Occurrence of Perfluoroalkyl Surfactants in Water, Fish, and Birds from New York State

Concentrations of perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and several other perfluoroalkyl surfactants (PASs) were determined in nine major water bodies (n = 51) of New York State (NYS). These PASs were also measured in the livers of two species of sport fish (n = 66) from 20 inland lakes in NYS. Finally, perfluorinated compounds were measured in the livers of 10 species of waterfowl (n = 87) from the Niagara River region in NYS. PFOS, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and perfluorohexanesulfonate (PFHS) were ubiquitous in NYS waters. PFOA was typically found at higher concentrations than were PFOS and PFHS. Elevated concentrations of PFOS were found in surface waters of Lake Onondaga, and elevated concentrations of PFOA were found in the Hudson River. PFOS was the most abundant perfluorinated compound in all fish and bird samples. PFOS concentrations in the livers of fishes ranged from 9 to 315 ng/g wet weight. PFOS, PFOA, and PFOSA (perfluorooctanesulfonamide) concentrations in smallmouth and largemouth bass (taken together) caught in remote mountain lakes with no known point sources of PAS contamination were 14 to 207, < 1.5 to 6.1, and < 1.5 to 9.8 ng/g wet weight, respectively. PFOS concentrations in the livers of birds ranged from 11 to 882 ng/g wet weight. PFOS concentrations were 2.5-fold greater (p = 0.001) in piscivorous birds than in non-piscivorous birds. However, PFOA, PFOSA, and PFHS were not found in bird livers. Overall, average concentrations of PFOS in fish were 8850-fold greater than those in surface water. An average biomagnification factor of 8.9 was estimated for PFOS in common merganser relative to that in fish. This study highlights the significance of dietary fish in PFOS accumulation in the food chain. Furthermore, our results provide information on the distribution of PASs in natural waters, fish, and several bird species in NYS.     

Perfluorooctanoic Acid and Perfluorooctane Sulfonate in Two Fish Species Collected from the Roter Main River,Bayreuth, Germany

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) are widely distributed in the environment. In this study the accumulation potential of PFOA and PFOS in two fish species with different feeding strategies, i.e. chub (Leuciscus cephalus) and river goby (Gobio gobio) inhabiting a river receiving treated waste waters from a municipal waste water treatment plant, were estimated. PFOS was detected in chub (7–250 μg kg⁻¹ wet weight) and river goby (70–400 μg kg⁻¹ wet weight) with bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) of 4600 (liver) and 11,000 (organs). PFOA concentrations in both fish were low and in chub mostly below detection limit.     

Distribution of Total Mercury and Methyl Mercury in Water, Sediment, and Fish from South Florida Estuaries

Concentrations of total mercury and methyl mercury were determined in sediment and fish collected from estuarine waters of Florida to understand their distribution and partitioning. Total mercury concentrations in sediments ranged from 1 to 219 ng/g dry wt. Methyl mercury accounted for, on average, 0.77% of total mercury in sediment. Methyl mercury concentrations were not correlated with total mercury or organic carbon content in sediments. The concentrations of total mercury in fish muscle were between 0.03 and 2.22 (mean: 0.31) μg/g, wet wt, with methyl mercury contributing 83% of total mercury. Methyl mercury concentrations in fish muscle were directly proportional to total mercury concentrations. The relationship of total and methyl mercury concentrations in fish to those of sediments from corresponding locations was fish-species dependent, in addition to several abiotic factors. Among fish species analyzed, hardhead catfish, gafftopsail catfish, and sand seatrout contained the highest concentrations of mercury. Filtered water samples from canals and creeks that discharge into the Florida Bay showed mercury concentrations of 3–7.4 ng/L, with methyl mercury accounting for <0.03–52% of the total mercury. Consumption of fish containing 0.31 μg mercury/g wet wt, the mean concentration found in this study, at rates greater than 70 g/day, was estimated to be hazardous to human health. Received: 3 July 1997/Accepted: 2 September 1997     

Perfluorinated Compounds in Water,Sediment and Soil from Guanting Reservoir,China

Concentrations of 12 perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) were measured in 21 representive water, sediment and soil samples from Guanting Reservoir and vicinity. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was the predominant PFCs with concentrations of 0.55–2.3 ng/L, <LOQ to 0.68 ng/g dw and <LOQ to 2.8 ng/g dw in water, sediment and soil, respectively. Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA) was frequently detected in solid matrices, with concentrations of <LOQ to 0.18 ng/g dw in sediment and 0.13–0.26 ng/g dw in soil. PFCs were detected in all environmental matrices sampled, but concentrations found throughout the watershed were less than those reported from other locations.     

