Abstract  Table A.1. Number of mothers and cubs sampled and analysed for PFASs, and litter size presented by the polar bears identification number (ID). Sex of cubs is given as F = female and M = male. Table A.2. Mean (Median) ± standard error of mean (SEM) of capture location as latitude and longitude, capture day (1–365), age (years for mothers and months for cubs), and morphometric variables (i.e. plasma lipid percentage [PL%], head length [HL, mm] zygomatic width [ZW, mm], straight length [SL, cm], axillary girth [AG, cm], body mass [BM] and body condition index [BCI]) of polar bear mothers and cubs sampled in Svalbard (Norway) in 1998 and 2008. Table A.3. PFAS nomenclature, acronyms, structure formula, and number of fluorinated carbons. Table A.4. Mean (Median) ± standard error of mean (SEM) of plasma concentrations of PFASs (ng/g ww) and percentage of total number of samples with concentrations above the limit of detection (% > LOD) in polar bear mothers sampled in Svalbard (Norway) in 1998 (n = 12) and 2008 (n = 9). Table A.5. Mean (Median) ± standard error of mean (SEM) of plasma concentrations of PFASs (ng/g ww) and percentage of total number of samples with concentrations above the limit of detection (% > LOD) in polar bear cubs sampled in Svalbard (Norway) in 1998 (n = 12) and 2008 (n = 9). Table A.6. Variables explaining PFAS-variables (ng/g ww) in plasma of polar bear mothers sampled in Svalbard (Norway) in 1998 (n = 12) and 2008 (n = 9). Significant results are presented as parameter estimates from the linear models (β and standard error (SE) of β), p-values, R2, and degrees of freedom (df). Regression analyses were done with backward selection and on the sampling years separately. Dependent variables: PFHpA to PFTrDA, PFHxS, PFOS, Σ7PFCAs and Σ2PFSAs. Independent variables included in the initial model: latitude, longitude, capture day, age, plasma lipid percentage (PL%) and body condition index (BCI). Table A.7. Variables explaining PFAS-variables (ng/g ww) in plasma of polar bear cubs-of-the-year sampled in Svalbard (Norway) in 1998 (n = 12) and 2008 (n = 9). Significant results are presented as parameter estimates from the linear models (β and standard error (SE) of β), p-values, R2, and degrees of freedom (df). Regression analyses were done with backward selection and on the sampling years separately. Dependent variables: PFHpA to PFTrDA, PFHxS, PFOS, Σ7PFCAs and Σ2PFSAs. Independent variables included in the initial model: capture day, the cubs plasma lipid percentage (PL%Cubs) and body mass (BMCubs), the mothers age (ageMothers), PL%Mothers, and body condition index (BCIMothers) and the corresponding PFAS-variable in mothers.

Abstract  Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUdA) is one of the most highly detected perfluoroalkyl compounds in wild bird tissues and eggs. Although PFUdA does not affect hatching success, many PFCs are known to impair post-hatch development and survival. Here we use microarrays to survey the transcriptional response of cultured chicken embryonic hepatocytes (CEH) to PFUdA for potential targets of PFUdA action that could lead to developmental deficiencies in exposed birds. At 1 μM and 10 μM PFUdA significantly altered the expression of 346 and 676 transcripts, respectively (fold-change>1.5, p<0.05, false discovery rate-corrected). Using functional, pathway and interactome analysis we identified several potentially important targets of PFUdA exposure, including the suppression of the acute-phase response (APR). We then measured the expression of five APR genes, fibrinogen alpha (fga), fibrinogen gamma (fgg), thrombin (f2), plasminogen (plg), and protein C (proC), in the liver of chicken embryos exposed in ovo to PFUdA. The expression of fga, f2, and proC were down-regulated in embryo livers (100 or 1000 ng/g, p<0.1) as predicted from microarray analysis, whereas fibrinogen gamma (fgg) was up-regulated and plg was not significantly affected. Our results demonstrate the utility of CEH coupled with transcriptome analysis as an in vitro screening tool for identifying novel effects of toxicant exposure. Additionally, we identified APR suppression as a potentially important and environmentally relevant target of PFUdA. These findings suggest in ovo exposure of birds to PFUdA may lead to post-hatch developmental deficiencies, such as impaired inflammatory response.

