PFAS

Chemosphere. 2025 Jul 4;385:144555. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2025.144555. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Pharmaceuticals and personal-care products (PPCPs), pesticides, and per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been detected in lakes far from known point sources. These compounds may be transported into the atmosphere in the gas phase or associated with aerosols or particulates. Here, the CONductor-like Screening MOdel for Realistic Solvation (COSMO-RS) theory is used to estimate key partition ratios for selected chemicals from these classes and used to map their tendency to partition within the atmosphere under typical conditions. In cloud-free conditions, the target chemicals partition to one or more of the organic or aqueous phases of aerosols and the gaseous phase in air. Changing the pH of aerosols in the range 0-7 results in most chemicals shifting from one phase to another. Most acids and bases shift strongly to the water phase under ionizing conditions (i.e., pH 0 for bases and pH 7 for acids. Adjustments to the modelling for an increased volume in the water phase and changes in the pH of aerosols under cloudy conditions results in the prediction that most of these chemicals will partition into water droplets (i.e. rain) at some pH value between 0 and 7. It is proposed that wastewater treatment plants are point sources for PPCPs and possibly PFAS, while agricultural applications are the source of pesticides. Partitioning into the atmosphere and medium- or long-range transport, followed by wet deposition or direct diffusion could explain the presence of many of these chemicals in remote lakes.

PMID:40616862 | DOI:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2025.144555

J Hazard Mater. 2025 Jul 2;495:139130. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.139130. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study investigated how microplastic (MP) hybridization influence the environmental behavior of per(poly)fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), with a focus on the bioaccumulation and phytotoxicity of Eichhornia crassipes, a macrophyte employed for phytoremediation. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluoro-2-methyl-3-oxahexanoic acid (GenX) were selected as the targeted PFASs, and polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and polystyrene (PS) were selected as the model MPs. Compared with previous co-exposure studies, this study considered the exposed polymer component, and innovatively introduced Simpson diversity (SDI) index to evaluate the component evenness and complexity, thereby quantifying the MP hybridization. Results revealed that at environmentally relevant concentrations, increased MP hybridization significantly enhanced the PFOA (k = 0.462) and GenX (k = 0.455) bioaccumulation in E. crassipes, with GenX exhibiting a greater sensitivity to colloidal interactions than PFOA. Although pure MPs initially promoted the PFOA/GenX removal by E. crassipes from the water column, this effect diminished with MP hybridization. This phenomenon is likely attributed to increased MP self-assembly and colloidal enlargement, thereby hindering PFOA/GenX adsorption onto the MPs. However, the enhanced rhizosphere filtration provided by MP hybridization led to a greater overall PFOA/GenX accumulation to E. crassipes. Furthermore, MP hybridization exacerbated lipid peroxidation and amplified the integrated toxicological responses in E. crassipes under coexposure to PFOA/GenX. Interestingly, despite the prevalence of antagonistic effects between MPs and PFOA/GenX, these effects decreased with increasing MP hybridization.

PMID:40616992 | DOI:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.139130

Aquat Toxicol. 2025 Jun 28;286:107469. doi: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2025.107469. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistently accumulated in both environmental media and biological systems, leading to significant toxicological effects. Although research on PFAS has expanded in recent years, systematic reviews on its concentration distribution in aquatic environments and biota, as well as its toxicological effects, remain scarce. Moreover, existing literature lacks systematic analyses of diverse aquatic environments and organisms. This review investigates the contamination levels of PFAS in aquatic environments. It also provides a systematic analysis of bioaccumulation in planktonic, swimming, and benthic organisms, including bioaccumulation factors (BAF), biomagnification factors (BMF), trophic magnification factors (TMF), and biota-sediment accumulation factors (BSAF), and evaluates the potential toxic effects on aquatic ecosystems. This study aims to provide theoretical support for the environmental regulation and management of PFAS. Additionally, it seeks to offer data references and potential research directions for future studies, thereby promoting the advancement of PFAS-related research and policy development.

PMID:40616934 | DOI:10.1016/j.aquatox.2025.107469

J Hazard Mater. 2025 Jul 4;495:139139. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.139139. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Global pelagic Sargassum blooms have intensified since 2011, affecting over 30 countries worldwide and raising significant environmental and economic concerns. This study presents the first investigation of PFAS in Sargassum, analyzing 40 PFAS in samples from the Mexican Caribbean coastline. Ten PFAS were detected, with a total concentration of 3.88 ± 0.19 ng g⁻¹ (dry weight), dominated by perfluorocarboxylic acids (80.7 %) over perfluorosulfonic acids (19.3 %). Long-chain PFAS comprised 57.1 % of the total measured PFAS, with short-chain PFAS making up the remainder. PFAS mass distribution varied among morphological parts, with blades contributing the most, followed by stems and bladders. Despite accounting for only 10 % of the total dry mass, bladders contributed notably to long-chain PFAS mass due to their lipid-rich and porous structure. Bioaccumulation factors (Log BAF) significantly (p < 0.05) increased with PFAS carbon chain length. This can be attributed to the increasing octanol-water partition coefficient and decreasing water solubility as the carbon chain length of PFAS increases. Estimated annual PFAS loading was 0.51-3.02 kg along the Mexican Caribbean and 34.46-47.21 kg in the Atlantic Sargassum Belt. These findings highlight Sargassum's role as a PFAS vector, complicating its use and disposal while presenting opportunities for pollution mitigation.

PMID:40616993 | DOI:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.139139

Mar Pollut Bull. 2025 Jul 4;220:118376. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118376. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Despite decades of extensive production and applications of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), their contamination in marine biota from the South China Sea (SCS) has received limited investigations. Aquatic birds are ideal biomonitoring indicators for environmental contaminants and associated ecological risks. In this study, we explored PFAS contamination in the tissues of intermediate egrets (Ardea intermedia), a representative aquatic bird with large population, inhabiting the islets of the SCS. Of the 17 PFASs analyzed, 11 were detected in tissues with detection frequencies ranging from 5 % to 100 %. The total PFAS concentrations (Σ₁₁PFASs) detected in the heart (0.25-9.01 ng/g ww) were significantly lower than those found in the liver (1.20-17.1 ng/g ww) and kidney (1.30-33.7 ng/g ww), likely due to tissue-specific protein levels and metabolic functions. Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA), perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA), and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) were the predominant PFASs observed in bird tissues, although their composition varied slightly among different tissues. Moreover, the proportions of odd C-chain length PFCAs (i.e., PFNA, PFUnDA, and PFTrDA) were generally higher than adjacent even C-chain length PFCAs (i.e., PFDA, PFDoDA and PFTeDA). Overall, our study provides critical baseline data for further assessments of the potential ecological impacts of PFAS exposure in the island ecosystems of the SCS.

PMID:40617138 | DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118376

Environ Res. 2025 Jul 3:122208. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.122208. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Anionic surfactants (ASs) represent a class of contaminants persistently released into aquatic environments, with anionic fluorinated surfactants emerging as a significant concern due to their potential to infiltrate potable water and pose a threat to human health. Therefore, the development of novel tools for their early detection is crucial. In this study, the methylene blue (MB) redox probe, previously known for its selectivity toward ASs, was electropolymerized onto the surface of carbon nanotubes -modified graphite screen-printed electrodes. The electroanalytical ability of the platform was tested by cyclic (CV) and square-wave (SWV) voltammetries upon the addition of sodium dodecyl sulfate as model analyte, due to its ubiquitous presence in the environment. A comprehensive exploration of key factors, such as scan cycles, optimal instrumental parameters, and pH effect was undertaken, revealing a stable and controlled redox response. To further enhance the sensitivity and detection capabilities of the MB-based sensor, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were incorporated, forming MB@AuNPs-modified electrodes. This enhanced system demonstrated excellent linearity (0.05-1 ng/mL and 5-50 ng/mL), high reproducibility, and improved detection limits (8.5 pg/mL and 0.23 ng/mL), attributed to the synergistic effect of MB and AuNPs in boosting the reduction current. The sensor was successfully applied to wastewater samples, benchmarked against the MBAS reference method, and further validated for the detection of two long-chain PFAS in drinking water. Supported by quantum mechanical calculations and optical studies, this proof-of-concept platform represents a sustainable approach for efficient water quality monitoring and management.

PMID:40617567 | DOI:10.1016/j.envres.2025.122208

Sci Total Environ. 2025 Jul 4:180004. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.180004. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:40617719 | DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.180004

Environ Int. 2025 Jun 28;202:109633. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2025.109633. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

We are daily exposed to various environmental contaminants, including heavy metals, with suspected adverse health effects, and children's vulnerability is particularly concerning. Human biomonitoring is crucial for measuring these contaminants and essential elements in the body. The Norwegian Environmental Biobank (NEB), coordinated by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, has collected biological samples (including blood and urine) and questionnaire data systematically since 2016. Identifying population subgroups at elevated risk is essential for implementing protective measures. This study aimed to describe concentrations of environmental contaminants and essential elements in Norwegian children and explored potential clustering among different contaminants. Additionally, we examined differences across groups defined by family socio-demographic factors. A total of 81 environmental contaminants were measured in urine, plasma, and whole blood from children aged 7-14 years participating in NEB. Twenty-six non-persistent and 24 persistent contaminants were quantified in ≥ 50 % of the samples, along with nine essential elements. Most children had contaminant levels below Human Biomonitoring Guidance Values (HBM-GVs). However, nearly all children had bisphenol A levels exceeding the updated tolerable daily intake set by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and 30 % had blood concentrations of the four most common per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exceeding EFSA's safe limits. Statistically significant differences in contaminant levels were observed between groups defined by sociodemographic variables such as sex, age, region, and degree of urbanization. Network analysis indicated clear clusters of several contaminants. This study shows that Norwegian children are exposed to a broad range of environmental contaminants, with levels similar to those reported in other studies from Europe and globally.

PMID:40614348 | DOI:10.1016/j.envint.2025.109633

Water Res. 2025 Jul 1;285:124143. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2025.124143. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Estuaries serve as a sink for land-based pollutants like legacy per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), however, the environmental behaviors of emerging PFASs (ePFASs) remain largely unknown. This study investigated the occurrence, behaviors, and sources of 18 legacy PFASs and 13 ePFASs across the Pearl River Estuary (PRE). The results indicated that the total concentrations of PFASs (ΣPFASs) in seawater, suspended particulate matter (SPM), and sediment ranged from 1.20 to 25.6 ng/L, not detected (ND) to 635 ng/g dry weight (dw), and 0.93 to 6.84 ng/g dw, respectively. Perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) was the dominant chemical (25.4 %) in seawater, while sodium p-perfluorooctanoate nonenoxybenzene sulfonate (PFNOBS) for SPM (75.0 %) and sediment (37.9 %). PFASs exhibited a nearshore-to-offshore decreasing trend in seawater, while significant enrichment was observed in SPM and sediment at the river-sea junction, primarily attributed to urban/industrial discharges and the "marginal filtration effect". Partition coefficients (log K_d, log K_OC, and log K_p) exhibited strong linear correlations with carbon chain length of PFASs, indicated that long-chain PFASs were more readily adsorbed by the solid phase. SPM-mediated transport significantly enhanced long-chain PFAS distribution (log K_p =1.85-4.73), while salinity negatively influenced K_d of short-chain PFCAs (p < 0.05). Source apportionment analysis revealed the diverse sources of PFASs, including electronics, electroplating, textiles, papermaking, food packaging and emerging fluorochemical manufacturing, which aligns with PFAS releases from industrial processes and commercial products within the Pearl River Delta. Overall low ecological risk of PFASs was observed in the PRE, yet legacy PFOA and emerging substances, including 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (6:2 FTSA), hexafluoropropylene oxide trimer acid (HFPO-TA), and PFNOBS, warrant attention due to their potential accumulation potential and associated risks. This study underscores the critical role of SPM in PFAS dynamics and provides significant insights into the partitioning behavior and sources of PFASs, particularly ePFASs, within estuarine aquatic systems.

PMID:40614498 | DOI:10.1016/j.watres.2025.124143

Water Res. 2025 Jun 27;285:124124. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2025.124124. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

A meta-analysis of 37 military aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) sites was conducted to gain insights into the fate and transport of seven key perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs): PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS, PFHxA, PFBS, PFBA, and PFNA. Specifically, this study aims to examine occurrence of the seven PFAAs in soil and groundwater at AFFF source zones and understand PFAA plume characteristics as well as estimate plume lengths. Based on an evaluation of these PFAAs in soil samples collected in the source zone, the highest concentrations predominantly occur within the top one meter (m) below ground surface (bgs). PFOS and PFOA are the major PFAA contributors in soil at source zones, whereas groundwater exhibits a more diverse concentration distribution. Inferred Current Plume Lengths are presented for the seven PFAAs, with median plume lengths ranging from 220 to 800 m. Finally, an exceedance magnitude assessment was conducted to evaluate the potential contribution of each studied PFAA to the exceedance of groundwater regional screening levels (RSLs) or maximum contaminant levels (MCLs). Results indicate that at typical AFFF sites, PFOS, PFOA, and PFHxS generally contribute 99 % of the estimated exceedance magnitude, whereas short-chained PFAAs (PFHxA, PFBS, and PFBA) contribute <1 %.

PMID:40614506 | DOI:10.1016/j.watres.2025.124124

Adv Mater. 2025 Jul 4:e2505158. doi: 10.1002/adma.202505158. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The intrinsic chemically inert fluoropolymers, constitute a large portion of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), granting them unique properties and prolonged lifetime while also bring substantial environmental concerns. This study develops fluoro-containing graft copolymer with closed-loop and selective recyclability of side chains. The poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-chlorotrifluoroethylene) (PVDF-CTFE) backbone is modified via 4-vinylbenzyl alcohol (VBOH) units and then grafted by poly (trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC) side chains, yielding the graft copolymer with improved ionic conductivity and enhanced mechanical robustness, demonstrating it as a polymer electrolyte for battery application. The selective deconstruction of PTMC side chains from graft copolymer affords the recycled backbone with a high dielectric constant and superior resistance to harsh environments, suitable for capacitor fabrication and anti-corrosion coating. The reconstructed graft copolymer exhibits comparable electrochemical performance for related applications. Such a strategy not only deals with PFAS-based polymeric wastes but also diversifies the application scenarios of typical copolymers.

PMID:40613135 | DOI:10.1002/adma.202505158

Langmuir. 2025 Jul 3. doi: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.5c01080. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In recent years, per/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have gained widespread attention owing to their potential hazards to human health and the environment. However, their chemical characteristics render detection and adsorption challenging. In this study, we controlled the density of polyfluoroalkylsilane (PFS) on silicon wafers from sub-monolayers to monolayers. Two PFSs, namely, (CF₃(CF₂)₅(CH₂)₂SiCl₃ and CF₃(CF₂)₉(CH₂)₂SiCl₃), were used to investigate the effect of the -CF₂- length on the adsorption characteristics. For each surface, we measured the change in surface energy due to the adsorption of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in an aqueous solution via contact angle measurements. Then, the maximum surface excess (Γ_max), Langmuir coefficient (K_L), and initial surface energy (σ₀) were determined based on a Szyszkowski-Langmuir model. We found that Γ_max and K_L have maxima in the sub-monolayer region and were smaller in monolayers or over monolayer regions. Interchain interactions in polyfluoroalkylsilane monolayers and their interaction mechanisms with PFOA were logically deduced. These findings strongly suggest that the side of the PFS chain rather than the top is a strong adsorption site for PFAS. Recent studies have revealed that the stratified dipole array (SDA) model can explain intermolecular PFAS interactions, and the results of this study are consistent with these findings. This study provides a new direction for the development of functional surfaces for the efficient detection and adsorption of PFAS.