Tissue distribution of perfluorinated compounds in farmed freshwater fish and human exposure by consumption

In the present study, the levels of 14 perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) were analyzed in the blood, liver, muscle, brain, and eggs of popular farmed freshwater fish from Beijing. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was the predominant compound in all samples, with the highest concentration at 70.7 ng/g wet weight. The highest mean levels of PFOS in all tissues were observed in bighead (1.48-22.5 ng/g wet wt) and the lowest in tilapia (0.260-1.63 ng/g wet wt). In addition, perfluoroundecanoic acid was the second dominant PFC in blood, liver, muscle, and eggs, with the highest concentration at 19.2 ng/g wet weight. However, perfluorodecanoic acid levels (less than the limit of detection [LOD] to 0.963 ng/g wet wt) were similar to or slightly higher than perfluoroundecanoic acid levels (相似文献   

Perfluorooctanoic Acid and Perfluorooctane Sulfonate in Liver and Muscle Tissue from Wild Boar in Hesse,Germany

Approximately 15,000 tons of wild boar meats (Sus scrofa) are consumed per year in Germany. Boar meat therefore plays a definite role in regard to human diet. Because they are omnivores and because of their high body fat quotient, wild boar may accumulate large concentrations of persistent organic compounds, such as halogenated hydrocarbons, and could thus possibly serve as bioindicators for persistent xenobiotics. In addition, consumption of wild boar meat and liver could lead to increased contaminant levels in humans. Between 2007 and 2009, we tested a total of 529 livers and 506 muscle tissue samples from wild boar for the presence of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). PFOA concentrations ≤45 μg/kg and PFOS concentrations ≤1,780 μg/kg were detected in the liver samples. PFOA concentrations ≤7.4 μg/kg and PFOS concentrations ≤28.6 μg/kg were detected in muscle tissue. Our results show that PFOS may be detected in considerably greater concentrations than PFOA in organs and tissues, which is in agreement with results from other published studies. The comparisons between both organs for the same substance, as well as the comparisons between the substances within an organ, showed clear and statistically significant differences at P < 0.0001. Assuming a tolerable daily intake value of PFOA (1.5 μg/kg bw/d) and PFOS (0.15 μg/kg bw/d) as recommended by the European Food Safety Authority, the results of model calculations based on the maximum concentrations of PFOA and PFOS found in wild boar indicate that there should be no PFC-related health danger resulting from moderate consumption of wild boar meat or liver.     

Pilot Investigation of Perfluorinated Compounds in River Water,Sediment, Soil and Fish in Tianjin,China

Detectable PFCs could be found in all samples. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was the major PFC in river water, while perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was dominant in sediment and were 17- to 153-fold higher than those in water. PFCs concentrations in soil were little higher than those in sediment. In fish muscles PFOS showed the highest concentrations. Generally, PFC concentrations in fish were in the following rank order: crucian carp > silver carp> common carp. We suggested that there may be constant and diffuse pollution sources in Tianjin. Point sources also appeared to make significant contribution in the present study.     

Residues of Organochlorines in Sediments and Tilapia Collected from Inland Water Systems of Hong Kong