Abstract  High exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) has been associated with adverse health effects in children. PFASs exposure pathways of toddlers might differ from those of infants and adults, and the investigations on determinants of PFASs exposure in early childhood are scarce. Our aims were to examine the PFAS blood concentrations in Norwegian toddlers and to assess their relationship with maternal PFAS concentrations in pregnancy and breastfeeding duration. We determined PFAS concentrations in 112 plasma samples of 3-year-old children collected at 2010-2011 and 99 maternal serum samples collected around delivery at 2007-2008. PFAS concentrations in children were regressed on duration of breastfeeding, and the effect modification by maternal prenatal PFAS concentrations was examined in 55 mother-child pairs. Six PFASs were quantifiable in >50% of both maternal and children samples. Positive and significant correlations ranging between 0.50 and 0.66 were found between maternal and child concentrations of the same PFAS congeners. Nevertheless, toddlers had higher total PFAS blood concentrations than their mothers, due to higher concentrations of PFOA, PFNA and PFHxS. Every month of breastfeeding was associated with an increase of 3.3% (95% Confidence Intervals (CI): 0.8-5.8) for PFOS, 4.7% (95%CI: 2.8-6.6) for PFOA and 6.1% (95% CI: 2.6-9.7) for PFHpS in toddlers' plasma and a dose-response association was found, after adjustment for confounders. However, PFNA and PFUnDA concentrations in children were not associated with either maternal concentrations or breastfeeding duration. Our findings suggest that transplacental transfer, prenatally, and breastfeeding, postanatally, are among the main determinants of PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS and PFHpS concentrations in toddlers, while that was not the case for PFNA and PFUnDA. Nevertheless, due to the small number of mother child-pairs in our study, our results should be interpreted with caution.

Abstract  Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are ubiquitous in the environment world-wide. Our overall objective was to assess the exposure to PFASs experienced by delivering women and their new-borns in the industrial city of Norilsk (arctic Russia) and the rural Aral Sea region of Uzbekistan, with the secondary objective of evaluating the distribution of PFASs between blood cell and plasma fractions. Six PFASs were detected in every sample from Norilsk city with the plasma concentration sequence of: PFOS≫PFOA>PFNA>FOSA>PFHxS>PFUnDA. In the Uzbekistani samples, only PFOS was reported above the MDL (0.08 ng/mL). The median plasma concentrations of PFOS of 11.0 ng/mL for the Norilsk mothers was comparable to that reported for western countries, while that for Uzbekistan was considerably lower (0.23 ng/mL). Apparent increases in the maternal-cord concentration ratios for both whole blood and plasma were evident with the length of the carbon chain for both the carboxylate and the sulfonate PFASs. The median value of this ratio for FOSA in plasma was the lowest, while that for whole blood was the highest. Other than for FOSA, the observed plasma-whole blood concentration ratios for maternal and umbilical cord blood were consistent with a priori calculations using appropriate packed cell and plasma volumes for neonates and pregnant women at term. Clearly FOSA favored whole blood, and acid-base equilibrium calculations suggested that the resonance-stabilized sulfonamidate ion resides in the blood cell fraction. Thus for PFASs and related compounds with pK values with magnitudes comparable to physiological pH, it is pertinent to measure the cell-associated fraction (separately or as whole blood). Our study illustrates that consideration of both the physico-chemical properties of the contaminants and the physiological attributes of blood matrices were helpful in the interpretation of our findings.

Abstract  Temporal and spatial trends of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) were investigated in Baltic Sea herring liver (Clupea harengus) from three sites, and white-tailed sea eagle (WTSE) eggs (Haliaeetus albicilla) from two freshwater and two marine areas in Sweden. Trends of most quantifiable PFAAs increased over the monitored period (1980-2014 in herring, 1960s/1980s-2010 in WTSE). No significant decreasing trends were observed for the most recent ten years for any substances, except perfluorooctane sulfonamide (FOSA). Concentrations of perfluorooctanesulfonic acids (PFOS) in herring showed a distinct decreasing spatial trend moving from the more southern site toward the more northern site, indicating main input of PFOS into the southern Baltic Sea. For WTSE, PFOS concentration was higher in the marine compared to the freshwater environment, explained by the cumulative historic contamination of the Baltic Sea. Similarly, concentrations in WTSE were lower in the northern part of the Baltic Sea compared to further south. Concentrations of PFUnDA, representing long-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs), showed a more homogeneous spatial distribution compared to PFOS for both herring and WTSE, indicating that atmospheric inputs (via precursors) of the long-chain PFCAs are important contributors in the study areas.