PMID:40607971 | DOI:10.1021/acs.langmuir.5c01080

Sci Rep. 2025 Jul 2;15(1):23601. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-09047-2.

ABSTRACT

Increasing anthropogenic contributions to desert dust storms have raised significant public health concerns, particularly in arid/semi-arid regions. This study investigated particulate matter (PM) composition in an arid environment, focusing on organic, heavy metal, and microbial contaminants, along with comprehensive health risk assessments. ICP-OES analysis of inorganic matter showed moderate concentrations (> 8.21 µg/g) of Ca, Fe, Al, S, Mg, and Rb, while K, Cu, P, and Na were detected at low concentration levels, along with other trace metals. GC-MS analysis identified 11 targeted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), including phenanthrene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, and chrysene. Several organic pollutants, including some from the PFAS group, were detected in the samples. 16 S rRNA sequencing identified seven bacterial species, including Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus spp., and Acinetobacter radioresistens. Toxicity calculations indicated no significant lung cancer risk associated with PAHs, with further calculations suggesting minimal population-level risks. However, heavy metal risk metrics indicated greater non-carcinogenic risks than carcinogenic ones. The microbial species identified predominantly belonged to risk groups 1 and 2, representing opportunistic, infection-causing pathogens. This study highlights the necessity for a multidisciplinary approach to analyze complex dust particle constituents and their potential health impacts and calls for targeted air quality management policies to mitigate public health risks.

PMID:40604073 | PMC:PMC12222955 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-09047-2

Food Chem. 2025 Jun 23;492(Pt 1):145273. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2025.145273. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent environmental contaminants with known toxic effects. Among emerging PFAS, certain compounds, such as ClPFPECA, GenX, NaDONA, 9Cl-PF3ONS, and 11Cl-PF3OUdS, have attracted attention due to their involvement in major environmental contamination events. In this study, an LC-HRMS/MS method was developed and validated for their simultaneous determination in food. The method showed satisfactory precision and trueness, with LOQs between 10 and 100 ng/kg. It was then applied to 35 food samples, including eggs, vegetables and meat, collected from local markets and home production. All analytes were below the LOQ, except for the sporadic presence of three ClPFPECA in home-produced eggs. The four PFAS currently regulated in the EU were also analyzed to assess co-occurrence. Five non-commercial eggs out of the nine tested exceeded the maximum limits, confirming the results of previous studies that home-produced eggs may have higher PFAS levels than commercially farmed eggs.

PMID:40609343 | DOI:10.1016/j.foodchem.2025.145273

Environ Int. 2025 Jun 30;202:109656. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2025.109656. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may exert neurotoxic effects and disrupt endocrine function. However, the relationship between PFAS exposure and sleep disturbances in reproductive-aged women, and its interaction with genetic susceptibility, remains unclear. This study included 971 women from the Shanghai Birth Cohort preconception cohort. A total of 22 PFAS were measured in plasma, and sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Modified Poisson regression and quantile g-computation models estimated the effects of individual PFAS and PFAS mixtures on sleep disturbances. Polygenic risk scores were used to evaluate the cumulative genetic effects of sleep disturbances. 6:2Cl-PFESA was associated with increased snoring and less daytime dysfunction, though these associations did not remain significant after FDR correction. Exposure to PFAS mixtures was significantly associated with an increased risk of snoring (RR: 2.02, 95 % CI: 1.06-3.83). Significant associations between PFNA, PFDA, branched PFOS isomers, and chlorinated PFOS alternatives and increased snoring risk were observed in women with a high genetic predisposition. PFAS exposures and genetic variants showed additive effects on snoring risk, with RERI of 1.19 for PFNA, 1.06 for PFDA, 4.18 for 8: 2Cl - PFESA, 0.43 for 6: 2Cl - PFESA, 5.96 for 3 m-PFOS, 11.11 for 1 m - PFOS, and 0.40 for n-PFOS. These findings suggest PFAS exposure, particularly emerging alternatives and isomers of PFOS, may increase snoring risk in reproductive-aged women with a higher genetic predisposition.

PMID:40609510 | DOI:10.1016/j.envint.2025.109656

Sci Total Environ. 2025 Jul 2;993:180003. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.180003. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome (CKM) and its association with exposure to emerging pollutants, particularly perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), present significant challenges for environmental public health and risk prediction. This study utilized cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), conducted from 2015 to 2020, involving a total of 1953 participants. The diagnosis and staging of CKM were performed according to the definitions established by the American Heart Association. PFAS concentrations were measured using online solid-phase extraction combined with high-performance liquid chromatography-isotope dilution-tandem mass spectrometry. Using multistage regression models, we identified a significant positive association between serum perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) concentration and CKM (odds ratio [OR] = 1.10, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.04-1.16). Restricted cubic spline models further supported this linear relationship. Additionally, we selected eight distinct machine learning algorithms based on factors such as problem type, data characteristics, and interpretability to construct a CKM risk prediction model associated with PFOS exposure. We evaluated the performance of the models using metrics including area under the curve (AUC), accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and F1 score. The results indicated that the neural network model exhibited the best predictive performance, with an AUC of 0.90 (95 % CI: 0.88-0.92) and an accuracy of 0.83 (95 % CI: 0.80-0.85). Furthermore, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and F1 score all exceeded 0.82. The SHAP model interpretation revealed that total PFOS concentration was the most significant influencing factor for the occurrence of CKM. These findings provide evidence that total PFOS exposure is an independent risk factor for CKM and offer an effective tool for predicting CKM associated with PFAS exposure, which has substantial clinical application value. Future research will utilize longitudinal cohort data to further validate these findings.

PMID:40609416 | DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.180003

Environ Pollut. 2025 Jul 1;382:126760. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126760. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have raised significant global health concerns particularly towards vulnerable populations, yet their exposure burden trend in pregnant women following regulations remain elusive. This study analyzed 684 maternal plasma samples from pregnant women at 12-16 weeks of gestation in the Shanghai area collected in 2012, 2017, and 2023 to assess temporal trends and estimate risks associated with prenatal PFAS exposure. We observed an initial increase in total PFAS (∑₂₉PFAS) levels from 2012 to 2017, followed by a significant decline from 2017 to 2023, with legacy compounds including PFOS and PFOA predominating. Notably, plasma PFOS concentration tended to drop from 2017, while PFOA showed much more effective reduction earlier since 2012. Short-chain substitutes (e.g., PFBS) showed upward trends over the recent decade. Hazard quotient (HQ) analyses revealed that PFOS posed developmental risks under high-exposure conditions, with HQ values above 1 in all years (2012: 1.21; 2017: 3.14; 2023: 1.74), while hepatic risks remained below safety thresholds. Regulatory measures correlated with reduced legacy PFAS exposure, yet persistent PFOS risks, and emerging substitutes highlight the need for continuous biomonitoring and adaptive policies.

PMID:40609894 | DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126760

Environ Sci Technol. 2025 Jul 3. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.4c14607. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Thousands of chemical contaminants threaten watersheds but are time and cost prohibitive to monitor. Identifying their sources, transport, and ecological risk is limited in heterogeneous urban watersheds. We present an integrative watershed approach using source-specific indicator compounds, common water quality measures, and ecotoxicity assays to examine the distribution of contaminant mixtures in an urbanized watershed. Indicator compound concentrations were temporally and spatially distributed for treated/untreated sewage (sucralose, artificial sweetener), road runoff (diphenyl-guanidine [DPG] and 6PPD-quinone [6PPD-Q], automobile tire additives), and lawncare runoff (aminomethanephosphonic acid (AMPA), major degradant of the herbicide glyphosate). Sucralose was predominately sourced from treated wastewater; measurable concentrations in tributaries indicated raw sewage inputs. DPG and 6PPD-Q concentrations correlated to road density during base flow and were elevated during stormflow. AMPA was measurable spring through fall, especially where lawns were dense. When specific sources dominated flow, water quality measures correlated with wastewater (sulfate, potassium, chloride, and sodium) and road runoff (chromium and lead) indicators. The limited behavioral toxicity observed in exposed zebrafish (Danio rerio) (18%) was not well explained by source-indicators. PFAS concentrations were highly variable spatially but not well explained by our source-specific indicator compounds. More costly compound-specific monitoring may be necessary when multiple sources exist or when unexpected toxicity trends occur.

PMID:40609970 | DOI:10.1021/acs.est.4c14607

Mar Pollut Bull. 2025 Jul 2:118367. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118367. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:40610324 | DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118367

Environ Int. 2025 Jun 30;202:109656. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2025.109656. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may exert neurotoxic effects and disrupt endocrine function. However, the relationship between PFAS exposure and sleep disturbances in reproductive-aged women, and its interaction with genetic susceptibility, remains unclear. This study included 971 women from the Shanghai Birth Cohort preconception cohort. A total of 22 PFAS were measured in plasma, and sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Modified Poisson regression and quantile g-computation models estimated the effects of individual PFAS and PFAS mixtures on sleep disturbances. Polygenic risk scores were used to evaluate the cumulative genetic effects of sleep disturbances. 6:2Cl-PFESA was associated with increased snoring and less daytime dysfunction, though these associations did not remain significant after FDR correction. Exposure to PFAS mixtures was significantly associated with an increased risk of snoring (RR: 2.02, 95 % CI: 1.06-3.83). Significant associations between PFNA, PFDA, branched PFOS isomers, and chlorinated PFOS alternatives and increased snoring risk were observed in women with a high genetic predisposition. PFAS exposures and genetic variants showed additive effects on snoring risk, with RERI of 1.19 for PFNA, 1.06 for PFDA, 4.18 for 8: 2Cl - PFESA, 0.43 for 6: 2Cl - PFESA, 5.96 for 3 m-PFOS, 11.11 for 1 m - PFOS, and 0.40 for n-PFOS. These findings suggest PFAS exposure, particularly emerging alternatives and isomers of PFOS, may increase snoring risk in reproductive-aged women with a higher genetic predisposition.

PMID:40609510 | DOI:10.1016/j.envint.2025.109656

Se Pu. 2025 Jul;43(7):756-766. doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1123.2024.11028.

ABSTRACT

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances （PFASs） are a large group of synthetic chemicals that have been widely used in various industrial and commercial products owing to their unique physicochemical properties. However， accumulating evidence suggests that PFASs are persistent， transmissive over long distances， bioaccumulative， and toxic； consequently， their adverse effects on ecosystems and humans is of widespread concern. Serum is the most commonly used human matrix for assessing internal exposure to environmental pollutants， and several analytical methods have been developed to measure PFASs in sera. Current methods are generally fast， convenient， and robust； however， their pretreatment steps require large amounts of organic solvents and materials， such as solid-phase extraction cartridges and/or sorbents. In this study， a novel and low-cost analytical method based on cold-induced phase separation （CIPS） strategy was developed for the simultaneous determination of 31 legacy and emerging PFASs in serum. The core mechanism and distinctive feature of CIPS involves cooling an acetonitrile-water （ACN-water） mixture at a low temperature to produce two clear-cut layers： one with a high ACN proportion （the ACN layer） and an aqueous layer （water layer）. Certain chemicals are significantly enriched in the ACN layer during cooling； at the same time， impurities， especially water-soluble impurities， remain in the aqueous layer. CIPS only requires the temperature to be varied， and no external impurities are introduced during pretreatment， which dramatically reduces material costs and avoids new impurities from intervening. Our method involves the following procedure： serum was drawn accurately （0.2 mL） into a 1.5 mL Eppendorf （EP） tube， 2 ng of each isotopically labeled internal standard was added， the mixture is vortexed， and 350 µL of ACN was added， followed by vortexing and ultrasonic extraction. Subsequently， 450 µL of water is added to adjust the volume proportion of ACN to 35% （the volume percentage of ACN in the total solution）. The protein at the bottom of the tube was collected following centrifugation at 15 000 r/min for 10 min， and the supernatant was transferred to a 1 mL syringe. The syringe was frozen in a -20 ℃ refrigerator for 1 h to obtain the two layers， after which the upper layer （approximately 80-100 μL） containing ACN and the target compounds was finally transferred to a glass vial for instrumental analysis. Liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry augmented with electrospray ionization （LC-ESI-MS/MS） was used to quantify the PFASs. The analytes were separated using a C18 column， with methanol and 2 mmol/L of ammonium formate-H₂O used as mobile phases. Linearities， limits of detection （LODs） and， limits of quantification （LOQs）， recoveries， precisions， and matrix effects were determined under the optimal conditions. The LODs and LOQs of PFASs in serum were 0.01-25 and 0.03-83 pg/mL， respectively. Under two spiked levels， namely 5 ng/mL and 25 ng/mL， average recoveries ranged between 60.5% and 129.6%， with relative standard deviations （RSDs） of less than 22.8%. Under 5 pg/mL as LOD spiked level， average recoveries ranged between 61.6% and 199.1%，with RSDs<29.4%. While matrix-effect testing revealed slightly enhanced signals， the use of isotopically labeled internal standards compensated for these effects. Real samples were subsequently analyzed， with 50 human serum samples collected in first trimester of pregnancy women living in the Shunyi District， Beijing. Nine PFASs exhibited high detection frequencies （>80%）， which suggests that PFASs are ubiquitous in the population. The median and mean levels of Σ₃₁PFASs （sum of 31 PFASs） in serum were 21.8 and 22.9 ng/mL， respectively， and the range was 0.456-73.9 ng/mL. Both legacy and emerging PFASs were detected at high frequencies and contamination levels， which suggests that they are widely used. In summary， the method developed in this study is fast， sensitive， and solvent- and material-efficient； it is also very linear and highly accurate， and exhibits satisfactory extraction recovery and enrichment factors； hence， it is suitable for surveying large populations as well as for use in environmental epidemiology.

PMID:40610770 | DOI:10.3724/SP.J.1123.2024.11028

Sci Total Environ. 2025 Jul 2;993:180006. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.180006. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of man-made compounds used, for example, as water and oil repellents to protect textiles and fabrics. Due to a growing concern about some of these compounds, industries have introduced new PFAS varieties with supposedly less harmful properties. In this study, different fabric samples from carpets, curtains and sofas (n = 30) were analyzed after a solvent extraction and an Envi-Carb clean-up for 81 PFAS, including legacy PFAS and 43 newly synthesized precursors, mainly perfluoroalkane sulfonamide derivatives by liquid and gas chromatography - mass spectrometry. In total, 28 PFAS were detected in the fabric samples. Fluorotelomer alcohols showed the highest concentrations in the fabrics (1-2329 μg/m²). Perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSAs) and perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) were also detected but at lower concentrations (e.g., 0.02-1.71 μg/m² for PFHxA, 0.01-1.97 μg/m² for PFBS). Perfluoroalkane sulfonamide precursors such as MeFBSAA, FBSE, MeFBSE, FBSA, and MeFBSEA were primarily found in carpet and curtain samples, accounting for approximately 10 % and 24 % of the total PFAS concentration in these matrices, respectively. These precursors were predominantly fully fluorinated compounds with 4-carbon chains. These precursors mostly correspond to fully fluorinated 4-carbon chain-PFAS and may be in accordance with the higher use of shorter PFAS compounds observed in recent years but more samples should be tested to confirm this assumption.

PMID:40609412 | DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.180006

Nat Commun. 2025 Jul 1;16(1):5524. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-59973-y.

