Use and Potential Impacts of AFFF Containing PFASs at Airports

McCord

Environment International

et al. 2020

110

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are anthropogenic chemicals of concern that persist in the environment. Environmental monitoring revealed high concentrations of hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA) and other novel PFAS in the lower Cape Fear River; however, there is limited information on PFAS exposures and effects of this contamination on aquatic biota. Serum concentrations of 23 PFAS in Striped Bass ( Morone saxatilis ) from the Cape Fear River (n = 58) and a reference population from an aquaculture laboratory on the Pamlico/Tar watershed (n = 29) were quantified using liquid chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry, and correlations between PFAS concentrations and health-related serum biomarkers were evaluated. Perfluorooctane sulfonate, the predominant PFAS in Cape Fear River Striped Bass serum, was detectable in every sample with serum concentrations reaching 977 ng/mL. Perfluorononanoic and perfluorodecanoic acid were also detected in all samples, with perfluorohexanesulfonic acid present in > 98% of the samples. HFPO-DA (range < 0.24–5.85 ng/mL) and Nafion byproduct 2 (range < 0.2–1.03 ng/mL) were detected in 48% and 78% of samples, respectively. The mean total PFAS concentration found in domestic Striped Bass raised in well-water under controlled aquaculture conditions was 40 times lower, with HPFO-DA detected in 10% of the samples, and Nafion byproduct 2 was not detected. The elevated PFAS concentrations found in the Cape Fear River Striped Bass were associated with biomarkers of alterations in the liver and immune system.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Elevated levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in Cape Fear River Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis) are associated with biomarkers of altered immune and liver function

McCord

Environment International

et al. 2020

110

“…Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent substances which have been produced and used in industry and in household products due to their surfactant and repellant properties [1]. They have also been used as surfactants in fire-fighting foam [2]. PFAS are ubiquitous in the environment and sources of exposure to PFAS in the general population may include food, drinking water, house dust, air, placental transfer and breast milk for infants [3,4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Associations between perfluoroalkyl substances and serum lipids in a Swedish adult population with contaminated drinking water

et al. 2020

Background: Exposures to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have shown positive associations with serum lipids in previous studies. While many studies on lipids investigated associations with perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), there are only a few studies regarding other PFAS, such as perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS). The purpose of the current study is to investigate if associations with serum lipids were present, not only for serum PFOS and PFOA, but also for PFHxS, and if the associations with PFAS remained also in a comparison based only on residency in areas with contrasting exposure to PFAS. Methods: 1945 adults aged 20-60 were included from Ronneby, Sweden, a municipality where one out of two waterworks had been heavily contaminated from aqueous fire-fighting foams, and from a nearby control area. The exposure was categorized based on either been living in areas with contrasting PFAS exposure or based on the actual serum PFAS measurements. Regression analyses of serum lipids were fitted against serum PFAS levels, percentile groups, smooth splines and between exposed and reference areas, adjusting for age, sex and BMI. Results: Drinking water contamination caused high serum levels of PFOS (median 157 ng/ml) and PFHxS (median 136 ng/ml) and PFOA (median 8.6 ng/ml). These serum PFAS levels in the exposed groups were 5 to 100-fold higher than in the controls. In this population with mixed PFAS exposure, predominantly PFOS and PFHxS, PFAS exposure were positively associated with serum lipids. This was observed both when quantifying exposure as contrast between exposed and controls, and in terms of serum PFAS. Due to high correlations between each PFAS, we cannot separate them. Conclusions: In conclusion, the present study provides further evidence of a causal association between PFAS and serum lipids, especially for PFHxS.

Environ Health Perspect

“…Although they have useful technical properties, some of these chemicals have been found worldwide in human, animal, and environmental samples (Banzhaf et al 2017;Jian et al 2017). Worldwide, the presence of high levels of these chemicals in drinking water, groundwater, and ecosystems has been associated with industrial production sites or the usage of aqueous film-forming firefighting foams (Banzhaf et al 2017;Filipovic et al 2015;Thalheimer et al 2017). In a situation where exposure is clearly above the level of concern, for example, by exceeding tolerable intake levels, there is a need to characterize the risk in terms of probability for adverse health effects.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Probabilistic Approach to Evaluate the Risk of Decreased Total Triiodothyronine Hormone Levels following Chronic Exposure to PFOS and PFHxS via Contaminated Drinking Water

Silva

Ringblom

Lindh

et al. 2020

BACKGROUND: Extensive exposure to per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been observed in many countries. Current deterministic frameworks for risk assessment lack the ability to predict the likelihood of effects and to assess uncertainty. When exposure exceeds tolerable intake levels, these shortcomings hamper risk management and communication. OBJECTIVE: The integrated probabilistic risk assessment (IPRA) combines dose-response and exposure data to estimate the likelihood of adverse effects. We evaluated the usefulness of the IPRA for risk characterization related to decreased levels of total triiodothyronine (T 3) in humans following a real case of high exposure to PFAS via drinking water. METHODS: PFAS exposure was defined as serum levels from residents of a contaminated area in Ronneby, Sweden. Median levels were 270 ng=mL [perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS)] and 229 ng=mL [perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS)] for individuals who resided in Ronneby 1 y before the exposure termination. This data was integrated with data from a subchronic toxicity study in monkeys exposed daily to PFOS. Benchmark dose modeling was employed to describe separate dose-effect relationship for males and females, and extrapolation factor distributions were used to estimate the corresponding human benchmark dose. The critical effect level was defined as a 10% decrease in total T 3. RESULTS: The median probability of critical exposure, following a combined exposure to PFOS and PFHxS, was estimated to be [2.1% (90% CI: 0:4%-13:1%)]. Gender-based analysis showed that this risk was almost entirely distributed among women, namely [3.9% (90% CI: 0:8%-21:6%)]. DISCUSSION: The IPRA was compared with the traditional deterministic Margin of Exposure (MoE) approach. We conclude that probabilistic risk characterization represents an important step forward in the ability to adequately analyze group-specific health risks. Moreover, quantifying the sources of uncertainty is desirable, as it improves the awareness among stakeholders and will guide future efforts to improve accuracy.