Abstract  Perfluorinated substances are global and ubiquitous pollutants. However, very little is known about these substances in invertebrates, and even less in terrestrial invertebrates in particular. We analysed adult male dragonflies from six sites in South Africa for perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), including perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), perfluro-n-undecanoic acid (PFUnA), perfluoro-n-dodecanoic acid (PFDoA), perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS). PFOS was detected in all individuals, with less quantifiable occurrences of the other substances. The dragonflies from the three northern sites located in farming areas had significantly lower ΣPFASs concentrations than the southern sites located closer to industrial areas (median ΣPFASs of 0.32 ng/g wm (wet mass) for North, and 9.3 ng/g wm for South). All substances except PFOS occurred at similar concentrations at all six sites when quantifiable, but PFOS dominated in the Southern sites. The highest median concentration was from Bloemhof Dam (ΣPFASs = 21 ng/g wm), which is known to be polluted by PFOS. Perfluorinated substances are not known to be manufactured in South Africa, therefore the residues detected are likely to have been derived from imported products. Odonata play a significant role in freshwater ecology. Any impacts on these aquatic and aerial predators are likely to have effects on aquatic and associated ecosystems. Further studies are required over a much larger geographic region and to investigate sources.

Abstract  The present study aimed to quantitate 15 perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in 125 adult American alligators at 12 sites across the southeastern United States. Of those 15 PFAAs, 9 were detected in 65% to 100% of samples: perfluorooctanoic acid, perfluorononanoic acid, perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA), perfluorododecanoic acid, perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTriA), perfluorotetradecanoic acid, perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). Males (across all sites) showed significantly higher concentrations of 4 PFAAs: PFOS (p = 0.01), PFDA (p = 0.0003), PFUnA (p = 0.021), and PFTriA (p = 0.021). Concentrations of PFOS, PFHxS, and PFDA in plasma were significantly different among the sites in each sex. Alligators at both Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (FL, USA) and Kiawah Nature Conservancy (SC, USA) exhibited some of the highest PFOS concentrations (medians of 99.5 ng/g and 55.8 ng/g, respectively) in plasma measured to date in a crocodilian species. A number of positive correlations between PFAAs and snout-vent length were observed in both sexes, suggesting that PFAA body burdens increase with increasing size. In addition, several significant correlations among PFAAs in alligator plasma may suggest conserved sources of PFAAs at each site throughout the greater study area. The present study is the first to report PFAAs in American alligators, to reveal potential PFAA hot spots in Florida and South Carolina, and to provide a contaminant of concern when assessing anthropogenic impacts on ecosystem health. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:917-925. Published 2016 Wiley Periodicals Inc. on behalf of SETAC. This article is a US government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.

Abstract  OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of genetic polymorphisms on the association of prenatal exposure to perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) with birth weight.

METHODS: We analyzed the level of eight PFCs in cord blood and two genetic polymorphisms in maternal blood of 268 subjects.

RESULTS: Concentrations of perfluorooctanoic acid, perfluorooctane sulfonate, perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), and perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA) showed significant association with a decrease in birth weight (P < 0.05). In mothers with glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) null genotype, concentrations of PFNA, PFDA, and PFUnDA showed significantly negative association with birth weight (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that GSTM1 polymorphism might affect the association between exposure to PFCs and birth weight, suggesting the effect of genetic susceptibility on the relationship between prenatal PFCs exposure and birth outcomes.