ABSTRACT

Developing a sustainable, in-situ responsive sensing method for continuously monitoring water quality is crucial for water use and quality management globally. Conventional water quality monitoring sensors face challenges in achieving ultrafast response time and are non-recyclable. We present a self-assembly approach for a closed-loop recyclable, autonomous self-healing and transparent dielectric material with nanostructured amphiphobic surfaces (termed 'ReSURF'). Our approach uses tribo-negative small molecules that spontaneously secrete onto the surface of the fluorine dielectric matrix via biomimetic microphase separation within minutes. ReSURF devices achieve millisecond water quality sensing response time (~6 ms), high signal-to-noise ratio (~30.7 dB) and can withstand large mechanical deformations (>760%, maximum of 1000% strain). We show ReSURF can be readily closed-loop recycled for reuse, underscoring its versatility. We further demonstrated its use in a soft stretchable fish-like robot for real-time water contamination (including perfluorooctanoic acid, a member of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and oily pollutants) assessments.

PMID:40593469 | PMC:PMC12218104 | DOI:10.1038/s41467-025-59973-y

Sci Rep. 2025 Jul 1;15(1):22177. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-06632-3.

ABSTRACT

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been decomposed photochemically by using manganese dioxide (MnO₂) as oxidant, sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) as solvent, and bromine (Br₂) as photocatalyst, to produce several smaller organofluorine compounds, and ultimately a yield of up to 4% of the fluorine as HF. These fluorinated intermediates and product have been characterized with ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy. The carbon from the PFAS was converted to CO₂ with a detected yield of up to 10-15%. The reagents and apparatus to carry out this degradation are inexpensive and readily obtained, especially because NaBr can be substituted for Br₂ as the sole source of bromine. A similar set of end products were observed with either perfluorooctanoic acid or polytetrafluoroethylene, demonstrating this process can possibly be used to degrade a variety of PFAS. Our results demonstrate the ability to degrade PFAS in a simple, controlled manner at lower temperatures and using less expensive reagents than current industrial methods.

PMID:40595121 | PMC:PMC12216543 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-06632-3

Nat Microbiol. 2025 Jul;10(7):1630-1647. doi: 10.1038/s41564-025-02032-5. Epub 2025 Jul 1.

ABSTRACT

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent pollutants that pose major environmental and health concerns. While few environmental bacteria have been reported to bind PFAS, the interaction of PFAS with human-associated gut bacteria is unclear. Here we report the bioaccumulation of PFAS by 38 gut bacterial strains ranging in concentration from nanomolar to 500 μM. Bacteroides uniformis showed notable PFAS accumulation resulting in millimolar intracellular concentrations while retaining growth. In Escherichia coli, bioaccumulation increased in the absence of the TolC efflux pump, indicating active transmembrane transport. Cryogenic focused ion beam secondary-ion mass spectrometry confirmed intracellular localization of the PFAS perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) in E. coli. Proteomic and metabolomic analysis of PFNA-treated cells, and the mutations identified following laboratory evolution, support these findings. Finally, mice colonized with human gut bacteria showed higher PFNA levels in excreted faeces than germ-free controls or those colonized with low-bioaccumulating bacteria. Together, our findings uncover the high PFAS bioaccumulation capacity of gut bacteria.

PMID:40595288 | PMC:PMC12222025 | DOI:10.1038/s41564-025-02032-5

Sci Rep. 2025 Jul 1;15(1):21914. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-07503-7.

ABSTRACT

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) hepatotoxicity is well documented, especially for legacy compounds such as PFHxS, PFOA, PFOS, and PFNA. However, the mechanism(s) involved are yet to be fully understood. The present study aims to investigate the origin of PFAS-induced formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and their relevance for the decrease of cell viability of HepG2 cells after exposure to PFASs. Moreover, a structure-activity relationship was assessed using PFASs with different headgroups (carboxylic, sulfonic, and alcoholic) and variable carbon-chain lengths (4-10 C). The link between ROS generation and cell viability was assessed using two antioxidants: quercetin, a generic antioxidant, and mito-tempo, a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant. Both antioxidants were demonstrated to be effective in reducing PFAS-induced ROS generation. The mechanism behind PFAS-induced ROS might be headgroup-dependent, as quercetin increased cell viability after both perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCA) and perfluorosulfonic acids (PFSA) exposure, while mito-tempo only improved cell viability after PFCAs exposure. The two major sources of ROS generation in HepG2 cells are the peroxisomes and mitochondria. However, exposure to PFASs did not impact peroxisomal or mitochondrial activity after 24 h. Uncommon sources of ROS generation, such as lysosomal leakage or lipid peroxidation, have been demonstrated to result from previously generated ROS and not from PFASs exposure. Indeed, lysosomal leakage caused by PFASs exposure is negated by either quercetin or mito-tempo treatment, while lipid peroxidation only occurs after 24 h of exposure, long after the initial ROS generation by PFASs. This indicates that both events are a result of previously generated ROS. However, exposure to both PFOA and PFOS was demonstrated to reduce catalase activity in HepG2. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that ROS generation after PFASs exposure might be due to inhibition of HepG2 endogenous antioxidants. Moreover, a headgroup-dependent mechanism of action has been observed, indicating that PFCAs and PFSAs exposure might lead to hepatotoxicity through different pathways.

PMID:40595302 | PMC:PMC12215884 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-07503-7

Sci Rep. 2025 Jul 1;15(1):22026. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-05422-1.

ABSTRACT

We assessed temporal changes of PFAS and associations with T2DM over a period of 30 years in a nested case-control study with repeated measurements. Logistic regression was used to assess associations between 11 PFAS and T2DM at five time-points in 116 cases and 139 controls (3 pre- and 2 post-diagnostic time-points in cases). Mixed linear models were applied to assess if changes in PFAS were related to T2DM status. In the pre-diagnostic time-point T3 (2001), future cases had higher concentrations of PFHpA, PFNA, PFHxS and PFHpS compared to controls. In the post-diagnostic time point T5 (2015/16), PFNA and PFOS were higher in prevalent cases. PFHxS and PFHpS were positively associated with future T2DM at the pre-diagnostic time-point T3, whereas PFTrDA were inversely associated with future T2DM at T1 (1986/87) and prevalent T2DM at T4 (2007/8). Temporal changes in PFAS across the study period showed that cases experienced a greater increase in pre-diagnostic concentrations of PFHpA, PFTrDA, PFHxS and PFOSA, as well as a larger post-diagnostic decrease in PFOSA, compared to controls. This study is the first to show that temporal changes in PFAS are associated with T2DM status for certain PFAS, and associations between PFAS and T2DM vary according to sample year.

PMID:40596111 | PMC:PMC12219690 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-05422-1

Anal Chem. 2025 Jul 1. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.5c03123. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Ultrashort- and short-chain perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), are emerging as widespread and persistent atmospheric pollutants of growing concern. Their atmospheric accumulation is further exacerbated by the transformation from various precursors, such as long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) and neutral PFAS. An efficient analytical method covering ultrashort- to long-chain PFAS is therefore required to monitor environmental levels and understand transformation mechanisms. However, distinct polarity among these PFAS poses technical challenges for simultaneous detection within a single run, hindering the comprehensive understanding of degradation mechanisms and quantitative correlation analysis. Conventional methods using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization (LC-ESI) are effective for medium- to long-chain PFAS but are limited in detecting ultrashort-chain species concurrently. Herein, we present a simple yet robust method for broad-spectrum PFAS analysis, covering ultrashort- to long-chain species, using dielectric barrier discharge ionization (DBDI) coupled directly to high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (HRMS/MS). This approach enables efficient ionization across a wide polarity range with reduced intensity of in-source fragmentation (ISF). Moreover, solid-phase microextraction (SPME) simplifies labor- and time-intensive sample preparation without solvents. As a result, a high sensitivity of 0.06-2.02 pg/m³ was achieved with minimal background interference, and ISF was reduced by over 60% compared to existing methods. Using this approach, we explored potential environmental associations between PFAS and cooccurring pollutants in seasonal atmospheric samples, showcasing its utility for future environmental research.

PMID:40598762 | DOI:10.1021/acs.analchem.5c03123

Med Int (Lond). 2025 Jun 24;5(5):51. doi: 10.3892/mi.2025.250. eCollection 2025 Sep-Oct.

ABSTRACT

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent environmental pollutants with potential immunotoxic effects. The present systematic review evaluated the association between prenatal PFAS exposure and the incidence of respiratory infections in infants and children. For this purpose, a comprehensive literature search was conducted across the PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane Library databases following the referred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Studies assessing prenatal PFAS exposure and childhood respiratory infections were included. A total of six studies meeting the eligibility criteria were analyzed. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid were the most frequently detected PFAS in maternal blood. While no significant associations were found in infancy, a greater prenatal exposure to perfluorohexane sulfonate and PFOS was linked to increased respiratory infections, particularly pneumonia and respiratory syncytial virus infections, in early childhood. Conversely, perfluorononanoic acid and perfluorodecanoic acid were associated with a reduced risk of lower respiratory tract infections and wheezing in children aged 4 to 7 years. The biological mechanisms likely involve PFAS-induced immune dysregulation, including altered cytokine responses and impaired vaccine effectiveness. The present systematic review highlights the complex role of prenatal PFAS exposure in modulating childhood respiratory health. Given the widespread presence of PFAS in the environment, regulatory policies should focus on minimizing exposure, particularly during pregnancy. Further research is required to clarify causal mechanisms and assess long-term respiratory outcomes in children.

PMID:40599152 | PMC:PMC12209754 | DOI:10.3892/mi.2025.250

Environ Sci Technol Lett. 2025 Mar 25;12(4):454-460. doi: 10.1021/acs.estlett.5c00246.

ABSTRACT

Residential wastewater, with no industrial inputs, is an underrecognized source of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This study provides the first direct comparison of PFAS in septage and pump stations, targeting 70 PFAS compounds and employing the total oxidizable precursor (TOP) assay. Septage exhibited markedly higher PFAS and precursors concentrations than pump stations, with median post-TOP levels of 687.5 ng/L vs 84.2 ng/L, respectively. FTCAs were fully oxidized, while diPAPs showed incomplete oxidation due to high organic loads. Septic systems function as PFAS reservoirs, increasing risks of groundwater contamination, particularly in areas with shallow aquifers. Pump stations contributed to episodic PFAS spikes, likely affecting downstream wastewater treatment. The detection of 27 PFAS compounds, including short-chain alternatives, highlights shifting contamination patterns. Findings emphasize the need for tailored analytical frameworks and pretreatment technologies to mitigate PFAS risks across decentralized and centralized wastewater systems. Integrating precursor analysis is critical for accurate risk assessment, as targeted PFAS measurements underestimate contamination. These results provide new insights into PFAS behavior in residential wastewater, guiding future mitigation efforts.

PMID:40599261 | PMC:PMC12207394 | DOI:10.1021/acs.estlett.5c00246

Environ Epidemiol. 2025 Jun 30;9(4):e406. doi: 10.1097/EE9.0000000000000406. eCollection 2025 Aug.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Folate plays a critical role during pregnancy, preventing neural tube defects and possibly adverse neurodevelopment. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals that may decrease folate levels. Although some studies have found associations between PFAS and folate, we are unaware of studies conducted in pregnant women. To address this knowledge gap, we evaluated associations between PFAS and whole blood folate (WBF) in pregnant women.

METHODS: We used data from 288 pregnant women in the Health Outcomes and Measures of the Environment (HOME) Study, a pregnancy and birth cohort in the Cincinnati Ohio area. We measured eight serum PFAS and WBF concentrations at 16 weeks' gestation. We used linear regression to estimate the effect of each PFAS on WBF, and quantile-based g-computation and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) to investigate the joint effect of PFAS on WBF, adjusting for parity, prenatal vitamin intake, maternal race/ethnicity, household income, maternal age, and second trimester smoking status in all models. In addition, we investigated interactions between PFAS using BKMR.

RESULTS: We did not observe inverse associations of individual PFAS or their mixture with WBF, nor interactions between PFAS in the BKMR model in pregnant women.

CONCLUSION: Future studies could consider WBF measures in late pregnancy to evaluate other periods of susceptibility. Furthermore, as people are exposed to multiple PFAS, future studies should continue to consider joint PFAS exposure.

PMID:40599716 | PMC:PMC12212838 | DOI:10.1097/EE9.0000000000000406

ACS ES T Eng. 2025;5(4):830-838. doi: 10.1021/acsestengg.5c00036.

ABSTRACT

As the emergence of novel sorbents brings new possibilities for treatment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), drinking water and wastewater utilities face critical decisions in selecting effective, future-ready technologies. With regulatory pressures to address PFAS contamination mounting, however, many utilities may not be in a position to fully evaluate the potential of these novel sorbents and are instead preparing to adopt established technologies that are currently available, such as granular activated carbon (GAC) and ion exchange (IX) resins. Given the expected long life spans of any chosen system, it is important to consider all options, including future treatment innovations. This perspective provides insights into their potential advantages and challenges by exploring the current state of novel sorbents within the broader context of existing technologies. Novel sorbents bring promising benefits, including enhanced selectivity, rapid kinetics, and flexibility for different PFAS chemistries, particularly in challenging matrices such as wastewater. Despite their advantages, significant work remains to refine these materials for large-scale application, including addressing scalability, cost-effectiveness, fouling resistance, and regulatory certification hurdles. By examining key factors for both utilities and novel sorbent developers, this perspective aims to guide informed decisions that balance immediate regulatory compliance with long-term adaptability.

PMID:40599739 | PMC:PMC12207388 | DOI:10.1021/acsestengg.5c00036

Eur J Neurosci. 2025 Jul;62(1):e70174. doi: 10.1111/ejn.70174.

ABSTRACT

Legacy per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been associated with increased risk for male-biased neurobehavioral disorders. Industries have effectively replaced them with next-generation PFAS, including perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA). Zebrafish studies indicate developmental effects of PFHxA exposure on activity levels; however, the developmental neurotoxicology (DNT) of PFHxA has not been characterized in mammals. Human data reflect the need for mammalian DNT evaluations because PFHxA is found in the serum of pregnant women and in breast milk. Furthermore, postmortem studies show that PFHxA enters the brain, with the cerebellum having particularly elevated concentrations. Given this targeted brain region, we predicted that behavioral effects of PFHxA may target motor domains. To evaluate the effects of developmental PFHxA exposure, we exposed pregnant C57BL/6J mice daily from gestational day 0 through postnatal day (P)21 to vehicle (ddH2O), a lower (0.32 mg/kg of body weight [bw]) or a higher (50 mg/kg of bw) dose of PFHxA. Although this resulted in increases in the brain at P1 in the higher exposure group and in P21 in both exposure groups, by P90, PFHxA levels returned to those in control mice. We observed male-specific effects in the open-field test, the elevated plus maze, and the novel object recognition test in adulthood, with no overt effects in the hang test, inverted screen test, and gait scan. These preliminary findings indicate that PFHxA exposure may cause long-lasting changes in many behavioral domains in a mammalian model, and more research is needed to expand these evaluations to other cognitive domains.

PMID:40600450 | DOI:10.1111/ejn.70174

Environ Monit Assess. 2025 Jul 2;197(7):838. doi: 10.1007/s10661-025-14304-y.

ABSTRACT

Exposure to trace elements and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) during pregnancy is linked to adverse reproductive and developmental outcomes. High smoking rates in western Pennsylvania may influence exposure to these chemicals. We characterized PFAS, trace element, and smoking exposure in the second trimester of pregnancy among women in western Pennsylvania. We measured 38 urine trace elements and 11 serum PFAS in 46 pregnant women in 2017-2021 as part of a nested pilot study from the Magee Obstetric Maternal and Infant (MOMI) biobank and database. We statistically compared environmental chemical concentrations between smoking and non-smoking participants in the MOMI pilot study. Additionally, we descriptively compared MOMI concentrations to a nationally representative sample of US women of reproductive age from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and to published studies characterizing exposures among international populations. Two PFAS (PFOA and PFOS) and 16 trace elements were highly detected in the MOMI pilot study sample. Smoking participants had distributions of 10 trace element concentrations that tended to be significantly higher compared to non-smoking participants, but no significant differences in the distributions of serum PFAS concentrations. All participants had summed PFAS concentrations > 2 μg/L-the National Academies of Sciences Engineering and Medicine threshold for recommending additional health screening. MOMI non-smoking participants had higher concentrations of seven trace elements and lower concentrations of both PFAS compared with NHANES non-smoking participants, while MOMI smoking participants had higher concentrations of 12 trace elements and lower concentrations of both PFAS compared with NHANES smoking participants. Further research is necessary to identify the sources of exposure, potential health effects, and effective strategies to reduce exposure to these environmental chemicals.

