Characterizing the Areal Extent of PFAS Contamination in Fish Species Downgradient of AFFF Source Zones

Characterizing the Areal Extent of PFAS Contamination in Fish Species Downgradient of AFFF Source Zones

Dataset of targeted PFAS and extractable organofluorine concentrations in water, sediment, and biological tissue samples that support data included in two papers: "Characterizing the Areal Extent of PFAS Contamination in Fish Species Downgradient of AFFF Source Zones" and "Bioaccumulation of Perfluoroalkyl Sulfonamides (FASA)"

PFAS and Precursor Bioaccumulation in Freshwater Recreational Fish: Implications for Fish Advisories

Abstract. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a diverse class of fluorinated anthropogenic chemicals that include perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAA), w

Isolating the AFFF Signature in Coastal Watersheds Using Oxidizable PFAS Precursors and Unexplained Organofluorine

Abstract. Water supplies for millions of U.S. individuals exceed maximum contaminant levels for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Contemporary an

Uptake of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances by Fish, Mussel, and Passive Samplers in Mobile Laboratory Exposures using Groundwater from a Contamination Plume at a Historical Fire Training Area, Cape Cod, Massachusetts - Chemical and Biological Data from August to September 2018

This data release presents chemical and biological results from an investigation of the uptake of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from groundwater contaminated by fire training activities on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Exposure experiments were conducted from August 29 to September 21, 2018 using groundwater from a relatively uncontaminated reference site and a fire training area contaminated site. To assess the uptake characteristics of the PFAS mixtures present in the 2 groundwater sources, 21-day mobile laboratory exposure experiments were conducted using fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas), polar organic chemical integrative samplers, and polyethylene tube samplers. Freshwater mussel (Ligumia subrostrata) exposure experiments were conducted for 14 days, beginning on day 7 of the fish and passive sampler exposures. Groundwater samples were collected daily (with a few exceptions). Samples for male fish and passive samplers were collected on days 0, 4, 7, 14, and 21. Samples for female fish were collected on days 0, 7, 14, and 21. The 14 day mussel exposures began on day 7 of the fish and passive sampler exposures, and mussel samples were collected on days 7, 11, 14, and 21. Groundwater site locations and well characteristics are presented in Table 1. Information on the various PFAS and co-occurring contaminants measured in the different media are presented in Table 2. Quality assurance results for PFAS analysis of the different media are presented in Table 3. Results for PFAS in groundwater are presented in Table 4. Results for co-occurring contaminants in groundwater are presented in Table 5. Results for fish biomarkers are presented in Table 6. Results for PFAS in male and female fish tissue are presented in Table 7. Results for PFAS in mussel tissue are presented in Table 8. Results for PFAS in polar organic chemical integrative samplers are presented in Table 9. Results for PFAS in polyethylene tube samplers are presented in Table 10.

Bioconcentration of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Precursors in Fathead Minnow Tissues Environmentally Exposed to Aqueous Film-Forming Foam–Contaminated Waters

Abstract Exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has been associated with toxicity in wildlife and negative health effects in humans. Decades of fire training activity at Joint Base Cape Cod (MA, USA) incorporated the use of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), which resulted in long-term PFAS contamination of sediments, groundwater, and hydrologically connected surface waters. To explore the bioconcentration potential of PFAS in complex environmental mixtures, a mobile laboratory was established to evaluate the bioconcentration of PFAS from AFFF-impacted groundwater by flow-through design. Fathead minnows (n = 24) were exposed to PFAS in groundwater over a 21-day period and tissue-specific PFAS burdens in liver, kidney, and gonad were derived at three different time points. The ∑PFAS concentrations in groundwater increased from approximately 10,000 ng/L at day 1 to 36,000 ng/L at day 21. The relative abundance of PFAS in liver, kidney, and gonad shifted temporally from majority perfluoroalkyl sulfonamides (FASAs) to perfluoroalkyl sulfonates (PFSAs). By day 21, mean ∑PFAS concentrations in tissues displayed a predominance in the order of liver > kidney > gonad. Generally, bioconcentration factors (BCFs) for FASAs, perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (PFCAs), and fluorotelomer sulfonates (FTS) increased with degree of fluorinated carbon chain length, but this was not evident for PFSAs. Perfluorooctane sulfonamide (FOSA) displayed the highest mean BCF (8700 L/kg) in day 21 kidney. Suspect screening results revealed the presence of several perfluoroalkyl sulfinate and FASA compounds present in groundwater and in liver for which pseudo-bioconcentration factors are also reported. The bioconcentration observed for precursor compounds and PFSA derivatives detected suggests alternative pathways for terminal PFAS exposure in aquatic wildlife and humans. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:1795–1806. © 2024 The Author(s). Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC. Flow-through dosing experiments utilizing aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF)–contaminated groundwater revealed positive linear correlations between fluorinated carbon chain length and logarithm-transformed bioconcentration factors (BCFs) for perfluoroalkyl sulfonamides identified in fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) liver via target analysis and suspect screening using high-resolution mass spectrometry. FBSA = perfluorobutane sulfonamide; FHxSA = perfluorohexane sulfonamide; FOSA = perfluorooctane sulfonamide; FPeSA= perfluoropentane sulfonamide; FPrSA = perfluoropropane sulfonamide.

