Comparative analysis of the toxicological databases for 6:2 fluorotelomer alcohol (6:2 FTOH) and perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA).

ABSTRACT

62 Fluorotelomer alcohol (62 FTOH) is a short-chain polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) in polymeric PFAS used in fast food packaging and stain- and water-resistant textiles and may be degradation products of some components of aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF). The general population is exposed to 62 FTOH by inhalation of evaporates from treated surfaces or ambient concentrations in air, ingestion of indoor dust, or ingestion of food packaged in materials containing PFAS. Although exposure to 62 FTOH is pervasive, little is known concerning human health effects of this compound. Some published risk assessments have assumed that perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), a metabolite of 62 FTOH, adequately models the human health effects of 62 FTOH. Recently identified studies conducted with 62 FTOH and its metabolite, 53 acid, have provided information that enables comparison of the toxicological profiles of PFHxA and 62 FTOH. This article summarizes a comparative analysis of the toxicological effects of PFHxA and 62 FTOH in rodents to determine whether data for PFHxA adequately models potential hazards of 62 FTOH exposure. Our analysis demonstrates that 62 FTOH is significantly more toxic than PFHxA. Use of toxicological studies conducted with PFHxA to assess 62 FTOH exposure may significantly underestimate human health risk.