Jul 2026· Environmental Science and Technology· Vol 60, pp. 20801 - 20812· 0 citations· 61 references
Medicine
TL;DR
The presence of novel PFASs in serum from firefighters highlights the need for more research into their occurrence in occupationally exposed groups and the general population, exposure sources, and toxicokinetics.
Abstract
Per/polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) exposure is a serious concern for firefighters, but the contribution of firefighting activities to overall PFAS body burden remains poorly understood. We hypothesized that overlooked novel PFASs may be elevated in firefighter serum after fire suppression activities. We analyzed paired “baseline” (annual checkup) and “postfire” (within 35 h of fire) serum from 33 members of the Tucson Fire Department using high-resolution mass spectrometry. We measured concentrations of 49 PFASs via targeted quantitation and detected 15 in >50% of samples. Concentrations of target analytes were not significantly different between baseline and postfire paired samples. However, branched PFOS isomers and linear PFHxS were significantly elevated compared to the general population. Suspect screening enabled the identification of 26 additional PFASs. Two tentatively identified phosphate-containing PFASs were significantly (p < 0.01) elevated postfire. These chemicals may be associated with exposure to fluorinated aryl phosphate flame retardants or their combustion transformation products during fire response. Several other novel PFASs were detected in baseline and postfire samples, including bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (bis-FMeSI). The presence of novel PFASs in serum from firefighters highlights the need for more research into their occurrence in occupationally exposed groups and the general population, exposure sources, and toxicokinetics.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) represent an emerging concern due to their persistence, bioaccumulation, and emerging associations with different cancers and other diseases. Biomonitoring studies worldwide report elevated PFAS serum concentrations in firefighters compared with other occupations and the general population. The aim of this study was to quantify PFAS serum concentration in current and former firefighters and a general population comparison group in the UK. PFAS serum concentrations were analysed in a total sample of 1224 participants, including 942 firefighters from eight Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs) and 282 individuals from the general population. PFAS concentrations varied across tested FRSs, with geometric mean serum levels for some analytes higher than those observed in the general population. These included PFHxS (4.1 times higher), PFOS sum (1.5 times higher) and PFHPS (about 1.6 times higher), compounds that have been historically associated with the use of aqueous film forming firefighting foams. Furthermore, four PFAS (8:2 FTS, FOSA, PFBS, and PFPeS) were detected exclusively in firefighter serum and not in the general population, of which three are commonly detected in firefighter turnout gear. Descriptively, PFAS geometric mean concentrations tended to be higher among older firefighters and those with longer service duration. The general population cohort, drawn from a region which has subsequently been found to have some of the UK’s highest PFAS environmental contamination, showed relatively high baseline serum PFAS levels, suggesting the contribution of high background environmental exposure in this cohort. Reported data highlights the need for PFAS monitoring among firefighters, including evaluation of occupational exposure pathways, with attention to likely sources such as firefighting foam types and formulations; the type of chemicals applied to turnout gear; PPE use, frequency and type of decontamination. Further research should also include wider monitoring of the general population, including evaluation of likely sources and pathways of exposure.
A. Stec, Thomas Snelgrove, Kathryn Riley et al.· Scientific Reports· 0 citations
Despite extensive research on the environmental contamination of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), their occurrence across diverse indoor microenvironments remains insufficiently characterized. In this study, we analyzed a broad spectrum of PFAS in dust samples collected from residential settings (n = 14) and six types of public environments in South China between July and September 2022, using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Of the 35 target compounds, 19 PFAS were detected with detection frequencies exceeding 50%. Ultrashort-chain perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) and their precursors emerged as the dominant species, with concentrations substantially higher than those of legacy compounds such as perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). PFAS concentrations varied by microenvironment, with offices exhibiting the highest levels (median 516 ng/g), likely attributable to the widespread use of PFAS-containing materials and confined space. Estimated exposure via dust ingestion revealed that toddlers experienced the highest intake (0.692 ng/kg/day) among all age groups in household environments, due to greater dust ingestion rates. Our study highlights the widespread occurrence of emerging PFAS, including ultrashort- and short-chain PFAAs and PFAA precursors, in indoor environments in South China and emphasizes the importance of ongoing surveillance and regulatory measures for these substances.
Yu-Ge Liang, Xiaoyuan Guo, Chenglin Liu et al.· Environmental Pollution· 0 citations
Firefighters assigned to structure defense had significantly higher increases in PAH metabolites compared to those assigned to wildland firefighting tasks and maximum post-fire concentrations in firefighters also exceeded the BEI for 1-hydroxyprene and trans,trans-muconic acid.
