This research project "Reducing the impact of fluorinated compounds on the environment and human Health", was funded by The Research Council of Norway, project number: 268258/E50.
Project aims
The main objective of the research was to investigate the impact of "first generation" and "future generation" PFAS, on the environment and human health. To achieve this the secondary objectives were defined as:
- Determine PFAS mass balances for local and diffusive environmental inputs
- Optimize analytical methods for the detection of PFAS in soil, water and biota, thus optimizing monitoring campaigns
- Carry out real world tests to investigate the effect of Norwegian environmental conditions of PFAS behaviour
- Use effects directed analysis (EDA) to determine PFAS impact on human health
- Bring together scientific experts, problem owners, end users and regulators to encourage dialogue and knowledge development
Background
First and second generation PFAS: new hazardous substances
Poly- and perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) refer to a diverse class of compounds that have a hydrophobic, alkylated, fluorine-saturated carbon-chain with a hydrophilic head attached at a terminal end. These compounds have been produced since the 1950s and are used by industry and in consumer products as protective coatings for textiles and paper, in the production of semi-conductors, as components of aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF), as polymer additives, in herbicide and insecticide formulations and in cosmetics.
PFAS are characterised by a high environmental persistence and ubiquitous environmental presence. Unique chemical properties including; hydrophobicity, oleophobicity, resistance to chemical, biological and physical degradation processes, high potential for bioaccumulation and biomagnification and toxicity to organisms at environmentally relevant concentrations has given rise to environmental concern.
Effects on the ecosystem and human health
Typical toxic effects of PFAS include liver toxicity, carcinogenicity, developmental toxicity, immunotoxicity, and neurotoxicity. Effects on liver include hepatomegaly (enlargement), hypertrophy, vacuolization and increase in liver weight. Carcinogenic effects have been observed in liver and testis, while evidence for tumour formation in thyroid and mammary has been noted.
Developmental effects can include foetal resorption, reduced foetal and birth weight, and neonatal mortality. Immunotoxic effects include changes in inflammatory response, production of cytokines, and reduced thymus and spleen weights. Neurotoxic effects include impaired performance in behavioural tests.
PFAS emissions
This project considered the following PFAS emissions
AFFF: Aqueous film-forming foams are used to extinguish fires. They are often used during firefighting training and as such can result in a point source environmental pollution. Characteristic AFFF PFAS pollution is found in water, soil, sediment and biota in the vicinity of airports.
Production of paper products: Many paper products are coated with a mixture of chemicals that includes PFAS. It is known that the 3M product called Scotchban which was used for paper products, contains a mixture of SAmPAP and PFOS precursors (preFOS). These are precursors to the terminal perfluorinated alkyl acids (PFAA). The production of paper products represents a point source emission.
Diffuse pollution: The sheer number of uses for PFAS results in an inherent diffuse PFAS pollution. Atmospheric transport and subsequent deposition of certain volatile PFAS as well as transport with seawater currents represent diffuse pollution transport pathways.
Monitoring of PFASs in the environment
Compliance with environmental legislation involves determining the concentration of PFAS in various environmental compartments and comparing results with regulatory thresholds. Soil and sediment analysis of PFAS is most often carried out using an extraction followed liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).
For water analysis, the most commonly employed method is the use of grab water sampling followed by a solid phase extraction (SPE) method and analysis as above. Passive sampling where by low concentrations can be detected over longer time periods than a single grab sample, could be an alternative for water monitoring.
