Toxicity Studies of PER- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)


Book Description

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are long carbon chain chemicals in which hydrogen atoms in aliphatic compounds are substituted by fluorine atoms. PFAS are known to be resistant to environmental and biological degradation and concerns are rising based on the emergence of the data that indicates a link between human exposure and certain diseases. This study explores the toxicological effects of polyfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), polyfluorooctane sulphonoic acid (PFOS) and hexafluoropropylene oxide dimeric acid (GenX) on bacteria in order to identify cellular and molecular targets.Based on the preliminary knowledge of the wide-spread presence, non-biodegradability and the cycle of PFAS in the environment, this study quantifies the sensitivities of PFAS to different bacteria species. Rhodobacter sphaeroides was used as an environmental-based model for this study and Collinsella aerofaciens was used as a human microbiome-based model. The IC50 concentrations for PFOA, PFOS, and GenX were determined for R. sphaeroides grown under a variety of conditions. This information will leverage further studies aimed at identifying genes and gene products involved in PFAS toxicity in that organismFor the first time, PFAS sensitivity of a bacterium associated with the human gut microbiome was demonstrated. Since E. coli has been found to be insensitive to PFAS, this establishes that human ingestion of these chemicals has the potential to alter the composition of the gut microbiome. Spontaneously arising mutants with altered PFAS susceptibilities were subsequently isolated. Genomic DNA was successfully isolated from the wild type and mutant C. aerofaciens strains for sequencing. Using the sequence data, a list of candidate genes whose products are possible targets of PFAS toxicity in C. aerofaciens can be assembled.0́3




Toxicological Effects of Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances


Book Description

This book serves as a timely and comprehensive overview of the latest science for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), covering the development of methods for assessing PFASs in biological fluids and tissues as well as the current knowledge regarding their toxicity to vertebrate organisms. This book includes chapters on human and wildlife exposure/body burdens, reviews of metabolism and toxicological effects by organ system/developmental stage and aspects of PFAS toxicity that are driving PFAS research and regulatory oversight. Toxicological Effects of Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances provide critical assessments of the most controversial topics surrounding toxicological evaluation of PFASs to give readers an expert perspective on the issues. Emphasis is placed on the integration of modes and mechanisms of action with functional endpoints that are relevant to human and wildlife health. This book will be a useful resource for toxicologists, environmental chemists, risk assessors and researchers with an interest in the class of compounds known as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.




Understanding Risk to Wildlife from Exposures to Per- and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances (PFAS)


Book Description

Understanding Risk to Wildlife from Exposures to Per- and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances (PFAS) provides the most recent summary of toxicity data relevant to mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians, and provides values for use in risk assessment applications. Predicting the bioaccumulation of PFAS in terrestrial wildlife (including humans) has proven to be extremely complex. As a group, PFAS act differently than traditional non-ionic organic molecules, where PFAS can break down and reform, whereas some are demonstrated to be extremely persistent. Where sufficient data are provided, this book establishes toxicity reference values (TRVs), which are derived to assist in characterizing environmental sources of contamination and making risk-based decisions. Features: Provides toxicity reference values (TRVs) for vertebrates (mammals, birds, amphibians) for PFAS, where sufficient data are available, and includes objective supporting background information. Assigns a level of confidence to each TRV to provide the risk assessor with an understanding of the relative uncertainty associated with each value. Presents toxicity data in the formats of scatter diagrams and tables for quick review and assessment. Provides TRVs relevant for screening and decision making This book serves as a useful aid for risk assessors and managers in those industries that have sites contaminated with PFAS, consultants tasked with evaluating risks at such sites, and staff at regulatory agencies at various governmental levels, who need to know how much contamination is considered safe for wildlife. It will also appeal to researchers with an interest in filling the gaps in the current toxicological data for PFAS exposure.




Perfluorinated Chemicals (PFCs)


Book Description

This new volume provides a timely study on the environmental challenges from a specific class of perfluorinated chemical compounds (PFCs) that are now being recognized as a worldwide health threat. Recent studies report that levels of classes of PFCs known as polyfluoroalkyl and perfluoroalkyl (PFASs) exceed federally recommended safety levels in public drinking-water supplies for 6 million people in the United States and that as many as 100 million people could be at risk from exposure to these chemicals. These chemicals occur globally in wildlife and humans. Both PFCAs and PFSAs have been produced for more than 50 years, but have only become of interest to regulators and environmentalists since the late 1990s. Recent advances in analytical methodology has enabled widespread detection in the environment and humans at trace levels. These toxic chemicals have been found in outdoor and indoor air, surface and drinking water, house dust, animal tissue, human blood serum, and human breast milk. Of great concern to communities is the presence of these compounds in a number of drinking water supplies in the U.S. and other countries. This new volume provides a timely explanation of the chemicals, provides a detailed review of the regulations both in the US and European Community, explains the health risk literature, and then explores in great detail available treatment technologies. The volume is a must for public water supply facilities, industrial operations that have historically used these chemicals and face legacy pollution issues, policy makers and the general public.