The levels and patterns of organochlorines including DDTs, HCHs, and PCBs were investigated in sediments and tilapia (Tilapia mossambica) collected from inland water systems [Tai Wai (S1), Fo Tan (S2), Siu Lek Yuen (S3), Tai Po (S4), and Tai Wo (S5)] in the New Territories of Hong Kong. Sediment and tilapia samples were also collected from two fish ponds for comparison. The ranges of DDTs, HCHs, and PCBs in river sediments were 2.82–8.63 ng/g (DW), 0.05–2.07 ng/g (DW), and 43–461 ng/g (DW), respectively. All these values were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the pond sediments. Low chlorinated congeners (especially mono-, tri-, and tetrachlorobiphenyls) were enriched in sediment samples accounting for 70–80% of total PCBs.  The ranges of DDTs, HCHs, and PCBs in tilapia muscle collected from Fo Tan and Tai Wai were 28.2–40.1 ng/g (DW), 2.04–3.76 ng/g (DW) and 267–310 ng/g (DW), respectively. These values were also significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those collected from the fish ponds. Higher chlorinated PCBs (tetra-, penta-, hexa-, and heptachlorobiphenyls) were commonly found in tilapia accounting for almost 60% of the total PCBs. The effect of lipid contents in organochlorines accumulation was not significant (p < 0.05) in general. Received: 24 July 1998/Accepted: 18 November 1998     

Occurrence of Pesticides, Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), and Heavy Metals in Sediments From the Dniester River, Moldova

The aim of this study was to evaluate sediments of the Dniester River, in the former Soviet republic of Moldova, for the occurrence of agricultural pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and heavy metals. In October 2001, sediment samples were collected at three locations of the Dniester River: upstream, downstream, and at the tributary of the River Byk. DDT and its metabolites were observed most frequently. Total DDT sediment concentrations ranged from 8.2 to 34.7 ng/g dry weight with the highest average concentration detected at the tributary location. Heptachlor epoxide (< 0.2–3.0 ng/g dry weight), chlordane (< 0.1–6.1 ng/g dry weight), endrin (< 0.2–2.5 ng/g dry weight), phosalone (< 0.2–1.1 ng/g dry weight), and methylparathion (< 0.2–16.8 ng/g dry weight) were also detected. Total PCB concentrations observed in sediments ranged from 68 to 763 ng/g dry wt. Total average PCB concentrations were significantly (p ≤ 0.004) higher for sediments from the downstream sampling sites compared to the upstream samples. Tetra- and trichlorobiphenyls accounted for 84 and 88% of the total residues measured in the downstream and tributary locations, respectively. In contrast, heptachlorobiphenyls were the prevailing homologues in sediments from the upstream sampling site, contributing 51% of the total PCB concentration. Predominant PCB homologues were: trichlorobiphenyl congener 28 and 37, tetrachlorobiphenyl congeners 44, 49, 52, 74, 77, and 81, and heptachlorobiphenyl congener 170. Sediment concentrations of ΣDDE (19.7 ng/g dry weight) in the tributary, heptachlor epoxide (3.0 ng/g dry weight) in the downstream, and nickel (128–170 μg/g dry weight) in all locations exceeded Probable Effect Levels (PELs) established for sediment quality in fresh water, indicating probable environmental stress and the potential for adverse effects to benthic organisms in the Dniester River.     

Levels of Perfluorinated Chemicals in Municipal Drinking Water from Catalonia,Spain: Public Health Implications

In this study, the concentrations of 13 perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) (PFBuS, PFHxS, PFOS, THPFOS, PFHxA, PFHpA, PFOA, PFNA, PFDA, PFUnDA, PFDoDA, PFTDA, and PFOSA) were analyzed in municipal drinking water samples collected at 40 different locations from 5 different zones of Catalonia, Spain. Detection limits ranged between 0.02 (PFHxS) and 0.85 ng/L (PFOA). The most frequent compounds were PFOS and PFHxS, which were detected in 35 and 31 samples, with maximum concentrations of 58.1 and 5.30 ng/L, respectively. PFBuS, PFHxA, and PFOA were also frequently detected (29, 27, and 26 samples, respectively), with maximum levels of 69.4, 8.55, and 57.4 ng/L. In contrast, PFDoDA and PFTDA could not be detected in any sample. The most contaminated water samples were found in the Barcelona Province, whereas none of the analyzed PFCs could be detected in two samples (Banyoles and Lleida), and only one PFC could be detected in four of the samples. Assuming a human water consumption of 2 L/day, the maximum daily intake of PFOS and PFOA from municipal drinking water would be, for a subject of 70 kg of body weight, 1.7 and 1.6 ng/kg/day. This is clearly lower than the respective Tolerable Daily Intake set by the European Food Safety Authority. In all samples, PFOS and PFOA also showed lower levels than the short-term provisional health advisory limit for drinking water (200 ng PFOS/L and 400 ng PFOA/L) set by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Although PFOS and PFOA concentrations found in drinking water in Catalonia are not expected to pose human health risks, safety limits for exposure to the remaining PFCs are clearly necessary, as health-based drinking water concentration protective for lifetime exposure is set to 40 ng/L for PFOA.     

