity, immunotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and the potential modes of action. This review provides an overview of the recent advances in the toxicology and mode of action for PFAAs, and of the monitoring data now available for the environment, wildlife, and humans. Several avenues of research are proposed that would further our understanding of this class of compounds.

Assessment of Estrogenic Activity of Perfluoroalkyl Acids Based on Ligand-induced Conformation State of Human Estrogen Receptor

“…7 Due to their structure similarity to fatty acids, early studies focused on the toxicity mechanisms involving liganddependent activation of the hepatic peroxisome proliferator receptor α (PPARα), which induces enzymes responsible for β-oxidation, fatty acid ω-oxidation and cholesterol homeostasis. 8,9 In vitro competitive binding of PFAAs with serum albumin (a transport protein) was also evaluated as a possible route of disruption on fatty acid transport in blood.…”

Perfluoroalkyl contaminants in plasma of five sea turtle species: Comparisons in concentration and potential health risks

“…Perfluoroalkyl compounds (PFCs) have been used for many purposes, including stain-resistant coatings, fire-fighting foams, and emulsifiers to make fluoropolymer plastics [1,2]. Despite their usefulness, PFCs have become global pollutants, and exposure to them can produce lethal and sublethal toxic effects [1,2].…”

“…Despite their usefulness, PFCs have become global pollutants, and exposure to them can produce lethal and sublethal toxic effects [1,2]. The most studied and commonly detected PFCs in the environment are perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).…”

Excretion of PFOA and PFOS in Male Rats During a Subchronic Exposure

“…Previous investigations have reported the widespread presence of perfluorinated acid and related fluorochemicals in wild animals and blood of the general population (Giesy and Kannan 2001;Kannan et al 2004). Their persistence, high bioaccumulation, and potential toxicity in organisms have attracted much attention to this class of compounds, resulting in the withdrawal of PFOS from the marketplace (Lau et al 2007).…”

“…PFOA and PFOS caused reductions in body weight, decreases in weight gain rate, and interference in lipid metabolism in rats (Lau et al 2007;Luebker et al 2002). The liver is considered the primary target organ for both acute and chronic exposure of the above two fluorochemicals, and their hepatotoxicity in rodents has been extensively studied, which mainly includes increased liver weight, induction of hepatocellular hypertrophy and lipid vacuolation, increased incidence of hepatocellular adenoma, and hypocholesterolemia (Biegel et al 2001;Butenhoff et al 2002;Seacat et al 2003).…”