Abstract  A total of 420 human plasma samples from two cities (Halle and Münster, Germany), collected between 1982 and 2009, were analyzed for a suite of PFCAs (C6-C12) and selected PFCA precursors (4:2-, 4:2/6:2-, 6:2-, 6:2/8:2-, 8:2-, 8:2/10:2-, and 10:2-diPAPs). PFCAs (C7-C11 and C13) were detected in over 80% of the samples (<0.005-39.4 ng/mL), while C12 PFCA was detected in fewer than 10% of the samples. In a range of 10-46% of the samples, 4:2-, 4:2/6:2-, 6:2, and 8:2-diPAPs were identified at concentrations of <0.0002-0.687 ng/mL; fewer than 10% of the samples had detectable 10:2-diPAP. Temporal trends (2000-2009) showed increasing concentrations of PFNA, PFDA, and PFUnDA, whereas PFOA concentrations were decreasing. Calculated population halving time for PFOA varied between 8.2-14.5 years, which contrasts to the generally accepted value of 3.8 years. This suggests an ongoing or additional exposure to PFOA or one of its precursor compounds. DiPAPs, known to metabolize rapidly to PFCAs, were detected in a significant number of samples and at concentrations that have not declined significantly over the past half-decade. The evidence suggests they have contributed to the continued presence of the longer chain PFCAs and perhaps contribute to the slow decline of PFOA.

Abstract  A rigorous solid phase extraction/liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method for the measurement of 10 perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) in fish fillets is described and applied to fillets of bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) collected from selected areas of Minnesota and North Carolina. The 4 PFC analytes routinely detected in bluegill fillets were perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorodecanoic acid (C10), perfluoroundecanoic acid (C11), and perflurododecanoic acid (C12). Measures of method accuracy and precision for these compounds showed that calculated concentrations of PFCs in spiked samples differed by less than 20% from their theoretical values and that the %RSD for repeated measurements was less than 20%. Minnesota samples were collected from areas of the Mississippi River near historical PFC sources, from the St. Croix River as a background site, and from Lake Calhoun, which has no documented PFC sources. PFOS was the most prevalent PFC found in the Minnesota samples, with median concentrations of 47.0-102 ng/g at locations along the Mississippi River, 2.08 ng/g in the St. Croix River, and 275 ng/g in Lake Calhoun. North Carolina samples were collected from two rivers with no known historical PFC sources. PFOS was the predominant analyte in fish taken from the Haw and Deep Rivers, with median concentrations of 30.3 and 62.2 ng/g, respectively. Concentrations of C10, C11, and C12 in NC samples were among the highest reported in the literature, with respective median values of 9.08, 23.9, and 6.60 ng/g in fish from the Haw River and 2.90, 9.15, and 3.46 ng/g in fish from the Deep River. These results suggest that PFC contamination in freshwater fish may not be limited to areas with known historical PFC inputs.

Abstract  We analyzed perfluorinated surfactants (PFSs) in 20 river samples and 5 wastewater secondary effluent samples in Japan to reveal their occurrence and sources. Nine PFS species were determined: perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctane sulfonamide (FOSA), perfluoroheptanoate (PFHpA), perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), perfluorononanoate (PFNA), perfluorodecanoate (PFDA), perfluoroundecanoate (PFUA), perfluorododecanoate (PFDDA), and perfluorotridecanoate (PFTDA). PFSs were detected in all rivers, revealing nationwide contamination of rivers. In particular, 11 out of 20 river samples exceeded New Jersey guidance for PFOA in drinking water (40 ng/L). PFOS, PFHpA, PFOA, and PFNA were major species in Japan. Concentrations of PFOS, PFHpA, and PFNA in rivers were strongly correlated with population density, suggesting that the chemicals were derived from urban activities. PFOA showed a significant but weak correlation. We used crotamiton, a marker of sewage effluent, for further source analysis. Concentrations of PFOS, PFHpA, and PFNAwere strongly correlated with those of crotamiton, and plots of secondary effluents fell near the regression lines of rivers, indicating that the PFOS, PFHpA, and PFNA in rivers were derived from sewage effluent. On the other hand, PFOA was found at remarkably high levels (54-192 ng/L) in seven river samples containing low levels of crotamiton, suggesting that it was derived from nonsewage point sources, as well as sewage effluent. The total fluxes of sewage-derived PFOS, PFHpA, PFOA, and PFNA from Japan were estimated to be 3.6, 2.6, 5.6, and 2.6 t/year, respectively. This is the first report to identify PFOA in several rivers, derived from nonsewage point sources, by using a marker of sewage effluent.