Seasonal Changes of PFOS and PFOA Concentrations in Lake Biwa Water

A survey on seasonal concentration changes of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was performed for surface water in Lake Biwa (14 sites) from February to November in 2009. The concentrations of PFOS and PFOA were 0.8–1.6 and 7.0–10 ng/L in northern basin of Lake Biwa (eight sites), 0.9–1.7 and 8.3–13 ng/L in southern basin of Lake Biwa except Akanoi Bay (four sites), 1.4–2.8 and 9.1–17 ng/L in Akanoi Bay (8C) and 2.4–5.3 and 12–26 ng/L in Akanoi Bay (168), respectively. Seasonal changes were recognized for both of PFOS and PFOA in the two sites of Akanoi Bay but not in the other sites of the southern and northern basins of Lake Biwa. Monthly detailed surveys in the surface water were performed on the changes of PFOS and PFOA concentrations from June in 2009 to May in 2010 and further on the changes of conductivity values. The changes of PFOS and PFOA concentrations were well consistent with those of conductivity values.     

Occurrence of Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Fish and Water from the Svitava and Svratka Rivers,Czech Republic

Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFHxS, FHUEA, PFOA, PFOS, FOSA, N-methyl FOSA and PFNA) from seven sites on the Svitava and Svratka rivers in the Brno conurbation (Czech Republic) were determined in fish blood plasma and water. Concentrations of PFHxS, FHUEA, FOSA, and N-methyl FOSA were below detection limits. Major compound in fish blood was PFOS (38.9–57.8 ng mL⁻¹), followed by PFNA and PFOA. In water, the major compound detected was PFOA (1.7–178.0 ng mL⁻¹), followed by PFOS and PFNA. A significant (p < 0.05) correlation for PFOA concentration in blood plasma and water was found (r = 0.74).     

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and related perfluorinated compounds in human maternal and cord blood samples: assessment of PFOS exposure in a susceptible population during pregnancy

Fluorinated organic compounds (FOCs), such as perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluoro-octanoate (PFOA), and perfluorooctane sulfonylamide (PFOSA), are widely used in the manufacture of plastic, electronics, textile, and construction material in the apparel, leather, and upholstery industries. FOCs have been detected in human blood samples. Studies have indicated that FOCs may be detrimental to rodent development possibly by affecting thyroid hormone levels. In the present study, we determined the concentrations of FOCs in maternal and cord blood samples. Pregnant women 17-37 years of age were enrolled as subjects. FOCs in 15 pairs of maternal and cord blood samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry coupled with online extraction. The limits of quantification of PFOS, PFOA, and PFOSA in human plasma or serum were 0.5, 0.5, and 1.0 ng/mL, respectively. The method enables the precise determination of FOCs and can be applied to the detection of FOCs in human blood samples for monitoring human exposure. PFOS concentrations in maternal samples ranged from 4.9 to 17.6 ng/mL, whereas those in fetal samples ranged from 1.6 to 5.3 ng/mL. In contrast, PFOSA was not detected in fetal or maternal samples, whereas PFOA was detected only in maternal samples (range, < 0.5 to 2.3 ng/mL, 4 of 15). Our results revealed a high correlation between PFOS concentrations in maternal and cord blood (r2 = 0.876). However, we did not find any significant correlations between PFOS concentration in maternal and cord blood samples and age bracket, birth weight, or levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone or free thyroxine. Our study revealed that human fetuses in Japan may be exposed to relatively high levels of FOCs. Further investigation is required to determine the postnatal effects of fetal exposure to FOCs. Key words: cord blood, fluorinated organic compounds, human, PFOA, PFOS, PFOSA, pregnancy.     

