Pine Needles for the Screening of Perfluorinated Alkylated Substances (PFASs) along Ski Tracks

Abstract

Perfluorinated alkylated substances (PFASs) are today considered persistent, toxic, and bioaccumulative contaminants. Perfluorooctansulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are currently listed as priority substances under the UNEP global convention for the regulation of POPs. A previous study reported higher levels of PFASs in pine needles near ski areas. Their application as stain repellents in modern outdoor clothes and in ski waxes is assumed to be a potential source. Pine trees (Pinus mugo in Slovakia and Pinus sylvestris in Norway) were chosen for sampling in ski resorts. Relative distributions, overall concentrations, trend estimates, elevation patterns, and distance from primary sources were assessed. PFOA was the predominant PFAS constituent in pine needles from Slovakia (8-93%). In Norway, the most-abundant PFAS was perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA: 3-66%). A difference in product composition (particularly in ski waxes) and differences in Norwegian and Slovakian regulations are considered to be the primary reason for these differences. Open application of PFOA in industry and products has been banned in Norway since 2011. The replacement of PFOA with short-chain substitutes is thus considered the reason for the observed pattern differences in the analyzed pine needles. Regular monitoring and screening programs are recommended.

Levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in ski wax products on the market in 2019 indicate no changes in formulation

“…Concerns have arisen among scientists [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] and the public 13,14 regarding the use of uorinated ski waxes by professional as well as amateur skiers. The concerns have been raised because the uorinated organic substances present in uorinated ski waxes include hazardous substances that belong to the chemical class known as per-and polyuoroalkyl substances (PFAS).…”

“…The concerns have been raised because the uorinated organic substances present in uorinated ski waxes include hazardous substances that belong to the chemical class known as per-and polyuoroalkyl substances (PFAS). 15 The presence of PFAS in ski waxes has been shown to lead to: (1) potential contamination of pristine environments when waxes are lost from the skis during skiing [1][2][3][4][5] and (2) human exposure to PFAS during application of waxes to the skis. [6][7][8][9][10][11][12] Unease regarding the use of uorinated ski waxes in the ski-loving nation of Norway led to a series of prize-winning articles 16 in the Norwegian daily newspaper Dagbladet.…”

Corporate Social Responsibility of Companies Producing PFOA Containing Waxes for Cross-Country Skiing

“…Earthworms indicated eight times higher PFOA concentrations than other areas [51]. Increased concentrations of PFOA have also been reported in pine needles [52]). With the increase in winter tourism related to ski resorts, operators are becoming increasingly concerned about environmental issues [53].…”

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): Current status and research needs

“…As a result, they are so widespread that almost every person in the world has been potentially exposed to PFAS and has traces of these chemicals in their blood (Taniyasu et al, 2003;Moody and Field, 2000;Kärrman et al, 2011;Schultz et al, 2004;Washington et al, 2009). Some PFAS can enter ecosystems and move up through food chains, accumulating in animal and human tissue, including the liver and kidney (Yang et al, 2019), particularly for long-chain perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) (Wang et al, 2014b;Seow, 2013;Wang et al, 2014cWang et al, ,a, 2015bChropeňová et al, 2016).…”