PMID:40593380 | PMC:PMC12213966 | DOI:10.1007/s10661-025-14304-y

Environ Pollut. 2025 Jun 30;382:126705. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126705. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The molecular contaminant chemical space is vast, necessitating the development of methods and tools to accelerate the computation of molecular properties, study interactions, and ultimately aid to the engineering of technological solutions for environmental remediation and exposome reduction. Graph neural networks (GNNs) offer a promising approach due to their structural similarity to molecular graphs and their ability to learn complex relationships through graph-based structures. However, GNN-based model training can be computationally expensive, especially for large molecular datasets. In this work, we evaluated the predictive performance of a novel Graph-Enhanced multilayer perceptron (GE-MLP) on molecular properties of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and compared it against the performances of two traditional GNN-based architectures, namely Graph Convolutional Networks (GCN) and Graph Attention Networks (GAT). The GE-MLP architecture, which incorporates structural information into a dense neural network framework, was trained on and validated on a dataset of 15,000 PFAS, generated using tight-binding methods, and calibrated against experimental results. The targeted properties were electron affinity (EA), ionization potential (IP), and HOMO-LUMO gap (HL). In contrast to traditional graph-based architectures, GE-MLP offers the advantages of processing molecular fingerprints and node-level descriptors in a purely feedforward manner, embedding structural information using molecular fingerprints and node-level descriptors in place of adjacency-based message passing. Our findings reinforce the usefulness of graph-based architectures in predicting molecular properties of complex contaminants such as PFAS, as compared against traditional machine learning (ML) models. Furthermore, the GE-MLP emerged as a strong GNN-based contender, demonstrating the highest predictive performance for IP, suggesting that integrating structural information via atomic and fingerprint based molecular descriptors into dense neural networks offers a viable alternative to adjacency-based message passing methods. Finally, our GE-MLP provides a computationally efficient alternative to other GNN-based methods due to savings in model training, offering a scalable, message-passing-free approach to molecular property prediction while retaining structural awareness. Future work includes the expansion of the data set to 3.5 million fluorinated compounds to improve generalization, as well as architectural improvements that include transfer learning, topological embeddings, and hybrid models to further advance predictive accuracy and applicability.

PMID:40602636 | DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126705

Environ Pollut. 2025 Jun 30;382:126750. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126750. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are emerging environmental contaminants with known persistence, bioaccumulation potential, and ecotoxicological relevance. This study investigates the occurrence, distribution, and potential exposure pathways of PFAS in honey bee-related matrices (pollen, forager bees, hive bees). Samples were collected from six sites over a full season representing diverse land uses (urban, semi-urban, rural, and agricultural). A total of nine different PFAS were detected across 90 samples, with short-chain compounds such as 4:2 FTS, PFPS, and PFBS predominating. Hive bees exhibited the highest average sum of target PFAS concentration (5.29 ng g^ꟷ1), followed by forager bees (1.93 ng g^ꟷ1), and pollen (1.10 ng g^ꟷ1). Differences in PFAS occurrence among sample types, especially PFPS between forager and hive bees, suggested various exposure routes, including pollen ingestion, atmospheric deposition, and contact with contaminated surfaces. Temporal and spatial differences were notable. Site-specific PFAS patterns highlighted potential contamination sources, such as fluorinated pesticide use, while seasonal variation suggested influence from plant phenology and rainfall. Principal component analysis (PCA) confirmed the dominance of shared PFAS profiles, with some outlier samples exhibiting unique signatures. PFPS and PFBS were positively correlated with total fluorine (TF) concentrations, while 4:2 FTS showed a strong site-specific association. Extractable organic fluorine (EOF) remained below detection limits (800 ng F g^ꟷ1), but TF was present in all samples above LOD (500 ng F g^ꟷ1) confirming the presence of additional unidentified fluorinated compounds. Although EOF and PFAS concentrations varied, we showed that forager bees can introduce PFAS in the hive, either on their bodies, or through contaminated resources such as nectar or pollen. These findings demonstrate the suitability of honey bees as bioindicators for PFAS contamination but emphasise the need for harmonized sampling to fully assess PFAS exposure dynamics.

PMID:40602640 | DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126750

Environ Sci Process Impacts. 2025 Jul 2. doi: 10.1039/d4em00696h. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Concern for exposure to per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has been growing over the past couple of decades as more information is obtained and understood. PFAS are environmentally persistent and have found their way into the food chain. A better understanding of the impact to humans through the dietary route is imperative to address growing concerns and to mitigate these influences on the food supply. The goal of this study is to identify and map evidence in the peer reviewed literature of important pathways for dietary exposure to PFAS. A conceptual model of potential exposure pathways is described, evidence for these pathways from two previous systematic literature reviews is collated, and additional information on potential for PFAS transfer to food from targeted reviews is distilled. Evidence mapping confirms significant evidence for occurrence of legacy PFAS in foods and for association of dietary intake of certain foods with measured body burden for these chemicals. More limited information on sources of PFAS in agricultural inputs and food processing suggest important exposure pathways for consumers. There is also limited research reporting chemical transfers during food storage and preparation. Direct measurements for most PFAS in foods and for transfers from contaminated environmental media to foods remain limited. Addressing the most important gaps in the evidence for PFAS exposure through the dietary pathway will support actions to mitigate and prevent health impacts.

PMID:40601363 | DOI:10.1039/d4em00696h

ACS Sens. 2025 Jul 1. doi: 10.1021/acssensors.5c00940. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The global prevalence of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) contamination highlights the need for sensitive, accessible, simple, and cost-effective analytical tools. In this article, we present the first photothermal-based microfluidic paper-based analytical device (PT-μPAD) for the detection of perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), one of the most widespread PFAS, in various matrices, including water, food, and human samples. By integration of a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) with carbon dots (CDs), the device achieves selective and sensitive PFOS monitoring by measuring the temperature change on the μPAD sensor. Additionally, the detection signal is rapidly obtained via a wireless near-field communication (NFC) system embedded in a portable and user-friendly platform. Under optimization, the developed sensor delivers a linear range between 1.5 and 7.0 pg mL^-1 (R² = 0.9989) and a detection limit (limit of detection (LOD)) of 7.0 fg mL^-1. Our developed sensor also exhibits high selectivity, with no observed interferent effects. The method also demonstrates remarkable accuracy and precision for PFOS quantification across real-world samples, achieving recovery percentages of 92.5-110.0% and the highest relative standard deviation (RSD) of 7.3%. Correspondingly, the results obtained using our method are comparable to those from the high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) method, as confirmed by a 95% confidence level in the t test analysis. Therefore, this sensor is well-suited for PFOS monitoring across various sample matrices, offering key advantages, such as simplicity, cost-effectiveness, portability, and ease of use by unskilled operators. Overall, this approach can be extended to the detection of other target molecules through MIP modification, showing its versatility. Furthermore, this concept holds great potential for broader applications, including medical point-of-care (POC) diagnostics and prognostics, on-site environmental analysis, and food safety.

PMID:40591479 | DOI:10.1021/acssensors.5c00940

Curr Pollut Rep. 2025 Dec;11(1):13. doi: 10.1007/s40726-025-00341-1. Epub 2025 Feb 19.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The effects of environmental exposures on female reproductive outcomes in early life are well studied. In contrast, we do not understand the broad range of chemical risk factors on women's reproductive physiology during midlife. The purpose of this review is to summarize the epidemiological literature on associations between environmental exposures (i.e., phthalates, phenols, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), toxic metals, air pollution, and persistent organic compounds) and ovarian function and sex hormones as women approach and transverse the menopausal transition.

RECENT FINDINGS: There is accumulating evidence of associations between phthalate metabolites, air pollution, and chlorinated organic chemical exposures and decreased ovarian function and associations between selected PFAS chemicals and increased testosterone or decreased estradiol, suggesting that these chemicals are risk factors. More studies are needed to confirm emerging evidence regarding other chemicals and reproductive aging markers.

SUMMARY: Most studies were cross-sectional in design or restricted to couples receiving infertility treatment, which may induce selection bias and reduce generalizability. Additionally, there has been limited research in ethnically, racially, or socioeconomically diverse populations. Nevertheless, PFAS, phthalate metabolites, air pollution, and chlorinated organic solvents are potential risk factors for adverse reproductive outcomes in adult women. An exposome approach using advanced omics technologies to capture a broad chemical range of repeated measures can address knowledge gaps needed to identify risk factors.

PMID:40584973 | PMC:PMC12199830 | DOI:10.1007/s40726-025-00341-1

medRxiv [Preprint]. 2025 Jun 16:2025.06.13.25329600. doi: 10.1101/2025.06.13.25329600.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Skin lightening products (SLPs) are widely used in communities of color and often contain toxic chemicals such as mercury and hydroquinone, posing serious health risks. Despite regulations, these products remain accessible through illegal sales and deceptive labeling. Targeted marketing in marginalized areas raises environmental justice and public health equity concerns.

OBJECTIVES: This study employs a novel spatial sampling approach to audit retail stores in Northern Manhattan, assessing the availability of SLPs in relation to neighborhood context. Products will be screened for harmful substances-including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), parabens, and heavy metals-with results compared to ingredient labels.

METHODS: Conducted in Northern Manhattan, New York City, this study focuses on neighborhoods with high proportions of Black and Latinx residents. Phase 1 involves a structured audit of 50 retail stores, including beauty supply shops and ethno-cultural retailers. Store selection is guided by spatial sampling and demographic data. Trained research assistants collect detailed information on store environments and individual SLPs. In Phase 2, 20 products will be purchased for laboratory analysis using advanced targeted and non-targeted methods. Analyses will include descriptive statistics, GIS mapping, and comparisons across neighborhoods.

RESULTS: We expect beauty supply stores to carry a greater variety and volume of SLPs than ethno-cultural retailers, such as African markets, which are anticipated to sell mostly imported products. Chemical testing is expected to show that a substantial portion of SLPs contain hazardous chemicals, including some not disclosed on product labels.

CONCLUSIONS: Project CLEAR combines spatial methods and laboratory science to map SLP availability and assess chemical risks in Northern Manhattan. By linking store-level data with neighborhood demographics, the study highlights structural inequities and environmental racism. Findings will support future research, inform policy and regulatory efforts, and strengthen community advocacy for safer, transparent skincare products.

PMID:40585096 | PMC:PMC12204285 | DOI:10.1101/2025.06.13.25329600

Toxicol Res (Camb). 2025 Jun 19;14(3):tfaf077. doi: 10.1093/toxres/tfaf077. eCollection 2025 Jun.

ABSTRACT

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are emerging environmental contaminants linked to various health conditions. However, the molecular mechanisms by which PFAS contribute to OA remain unclear. This study integrates network toxicology and bioinformatics to explore PFAS-related toxicity targets and their roles in OA pathogenesis. Transcriptomic data from the GSE48556 dataset were analyzed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). PFAS-related genes (PSRGs) were retrieved from the CTD. Cross-analysis revealed overlapping genes, which were further evaluated via protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks, pathway enrichment, immune infiltration analysis, and nomogram construction. A total of 1,703 DEGs (910 upregulated, 793 downregulated) were identified in OA. Cross-analysis with 346 PSRGs yielded 26 overlapping genes, highlighting PFAS-OA molecular links. Enrichment analysis implicated IL-17 signaling, Th1/Th2 differentiation, and fatty acid metabolism as key pathways disrupted by PFAS. Immune-inflammatory pathways were robustly enriched, with CD3E, CARD11, and IFNG driving synovial inflammation. A nomogram incorporating five core targets (CARD11, IFNG, PAX8, PLD1, ZNF609) predicted OA risk and demonstrated clinical utility via decision curve analysis. Immune profiling revealed elevated infiltration of T cells, Th1 cells, and NK CD56dim cells in OA, alongside upregulated antigen presentation and TCR/BCR signaling. Core PFAS-related targets correlated significantly with immune dysregulation. PFAS exposure exacerbates OA by dysregulating immune-inflammatory axes and metabolic pathways, promoting synovitis and cartilage degradation. The identified genetic targets and nomogram provide mechanistic insights and translational tools for OA risk prediction in PFAS-exposed populations. This study establishes a systems-level framework linking PFAS toxicity to OA progression, offering actionable targets for therapeutic intervention.

PMID:40585420 | PMC:PMC12204612 | DOI:10.1093/toxres/tfaf077

Environ Pollut. 2025 Jun 28;382:126744. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126744. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Renal dysfunction poses a growing global health burden, yet the role of environmental contaminants like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), particularly their underlying mechanisms, remains understudied. This cross-sectional study included 2801 adults from North China (Shijiazhuang and Baoding City). Plasma concentrations of 21 legacy and alternative PFAS were quantified via ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Renal function markers (serum creatinine (SCr), serum uric acid (SUA), SUA to SCr ratio (SUA/SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), BUN to SCr ratio (BUN/SCr), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)) and inflammatory markers were assessed. Multivariable linear regression and quantile g-computation evaluated individual and mixture effects. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis assessed renal markers' predictive ability for PFAS. Mediation analysis investigated the role of inflammatory markers, while bioinformatics explored molecular mechanisms. Nine PFAS demonstrated significant associations with elevated SCr, SUA, SUA/SCr, BUN, BUN/SCr, or reduced eGFR. Notably, perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) exhibited concurrent associations with SCr, SUA, BUN, and eGFR. PFAS mixtures were linked to increased SCr, SUA, SUA/SCr, BUN, and decreased eGFR. PFOS and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) contributed most to eGFR decline and SUA elevation, respectively. ROC analysis demonstrated superior predictive performance of renal biomarkers for PFOS. Inflammatory markers significantly mediated PFAS (particularly PFOS)-renal dysfunction associations. Bioinformatics implicated lipid metabolism dysregulation and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling disruption as key mechanisms. In conclusion, PFAS exposure, especially PFOS, was associated with renal dysfunction, mediated primarily by inflammation and lipid metabolism. These findings provide critical mechanistic insights for developing prevention and management strategies against PFAS-associated renal dysfunction.

PMID:40588156 | DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126744

Chemosphere. 2025 Jun 28;385:144508. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2025.144508. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In this paper, the status of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is narratively reviewed from the perspective of toxicity mechanisms, biodistribution, species differences, human exposure sources, human biomonitoring, and epidemiology. Although toxicological investigations have been conducted, interspecies differences in toxicological mechanisms and toxicokinetics are not fully understood. For example, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARα) are a target receptor of PFAS. Although there are distinct differences in response between rodents and humans, human PPARα can be activated at a high dose and PPARα-independent effects are also observed. In addition, epidemiological studies provide mechanistic evidence in carcinogenesis (epigenetics and immunomodulation). In humans, the biological half-lives of several PFAS over years are longer than in other species because of low renal clearance. Genetic differences in transporter proteins (e.g. OAT) may explain the long half-lives in humans. We present data from Japan for human exposure and biomonitoring. Exposure to PFAS is still caused via contaminated drinking water and consumption of contaminated foods around military bases (Okinawa, western Tokyo, etc.) and fluorochemical plants (Osaka, etc) due to past PFAS uses. Even without specific contamination, seafood consumption is a common route of exposure in Japan and East Asian countries, resulting in elevated baseline in blood PFAS levels. For sustainable economic progress, it is necessary to properly prevent or manage the negative effects of various chemicals while making good use of their positive characteristics. Consequently, it is necessary to understand their mechanisms of toxicity, elucidate the kinetics in the human body, and consider combined exposure effects. A normative approach and establishment of a management system are required for PFAS in the future.

