RESUMO
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of thousands of man-made chemicals that are persistent and highly stable in the environment. The diverse structures of PFAS give them different chemical properties that influence their solubility in different environmental matrices and biological tissues. PFAS in drinking water have been extensively studied, but information on their presence in fish and other exposure routes is limited. To address this, a non-targeted analysis using liquid chromatography, ion mobility spectrometry, and mass spectrometry (LC-IMS-MS) was performed to evaluate PFAS in fish fillets from in central North Carolina and compare with PFAS data from previously published water. A total of 22 different PFAS were detected in the fillets, including only 4 of the PFAS reported in water. Both more PFAS types and higher concentrations were observed in fish caught near a known PFAS point-source compared to those from a reservoir used for drinking water and recreation. Median fillet PFOS levels were 54 ppb in fish closest to the point source and 14-20 ppb in fish from the reservoir. Thus, future PFAS monitoring should include both targeted and non-targeted analyses of both water and fish to increase understanding of human exposure risks and ecosystem impacts. SYNOPSIS: Fish fillet samples were collected from five sites in North Carolina. PFAS were detected in all samples and differences in analytes and abundances were observed at the different sites. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: For use in table of contents only.
RESUMO
Central North Carolina (NC) is highly contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), in part due to local fluorochemical production. Little is known about the exposure profiles and long-term health impacts for humans and animals that live in nearby communities. In this study, serum PFAS concentrations were determined using liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry and diagnostic clinical chemistry endpoints were assessed for 31 dogs and 32 horses that reside in Gray's Creek NC at households with documented PFAS contamination in their drinking water. PFAS were detected in every sample, with 12 of the 20 PFAS detected in ≥50% of samples from each species. The average total PFAS concentrations in horses were lower compared to dogs who had higher concentrations of PFOS (dogs 2.9 ng/mL; horses 1.8 ng/mL), PFHxS (dogs 1.43 ng/mL, horses < LOD), and PFOA (dogs 0.37 ng/mL; horses 0.10 ng/mL). Regression analysis highlighted alkaline phosphatase, glucose, and globulin proteins in dogs and gamma glutamyl transferase in horses as potential biomarkers associated with PFAS exposure. Overall, the results of this study support the utility of companion animal and livestock species as sentinels of PFAS exposure differences inside and outside of the home. As in humans, renal and hepatic health in domestic animals may be sensitive to long-term PFAS exposures.