Abstract  The source of involatile, anthropogenic perfluorocarboxylate anions (PFCAs) in biota from remote regions is of heightened interest due to the persistence, toxicity, and bioaccumulation of these materials. Large-scale production of fluorinated compounds is carried out primarily by one of two methods: electrochemical fluorination (ECF) and telomerization. Products of the two processes may be distinguished based on constitutional isomer pattern as ECF products are characteristically comprised of a variety of constitutional isomers. The objective of this research was to develop a method for identifying the constitutional isomer profile of PFCAs in environmental samples and to apply the method to polar bear livers from two different locations. Resolution of constitutional isomers of derivatized PFCAs (8-13 carbons) was accomplished via GC-MS. Seven isomers of an authentic ECF perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) standard were separated. The linear isomer comprised 78% of this standard. Isomer profiles of PFCAs in liver samples of 15 polar bears (Ursus maritimus) from the Canadian Arctic and eastern Greenland were determined by GC-MS. The PFOA isomer pattern in Greenland polar bear samples showed a variety of branched isomers while only the linear PFOA isomer was determined in Canadian samples. Samples of both locations had primarily (>99%) linear isomers of perfluorononanoate and perfluorotridecanoate. Branched isomers of perfluorodecanoate, perfluoroundecanoate, and perfluorododecanoate were determined in the polar bear samples. Unlike the PFOA isomer signature, only a single branched isomer peak on the chromatograms was observed for these longer chain PFCAs. The presence of branched isomers suggests some contribution from ECF sources. However, in comparison to the amount of branched isomers in the ECF PFOA standard, such minor percentages of branched PFCAs may suggest additional input from an exclusively linear isomer source.

Abstract  A process for the determination of anaerobic-oxic biologically treated perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in leachates from a landfill in Beijing, China, is provided. The applicability of electrocoagulation (EC) with aluminum electrodes for the remediation of PFASs in landfill leachates is investigated in detailed. With reaction time of 45 min, plate distance of 1 cm, current density of 35 mA/cm(2) and plate amounts of four pairs, the EC reactor achieved the optimal removal efficiencies for chemical oxygen demand and PFASs. Perfluorooctane sulfonate was not detected in the treated leachates after the EC treatment. The average removal efficiencies of perfluorohexanoic acid, perfluoroheptanoic acid, perfluorooctanoate acid, perfluorononanoic acid and perfluorodecanoic acid were 65.1, 58.5, 75.2, and 33.8%, respectively. However, perfluoroundecanoic acid and perfluorododecanoic acid concentration increased by about 20.2 and 18.6% after the EC treatment process.

Abstract  OBJECTIVE: The effect of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) on the development of neurotoxicity in children is still controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the association between in utero exposure to four PFASs and the development of neurobehavioral symptoms related to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in early childhood.

METHODS: Eligible study subjects were selected from the Taiwan Birth Panel Study and the Taiwan Early-Life Cohort, which enrolled a total of 1526 mother-infant pairs during 2004 and 2005. We collected umbilical cord blood and analyzed perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanyl sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUA) levels. When a child was 7 years old, to evaluate ADHD related neurobehavioral symptoms, their parents completed the Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham IV scale (SNAP-IV), the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) questionnaires. We used linear regression models with inverse probability weighting to explore the association between prenatal exposure to four PFASs and ADHD rating scores.

RESULTS: A total of 282 subjects have completed the PFASs analysis and questionnaire survey. After adjusted for potential confounders, we observed that PFNA is inversely associated with inattention and oppositional defiant disorder of SNAP-IV, and hyperactivity/inattention of SDQ. No association between PFOA, PFOS, or PFUA and ADHD symptoms was found.

CONCLUSIONS: Prenatal exposure to PFNA was found to associate with neurobehavioral symptoms related to ADHD among Asian seven-year-old children. Further studies are needed to elucidate the causal relationship.