Sociodemographic Factors Are Associated with the Abundance of PFAS Sources and Detection in U.S. Community Water Systems

Abstract. Drinking water contaminated by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is a widespread public health concern, and exposure–response relationsh

Addressing Urgent Questions for PFAS in the 21st Century

Abstract. Despite decades of research on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), fundamental obstacles remain to addressing worldwide contamination by

High organofluorine concentrations in municipal wastewater affect downstream drinking water supplies for millions of Americans

Wastewater receives per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from diverse consumer and industrial sources, and discharges are known to be a concern for drinking water quality. The PFAS family includes thousands of potential chemical structures containing organofluorine moieties. Exposures to a few well-studied PFAS, mainly perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAA), have been associated with increased risk of many adverse health outcomes, prompting federal drinking water regulations for six compounds in 2024. Here, we find that the six regulated PFAS (mean = 7 to 8%) and 18 measured PFAA (mean = 11 to 21%) make up only a small fraction of the extractable organofluorine (EOF) in influent and effluent from eight large municipal wastewater treatment facilities. Most of the EOF in influent (75%) and effluent (62%) consists of mono- and polyfluorinated pharmaceuticals. The treatment technology and sizes of the treatment facilities in this study are similar to those serving 70% of the US population. Despite advanced treatment technologies, the maximum EOF removal efficiency among facilities in this work was <25%. Extrapolating our measurements to other large facilities across the United States results in a nationwide EOF discharge estimate of 1.0 to 2.8 million moles F y −1 . Using a national model that simulates connections between wastewater discharges and downstream drinking water intakes, we estimate that the sources of drinking water for up to 23 million Americans could be contaminated above regulatory thresholds by wastewater-derived PFAS alone. These results emphasize the importance of further curbing ongoing PFAS sources and additional evaluations of the fate and toxicity of fluorinated pharmaceuticals.

A review of the pathways of human exposure to poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and present understanding of health effects

Here, we review present understanding of sources and trends in human exposure to poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and epidemiologic evidence for impacts on cancer, immune function, metabolic outcomes, and neurodevelopment. More than 4000 PFASs have been manufactured by humans and hundreds have been detected in environmental samples. Direct exposures due to use in products can be quickly phased out by shifts in chemical production but exposures driven by PFAS accumulation in the ocean and marine food chains and contamination of groundwater persist over long timescales. Serum concentrations of legacy PFASs in humans are declining globally but total exposures to newer PFASs and precursor compounds have not been well characterized. Human exposures to legacy PFASs from seafood and drinking water are stable or increasing in many regions, suggesting observed declines reflect phase-outs in legacy PFAS use in consumer products. Many regions globally are continuing to discover PFAS contaminated sites from aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) use, particularly next to airports and military bases. Exposures from food packaging and indoor environments are uncertain due to a rapidly changing chemical landscape where legacy PFASs have been replaced by diverse precursors and custom molecules that are difficult to detect. Multiple studies find significant associations between PFAS exposure and adverse immune outcomes in children. Dyslipidemia is the strongest metabolic outcome associated with PFAS exposure. Evidence for cancer is limited to manufacturing locations with extremely high exposures and insufficient data are available to characterize impacts of PFAS exposures on neurodevelopment. Preliminary evidence suggests significant health effects associated with exposures to emerging PFASs. Lessons learned from legacy PFASs indicate that limited data should not be used as a justification to delay risk mitigation actions for replacement PFASs.

Characterization of the Potential Long-Term Impact from Sedimentary PFAS at a Historically Contaminated Textile Waste Site

Abstract. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are pervasive pollutants at historically contaminated sites throughout the United States and beyond. T

Characterization of the Potential Long-Term Impact from Sedimentary PFAS at a Historically Contaminated Textile Waste Site

Abstract. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are pervasive pollutants at historically contaminated sites throughout the United States and beyond. T

Whale Baleen To Monitor Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Marine Environments

Abstract. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) comprise >10 000 synthetic compounds that are globally distributed and highly persistent but remain

Considerations and challenges in support of science and communication of fish consumption advisories for per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances

Abstract. Federal, state, tribal, or local entities in the United States issue fish consumption advisories (FCAs) as guidance for safer consumption of loca

County-level associations between drinking water PFAS contamination and COVID-19 mortality in the United States

Epidemiologic and animal studies both support relationships between exposures to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and harmful effects on the immune system. Accordingly, PFAS have been identified as potential environmental risk factors for adverse COVID-19 outcomes.

Interlaboratory Comparison of Extractable Organofluorine Measurements in Groundwater and Eel ( <i>Anguilla rostrata</i> ): Recommendations for Methods Standardization

Abstract. Research on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) frequently incorporates organofluorine measurements, particularly because they could suppo

Legacy and Novel Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Juvenile Seabirds from the U.S. Atlantic Coast

Abstract. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are anthropogenic, globally distributed chemicals. Legacy PFAS, including perfluorooctane sulfonate (P