PMID:40582130 | DOI:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2025.144508

J Hazard Mater. 2025 Jun 26;495:139078. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.139078. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Fish meal (FM) is a recognized source of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in aquafeeds and following farmed seafood. Targeted determination and non-target wide scope screening was combined with total oxidizable precursor (TOP) assay in both marine- and plant-based feed ingredients used in farmed Atlantic salmon feed to Norwegian Atlantic salmon to assess pattern and source of PFAS contamination in the salmon seafood production chain. Of all main feed ingredients, FM had highest PFAS loads with 12 detected PFAS of which PFUnDA and PFOS as the dominant compounds (mean 0.34 and 0.32 µg kg⁻¹wet weight, respectively). Other feed ingredients, including fish oil (FO), plant oil (PO), and plant meal (PM), generally contain lower PFAS levels. However, PFOS was detected in all FO and PO samples, and as salmon feed contains mainly (>70 %) plant ingredients, they can significantly contribute to overall PFAS load in feed. More importantly, salmon feed contained high levels of PFAS precursors, at concentrations by far (up to two-fold) exceeding the legacy PFAS. As these precursors can be transferred into legacy PFAS, as confirmed by the TOP assay, the presence of these precursors can "mask" additional source and loads of PFAS in farmed salmon.

PMID:40582153 | DOI:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.139078

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2025 Jun 27;302:118593. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.118593. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) are two representative per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that have attracted increasing attention due to their environmental persistence and potential health risks, while their bone toxicity remains unclear. In this study, we systematically investigated the toxicological mechanisms of PFOA and PFOS on bone metabolism by integrating network toxicology, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations, and in vitro cellular experiments. Pantothenate kinase 2 (PANK2) was identified as a key target through the intersection of multiple databases and cross-validation using three machine learning algorithms. Molecular docking and dynamics simulations demonstrated that PFOA and PFOS can stably bind to PANK2 protein. In vitro experiments further confirmed that both PFOA and PFOS significantly suppressed PANK2 expression in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), leading to a disruption in the balance between osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation. Additionally, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) suggested that PANK2 may participate in bone metabolic regulation via chemokine signaling pathway and the neuro-osteogenic axis. This study highlights for the first time the critical role of PANK2 in PFAS-induced osteoporosis and provides novel mechanistic insights and potential therapeutic targets for the prevention and treatment of environmentally induced bone metabolic disorders.

PMID:40580631 | DOI:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.118593

Environ Toxicol Chem. 2025 Jun 20:vgaf160. doi: 10.1093/etojnl/vgaf160. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's web-based Sequence Alignment to Predict Across Species Susceptibility (SeqAPASS) tool was developed to evaluate protein conservation across species through sequence and structural alignments to gather lines of evidence for predicting chemical susceptibility. While SeqAPASS can rapidly generate predictions of species susceptibility in terms of a "yes" or "no" output, there is a growing interest in deriving more quantitative metrics for enhancing these predictions. To do this, a bioinformatics workflow was developed that combined SeqAPASS results with molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. This workflow was developed using transthyretin (TTR) and a per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS), with an emphasis on perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) as it is known that PFOA binds to TTR in humans and other experimental animals. This workflow was applied to generate quantitative information as additional lines of evidence for the conservation of the PFOA-TTR interaction across species. The SeqAPASS analysis predicted hundreds of species as susceptible based on conservation of the PFOA-TTR interaction (Level 1: 952 species, Level 2: 976 species, Level 3: 750 species). Predicted TTR structures from a subset of the species predicted as susceptible by SeqAPASS were used in molecular docking and MD simulations. The simulations supported that Lysine-15 is a key residue for the PFOA-TTR interaction. Quantitatively there was no significant difference in the species tested regarding their predicted binding affinities or other metrics specific to the chemical-protein interactions. These results demonstrated that the interaction between TTR and PFOA is likely conserved across various vertebrate taxonomic groups. Overall, this work provides a template for how advanced bioinformatics tools like MD simulations can be applied within ecotoxicology for improving cross-species predictions of chemical susceptibility. Importantly, our efforts aim to demonstrate applicability of these computational methods for integration in Next-Generation Risk Assessments.

PMID:40580547 | DOI:10.1093/etojnl/vgaf160

Environ Int. 2025 Jun 25;202:109641. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2025.109641. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Epidemiology studies suggested that exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) might elevate the incidence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM), but no study considered the modifying roles of vitamin D, an important nutrient related to GDM development. Thus, this study evaluated the modifying effects of maternal vitamin D on correlations of PFAS exposure with GDM by conducting a cohort study in Beijing, China. We recruited 111 pregnant women who had either one or more high risk factors for GDM in Beijing, China, in 2022. Blood samples collected from pregnant women in 11-13 gestational weeks were analyzed to detect 19 PFAS and 25-hydroxy vitamin D. GDM was confirmed via the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT). All subjects were classed as possessing sufficient, insufficient, or deficient vitamin D concentrations. Vitamin D deficiency status was observed to be a significant modifier for associations between GDM risk and PFAS exposure, as well as continuous glucose concentrations in an OGTT (interaction p-value < 0.05). For women with vitamin D deficiency, exposure to five long-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylates significantly elevated the GDM risk (p < 0.05), and the overall estimated risk ratio for GDM associated with 1 ng/mL increases in PFAS ranged from 3.750 to 8.097. The results suggested that adequate supplementation of vitamin D during early pregnancy could prevent the elevated risk of GDM caused by PFAS exposure.

PMID:40580707 | DOI:10.1016/j.envint.2025.109641

Environ Pollut. 2025 Jun 26;382:126738. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126738. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Emissions of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from fluorochemical industries pose a significant environmental threat, with transport processes influenced by various human activities. This study examined the impacts of local industrial emissions, dredging, and riverway connectivity on the environmental fate of PFAS in the Xiaoqing River Basin. In 2023, the mean concentration of ∑PFAS in surface water within the basin was 15.3 μg L^-1, and showed a decreasing trend from 2013 to 2023. Notably, alternative PFAS such as hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPODA) and 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (6:2FTS) were more prevalent in sediment. A significant correlation was found between fluorochemical industrial park (FIP) production and PFAS emissions in downstream waters. Annual sales of polymers showed a strong positive correlation with contributions of alternative PFAS due to emissions from polymer production. Dredging effectively removed over 98 % of PFAS from sediment compared to 2013. Meanwhile riverway connectivity influenced PFAS levels in surface water, resulting in increased concentrations of PFAS in tributaries and adjacent rivers of the Xiaoqing River, and decreased concentrations in downstream of FIP.

PMID:40581172 | DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126738

Environ Int. 2025 Jun 23;202:109631. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2025.109631. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), an environmental endocrine disruptor, has been found to increase the expression of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN). In this study, adult male mice were given PFOA by oral gavage (p.o.) to evaluate whether it disrupts systems related to mood disorders. PFOA exposure (5 mg/kg) for 10 consecutive days caused depression-like behaviors in male mice. We measured increased corticosterone in serum and in the hippocampus of PFOA-exposed mice, which were linked to enhanced CRF expression measured in the PVN. Elevated corticosterone was associated with reductions in glucocorticoid receptor (GR) protein expression within the hippocampus. CRFR1 antagonist injected into the PVN and intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) GR antagonist both reduced depression-like behaviors, respectively. In addition, NMDA-dependent Schaeffer collateral-CA3 synaptic transmission in PFOA-exposed mice was disrupted. Synaptic deficits could be corrected by either CRFR1 or GR antagonists. In summary, we found exposure of male mice to PFOA enhances CRF expression, which then activates the HPA axis to disrupt GR expression in the hippocampus, leading to depression-like behaviors. This data is relevant for understanding the potential harmful health effects of PFOA.

PMID:40580708 | DOI:10.1016/j.envint.2025.109631

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2025 Jun 27;302:118580. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.118580. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Emerging environmental toxicants may jeopardise uric acid metabolism, but the associations between toxicants and gout risk remain unknown. This study aimed to comprehensively assess the associations of toxicants with gout and to investigate the mediated mechanisms. This cross-sectional study included 22,591 adults diagnosed with gout in the NHANES 2011-2018. Twenty-one toxicants in 5 categories were detected in the blood, including acrylamide, ethylene oxide, metals, nicotine metabolites, and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess the associations of toxicant exposures with gout risk. Moreover, this study performed enrichment analysis and protein network analysis to identify potential hub targets of toxicants. Among the 22,591 participants aged 49.8 ± 17.8 years and 1082 (4.8 %) were diagnosed with gout. In the weighted logistic regression, Cu, Pb, Hg, and PFNA were positively associated with gout risk. The E-R curves revealed the linear relationships of Cu, Pb, Hg, and PFNA with gout risk without a safe threshold. Significant mediating effects of liver function, eGFR, and OBS were observed in the relationships of Cu, Pb, and Hg with gout risk. Moreover, network toxicology analyses revealed that TNF and AKT1 are shared hub targets of Cu, Pb, Hg, and PFNA. Our study indicated that elevated oxidative levels and decreased liver and kidney functions posed a crucial mediating effect on the associations between toxicants and gout risk. TNF and PI3K-Akt signalling pathways may be shared mechanisms of the adverse effects of toxicants on gout.

PMID:40580635 | DOI:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.118580

Polymers (Basel). 2025 Jun 17;17(12):1688. doi: 10.3390/polym17121688.

ABSTRACT

The removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from global aquatic environments is an emerging issue. However, little attention has been paid to addressing accumulated PFAS through their removal. This study demonstrates the encapsulation of perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) within polymer microspheres that dissolve in supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO₂). PFCAs were effectively captured by a hindered amine-supported monomer, 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl methacrylate (TPMA), in methanol (MeOH) through a simple acid-base reaction. The PFCA-loaded TPMA underwent dispersion polymerization in MeOH in the presence of poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) as a surfactant, producing microspheres with high monomer conversions. The microsphere size depended on the molecular weight and concentration of PVP, as well as the perfluoroalkyl chain length of the PFCAs. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) revealed that the perfluoroalkyl chains migrated from the interior to the surface of the microspheres when exposed to air. These surface perfluoroalkyl chains facilitated dissolution of the microspheres in scCO₂, with cloud points observed under relatively mild conditions. These findings suggest the potential for managing PFCA-encapsulated microspheres in the scCO₂ phase deep underground via CO₂ sequestration.

PMID:40574216 | PMC:PMC12197038 | DOI:10.3390/polym17121688

JACS Au. 2025 Jun 2;5(6):2469-2474. doi: 10.1021/jacsau.5c00504. eCollection 2025 Jun 23.

ABSTRACT

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are ubiquitous pollutants that bioaccumulate in wildlife and humans, yet the molecular basis of their protein interactions remains poorly understood. Here, we show that human adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) can bind a diverse array of PFAS, including next-generation replacements for legacy chemicals and longer-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids. Shorter-chain PFAS, although weaker binders, still displayed measurable affinities, surpassing those of their nonfluorinated analogs. We determined crystal structures of FABP4 bound to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), and perfluorohexadecanoic acid (PFHxDA), revealing three distinct binding modes. Notably, PFOA binds in two separate sites, and two distinct conformations define single-ligand binding of PFDA and PFHxDA. These arrangements enhance hydrophobic interactions within the binding cavity and likely explain the low micromolar dissociation constants observed in fluorescence competition assays. Our findings underscore the critical roles of chain length, headgroup functionality, and protein conformation in PFAS-FABP4 interactions. Given the emerging implications of the role of FABP4 in endocrine function, even subtle PFAS-induced perturbations could affect metabolic regulation and disease risk. Overall, this work highlights the value of direct structural and biochemical insights into PFAS-FABP4 interactions and paves the way for future research on PFAS transport and toxicological outcomes.

PMID:40575325 | PMC:PMC12188406 | DOI:10.1021/jacsau.5c00504

Chem Sci. 2025 Jun 18. doi: 10.1039/d5sc02247a. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Dynamic covalent chemistry is a powerful tool to synthesise complex structures from simple building blocks. However, even minor variations in the numerous parameters governing self-assembly can drastically influence the size and structure of the resulting assemblies. Herein, we report the selective formation of three cages belonging to the low-symmetry Tri² ₂Tri² cage topology for the first time, using highly symmetric tritopic building blocks, confirmed by single-crystal X-ray (SC-XRD) analysis. Fluorinated and non-fluorinated aldehydes were combined with two amines differing in their degree of structural flexibility. Applying either kinetic or thermodynamic control through solvent selection allowed for the selective synthesis of either the low-symmetry Tri² ₂Tri² or the larger, highly symmetric Tri⁴Tri⁴ assemblies. While the fluorinated linker strongly preferred the formation of the Tri² ₂Tri² cage topology under thermodynamic control, the non-fluorinated linker selectively formed the Tri⁴Tri⁴ species. Kinetic control, using methanol as a poor solvent, allowed for the selective precipitation of the Tri² ₂Tri² intermediate. Reduction of the Janus-like fluorinated Tri² ₂Tri² cages yielded the cages Et²F² _red and TREN²F² _red, which showed high potential for removing perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) from water, with Et²F² _red exhibiting structural rearrangements in organic solvents to accommodate PFOA, as observed by ¹H and ¹⁹F NMR titrations in combination with ¹⁹F DOSY measurements.

PMID:40575670 | PMC:PMC12188467 | DOI:10.1039/d5sc02247a

Environ Int. 2025 Jun 21;202:109629. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2025.109629. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The widespread use of Per- and Poly Fluorinated Substances (PFAS) in a multitude of industrial and consumer applications, together with their persistence and mobility, has led to global contamination of the abiotic and biotic environment. Nevertheless, important knowledge gaps remain concerning PFAS occurrence and bioaccumulation, with studies tending to focus either on aquatic or on terrestrial ecosystems, with a bias towards the aquatic environment. The aim of the present study was therefore to investigate the distribution and bioaccumulation of various PFAS in a contaminated terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem. Subsequently, it was examined if the calculated bioaccumulation factors are related to PFAS molecular descriptors. Abiotic and biotic samples were collected from the aquatic and terrestrial compartments of a PFAS contaminated ecosystem and screened for 44 compounds. PFAS were present in all environmental compartments with varying profiles and concentrations. Generally, higher concentrations were found in aquatic than in terrestrial biota as well as in animals compared to plants. Biota-to-soil and biota-to-sediment accumulation factors (BSAFs) demonstrated a strong bioaccumulation of PFAS, reaching 96,708 kg sediment/kg biota. Similarly, a high bioconcentration potential from water was observed, with bioconcentration factors (BCFs) reaching 55,597 L water/kg biota. The membrane-water partition coefficient (K_mw) explained PFAS bioaccumulation to some extent, but the still limited understanding of factors driving PFAS bioaccumulation calls for further mechanistic research. Nonetheless, it is concluded that many of the 44 analyzed PFAS strongly bioaccumulate in terrestrial and aquatic primary producers and animals, making these compounds of great environmental concern for the coming decades.