Abstract  The partitioning behavior of per-and polyfluoroalkyl compounds (PFCs) between pore water and sediment in two sediment cores collected from Tokyo Bay, Japan, was investigated. In addition, the fluxes and temporal trends in one dated sediment core were studied. Short-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) (C <= 7) were found exclusively in pore water, while long-chain PFCAs (C >= 11) were found only in sediment. The perfluoroalkyl sulfonates (PFSAs), n-ethylperfluoro-1-octanesulfonamidoacetic acid (N-EtFOSAA), and perfluorooctane sulfonamide (PFOSA) seemed to bind more strongly to sediment than PFCAs. The enrichment of PFCs on sediment increased with increasing organic matter and decreasing pH. The perfluorocarbon chain length and functional group were identified as the dominating parameters that had an influence on the partitioning behavior of the PFCs in sediment The maximum Sigma PFC contamination in sediment was observed in 2001-2002 to be a flux of 197 pg cm(-2) yr(-1). Statistically significant increased concentrations in Tokyo Bay were found for perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) (1956-2008), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) (1990-2008), and perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA) (1990-2008). Concentrations of PFOSA and N-EtFOSAA increased between 1985 and 2001, but after 2001, the concentration decreased significantly, which corresponded with the phase out of perfluorooctyl sulfonyl fluoride-based compounds by the 3M Company in 2000.

Abstract  Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have been found in environment globally. However, studies on PFAS occurrence in sediments of lakes or reservoirs remain relatively scarce. In this study, two hundred and sixty-two surface sediment samples were collected from forty-eight lakes and two reservoirs all over China. Average PFAS concentrations in surface sediments from each lake or reservoir varied from 0.086 ng/g dw to 5.79 ng/g dw with an average of 1.15 ng/g dw. Among five lake regions, average PFAS concentrations for the lakes from Eastern Plain Region were the highest. Perfluorooctanoic acid, perfluoroundecanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) were the predominant PFASs in surface sediments. The significant positive correlations between PFAS concentrations and total organic carbon, total nitrogen and total phosphorus contents in sediments revealed the influences of sedimentary characteristics on PFAS occurrence. A two-dimensional hierarchical cluster analysis heat map was depicted to analyze the possible origins of sediments and individual PFAS. The food-packaging, textile, electroplating, firefighting and semiconductor industry emission sources and the precious metals and coating industry emission sources were identified as the main sources by two receptor models, with contributions of 77.7 and 22.3% to the total concentrations of C-4-C-14-perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids and PFOS, respectively.

Abstract  Perfluorinated alkyl acids (PFAAs) are emerging environmental contaminants. Possible health effects for humans include increased risk for cancer but the knowledge is limited. In this study serum concentrations of certain perfluorinated sulfonates (PFHxS and PFOS) and carboxylates (PFOA, PFNA, PFDA, PFUnDA) were analyzed among 201 cases with prostate cancer and 186 population based control subjects. All blood samples were collected during 2007-2011 and no case had been treated with radio- or chemotherapy before enrolment in the study. The blood concentrations did not differ statistically significant between cases and controls except for PFDA with higher concentration among the cases (p=0.03). Analyses based on Gleason score and prostate specific antigen (PSA) level did not change the results. Heredity was a risk factor for prostate cancer yielding odds ratio (OR)=1.8, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.01-3.1. The analyzed PFAAs yielded statistically significant higher ORs in cases with a first degree relative reporting prostate cancer, e.g., PFOA gave OR=2.6, 95% CI=1.2-6.0 and PFOS gave OR=2.7, 95% CI=1.04-6.8. The results showed a higher risk for prostate cancer in cases with heredity as a risk factor. In further studies interaction between gene and environment should be considered.

Abstract  S-111-S-WB, a mixture of perfluoro fatty acid ammonium salts (C(6)-C(13)), was administered orally to Crl:CD (SD)IGS-BR rats. Higher hepatic beta-oxidation and liver weights with hepatocellular hypertrophy were present at the 0.125 and 0.6 mg/kg/d dosage. The 0.6 mg/kg/d males developed hepatocellular degeneration and necrosis. Lower serum protein and higher bilirubin and BUN were seen in the 0.6 mg/kg/d males and lower globulin and higher alkaline phosphatase in the 0.125 mg/kg/d males and 0.6 mg/kg/d animals. After 2 weeks, serum concentrations of pentadecafluorooctanoic acid (C(8)), heptadecafluorononanoic acid (C(9)), perfluoroundecanoic acid (C(11)), and perfluorotridecanoic acid (C(13)) were constant for at least 8 hours. After 90 days, only C(9) in the 0.025 mg/kg/d females had reached steady state. Serum C(8) and C(9) concentrations in the males were 10-fold higher than in the females, whereas C(11) and C(13) were similar for both genders. The main elimination was via the urine for C(8) (males) and C(9) (females), and via the feces for C(11) and C(13). The no-observed-effect level (NOEL) was 0.025 mg/kg/d for the males and 0.125 mg/kg/d for the females.

