PFAS Exposure Pathways for Humans and Wildlife: A Synthesis of Current Knowledge and Key Gaps in Understanding

Amila O. De Silva; James M. Armitage; Thomas A. Bruton; Clifton Dassuncao; Wendy Heiger-Bernays; Xindi C. Hu; Anna Kärrman; Barry Kelly; Carla Ng; Anna Robuck; Mei Sun; Thomas F. Webster; Elsie M. Sunderland

doi:10.1002/etc.4935

journal article Nov 17, 2020

PFAS Exposure Pathways for Humans and Wildlife: A Synthesis of Current Knowledge and Key Gaps in Understanding

Amila O. De Silva

James M. Armitage Thomas A. Bruton Clifton Dassuncao

Wendy Heiger-Bernays

Xindi C. Hu Anna Kärrman Barry Kelly

Carla Ng

Anna Robuck Mei Sun

Thomas F. Webster Elsie M. Sunderland

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Vol. 40 No. 3 pp. 631-657 · Oxford University Press (OUP)

View at Publisher Save 10.1002/etc.4935

Abstract

Abstract
We synthesize current understanding of the magnitudes and methods for assessing human and wildlife exposures to poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Most human exposure assessments have focused on 2 to 5 legacy PFAS, and wildlife assessments are typically limited to targeted PFAS (up to ~30 substances). However, shifts in chemical production are occurring rapidly, and targeted methods for detecting PFAS have not kept pace with these changes. Total fluorine measurements complemented by suspect screening using high-resolution mass spectrometry are thus emerging as essential tools for PFAS exposure assessment. Such methods enable researchers to better understand contributions from precursor compounds that degrade into terminal perfluoroalkyl acids. Available data suggest that diet is the major human exposure pathway for some PFAS, but there is large variability across populations and PFAS compounds. Additional data on total fluorine in exposure media and the fraction of unidentified organofluorine are needed. Drinking water has been established as the major exposure source in contaminated communities. As water supplies are remediated, for the general population, exposures from dust, personal care products, indoor environments, and other sources may be more important. A major challenge for exposure assessments is the lack of statistically representative population surveys. For wildlife, bioaccumulation processes differ substantially between PFAS and neutral lipophilic organic compounds, prompting a reevaluation of traditional bioaccumulation metrics. There is evidence that both phospholipids and proteins are important for the tissue partitioning and accumulation of PFAS. New mechanistic models for PFAS bioaccumulation are being developed that will assist in wildlife risk evaluations. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:631–657. © 2020 SETAC
Abstract
Methods for assessing human and wildlife exposures to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are reviewed along with current understanding of exposure sources and pathways.

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Metrics

694

Citations

300

References

Details

Published: Nov 17, 2020
Vol/Issue: 40(3)
Pages: 631-657
License: View

Authors

A

Amila O. De Silva

Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington Ontario Canada

J

James M. Armitage

AES Armitage Environmental Sciences, Ottawa Ontario Canada

T

Thomas A. Bruton

Green Science Policy Institute, Berkeley California USA

C

Clifton Dassuncao

Eastern Research Group Washington DC

W

Wendy Heiger-Bernays

Boston University School of Public Health, Boston Massachusetts USA

X

Xindi C. Hu

Mathematica, Oakland California USA

A

Anna Kärrman

Örebro University Örebro Sweden

B

Barry Kelly

Simon Fraser University, Burnaby British Columbia Canada

C

Carla Ng

University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA

A

Anna Robuck

University of Rhode Island, Graduate School of Oceanography, Narragansett Rhode Island USA

M

Mei Sun

University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte North Carolina USA

T

Thomas F. Webster

Boston University School of Public Health, Boston Massachusetts USA

E

Elsie M. Sunderland

Harvard University, Cambridge Massachusetts USA

Funding

National Science Foundation Award: 1845336

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Award: P42ES027706

Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program Award: ER18-1280

Cite This Article

Amila O. De Silva, James M. Armitage, Thomas A. Bruton, et al. (2020). PFAS Exposure Pathways for Humans and Wildlife: A Synthesis of Current Knowledge and Key Gaps in Understanding. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 40(3), 631-657. https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.4935

PFAS Exposure Pathways for Humans and Wildlife: A Synthesis of Current Knowledge and Key Gaps in Understanding

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