PMID:40578111 | DOI:10.1016/j.envint.2025.109629

J Hazard Mater. 2025 Jun 25;495:139068. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.139068. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Permafrost covers nearly 15 % of the northern hemisphere's land and is a repository of inorganic and organic chemicals and entombed microbes. The warming of the climate will likely lead to the thawing of more than two-thirds of this frozen environmental system by the end of the century and alter the permafrost terrain profoundly. Thermokarst lakes and wetlands generated will be such landforms placed at the first line of exposure of the released hazardous constituents. This perspective presents the state of knowledge on permafrost's biogeochemistry across the globe to anticipate potential release of hazardous biogeochemical materials and evaluates the overlap of temperature anomaly with the existing permafrost and thermokarst regions. The analyses presented in this perspective highlight that toxic metal(loids) [e.g., As, Cr, Ni, Co, Hg, etc.], microbes [e.g., methanogens, iron and sulfate reducers, ammonia oxidizers, H1N1, Alaskapox viruses, and psychrophilic fungi, etc.], and synthetic organics [e.g., PAHs, PFAS, etc.] have been found to have released from permafrost and such release will be exacerbated with the warming climate. This perspective further notes that release and fate of hazardous chemical and biological contaminants will be driven by the complex interplay between biogeochemistry, hydrogeology, and exacerbated thawing.

PMID:40578194 | DOI:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.139068

J Mass Spectrom. 2025 Jul;60(7):e5151. doi: 10.1002/jms.5151.

ABSTRACT

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) can be present in foodstuff, including preserved foods like canned meats, due to their ubiquity and difficult degradation. In this work, an analytical method for the quantification of 20 PFAS in canned bovine meat and tuna fish in olive oil was developed, optimized and validated. The analytical approach was based on a QuEChERS extraction, purification with dSPE followed by Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) protocol with subsequent quantification of the extracted analytes by isotope dilution using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry with an Orbitrap analyzer (UHPLC-HRMS). The validation procedure allowed to ascertaining good analytical performances in terms of sensitivity, accuracy and robustness. The values obtained for recovery percentages (range: 80%-120%) were in accordance with the guidelines used for the determination of PFAS in food, LOQs achieved were low enough to ensure compliance with Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/2388 amending Regulation (EC) 1881/2006 as regards maximum levels of perfluoroalkyl substances in certain foodstuffs which was repealed very recently by the Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915. With the developed method 10 samples from the local markets (n. five canned beef and n. five tuna in olive oil) were analyzed.

PMID:40578835 | DOI:10.1002/jms.5151

Environ Health (Wash). 2025 Feb 14;3(6):605-615. doi: 10.1021/envhealth.4c00268. eCollection 2025 Jun 20.

ABSTRACT

The plateau region is conventionally regarded as a "clean land" with minimal environmental pollution, leading to scarce research on the distribution of emerging pollutants such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and their effects on the health of plateau inhabitants. To understand that, we studied participants from two representative towns in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province, China. Lung function parameters (FVC%, FEV1%, and FEV1/FVC) were measured, while PFAS concentrations in urine and indoor dust were analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). We measured the levels of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), 8-epi-prostaglandin F2α (8-epi-PGF2α), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in urine. The results demonstrated a preponderance of short-chain PFAS in urine, with PFBS, PFPeA, and PFBA showing the highest detection rates. PFBA had the highest median concentration at 0.47 ng/mL. Similarly, in indoor dust, PFBA was the most frequently detected, followed by PFOA, with median concentrations of 0.56 and 0.44 ng/g, respectively. Multiple PFAS compounds showed significant inverse correlations with FVC% and FEV1%. PFAS exposure was associated with elevated oxidative stress biomarker levels (8-OHdG, 8-epi-PGF2α, and MDA), and their synergistic interaction aggravated the decline in lung function. This research provides valuable evidence of PFAS exposure patterns in the plateau population, highlighting the dominance of short-chain PFAS compounds and the concerning link between PFAS exposure and impaired lung function.

PMID:40567271 | PMC:PMC12186208 | DOI:10.1021/envhealth.4c00268

Env Sci Adv. 2025 Jun 10. doi: 10.1039/d5va00054h. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent contaminants with global environmental and health implications. This study evaluated PFAS concentrations in drinking water, wastewater, and surface water in Reykjavik, Iceland, focusing on seasonal variability and potential pollution sources. Thirty-three samples from groundwater, wastewater, and surface water were analysed for up to 54 PFAS. Results reveal that PFAS concentrations in Reykjavik's drinking water were minimal, which most compounds below detection limits, and the sum of 18 PFAS below 0.5 ng L^-1. These levels were significantly below EU Drinking Water Directive and European Food Safety Authority health limits, indicating effective source water protection. In contrast, elevated PFAS levels were detected in wastewater and surface water, with concentrations reaching 14 ng L^-1 for sum 18 PFAS. The most prevalent compound was perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA). The highest contamination occurred at firefighting training sites, particularly at Reykjavik Airport, where PFAS concentrations exceeded 2000 ng L^-1, dominated by PFOS. A comparison to prior results implied an about 10-fold decrease of PFOS in Reykjavik's wastewater treatment plant since 2017. These findings emphasize the need for continued monitoring, and further investigation into historical and active contamination sources to safeguard environmental and public health in Iceland. Given the presence of PFAS-contaminated sites in Iceland, targeted PFAS management strategies are needed to prevent contamination of drinking water resources.

PMID:40567334 | PMC:PMC12183543 | DOI:10.1039/d5va00054h

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2025 Jun 10;22(6):917. doi: 10.3390/ijerph22060917.

ABSTRACT

In utero exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) presents significant health concerns, primarily through their role in inducing epigenetic modifications that have lasting consequences. This review aims to elucidate the impact of prenatal PFAS exposure on epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNA regulation, focusing on developmental and long-term health outcomes. The review synthesizes findings from various studies that link PFAS exposure to alterations in DNA methylation in fetal tissues, such as changes in the methylation of genes like IGF2 and MEST, which are linked to disruptions in growth, neurodevelopment, immune function, and metabolic regulation, potentially increasing the risk of diseases such as diabetes and obesity. We also highlight the compound-specific effects of different PFAS, such as PFOS and PFOA, each showing unique impacts on epigenetic profiles, suggesting varied health risks. Special attention is given to hormonal disruption, oxidative stress, and changes in histone-modifying enzymes such as histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and deacetylases (HDACs), which are pathways through which PFAS influence fetal development. Additionally, we discuss PFAS-induced epigenetic changes in placental tissues, which can alter fetal nutrient supply and hormone regulation. Despite accumulating evidence, significant knowledge gaps remain, particularly regarding the persistence of these changes across the lifespan and potential sex-specific susceptibilities. We explore how advancements in epigenome-wide association studies could bridge these gaps, providing a robust framework for linking prenatal environmental exposures to lifetime health outcomes. Future research directions and regulatory strategies are also discussed, emphasizing the need for intervention to protect vulnerable populations from these environmental pollutants.

PMID:40566344 | PMC:PMC12192843 | DOI:10.3390/ijerph22060917

Waste Manag Res. 2025 Jun 26:734242X251345326. doi: 10.1177/0734242X251345326. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of more than 6000 persistent toxic compounds. To prevent negative environmental and health effects, PFAS in waste materials need to be destroyed. Currently, the only treatment that can be expected to reach a PFAS destruction and removal efficiency (DRE) >99.9999% (Basel Convention), is thermal destruction in dedicated hazardous waste incinerators. However, there is little knowledge of thermal PFAS decomposition in industrial scale installations. Therefore, this study quantified the DRE for PFAS regulated by the Stockholm Convention as persistent organic pollutant (POP) of an industrial hazardous waste incinerator. Soil with a POP-PFAS concentration of 107 mg kg DM^-1 dominated by perfluorooctane sulphonic acid, N-ethylperfluorooctane sulphonamido acetic acid (N-EtFOSAA) and N-methylperfluorooctane sulphonamido acetic acid (N-MeFOSAA) was fed in the incinerator on top of the baseload. During this spiking, the POP-PFAS concentration in the emitted flue gas only increased from 4.20 (baseload) to 4.27 ng (Nm³)^-1. The flue gas fingerprint was dominated by perfluorooctanoic acid. Based on the difference in input and output load, the estimated POP-PFAS DRE was 99.999997 to 99.99996%, indicating that the considered hazardous waste incinerator is apt for POP-PFAS destruction. In spite of recent analytical improvements, an accurate and precise quantitative measurement of PFAS remains challenging due to varying experimental uncertainties and concentrations close to the detection limits.

PMID:40569206 | DOI:10.1177/0734242X251345326

Toxicol Sci. 2025 Jun 16:kfaf087. doi: 10.1093/toxsci/kfaf087. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Exposures to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are associated with various adverse health outcomes, and a wide range of PFAS compounds have been detected in human serum, the environment, and food. Toxicokinetic models, however, have been developed for only a subset of the compounds of interest. To facilitate reverse dosimetry and risk assessment for the less studied PFAS compounds in food, we developed and evaluated an approach to adapt existing toxicokinetic models for nonhuman primates to predict human serum levels. The approach was validated with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) data and applied to perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxS). Results indicate that the approach yields similar dosimetry estimates to those of other models, particularly those used for regulatory purposes, suggesting the methodology can be leveraged to inform decision-making in data-sparse spaces. Applying and adapting the framework will improve our ability to connect dietary PFAS exposures to endpoints of concern for a wide range of PFAS compounds.

PMID:40570094 | DOI:10.1093/toxsci/kfaf087

J Environ Manage. 2025 Jun 25;390:126277. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.126277. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), due to their recalcitrance, toxicity, and widespread environmental distribution, have emerged as a critical public health concern. The fate of ultrashort- and short-chain PFAS in the heterogeneous environment remains elusive. To address this, we employed a multiscale approach combining machine learning, density functional theory, molecular dynamics, and experimental validation. This framework enabled the prediction of critical environmental fate parameters, such as octanol-water and lipid-water partition coefficients, pK_a values, bioconcentration factors, and median lethal concentrations. These predictions demonstrated strong agreement with experimental data (R² > 0.785). Using the machine learning-based PathDetect-SOM algorithm, we identified unique reorientation behaviors during membrane penetration, including partial recline, full recline, and oblique insertion. Unlike long-chain PFAS, ultrashort- and short-chain PFAS, particularly in their ionized forms, exhibit monolayer adsorption at lipid membranes, increasing the area per lipid and suggesting distinct toxicological mechanisms. Cytotoxicity assays and reactive oxygen species measurements further corroborated these findings, underscoring the environmental and health risks posed by short-chain PFAS. Structural and toxicological analyses, supported by Pearson correlation metrics and 26 molecular descriptors, revealed that the ionization state of PFAS significantly influences membrane uptake, whereas pK_a values showed no direct correlation with cytotoxicity. This study establishes a comprehensive framework for predicting the environmental fate and bioaccumulation potential of emerging contaminants, offering critical insights into their behavior in heterogeneous environments.

PMID:40570428 | DOI:10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.126277

Environ Int. 2025 Jun 12;202:109589. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2025.109589. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

A nationwide cross-sectional study led by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry in collaboration with research and community partners, was designed to investigate health outcomes linked to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure among residents of communities with contaminated drinking water. The objective was to describe the study design, methods, participant demographics, and PFAS serum concentrations. From 2019 to 2023, adult (18+) and child (ages 4-17) participants were recruited from communities with past or ongoing PFAS contamination of drinking water across eight sites in California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Data on demographics, lifestyle factors, and residential, occupational, and medical history were collected via questionnaires. Extensive clinical tests assessed cardiometabolic, liver, thyroid, kidney, glycemic, and immune parameters. Neurobehavioral tests were administered to children (ages 5-17). PFAS quantified in serum included MeFOSAA, PFHxS, PFOS, PFOA, PFNA, PFDA, and PFUnDA. Serum, whole blood, and urine samples were banked for future analyses. The study enrolled 5826 adults (geometric mean age: 53.6 years; 60.2 % female; 77.2 % non-Hispanic White) and 710 children (geometric mean age: 10.7 years; 48.5 % female; 69 % non-Hispanic White). Compared with NHANES data (2017-2020), adults showed elevated geometric mean concentrations of PFHxS and PFOA; only PFHxS was elevated in children. These serum concentrations reflect a wide range of PFAS exposures in communities affected by contamination from firefighting activities and industrial emissions, and other sources. This large study is a valuable resource for exploring associations between PFAS exposure and health effects in adults and children.

PMID:40570576 | DOI:10.1016/j.envint.2025.109589

Environ Health Prev Med. 2025;30:50. doi: 10.1265/ehpm.25-00023.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to investigate the potential link between myopia in adolescents and exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs).

METHODS: This investigation included 1971 subjects with accessible PFAS level data, myopia status, and associated variables from four cycles of the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES). The investigation focused on specific PFAS compounds found in the serum, including perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), chosen for their frequent detection. Owing to the skewed nature of the PFAS level data, the PFAS levels were log-transformed (Ln-PFAS) prior to analysis. Logistic regression, restricted cubic spline modeling, subgroup analysis, and sensitivity analysis were used to examine the associations between exposure to PFASs and the onset of myopia.

RESULTS: PFOA levels were significantly associated with myopia risk (OR: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.05-1.69; P = 0.019). More specifically, with respect to the first quartile, the second quartile (OR_Q2: 1.69; 95% CI: 1.16-2.46; P = 0.007), third quartile (OR_Q3: 1.45; 95% CI: 1.03-2.03; P = 0.035), and highest quartile (OR_Q4: 1.58; 95% CI: 1.12-2.21; P = 0.010) of participants presented with increased myopia risk. Mediation analysis revealed that PFOA and myopia risk were partially mediated by serum albumin (ALB), with a mediation percentage of 22.48% (P = 0.008). A nonlinear inverted U-shaped relationship was identified between the level of PFOA and myopia risk (P for nonlinearity = 0.005).

CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest a potential link between exposure to PFOA and the likelihood of myopia development in young individuals and a mediating effect of serum ALB on this relationship. Notably, PFOA was identified as a key PFAS significantly contributing to the observed link between PFAS exposure and myopia risk. The potential threat of PFOA to myopia should be examined further.

PMID:40571595 | PMC:PMC12206666 | DOI:10.1265/ehpm.25-00023

J Atheroscler Thromb. 2025 Jun 24. doi: 10.5551/jat.65708. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are widespread environmental pollutants that were previously associated with dyslipidemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We therefore investigated the association between PFAS exposure and clinical outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with T2DM and assessed the extent to which lipidomic alterations mediate this association.

METHODS: This case-control study was nested within a prospective cohort of patients with type 2 diabetes who underwent primary PCI for obstructive coronary artery disease between September 2017 and September 2019. During the 2-year follow-up after PCI, 150 matched pairs of patients with T2DM who did not experience major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) were included. Serum PFASs and lipidomes were measured at baseline using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and analyzed using multipollutant models and integrative approaches.

RESULTS: Overall, a higher exposure to a mixture of nine PFASs was associated with an increased odds of two-year MACCEs after PCI, with perfluoroundecanoic acid and perfluorodecanoic acid contributing the most to the association. Integration with the serum lipidome generated a network of 110 PFAS-associated lipids with differential contributions to discriminating MACCEs, half of which were identified as significant mediators explaining 9.6%-56.4% of the PFAS-MACCE association. Furthermore, we estimated a cluster of patients with high probabilities of developing MACCEs after PCI, characterized by high PFAS levels; increased abundance of phosphatidylcholine, triacylglycerol, diacylglycerol, and acylcarnitine lipids; and decreased abundance of phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylethanol lipids.

CONCLUSION: With mediation by serum lipidomic perturbations, PFAS exposure contributes to poor outcomes after PCI in patients with T2DM.

PMID:40571603 | DOI:10.5551/jat.65708

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2025 Jun 10;22(6):917. doi: 10.3390/ijerph22060917.

