Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) concentrations in the South Korean agricultural environment: A national survey

Abstract

Research on the occurrence of perfluorochemicals (PFCs) such as perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in the agricultural environment is lacking, in spite of their potential risk via food chain transfer from aquatic and soil-plant systems to animals and/or humans. In the present study, for the first time, soil and water samples collected from 243 different agricultural sites adjacent to waste water treatment plants (WWTPs) belonging to 81 cities and 5 provinces with different levels of industrialization in South Korea were monitored for concentrations of PFOS and PFOA by use of solid phase extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy (LC-MS/MS). Significant mean concentrations of PFOA (0.001-0.007 µg L-1 water and <0.05-1.573 µg kg-1 soil) and PFOS (0.001-0.22 µg L-1 water and <0.05-0.741 µg kg-1 soil) were found in all samples. Concentrations of PFCs in soils were high, highlighting that soil is an important sink for PFCs in the agricultural environment. Samples from near WWTPs in Gyeongsang Province contained the highest concentrations of PFOS and PFOA, reflecting the concentration of heavy industry in the province. The concentrations of PFCs in agricultural water (most samples <0.05 µg L-1) and soils (most samples <1 µg kg-1) from South Korea were less than acceptable guideline values, indicating that South Korea is not a hotspot of PFOS and PFOA contamination and that there is negligible risk to human and ecological health from these chemicals. However, further studies investigating the seasonal variation in PFOA, PFOS and other perfluorochemical concentrations in the agricultural environment are needed.

Effect of soil organic matter on the plant uptake of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulphonic acid (PFOS) in lettuce on granular activated carbon-applied soil

“…The sample preparation for the extraction of soil was followed the reported method by Choi et al (2017). Briefly, the soil samples were dried at the room temperature under fume hood and passed through 2 mm sieve.…”

“…However, being highly persistent, PFAAs are frequently detected even in remote regions (Guo et al, 2016;Jian et al, 2017;Perez et al, 2014;Sungur, 2018). Recent research has indicated that PFAAs are present in sub part-perbillion (ppb) concentrations of 88.7% in farmland soil in Korea (Choi et al, 2017). Furthermore, for humans, the major sources of exposure to PFAAs are the PFOA and PFOS residues present in food, particularly protein-rich foods, such as meat, dairy, and fish (Brambilla et al, 2015;Ghisi et al, 2019;Heo et al, 2014;Xiang et al, 2020).…”

Comparison of the plant uptake factor of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) from the three different concentrations of PFOA and PFOS in soil to spinach and Welsh onion

“…The analytical soil sample preparation was followed by Choi et al [6]. Briefly, 1% aqueous acetic acid (10 mL) was added to 1.0 g air-dried soil sample, then it was shaken for 30 min, sonicated for 15 min and centrifuged at 3000 rpm.…”

“…Recently, the residues of PFOA and PFOS were surveyed in agricultural environment by Choi et al [6] and most of the residue distribution of the sum of PFOA and PFOS were reported below 0.05 µg L −1 (92%) in the irrigation water and below 1.0 µg kg −1 (88%) in the farmland soil. In addition, some of the PFAAs residue surveys for food in Korea were investigated by a few researchers [13,27].…”

Endocrine Disruptor Potential of Short- and Long-Chain Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs)—A Synthesis of Current Knowledge with Proposal of Molecular Mechanism

“…PFOA and PFOS are two PFASs most commonly used in the industry and the most commonly determined PFASs in living organisms and the environment. Their prevalence and long-distance migration are evidenced by data regarding their presence in soil [ 110 , 111 ]; air [ 112 ], including Arctic air [ 113 ]; groundwater [ 114 ]; deposits [ 115 ]; snow in regions, including the Antarctic [ 116 ]; and rain water and surface water [ 117 ]. Due to their amphophilic properties, PFASs relatively easily migrate to the aquatic environment [ 65 ].…”