Human exposure to F-53B in China and the evaluation of its potential toxicity: An overview

Direct emissions from fluorochemical manufactory are an important source of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) to the environment. In this study, a wide range of PFASs, including 8 legacy PFASs, 8 long-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs), and 40 emerging PFASs, were investigated through a target screening in multienvironmental matrices from a fluorochemical manufactory in China. Indoor dust was the most polluted matrix, wherein 52 PFASs were detected, and the median concentration of long-chain PFCA was 276 ng/g. A high level of short-chain PFAS in total suspended particles (median concentration = 416 ng/m 3 ) and the effluent in the manufactory (Σ 48 PFAS = 212 μg/L) will undoubtedly increase the burden on the surrounding environment. Twenty-four industrial byproducts were ascertained to be generated during the electrochemical fluorination (ECF) process, and eight fluorinated alternatives were considered to be produced during product development. Twelve PFASs were quantified for the first time in the working environments. Perfluoropropane sulfonic acid, perfluoro (2-ethoxyethane) sulfonic acid (PFEESA), and 2-perfluorohexyl ethanoic acid are abundant fluorinated alternatives, with median levels of 1187− 17204 ng/g in the dust. Significant positive correlations between ECF-related PFAS products and byproducts indicate that the detected values are strongly connected with the industrial source. Hierarchical cluster analysis further manifests their affiliation. Our findings raise the need for further investigations of emerging PFAS (including the first report of PFAS, such as PFEESA, in the environment) which may be released during the production process in the fluorochemical manufactories.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vital Environmental Sources for Multitudinous Fluorinated Chemicals: New Evidence from Industrial Byproducts in Multienvironmental Matrices in a Fluorochemical Manufactory

Liang

et al. 2022

“…Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) emerged in industrial production in the 1940s . PFASs possess important chemical properties and are used in various consumer products, such as cosmetics, food packaging, textiles, and nonstick cookware, inevitably resulting in ubiquitous environmental contamination and human exposure. ,− Epidemiological and toxicological studies suggest that PFAS exposure can lead to various adverse health effects, including hepatoxicity, reproductive toxicity, developmental toxicity, cardiovascular risk, and endocrine disruption effects. − Due to their remarkable toxicity, persistence, and bioaccumulation, various PFASs have been listed in the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (). In recent years, the Chinese government has been making efforts on emerging pollutant control.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Unveiling Distribution of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Matched Placenta-Serum Tetrads: Novel Implications for Birth Outcome Mediated by Placental Vascular Disruption

Pan

Qiu

et al. 2023

The placenta is pivotal for fetal development and maternal–fetal transfer of many substances, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). However, the intraplacental distribution of PFASs and their effects on placental vascular function remain unclear. In this study, 302 tetrads of matched subchorionic placenta (fetal-side), parabasal placenta (maternal-side), cord serum, and maternal serum samples were collected from Guangzhou, China. Eighteen emerging and legacy PFASs and five placental vascular biomarkers were measured. Results showed that higher levels of perfluorooctanoic (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), and chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonic acids (Cl-PFESAs) were detected in subchorionic placenta compared to parabasal placenta. There were significant associations of PFASs in the subchorionic placenta, but not in the serum, with placental vascular biomarkers (up to 32.5%) and lower birth size. Birth weight was negatively associated with PFOA (β: −103.8, 95% CI: −186.3 and −21.32) and 6:2 Cl-PFESA (β: −80.04, 95% CI: −139.5 and −20.61), primarily in subchorionic placenta. Mediation effects of altered placental angiopoietin-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 were evidenced on associations of adverse birth outcomes with intraplacental PFOS and 8:2 Cl-PFESA, explaining 9.5%–32.5% of the total effect. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to report on differential intraplacental distribution of PFASs and placental vascular effects mediating adverse birth outcomes and provides novel insights into the placental plate-specific measurement in PFAS-associated health risk assessment.

“…4,5 Recent studies have suggested that these substitutes may have similar environmental fate and health effects like the legacy PFAS. 3,6,7 Pregnant women were perhaps vulnerable to exposure to PFAS via drinking water and dietary intake, 3,7 and their wide exposure to PFAS had been reported from different countries and regions, which aroused health concerns. 8−10 While the declining temporal trends of prenatal legacy PFAS exposure were observed in German (1982−2019), 11 Japanese (2003− 2012), 12 and Chinese (1998−2018) population, 13 many PFAS were frequently detected in serum with a half-life of years (e.g., 7.7 years for PFOS and 18.5 years for 6:2 Cl-PFESA).…”

Section: ■ Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The main substitutes comprised of short-chain congeners [ e.g. , perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) and perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA)] and perfluoroalkyl ether substitutes such as 6:2 chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate (6:2 Cl-PFESA) and 8:2 Cl-PFESA. , Recent studies have suggested that these substitutes may have similar environmental fate and health effects like the legacy PFAS. ,, …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prenatal Exposure to Legacy and Alternative Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Neuropsychological Development Trajectories over the First 3 Years of Life

Huang²,

Cai

et al. 2023

The neurotoxic effects of prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on offspring animals are well-documented. However, epidemiological evidence for legacy PFAS is inconclusive, and for alternative PFAS, it is little known. In this investigation, we selected 718 mother–child pairs from the Chinese Maoming Birth Cohort Study and measured 17 legacy and alternative PFAS in the third-trimester serum. Neuropsychological developments (communication, gross motor function, fine motor function, problem solving ability, and personal–social skills) were assessed at 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, and 36 months using the Ages and Stages Questionnaires 3rd edition. Trajectories of each subscale were classified into persistently low and persistently high groups via group-based trajectory modeling. Logistic regression and grouped weighted quantile sum were fitted to assess the potential effects of individual PFAS and their mixtures, respectively. Higher linear PFHxS levels were associated with elevated odds for the persistently low trajectories of communication (OR = 1.73; 95% CI: 1.12, 2.66) and problem solving ability (OR = 2.11; 95% CI: 1.14, 3.90). Similar findings were observed for linear PFOS, 1m-PFOS, PFDA, PFDoDA, PFUnDA, and legacy PFAS mixture. However, no association was observed for alternative PFAS and their mixture. We provided insights into the longitudinal links between prenatal legacy/alternative PFAS exposure and neuropsychological development trajectories over the first 3 years of life.