Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and total fluorine in fire station dust

Abstract

Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of over 4,700 fluorinated compounds used in industry and consumer products. Studies have highlighted use of aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) as an exposure source for firefighters, but little is known about PFAS occurrence inside fire stations, where firefighters spend most of their shifts. In this study, we aimed to characterize PFAS concentrations and sources inside fire stations. We measured 24 PFAS (using LC-MS/MS) and total fluorine (using particle-induced gamma ray emission) in dust from multiple rooms of 15 Massachusetts stations, many of which (60%) no longer use PFAS-containing AFFF at all and the rest of which only use it very rarely. Compared to station living rooms, turnout gear locker rooms had higher dust levels of total fluorine (p<0.0001) and three PFAS: perfluorohexanoate (PFHxA), perfluoroheptanoate (PFHpA), and perfluorodecanoate (PFDoDA) (p<0.05). These PFAS were also found on six wipes of station turnout gear. By contrast, the dominant PFAS in living rooms was N-ethyl perfluorooctane sulfonamidoacetic acid (N-MeFOSAA), a precursor to perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) that still persists despite phase-outs almost two decades ago. The Σ 24 PFAS accounted for less than 2% of fluorine in dust (n=39), suggesting the potential presence of unknown PFAS. Turnout gear may be an important PFAS source in stations due to intentional additives and/or contamination from firefighting activities.Users may view, print, copy, and download text and data-mine the content in such documents, for the purposes of academic research, subject always to the full Conditions of use:

Disposition of Fluorine on New Firefighter Turnout Gear

“…Fabric layers of turnout gear that are treated with side-chain fluoropolymers and individual PFASs may present the opportunity for elevated dermal exposure. Incidental ingestion of dust is another exposure route that should be considered for firefighters from turnout gear and dust in firehouses …”

Impact of Firefighting Aqueous Film-Forming Foams on Human Cell Proliferation and Cellular Mortality

“…All of the above highlight the necessity for proper regulation of AFFF composition. The routine and persistent nature of firefighters’ exposure to PFAS is evident, as fluorine particles can be detected on turn-out gear and dust particles collected from fire stations that no longer use PFAS-containing AFFFs 17 . What is even more alarming is that despite the increased concern among the scientific community regarding PFAS exposure, there is relatively low awareness among firefighters regarding the presence of PFAS in flame-suppressing foams, as observed in a recent survey-based study conducted by our group on more than a hundred firefighters employed in 67 Florida fire stations 18 .…”

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS): Significance and Considerations within the Regulatory Framework of the USA

“…In one study analyzing PFAS in fire station dust, 24 PFAS were measured in multiple rooms of 15 fire stations in Massachusetts, with many of them not using PFAS-containing AFFF at all [ 68 ]. When compared to station living rooms, the locker rooms for turnout gear had significant dust levels of total fluorine, PFHxA, perfluoroheptanoate (PFHpA), and perfluorodecanoate (PFDoDA).…”

“…The predominant PFAS measured in the living rooms was N-ethyl perfluorooctane sulfonamidoacetic acid (N-MeFOSAA), which is a precursor to PFOS. With PFOS being phased out and some stations not using PFAS-containing AFFF, this precursor still persists [ 68 ].…”