The cost of inaction


Book Description

PFAS (per and polyfluoroalkylsubstances) are known to be extremely difficult to degrade in the environment and to be bioaccumulative and toxic. Exposure to PFAS is suspected to increase the risk of adverse health effects, such as impacts on the thyroid gland, the liver, fat metabolism and the immune system. This study estimates the socioeconomic costs that may result from impacts on human health and the environment from the use of PFAS. Better awareness of the costs and problems associated with PFAS exposure will assist decision-makers and the general public to make more efficient and timely risk management decisions. Findings indicate that the costs are substantial, with annual health-related costs estimated to 2.8 – 4.6 billion EUR for the Nordic countries and 52 – 84 billion EUR for all EEA countries. Overall non-health costs are estimated at 46 million – 11 billion EUR for the Nordic countries.Upon request the excel spreadsheets used for the monetarisation and valuation in this report can also be provided along with a guidance on how to use the estimation of costs for value transfer. Please contact any of the consultants or members of the steering group from the Swedish Chemicals Agency or the Danish Environmental Protection Agency if you are interested in receiving these excel spreadsheets.




Toxicity Assessment


Book Description

This book collects protocols from different areas of knowledge to assist in the identification of toxic effects exerted by different xenobiotics. At the same time as classical techniques are presented, modern techniques with alternative models to the use of animals are also presented. Given the ever-increasing exposure to different compounds and their effects on population health, the assessment of multiple endpoints is of utmost importance for better risk assessment, and this collection addresses that need. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Toxicity Assessment: Methods and Protocols aims to serve researchers in this vast field of science as they seek to better understand the mechanisms of action of different xenobiotics.




Per and polyfluorinated substances in the Nordic Countries


Book Description

This Tema Nord report presents a study based on open information and custom market research to review the most common perfluorinated substances (PFC) with less focus on PFOS and PFOA. The study includes three major parts:1) Identification of relevant per-and polyfluorinated substances and their use in various industrial sectors in the Nordic market by interviews with major players and database information; 2) Emissions to and occurence in the Nordic environment of the substances described in 1); 3) A summary of knowledge of the toxic effects on humans and the environment of substances prioritized in 2); There is a lack of physical chemical data, analystical reference substances, human and environmental occurrence and toxicology data, as well as market information regarding PFCs other than PFOA and PFOS and the current legislation cannot enforce disclosure of specific PFC substance information.




Perfluoroalkyl Substances in the Environment


Book Description

Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS), often referred to as per- (and poly) fluorinated compounds (PFCs), have been used for years in many everyday3⁄4 and some lifesaving3⁄4 products. However, their use has been linked to adverse health effects in humans, a problem compounded by their persistence in the environment. This book discusses the various challenges of PFAS in our environment today, including their historical use as well as their chemical and toxicological properties. It also presents robust discussion of analytical challenges and special considerations in sampling. The work goes on to give practical recommendations for dealing with these compounds in today's dynamic regulatory landscape and includes several chapters on various remediation techniques. Key Features: Comprehensive overview of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) historical use and chemical/physical properties which help us understand their persistence, transport, and transformation pathways in the environment In-depth analysis of PFAS toxicology Detailed descriptions of conventional and state-of-the-art remediation technologies Practical recommendations for dealing with PFAS in a dynamic regulatory landscape Robust discussion of important sampling and analytical considerations Perfluoroalkyl Substances in the Environment: Theory, Practice, and Innovation explores the challenges across the topical areas of regulation and management, toxicology, environmental remediation, and analytical sampling and analysis.Readers will find this text helpful in understanding complexities associated with PFAS and informing management strategies to effectively protect this and future generations.




Guidance on Pfas Exposure, Testing, and Clinical Follow-Up


Book Description

In thousands of communities across the United States, drinking water is contaminated with chemicals known as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS are used in a wide range of products, such as non-stick cookware, water and stain repellent fabrics, and fire-fighting foam, because they have properties that repel oil and water, reduce friction, and resist temperature changes. PFAS can leak into the environment where they are made, used, disposed of, or spilled. PFAS exposure has been linked to a number of adverse health effects including certain cancers, thyroid dysfunction, changes in cholesterol, and small reductions in birth weight. This report recommends that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) update its clinical guidance to advise clinicians to offer PFAS blood testing to patients who are likely to have a history of elevated exposure, such as those with occupational exposures or those who live in areas known to be contaminated. If testing reveals PFAS levels associated with an increased risk of adverse effects, patients should receive regular screenings and monitoring for these and other health impacts. Guidance on PFAS Exposure, Testing, and Clinical Follow-Up recommends that the CDC, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), and public health departments support clinicians by creating educational materials on PFAS exposure, potential health effects, the limitations of testing, and the benefits and harms of testing.




Organofluorine Chemistry


Book Description

During the past fifteen years commercial interest in compounds containing carbon fluorine bonds has burgeoned beyond all expectations, mainly owing to business opportunities arising from work on biologically active fluoroorganics-particularly agrochemicals, the relentless search for new markets for fluoropolymers and fluoro carbon fluids, developments in the field of medical diagnostics, and the drive to find replacements for ozone-depleting CFCs and Halon fire-extinguishing agents. Judging the situation to warrant the publication of a comprehensive collection of up-to-date reviews dealing with commercial organofluorine compounds within a single volume of manageable size (and hence reasonable cost), we were delighted to be invited by Plenum Publishing Corporation to produce a suitable book. In order to provide an authentic and wide-ranging account of current commercial applications of fluoroorganic materials, it clearly was necessary to assemble a sizeable team of knowledgeable contributing authors selected almost entirely from industry. Through their efforts we have been able to produce an almost complete coverage of the modem organofluorochemicals business in a manner designed to attract a reader ship ranging from experts in the field, through chemists and technologists currently unaware of the extent of industrial involvement with fluoroorganics, to students of applied chemistry. Promised chapters dedicated to perfluoroolefin oxides and 18F labeling of radiopharmaceuticals failed to materialize. This is somewhat unfortunate in view of our aim to achieve comprehensive coverage of the subject.