Strategies for grouping per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to protect human and environmental health

Abstract

Grouping strategies are needed for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), in part, because it would be time and resource intensive to test and evaluate the more than 4700 PFAS on the global market on a chemical-by-chemical basis.

PFAS Environmental Pollution and Antioxidant Responses: An Overview of the Impact on Human Field

“…Changes in lipid profile 16 , changes in ALT levels 16 [274] Homo sapiens PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, PFDeA, PFOSA, Et-PFOSA, Me-PFOSA Increased TSH 22 , increased eGFR 14 [278] Homo sapiens PFOA, PFOS Reduced birth weight [284] Homo sapiens PFOA, PFOS Increased cholesterol outcomes 16 [287] Homo sapiens PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS High serum cholesterol 16 [290] Homo sapiens PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS High serum cholesterol 16 [291] Homo sapiens PFOA HNF4α inhibition 23 , hnf4α down-regulation 5 [296] Homo sapiens PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS, PFNA, PFDA Potential diabetogenic effect [300] Homo sapiens PFOA, PFOS Potential adiposity, decreased beta-cell function [301] Homo sapiens PFOA Impaired platelet aggregation and increased cardiovascular risk [305] Homo sapiens, Mus musculus PFPA, PFHpA, PFOA, PFUnA, PFDoA…”

“…PFAS are a group of more than 4600 man-made chemicals with little or no data available on their biological effects [21]. The most studied and well-known PFAS are perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) and Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) [22]. PFAS have unique physicochemical properties, due to their dielectrical properties, resistance to heat and chemical agents, low surface energy and low friction properties, and to their high stability thanks to the carbon-fluorine bond.…”

The High Persistence of PFAS is Sufficient for their Management as a Chemical Class

“…15 It is important to note that even if some PFAS are considered of low concern, there may be starting materials, breakdown products and/or other PFAS by-products of higher concern released during their lifecycle (e.g. in the case of certain fluoropolymers) 6 . Our current understanding of PFAS toxicity is based on a relatively small number of compounds, and little is known about the properties and behaviour of most of the thousands of PFAS as individual chemicals or as the much more commonly present complex mixtures.…”

The high persistence of PFAS is sufficient for their management as a chemical class

“…A recent commentary by Kwiatkowski et al 3 outlined the scientific basis for managing PFAS as a chemical class. This was an important contribution towards efforts to regulate 4,5 and group 6,7 PFAS. In this Perspective article, we would like to voice our support of a broad scope in the restriction proposal for PFAS, based largely on concerns regarding their high persistence.…”

“…the perfluoroalkylether carboxylic (PFECAs) and sulfonic acids (PFESAs), perfluoroalkyl dicarboxylic acids (PFdiCAs), perfluoroalkyl phosphonic (PFPAs) and phosphinic acids (PFPiAs) and perfluoroalkane sulfinic acids (PFSiAs)) with similarly long perfluoroalkyl(ether) chains to long-chain PFCAs and PFSAs are expected to be of equivalent concern. 7,19 Even if some PFAS are considered of low health concern, there may be starting materials, breakdown products and/or other PFAS byproducts of higher concern released during their lifecycle (e.g. in the case of certain fluoropolymers 20 ) or they may be of high climate/environmental concern (e.g.…”