Abstract  Concentrations and accumulation of 13 fluorinated organic compounds (FOCs) in human sera and seminal plasma were measured in an Asian developing country, Sri Lanka. Six of the FOCs, PFOS (perfluorooctanesulfonate), PFHS (perfluorohexanesulfonate), PFUnA (perfluoroundecanoic acid), PFDA (perfluorodecanoic acid), PFNA (perfluorononanoic acid) and PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid), were detected in all of the sera samples. Measurable quantities of two main perfluorosulfonates, PFOS and PFHS, were found in all seminal plasma samples. The detection frequency of the predominant perfluoroalkylcarboxylate, PFOA, in seminal plasma was >70%. Accumulation of PFOS in sera was significantly positively correlated with PFOA, PFHS and PFNA. Positive linear regressions were also found between PFNA and PFUnA and PFNA and PFDA suggesting that these compounds may have a similar origin of exposure and accumulation. Significantly positive associations were observed for partitioning of both PFOS and PFNA between sera and seminal plasma. The accumulation of FOCs was not significantly different in sera from Colombo (urban population) and Talawakele (rural conventional tea workers). However, the Haldummulla population (rural organic tea workers) had relatively lower exposure to FOCs compared to the other two groups, urban and rural conventional tea workers. Concentrations of FOCs in Sri Lanka were similar to those reported for industrialized countries suggesting that human exposure to such chemicals is widespread even in developing countries. The novel finding of FOCs in human seminal plasma implies that further studies are needed to determine whether long-term exposure in humans can result in reproductive impairments.

Abstract  The presence of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) in ambient air particulates (PM2.5, PM10, and TSP) in Beijing was investigated in the current study. The results showed that PFBA, PFPeA, PFHpA, PFOA, PFNA, PFDA, PFUnA, PFDoA, and PFOS, were detected in all sizes of ambient air particulates. The concentrations of PFCs in TSP were slightly higher than those in PM10 and PM2.5. The concentrations of PFCs in PM2.5 were the lowest. The Sigma PFCs contents in PM2.5, PM10 and TSP were 87.03-96.77, 99.82-101.41, and 118.69-141.87 ng/g, respectively. PFBA, PFPeA, and PFOA were the dominating class of PFCs in ambient air particulates.

Abstract  BACKGROUND: Few studies have explored the association between perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and reproductive hormones in adolescents and young adults.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the association of PFAS with reproductive hormones in adolescents and young adults.

METHODS: We recruited 540 subjects aged 12-30 years from a 1992 to 2000 mass urine screening population and established a cohort from 2006 to 2008 via invitations by mail or/and telephone. Serum PFAS levels were analyzed with a Waters ACQUITY UPLC system coupled with a Waters Quattro Premier XE triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. Serum reproductive hormone levels were measured by immunoluminometric assay with an Architect random access assay system. PFAS levels were divided into different percentiles according to their detection limits in the multiple regression models to analyze associations between reproductive hormone levels and exposure with PFAS.

RESULTS: The adjusted mean serum level of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) decreased significantly in association with the <50th, 50-75, 75-90 and >90th percentile categories of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) compared with a reference category for the females in the 12-17-year-old group. The follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were significantly decreased in association with the different percentile categories of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in the male 12-17-year-old group and the different percentile categories of perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUA) in the female 12-17-year-old group. The serum FSH levels in the females aged 12-17 were also decreased in association with the different percentile categories of PFUA. On the other hand, there was a significantly negative association between the different percentile categories of PFOS and the serum testosterone level among the female 12-17-year-old group.

CONCLUSIONS: We found that the serum concentrations of PFOA, PFOS, and PFUA were negatively associated with the serum levels of SHBG, FSH, and testosterone in the young Taiwanese population and that these effects were the strongest in the females aged 12-17. Further studies are needed to determine whether these associations are causal.