Nonylphenol and Nonylphenol Ethoxylates in Fish,Sediment, and Water from the Kalamazoo River,Michigan

A survey measuring concentrations of nonylphenol (NP) and its ethoxylates (NPEs) in fish was performed in the Kalamazoo River, Michigan, USA, in 1999. Of 183 fish analyzed, 59% had no detectable NP or NPE. Detected concentrations were reported to range from 3.3 (limit of detection) to 29.1 ng NP/g wet weight. To further explore the means of exposure of NP and NPE in the fish, concentrations of NP and its mono-through tri-ethoxylates (NPE_1–3) were measured in fish, sediment, and water collected near two wastewater treatment plants on the Kalamazoo River in 2000. Samples were analyzed using exhaustive steam distillation with concurrent liquid extraction. Nonylphenol ethoxycarboxylates (NPE_1–3C) were also analyzed in water. Concentrations of NP and NPEs in fish were less than the method detection limits (MDLs) in all the samples except one fish, which contained 3.4 ng NP/g wet weight, just above the detection limit of 3.3 ng/g. Three of 36 sediments and 1 of 24 water samples contained detectable concentrations of NP or NPE₁. NPE₂, NPE₃, and NPEC were not detected in water samples. Received: 18 December 2001/Accepted: 13 May 2002     

Environmental Contaminants in Fish and Their Associated Risk to Piscivorous Wildlife in the Yukon River Basin, Alaska

Organochlorine chemical residues and elemental contaminants were measured in northern pike (Esox lucius), longnose sucker (Catostomus catostomus), and burbot (Lota lota) from 10 sites in the Yukon River Basin (YRB) during 2002. Contaminant concentrations were compared to historical YRB data and to toxicity thresholds for fish and piscivorous wildlife from the scientific literature. A risk analysis was conducted to screen for potential hazards to piscivorous wildlife for contaminants that exceeded literature-based toxicity thresholds. Concentrations of total DDT (sum of p,p′-homologs; 1.09–13.6 ng/g), total chlordane (0.67–7.5 ng/g), dieldrin (<0.16–0.6 ng/g), toxaphene (<11–34 ng/g), total PCBs (<20–87 ng/g), TCDD-EQ (≤1.7 pg/g), arsenic (0.03–1.95 μg/g), cadmium (<0.02–0.12 μg/g), copper (0.41–1.49 μg/g), and lead (<0.21–0.27 μg/g) did not exceed toxicity thresholds for growth and reproduction in YRB fish. Concentrations of mercury (0.08–0.65 μg/g), selenium (0.23–0.85 μg/g), and zinc (11–56 μg/g) exceeded toxicity thresholds in one or more samples and were included in the risk analysis for piscivorous wildlife. No effect hazard concentrations (NEHCs) and low effect hazard concentrations (LEHCs), derived from literature-based toxicity reference values and avian and mammalian life history parameters, were calculated for mercury, selenium, and zinc. Mercury concentrations in YRB fish exceeded the NEHCs for all bird and small mammal models, which indicated that mercury concentrations in fish may represent a risk to piscivorous wildlife throughout the YRB. Low risk to piscivorous wildlife was associated with selenium and zinc concentrations in YRB fish. Selenium and zinc concentrations exceeded the NEHCs and LEHCs for only the small bird model. These results indicate that mercury should continue to be monitored and assessed in Alaskan fish and wildlife.     

Perfluoroalkyl Acids in Marine Organisms from Lake Shihwa,Korea

To our knowledge, this is the first report of concentrations of perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and other perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAs) in marine organisms from the industrialized region of Korea. Concentrations of eight PFAs were determined in three species of fish (mullet, shad, and rockfish) and three species of marine invertebrates (blue crab, oyster, and mussel) from Lake Shihwa, Korea. This is an area in which relatively great concentrations of PFAs in water and in adjacent industrial effluents have been reported. PFOS was the dominant PFA in marine organisms and most PFOS concentrations were greater than the sum of all other PFAs. The mean concentrations of PFOS were 8.1 × 10 and 3.6 × 10 ng/g, wet weight in liver and blood of fish, respectively. Perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) were also found in fish, but their concentrations were 10-fold less than those for PFOS. Of the PFCAs measured in fish, concentrations of the longer-chain perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA) were the greatest. Concentrations of PFOS in soft tissues of blue crabs decreased as a function of distance from the shore where inputs from the industrialized areas are discharged into Lake Shihwa. PFOS was the only PFA detectable in mussels and oysters with a mean of 0.5 ± 0.2 and 1.1 ± 0.3 ng/g, wet weight, respectively. Concentrations of PFUnA were positively correlated with perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) in both the liver and blood of fish, which suggests a common source of these two PFCAs in this area. Hazard quotients developed for fish species were all less than 1.0 for fish collected in Lake Shihwa.     