ABSTRACT

In utero exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) presents significant health concerns, primarily through their role in inducing epigenetic modifications that have lasting consequences. This review aims to elucidate the impact of prenatal PFAS exposure on epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNA regulation, focusing on developmental and long-term health outcomes. The review synthesizes findings from various studies that link PFAS exposure to alterations in DNA methylation in fetal tissues, such as changes in the methylation of genes like IGF2 and MEST, which are linked to disruptions in growth, neurodevelopment, immune function, and metabolic regulation, potentially increasing the risk of diseases such as diabetes and obesity. We also highlight the compound-specific effects of different PFAS, such as PFOS and PFOA, each showing unique impacts on epigenetic profiles, suggesting varied health risks. Special attention is given to hormonal disruption, oxidative stress, and changes in histone-modifying enzymes such as histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and deacetylases (HDACs), which are pathways through which PFAS influence fetal development. Additionally, we discuss PFAS-induced epigenetic changes in placental tissues, which can alter fetal nutrient supply and hormone regulation. Despite accumulating evidence, significant knowledge gaps remain, particularly regarding the persistence of these changes across the lifespan and potential sex-specific susceptibilities. We explore how advancements in epigenome-wide association studies could bridge these gaps, providing a robust framework for linking prenatal environmental exposures to lifetime health outcomes. Future research directions and regulatory strategies are also discussed, emphasizing the need for intervention to protect vulnerable populations from these environmental pollutants.

PMID:40566344 | PMC:PMC12192843 | DOI:10.3390/ijerph22060917

J Xenobiot. 2025 May 27;15(3):81. doi: 10.3390/jox15030081.

ABSTRACT

The occurrence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in drinking water remains a critical environmental and public health concern. This study examines the presence of both regulated and unregulated PFASs in twenty-one bottled water and twenty-four tap water samples, assessing their concentrations, co-occurrence patterns, and potential human health implications. Regulated PFASs accounted for 87% of total PFASs in bottled water and 92% in tap water, demonstrating the effectiveness of current EU regulations. However, unregulated PFASs were detected in both water sources, contributing to 13% and 8% of total PFAS concentrations in bottled and tap water, respectively. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Pearson correlation matrices revealed distinct clustering patterns, suggesting common contamination sources and potential cumulative exposure risks. The presence of emerging PFASs, such as 4:2 FTSA and HFPO-DA, raises concerns about gaps in regulatory oversight, as their long-term health effects remain largely unknown. Despite EU Directive 2020/2184 setting limits on select PFASs, this study highlights the need for expanded monitoring and stricter regulations to address the full spectrum of PFAS contamination. Given the persistence and bioaccumulative nature of these compounds, a comprehensive human health risk assessment is essential to safeguard public health and ensure the safety of drinking water sources.

PMID:40558864 | PMC:PMC12194177 | DOI:10.3390/jox15030081

Int J Surg. 2025 Jun 24. doi: 10.1097/JS9.0000000000002858. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:40557442 | DOI:10.1097/JS9.0000000000002858

Membranes (Basel). 2025 Jun 7;15(6):172. doi: 10.3390/membranes15060172.

ABSTRACT

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), used since the 1940s, are persistent and carcinogenic pollutants. Water is a major exposure route; effective removal is essential. While nanofiltration (NF) and reverse osmosis (RO) are effective but costly, ultrafiltration (UF) membranes offer advantages such as lower cost and higher flux, but their relatively large pore size makes them ineffective for PFAS compounds like perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Since PFAS removal depends on both pore size and surface properties, this study investigates the effect of polyelectrolyte multilayer coatings using poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) on the zeta potential of UF membranes. Pristine UF membranes showed limited performance (UP150: ~2% for both PFOS and PFOA; UP020: 34.4% PFOS, 24.1% PFOA), while coating significantly enhanced removal (coated UP150: 45.3% PFOS, 43.4% PFOA; coated UP020: 77.8% PFOS, 73.3% PFOA). The modified UF membranes achieved PFAS removal efficiencies significantly closer to NF membranes, though still below those of RO (e.g., BW30XLE: up to 91.0% PFOS, 88.3% PFOA; NP030: up to 81.0% PFOS, 79.3% PFOA). Findings emphasize the importance of membrane surface charge and suggest that modified UF membranes offer a promising, low-cost alternative for PFAS removal under low-pressure conditions.

PMID:40559351 | PMC:PMC12195447 | DOI:10.3390/membranes15060172

Med Sci (Basel). 2025 Jun 1;13(2):69. doi: 10.3390/medsci13020069.

ABSTRACT

Background: This study investigates the combined effects of PFAS metals (PFOA and PFOS), heavy metals (lead, cadmium, and mercury), behavioral factors (smoking and alcohol consumption), and social factors (income and education) on depressive symptoms. Methods: Using cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 2017-2018), blood samples were analyzed to determine the exposure levels of PFOA, PFOS, lead, cadmium, and mercury, and self-reported behavioral and social factors were evaluated in relation to PHQ-9 scores among 181 adults. Results: Education was associated with lower odds of depressive symptoms (OR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.43-1.07). Although the result was not statistically significant, the estimate suggested a potential protective effect that warranted further investigation. Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression demonstrated that heavy metals collectively had the strongest evidence for influencing depression (group PIP = 0.6508), followed by socioeconomic factors (group PIP = 0.642). Bivariate exposure-response analyses revealed complex interaction patterns whereby exposure effects varied substantially depending on co-exposure contexts. Conclusions: These findings highlight that depressive symptoms are shaped by complex interplays between environmental contaminants, behavior, and social determinants, underscoring the importance of mixture-based approaches in environmental mental health research and the need for integrated interventions addressing both environmental and social factors.

PMID:40559227 | PMC:PMC12194989 | DOI:10.3390/medsci13020069

Toxics. 2025 May 26;13(6):436. doi: 10.3390/toxics13060436.

ABSTRACT

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are used in consumer products and manufacturing. Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), and perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA) are long-chain PFAS composed of 9, 10, and 11 carbons, respectively, which exert sublethal toxicity to aquatic species. Here, we review the data regarding the environmental fate and ecotoxicology of these understudied long-chain PFAS in fish. The objectives of this study were to (1) compile the literature to compare physiological or molecular signaling pathways disrupted by PFNA, PFDA, or PFUnDA; and (2) uncover potential biomarkers and pathways of toxicity of longer-chain PFAS using gene ontology computational approaches to shed light on their mechanism of action. Studies show that PFAS have a range of effects on fish, including developmental issues, changes in gene expression, and behavioral modifications. Based on our review, PFNA has been studied more frequently in fish compared to PFDA and PFUnDA; however, longer-chained PFAS are proposed to pose greater toxicity. Based on the computational approach, prominent pathways affected by PFNA include insulin signaling ["Insulin -> CEBPA/CTNNB/FOXA/FOXO", "Insulin -> STAT Expression Targets"], immune system signaling ["TNF -> STAT Expression Targets", "IL6 Expression Targets", and "IL2 Expression Targets"], and growth hormone/prolactin signaling ["GH1/PRLR Expression Targets", "PRL/GHR -> STAT Expression Targets", "PRL/PRLR Expression Targets"]. Several transcripts related to cholesterol metabolism were also affected by PFNA. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the distribution, fate, and ecotoxicology of PFNA, PFDA, and PFUnDA in teleost fish, highlighting potential physiological and molecular responses that could aid in assessing long-chain PFAS toxicity in future studies.

PMID:40559910 | PMC:PMC12196793 | DOI:10.3390/toxics13060436

Toxics. 2025 May 26;13(6):435. doi: 10.3390/toxics13060435.

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the spatiotemporal distribution of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in the Daku River, Taoyuan, with a particular focus on source apportionment and associated ecological and human health risks. The total PFAS concentrations ranged from below the detection limits to 185 ng/L, with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) emerging as the predominant compound, followed by perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS). Elevated PFAS levels were observed downstream of the confluence between the Daku River and Litouzhou ditch, suggesting contributions from industrial activities. Principal component analysis (PCA) and positive matrix factorization (PMF) were employed to identify important components and factors that explain different compounds. Factor 1 (dominated by PFUnA) was attributed to sources such as food packaging and textiles. Factor 2 (PFBS, PFHxS, PFOS) originated from agricultural inputs and wastewater discharges linked to the semiconductor and photonics industries. Factor 3 (PFOA, PFNA, PFDA) was primarily associated with fluoropolymer manufacturing, electronics, chemical engineering, machinery, and coating production. Ecological risk assessments showed no significant threats (RQ < 0.1) for PFBS, PFPA, PFNA, PFOS, and PFDA. Human health risk evaluations based on the Health Risk Index (HRI < 1), likewise, indicated negligible risk from crop and vegetable consumption in the Daku River area. These findings underscore the importance of continued monitoring and targeted pollution management strategies to safeguard environmental quality and public health.

PMID:40559909 | PMC:PMC12196852 | DOI:10.3390/toxics13060435

Toxics. 2025 Jun 5;13(6):476. doi: 10.3390/toxics13060476.

ABSTRACT

This study assessed the relationship between environmental chemical mixtures-including metals, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), phthalates, and plasticizers-and key cardiovascular health markers using data from the 2013-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The combined effects of these pollutants on cardiovascular markers were evaluated using Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR), a flexible, non-parametric modeling approach that accommodates nonlinear and interactive relationships among exposures. BKMR was applied to assess both the joint and individual associations of the chemical mixture with systolic blood pressure (SBP), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), total cholesterol, and triglycerides. As part of the BKMR analysis, posterior inclusion probabilities (PIPs) were estimated to identify the relative importance of each exposure within the mixture. These results highlighted phthalates as major contributors to LDL, SBP, total cholesterol, HDL, and triglycerides while plasticizers were associated with LDL, SBP, HDL, and triglycerides. Metals and PFAS were most strongly linked to LDL, DBP, total cholesterol, and SBP. The overall mixture effect indicated that cumulative exposures were associated with lower LDL and SBP and elevated DBP, suggesting an increased cardiovascular risk. Triglycerides exhibited a complex quantile-dependent trend, with higher exposures associated with reduced levels. These findings underscore the importance of mixture-based risk assessments that reflect real-world exposure scenarios.

PMID:40559949 | PMC:PMC12197269 | DOI:10.3390/toxics13060476

Toxics. 2025 Jun 3;13(6):474. doi: 10.3390/toxics13060474.

ABSTRACT

Long-chain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have been the standard active chemicals in aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs or firefighting foams) since the mid-1960s. Some characteristics of PFASs are environmental persistence and bioaccumulation. Non-fluorinated firefighting foams are an alternative to potentially reducing the ecological/environmental impact of PFAS-based AFFF. We used northern bobwhite (NOBO, Colinus virginianus) to test the ecotoxicity of one candidate (non-fluorinated) foam. Fomtec Enviro USP is a fluorine-free commercial AFFF used primarily for extinguishing Class B hydrocarbon fuel fires. Following a photostimulation phase to initiate egg laying, breeding pairs were exposed for 60+ days to 0.01%, 0.1%, and 0.25% Fomtec in drinking water. The endpoints of the study included survival, growth, and reproductive output. Water consumption was evaluated and used to determine the average daily intake (ADI) based on Fomtec components: sodium dodecyl sulfate or SDS (0.05, 0.15, and 0.32 mg/kg/day for the 0.01%, 0.1%, and 0.25% Fomtec exposures, respectively) and diethylene glycol monobutyl ether or DGMBE (0.49, 6.54, and 18.37 mg/kg/day for the 0.01%, 0.1%, and 0.25% Fomtec exposures, respectively). Over the 60 days, control females laid an average of 59 ± 0.8 eggs compared to 28 ± 9 (0.01% Fomtec exposure), 51 ± 4 (0.1% Fomtec exposure), and 56 ± 2 (0.25% Fomtec exposure); the number of eggs produced per hen was affected by exposure to the lowest Fomtec concentration. Hatching success was not significantly different among treatment groups, and it was within normal reproduction parameters for quail. Our findings in this avian model help to fill data gaps for non-fluorinated foam products, many of which have little toxicological information.

PMID:40559947 | PMC:PMC12197796 | DOI:10.3390/toxics13060474

Toxics. 2025 Jun 14;13(6):501. doi: 10.3390/toxics13060501.

ABSTRACT

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants with potential endocrine-disrupting properties. This study examines the association between exposure to multiple PFASs and pan-cancers associated with sex hormones (PCSH) while accounting for potential non-linear relationships and interactions. We analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), spanning two-year cycles from 1999 to 2012 and including 14,373 participants. Serum concentrations of six PFAS-perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDE), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUA)-were assessed for their relationship with PCSH. The statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Spearman and Pearson correlation analyses, and both linear and logistic regression models. Additionally, Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) was applied to capture potential nonlinear relationships and interactions. The initial t-tests showed a statistically significant difference in PFOS levels between individuals with and without PCSH (p = 0.0022), with higher mean PFOS levels in the PCSH group. Chi-square tests revealed a significant association between ethnicity and PCSH (p < 0.001). Linear and logistic regression analyses revealed significant associations for PFOS. BKMR analysis identified PFOA as having the highest posterior inclusion probability, indicating its importance in explaining PCSH risk. Univariate exposure-response analysis revealed limited individual PFAS effects. However, bivariate analysis indicated a complex U-shaped interaction pattern among many joint PFAS assessments. The overall exposure effect analysis suggested that the combined impact of all PFASs was more strongly associated with PCSH at exposure levels below the 0.5 quantile compared to higher levels. Single-variable interaction analyses highlighted PFOA and PFOS as the most interactive PFASs when evaluating their interaction with combined exposure to all other PFASs. In summary, while the initial findings suggested a positive association between PFOS and PCSH, the BKMR analysis revealed complex non-linear relationships and interactions among PFAS. These findings highlight the importance of evaluating PFASs as a mixture rather than as individual chemicals and using techniques that can capture non-linear relationships and interactions.

PMID:40559974 | PMC:PMC12197098 | DOI:10.3390/toxics13060501

Front Public Health. 2025 Jun 10;13:1526918. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1526918. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been associated with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), however, the evidence is limited. This study aimed to explore the associations between PFAS in the follicular fluid and PCOS, as well as the mediating role of steroid hormones.

METHODS: Forty women with PCOS undergoing treatment for infertility and 56 control participants were included in this study. The levels of 24 PFAS in the follicular fluid and sex hormones in serum were measured. The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each PFAS were estimated by multivariable logistic regression. Correlation analysis and multiple linear regression revealed the associations between PFAS and steroid hormones. Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) model was utilized to evaluate the associations between joint and individual PFAS exposure and PCOS. Additionally, in-vitro experiment with human ovarian granulosa cell line (KGN cells) was conducted.

RESULTS: The study showed that perfluoro-n-octanoic acid (PFOA) and potassium perfluoro-1-octanesulfonate (PFOS) were the dominant PFAS in the follicular fluid samples, with the median concentration of 4.35 ng/mL and 5.22 ng/mL, respectively. Perfluoro-n-hexanoic acid (PFHxA) were correlated with increased incidences of PCOS (medium vs. low tertile: OR = 1.78, 95% CI: 0.18, 17.19). In the cases, a negative relationship was found between PFHxA and luteinizing hormone (LH; β = -0.44, 95% CI: -8.25, -0.03), while a positive relationship was observed between perfluoro-n-heptanoic acid (PFHpA) and LH (β = 0.504, 95% CI: 0.71, 21.31). PFOA was positively associated with estradiol (E₂; β = 0.76, 95% CI: 1.52, 19.57). The BKMR model indicated that there might be a joint effect between PFAS mixtures and PCOS, with the posterior inclusion probabilities (PIP) of PFHxA was 0.983. In the cell experiments, PFOA, PFOS, and PFHpA exposure decreased the concentration of E₂ (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: PFHxA in follicular fluids was associated with the elevated odds of PCOS, and steroid hormones may play a role in the etiologic connection.