Miriam M Calkins, Alexander C. Mayer, Derek J Urwin et al.· International Journal of Hyg...· 0 citations
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) draft sewage sludge risk assessment indicates that land application of biosolids containing as little as 1 ng/g of perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) or perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) may exceed human health risk thresholds. This study provides updated measurements of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in US biosolids. Twenty-seven biosolid samples from 15 states were analyzed using EPA Method 1633 and the total oxidizable precursor (TOP) assay. Dominant PFAS included 5:3 fluorotelomer carboxylic acid (FTCA) (70.2 ± 84.7 ng/g), 7:3 FTCA (23.7 ± 43.7 ng/g), and PFOS (22.1 ± 45.2 ng/g), with total PFAS ranging from 2 to 807 ng/g, showing no correlation with sewer-shed population or industrial inputs. At one facility, PFAS increased from 17.3 ng/g in primary sludge to 150 ng/g in centrifuge cake, consistent with precursor transformation. TOP assay did not increase total PFAS levels but shifted the profile, with perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids increasing and FTCAs and other precursors decreasing, likely reflecting incomplete transformation of precursors during wastewater and sludge treatment. These findings suggest that regulated PFAS will increase following land application due to transformation of precursors over time. Compared to the 2001 national sewage sludge survey samples, PFOA and PFOS declined by > 80%, yet remain at least one order of magnitude above 1 ng/g. Current study supports EPA’s conclusion that land application of biosolids continues to pose potential human health risks.
Xia-Yan Ye, A. Maroli, Santhoshi Chitthaluri et al.· Environmental science and po...· 1 citation
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been increasingly reported in pesticide formulations, raising concerns regarding their contribution to agricultural PFAS contamination. However, uncertainties remain regarding PFAS composition, unidentified PFAS, and the environmental relevance of PFAS in currently used pesticides. This study characterizes PFAS in six commercial pesticides using target and nontarget analysis, evaluates sample preparation methods, and assesses environmental implications of pesticide applications. Solvent dilution and EPA 1633 were selected based on favorable internal standard and matrix spike (MS) recoveries. The total oxidizable precursors (TOP) assay was applied to all formulations. No PFAS were detected before and after TOP in two formulations. Four PFAS were detected in the remaining formulations at concentrations of 40 ng/L-pesticides (6:2 FTS, malathion)─39,123 ng/L-pesticides (6:2 FTS; spiromesifen). Increased perfluoroalkyl carboxylates after TOP suggested unknown PFAS in spiromesifen, imidacloprid, and malathion. Nontarget analysis tentatively identified two additional PFAS (CAS Nos. 376-27-2 and 2681-00-7) in imidacloprid. Total organic fluorine (TOF) analysis achieved 84% MS recovery; but sample concentrations were below detection by a combustion ion chromatography (CIC), suggesting larger sample volumes are needed. Simulated results based on PFAS concentration fluxes indicated currently used pesticides are unlikely to be a major source of groundwater or soil contamination.
Zhao Yang, Alonso Doria Manzur, Marzieh Shojaei et al.· ACS ES&T Water· 0 citations
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large and chemically diverse class of synthetic organofluorine compounds recognized as persistent environmental contaminants because of their exceptional chemical stability, widespread industrial applications, and resistance to biological and environmental degradation. Their extensive use in firefighting foams, food-contact materials, textiles, cosmetics, electronics, and numerous consumer products has resulted in global contamination of water, soil, air, wildlife, and human populations. Biomonitoring studies consistently detect PFAS in human serum worldwide, highlighting widespread exposure and increasing concerns regarding their long-term environmental and public health consequences. This review critically synthesizes current evidence on PFAS chemistry, environmental occurrence, exposure pathways, toxicokinetics, molecular mechanisms of toxicity, public health impacts, regulatory developments, and remediation technologies. A PRISMA-informed narrative review supported by thematic evidence synthesis was undertaken using peer-reviewed literature and authoritative regulatory reports published primarily between 2021 and 2025, while retaining landmark studies that underpin PFAS research. Evidence indicates that contaminated drinking water, dietary intake, occupational activities, indoor dust, and consumer products constitute the principal human exposure pathways. Current epidemiological and toxicological findings associate PFAS exposure with endocrine disruption, hepatotoxicity, immunotoxicity, thyroid dysfunction, metabolic disorders, reproductive and developmental toxicity, cardiovascular disease, neurodevelopmental impairment, reduced vaccine responses, and increased risks of kidney and testicular cancers. However, important uncertainties remain regarding the toxicity of replacement PFAS, mixture effects, chronic low-dose exposure, and limited biomonitoring data from low- and middle-income countries. Although international regulatory initiatives have strengthened PFAS management, disparities in environmental monitoring, policy implementation, quantitative risk assessment, and remediation capacity persist. Future priorities should emphasize harmonized global regulations, expanded biomonitoring, sustainable fluorine-free alternatives, innovative remediation technologies, and integrated public health interventions to reduce PFAS exposure and protect environmental and human health.
P. I. Ezeabasili, J. Ogbuagu, P. Omuku et al.· International journal of res...· 0 citations
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