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Risk to Threatened and Endangered Chinook Salmon in the Lower Columbia River Estuary

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), derived from oil and fuel combustion, are ubiquitous nonpoint source pollutants that can have a number of detrimental effects on fish and wildlife. In this study, we monitored PAH exposure in outmigrant juvenile Chinook salmon from the Lower Columbia River to evaluate the risk that these contaminants might pose to the health and recovery of threatened and endangered salmonids. Juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) were collected by beach seine from five sites in the Lower Columbia River from Bonneville Dam to the mouth of the estuary (Warrendale, the Willamette–Columbia Confluence, Columbia City, Beaver Army Terminal, and Point Adams) and from a site in the Lower Willamette near downtown Portland (Morrison Street Bridge). Sediment samples were also collected at the same sites. Concentrations of PAHs in sediment samples were relatively low at all sites with average total PAH concentrations <1000 ng/g dry weight (wt.). However, we found PAHs in stomach contents of salmon from all sites at concentrations ranging from <100 to >10,000 ng/g wet wt. Metabolites of low and high molecular-weight PAHs were also detected in bile of salmon from all sites; for metabolites fluorescing at phenanthrene (PHN) wavelengths, concentrations ranged from 1.1 to 6.0 μg/mg bile protein. Levels of PAHs in stomach contents and PAH metabolites in bile were highest in salmon from the Morrison Street Bridge site in Portland and the Willamette-Columbia Confluence, Columbia City, and Beaver Army Terminal sites. Mean PAH concentrations measured in some stomach content samples from the Columbia City, Beaver Army Terminal, and Morrison Street Bridge sites were near the threshold concentration (approximately 7200–7600 ng/g wet wt.) associated with variability and immune dysfunction in juvenile salmonids (Meador et al., Can J Fish Aquat Sci 63:2364–2376, 2006; Bravo et al., Environ Toxicol Chem 30:704–714, 2011). Mean levels of biliary fluorescent aromatic compounds (FACs)-PHN in juvenile Chinook collected at the Morrison Street Bridge site in Portland, at the Confluence and Columbia City sites, and at the Beaver Army Terminal site were at or above a threshold effect concentration of 2 μg/mg protein for FACs-PHN linked to growth impairment, altered energetics, and reproductive effects (Meador et al., Environ Toxicol Chem 27(4):845–853, 2008). These findings suggest that PAHs in the food chain are a potential source of injury to juvenile salmon in the Lower Columbia and Lower Willamette rivers.     

Transplacental exposure of neonates to perfluorooctanesulfonate and perfluorooctanoate: a pilot study

Objectives Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) can be released of perfluorinated compounds by biotic and/or metabolic decomposition. Due to their ubiquitous occurrence, persistence and bioaccumulative properties they can be found in blood of the general population all over the world. In animal studies PFOS and PFOA provoked cancer and showed developmental toxic potential besides other adverse health effects. On the basis of the comparison of maternal and umbilical cord plasma sample pairs we wanted to examine whether infants are exposed to PFOS and PFOA via their mothers’ blood. Methods We determined PFOS and PFOA in 11 plasma samples of mothers and the 11 corresponding cord plasma samples of neonates. An analytical method based on plasma protein precipitation followed by HPLC with MS/MS-detection was employed. As internal standards we used 1,2,3,4-¹³C₄-PFOS and 1,2-¹³C₂-PFOA. Results We found PFOS and PFOA in every plasma sample analysed. In maternal plasma samples PFOS concentrations were consistently higher compared to those of the related cord plasma samples (median: 13.0 μg/l vs. 7.3 μg/l). In the case of PFOA we observed only minor differences between PFOA concentrations within the analysed sample pairs (median: 2.6 μg/l vs. 3.4 μg/l for maternal and cord plasma samples, respectively). Discussion For both substances a crossing of the placental barrier could be shown. For PFOS we observed a decrease from maternal to cord plasma concentrations by a factor of 0.41–0.80. To the contrary, PFOA crosses the placental barrier obviously unhindered. These findings show that neonates are exposed to PFOS and PFOA via their mothers’ blood. Given the current situation that only little is known about the consequences of PFOS and PFOA exposure in the early state of development of humans and the fact that in animal studies both substances showed developmental toxic effects further research regarding human health effects is indispensable.     

Occurrence of Antifouling Biocides in Sediment and Green Mussels from Thailand

Various antifouling biocides were surveyed in sediment and green mussels (Perna viridis) from the coastal area of Thailand. The concentrations of butyltin (MBT), dibutyltin (DBT), and tiributyltin (TBT) in sediment from Thailand were in the range of 1–293 μg kg⁻¹ dry wt., 1–368 μg kg⁻¹ dry wt., and 2–1246 μg kg⁻¹ dry wt., respectively. A higher concentration of TBT was observed in industrial areas, where many tankers and cargo ships sail and moor. Phenyltin (PT) compounds were not detected in most of the sampling sites. The concentrations of MBT, DBT, and TBT in green mussels from Thailand were in the range of 8–20 μg kg⁻¹ wet wt., 4–9 μg kg⁻¹ wet wt., and 4–45 μg kg⁻¹ wet wt., respectively. The concentration of TBT was high in an area where aquaculture practice is common. The detection frequencies of TPT were low. Representative booster biocides were surveyed in sediment. The detection frequencies of Sea Nine 211 were low (2/13). Furthermore, Sea Nine 211 concentrations in the detected samples were at values near the detection limit (0.051–0.094 μg kg⁻¹ dry wt.). Diuron was detected at the highest level among the booster biocides in the range of 0.07–25 μg kg⁻¹ dry wt. Irgarol 1051 was detected in the range of 0.03–3.2 μg kg⁻¹ dry wt., and concentrations of the degradation product’s M1 were 0.03–4.9 μg kg⁻¹ dry wt. Diuron and Irgarol 1051 showed higher concentrations in industrial areas and fishery sites, respectively. Diuron was only detected among green mussels in the range of <0.64–9.6 μg kg⁻¹ wet wt. The lower ratio of Diuron and Irgarol 1051 for TBT concentration suggests that TBT is still being used in Thailand.     

Perfluoroalkyl Substances in the Blood of Wild Rats and Mice from 47 Prefectures in Japan: Use of Samples from Nationwide Specimen Bank

Numerous studies have reported on the global distribution, persistence, fate, and toxicity of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). However, studies on PFASs in terrestrial mammals are scarce. Rats can be good sentinels of human exposure to toxicants because of their habitat, which is in close proximity to humans. Furthermore, exposure data measured for rats can be directly applied for risk assessment because many toxicological studies use rodent models. In this study, a nationwide survey of PFASs in the blood of wild rats as well as surface water samples collected from rats’ habitats from 47 prefectures in Japan was conducted. In addition to known PFASs, combustion ion chromatography technique was used for analysis of total fluorine concentrations in the blood of rats. In total, 216 blood samples representing three species of wild rats (house rat, Norway rats, and field mice) were analyzed for 23 PFASs. Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS; concentration range <0.05-148 ng/mL), perfluorooctane sulfonamide (PFOSA; <0.1–157), perfluorododecanoate (<0.05–5.8), perfluoroundecanoate (PFUnDA; <0.05–51), perfluorodecanoate (PFDA; <0.05–9.7), perfluorononanoate (PFNA; <0.05–249), and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) (<0.05–60) were detected >80 % of the blood samples. Concentrations of several PFASs in rat blood were similar to those reported for humans. PFSAs (mainly PFOS) accounted for 45 % of total PFASs, whereas perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (PFCAs), especially PFUnDA and PFNA, accounted for 20 and 10 % of total PFASs, respectively. In water samples, PFCAs were the predominant compounds with PFOA and PFNA found in >90 % of the samples. There were strong correlations (p < 0.001 to p < 0.05) between human population density and levels of PFOS, PFNA, PFOA, and PFOSA in wild rat blood.