PMID:40556922 | PMC:PMC12185472 | DOI:10.3389/fpubh.2025.1526918

Toxics. 2025 Jun 14;13(6):501. doi: 10.3390/toxics13060501.

ABSTRACT

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants with potential endocrine-disrupting properties. This study examines the association between exposure to multiple PFASs and pan-cancers associated with sex hormones (PCSH) while accounting for potential non-linear relationships and interactions. We analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), spanning two-year cycles from 1999 to 2012 and including 14,373 participants. Serum concentrations of six PFAS-perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDE), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUA)-were assessed for their relationship with PCSH. The statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Spearman and Pearson correlation analyses, and both linear and logistic regression models. Additionally, Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) was applied to capture potential nonlinear relationships and interactions. The initial t-tests showed a statistically significant difference in PFOS levels between individuals with and without PCSH (p = 0.0022), with higher mean PFOS levels in the PCSH group. Chi-square tests revealed a significant association between ethnicity and PCSH (p < 0.001). Linear and logistic regression analyses revealed significant associations for PFOS. BKMR analysis identified PFOA as having the highest posterior inclusion probability, indicating its importance in explaining PCSH risk. Univariate exposure-response analysis revealed limited individual PFAS effects. However, bivariate analysis indicated a complex U-shaped interaction pattern among many joint PFAS assessments. The overall exposure effect analysis suggested that the combined impact of all PFASs was more strongly associated with PCSH at exposure levels below the 0.5 quantile compared to higher levels. Single-variable interaction analyses highlighted PFOA and PFOS as the most interactive PFASs when evaluating their interaction with combined exposure to all other PFASs. In summary, while the initial findings suggested a positive association between PFOS and PCSH, the BKMR analysis revealed complex non-linear relationships and interactions among PFAS. These findings highlight the importance of evaluating PFASs as a mixture rather than as individual chemicals and using techniques that can capture non-linear relationships and interactions.

PMID:40559974 | PMC:PMC12197098 | DOI:10.3390/toxics13060501

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2025 Jun 24;302:118574. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.118574. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The aim of this umbrella review was to evaluate the quality, potential biases, and validity of the existing evidence on the relationship between endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) exposure and health outcomes, through a comprehensive review of available meta-analyses. The included meta-analyses were searched across multiple databases, including PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. This umbrella review included systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, case-control studies, and cross-sectional studies that assessed the impact of EDCs exposure on various health outcomes in humans. The search resulted in the identification of 67 meta-analyses and 109 health outcomes from 7552 unique articles. All of these 109 health outcomes were derived from meta-analyses of observational studies. EDCs exposure included pesticides (n = 30), BPA (n = 13), PAHs (n = 18), PFAS (n = 10), and heavy metals (n = 38). Sixty-nine harmful associations were found to be statistically significant, along with one beneficial association. The remaining 39 outcomes were either harmful or beneficial but did not reach statistical significance. Significant harmful associations between EDCs exposure and 22 cancer outcomes, 21 neonatal/infant/child-related outcomes, 18 metabolic disorder outcomes, 17 cardiovascular disease outcomes, 11 pregnancy-related outcomes, and 20 other outcomes (renal, neuropsychiatric, respiratory, and hematologic) were detected. Exposure to environmental EDCs is closely linked to a wide range of adverse health outcomes. Given the widespread exposure to these pollutants globally, precautionary policies may be warranted to reduce population-level exposure and mitigate potential health risks associated with environmental chemicals.

PMID:40561611 | DOI:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.118574

Bioresour Technol. 2025 Jun 23;435:132877. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2025.132877. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a reducing environment with high microbial diversity and potential for biotransformation of PFAS. Yet, their fate and impact on the microbial community remains poorly understood. This study evaluated the long-term impact (100 d) of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) spiked at10 mg/L (low) and 100 mg/L (high), respectively. Although resilient to complete system failure, high PFAS concentrations disrupted AD, evidenced by 25-50 % reduction in methane content, 45 -48 % reduction in cumulative biogas production, and accumulation of butyric acid. No significant decrease in PFAS concentration was observed in the liquid fraction after 100 d relative to the kill controls, indicating PFAS adsorption behavior. However, PFAS concentrations were temporally variable. Microbial community analysis revealed enrichment of notable AD groups, such as Firmicutes, Synergistetes, and Methanomassillicoccus phyla in high PFAS reactors, which underscores the potential for the microbiome adaptation and informs future strategies for PFAS-contaminated sludge treatment.

PMID:40562244 | DOI:10.1016/j.biortech.2025.132877

Ren Fail. 2025 Dec;47(1):2520903. doi: 10.1080/0886022X.2025.2520903. Epub 2025 Jun 25.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to investigate the associations of single and mixed exposure to the environmental pollutants per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) with renal function and mortality in non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients.

METHODS: Non-dialysis CKD1-4 stage patients in the 2003-2018 US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) who were ≥20 years old were included. Five PFAS were measured and all patients were followed up till 31 December 2019. Multivariate linear, logistic, and Cox regressions were used to evaluate the associations between PFAS exposure and renal function, mortality. Stratified subgroups were analyzed based on baseline characteristics. Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) was used in sensitivity analysis.

RESULTS: Among 1503 CKD patients included, baseline renal function declined in 701 patients (44.4%) and 462 patients (24.9%) died during the follow-up. Single exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) was positively associated with renal function decline (p < .05). Mixed exposure to five kinds of PFAS was found to be associated with renal function decline. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) showed only PFOS had an inverted U-shaped association with renal function decline (p non-linear < .05). There was no statistically significant association between PFAS exposure and mortality. Urinary protein and drug use might interact with the associations between PFAS and renal function.

CONCLUSIONS: PFAS single and mixed exposure were closely related to renal function and renal progression in adult CKD patients. There was no statistically significant association between PFAS exposure and mortality.

PMID:40563132 | DOI:10.1080/0886022X.2025.2520903

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2025 Jun 24;302:118574. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.118574. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The aim of this umbrella review was to evaluate the quality, potential biases, and validity of the existing evidence on the relationship between endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) exposure and health outcomes, through a comprehensive review of available meta-analyses. The included meta-analyses were searched across multiple databases, including PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. This umbrella review included systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, case-control studies, and cross-sectional studies that assessed the impact of EDCs exposure on various health outcomes in humans. The search resulted in the identification of 67 meta-analyses and 109 health outcomes from 7552 unique articles. All of these 109 health outcomes were derived from meta-analyses of observational studies. EDCs exposure included pesticides (n = 30), BPA (n = 13), PAHs (n = 18), PFAS (n = 10), and heavy metals (n = 38). Sixty-nine harmful associations were found to be statistically significant, along with one beneficial association. The remaining 39 outcomes were either harmful or beneficial but did not reach statistical significance. Significant harmful associations between EDCs exposure and 22 cancer outcomes, 21 neonatal/infant/child-related outcomes, 18 metabolic disorder outcomes, 17 cardiovascular disease outcomes, 11 pregnancy-related outcomes, and 20 other outcomes (renal, neuropsychiatric, respiratory, and hematologic) were detected. Exposure to environmental EDCs is closely linked to a wide range of adverse health outcomes. Given the widespread exposure to these pollutants globally, precautionary policies may be warranted to reduce population-level exposure and mitigate potential health risks associated with environmental chemicals.

PMID:40561611 | DOI:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.118574

Toxics. 2025 Jun 10;13(6):490. doi: 10.3390/toxics13060490.

ABSTRACT

Some PFASs are immunotoxic in rodent models and associated with diminished vaccine response in exposed humans. This study assessed the immunotoxicity of four PFASs via the T cell-dependent IgM antibody response (TDAR) to sheep red blood cells (SRBCs) in adult male rats following 28-day oral repeat dosing. The PFASs included 1H,1H,9H-perfluorononyl acrylate (PFNAC), 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorohexyl iodide (PFHI), 2-chlorotetrafluoropropionic acid (CTFPA), and 3,3,4,4,5,5,5-heptafluoropentan-2-one (MHFPK), administered in corn oil. The positive control was cyclophosphamide (CPS). Rats were dosed with vehicle or PFAS from Days 0 to 27. On Day 22, an immunogenic dose of SRBCs was administered intravenously. Positive control animals were administered CPS by intraperitoneal injection from Days 22-27. On Day 28, the animals were euthanized; blood, thymus, and spleen samples were collected and weighed. Serum IgM was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Body weights were unaffected in PFAS-treated rats, except for 3 and 10 mg/kg/day PFNAC-treated rats on Days 24, 27, and 28. Relative spleen and thymus weights and serum IgM levels were not affected by the PFASs at the doses tested, whereas CPS-treated animals had significant decreases in these parameters. The rat TDAR, as assessed by the anti-SRBC IgM response, was not affected by these four PFAS test agents following a 28-day oral exposure.

PMID:40559963 | PMC:PMC12197378 | DOI:10.3390/toxics13060490

Environ Sci Technol. 2025 Jun 24. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.5c05473. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Exposures to some per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAA), have been associated with diverse adverse health effects. Physicochemical properties of PFAA are known to influence their toxicokinetics in mammals, but mechanistic models capable of identifying the key drivers of absorption, distribution, and elimination are limited. Here, we develop and evaluate a physiologically based toxicokinetic (PBTK) model parameterized to an in vivo mouse model using data from in vitro studies. We simulated tissue concentrations of 9 PFAA with perfluorinated carbon chains (η_pfc) ranging from 4 to 10 in wild-type mice, and for perfluorooctanesulfonic acid in knockout mice, following intravenous and oral exposures. The PBTK model quantifies blood flow, binding to tissue proteins and phospholipids, membrane permeability, hepatic and renal transporters, and fecal and urinary excretion. Model evaluation comparing experimental and simulated mice blood and tissue concentrations showed R² values of ≥ 0.65 and relative root-mean-square errors of ≤ 122% for most PFAA. Model sensitivity analyses showed that permeability and phospholipid binding strongly influenced the elimination and distribution of long-chain PFAA (η_pfc ≥ 7), while elimination for short-chain PFAA (η_pfc ≤ 6) was more sensitive to renal transporters and albumin binding. This study illustrates how integrating in vitro-derived parameters into PBTK models enables mechanistic evaluation of PFAS toxicokinetics across diverse compounds and physiological conditions.

PMID:40551675 | DOI:10.1021/acs.est.5c05473

J Vet Res. 2025 Apr 4;69(2):285-292. doi: 10.2478/jvetres-2025-0023. eCollection 2025 Jun.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a numerous group of synthetic organic compounds used in various industries. They pollute the natural environment and negatively affect humans and animals. The aim of the present investigation was to assess the exposure of sheep bred in the Kyrgyz Republic to six selected PFASs.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Six selected PFASs were assessed in 50 sheep (39 females and 11 males) of Kyrgyz and Arashan breeds ranging in age from 1 to 8 years (mean 2.1 ± 1.1), recruited equally from the Alamedin and Sokuluk regions. The substances were five perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (perfluorobutanoic acid - PFBuA, perfluoropentanoic acid - PFPeA, perfluorohexanoic acid - PFHxA, perfluoroheptanoic acid - PFHpA and perfluorooctanoic acid - PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulphonic acid (PFOS), and were determined through the liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry of hair samples.

RESULTS: All the listed PFASs were found in the studied hair samples. The highest concentrations were noted for PFPeA and PFBuA. The concentration of PFPeA ranged from 0.99 ng/g to 27.90 ng/g (mean 5.55 ± 4.54 ng/g) and that of PFBuA from 0.95ng/g to 14.18 ng/g (mean 2.24 ± 2.34 ng/g). The mean concentration levels of other PFASs were as follows: 1.06 ± 0.78 ng/g for PFHxA, 1.02 ± 0.76 ng/g for PFHpA, 0.87 ± 0.68 ng/g for PFOA and below the method quantification limit for PFOS. Clear differences in PFASs levels were noted between the two regions.

CONCLUSION: Sheep are exposed to various PFASs, and sheep wool and items made of it may be the source of human exposure to these compounds. Hair samples may be used for biomonitoring of sheep exposure to PFASs.

PMID:40552025 | PMC:PMC12182923 | DOI:10.2478/jvetres-2025-0023

Water Res. 2025 Jun 15;284:124033. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2025.124033. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The osmotic microbial fuel cell (OsMFC) is an innovative wastewater treatment technology that integrates electricity generation with clean water extraction. OsMFC has the potential to treat industrial wastewater. However, membrane fouling poses a significant challenge to the practical application of OsMFC. This study examines the effect of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) on membrane fouling in OsMFCs. After long-term operation, it was found that the presence of PFAS reduced the water flux of OsMFC and aggravated the membrane fouling. Exposure to PFAS resulted in poor surface hydrophilicity. The membrane fouling was composed of α-D-glucopyranose, β-D-glucopyranose, proteins, and cells. Under PFOA exposure conditions, membrane fouling of OsMFC mainly occurred at the initial stage of operation. While PFOS existed, membrane fouling developed slowly. Further, the membrane cleaning methods and their effects were investigated. Among them, physical cleaning can achieve an ideal water flux recovery rate (up to 95 %). Further, to solve the problem that the removal rate of PFOA and PFOS was not ideal, more than 60 % of PFOA and PFOS were removed by optimizing the hydraulic retention time. Finally, the distribution and fate of PFOA and PFOS in OsMFC were determined. Adsorption removal by biofilm was the main way of their removal. This study provides a reference for the sustainable operation of membrane reactors in the presence of PFAS and the optimization of the biological removal process of PFAS in wastewater.

PMID:40554149 | DOI:10.1016/j.watres.2025.124033

Mar Pollut Bull. 2025 Jun 18;219:118300. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118300. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Per- and polyfluoroalkylated substances (PFAS) are widely distributed, and although PFAS may be deleterious to marine organisms, there is a lack of studies in the southern hemisphere. The presence of 29 PFAS in marine invertebrates and fish from Antarctica (Fildes Bay), Patagonia (La Leona Island, Marchant River Mouth), and northern Chile (Pan de Azucar Bay) were studied here. Samples were collected during the austral summer (January-February 2015) and analyzed by Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem ES (-) mass spectrometry. ∑PFAS ranged from 3.03 ng/g dw (dry weight) in Austral red starfish (Odontaster validus) to 120.3 ± 33.7 ng/g dw in red cusk-eel (Genypterus chilensis). The results showed local contamination and underscores the far-reaching impact of anthropogenic pollutants. Due to the potential health consequences of PFAS exposure it requires having effective regulatory measures to avoid these chemically synthesized substances ending up in remote regions of the southern hemisphere where they could bioaccumulate. The data can serve as a base for further research to understand the full extent of PFAS contamination and its implications for remote ecosystems.

PMID:40554077 | DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118300

J Hazard Mater. 2025 Jun 16;495:138969. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.138969. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are highly persistent and hazardous environmental contaminants that pose significant risks to human health and ecosystems. Their unique physicochemical characteristics such as hydrophobicity, oleophobicity, chemical and mechanical stability, and resistance to physicochemical and biological degradation, present considerable challenges for effective removal from aqueous matrices. Among available strategies, thermal treatment technologies have emerged as a promising approach due to their capacity for rapid PFAS degradation across diverse compound types and their high maturity. This critical review provides a comprehensive evaluation of recent advances in thermal treatment methods for PFAS in aqueous matrices. The focus is on innovative methods, such as microwave-assisted thermal treatment (MAT), supercritical water oxidation (SCWO), electrical discharge plasma (EDP), and atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ). Several key aspects such as transformation mechanisms, the role of reactive radicals, the formation of incomplete by-products, defluorination rates, and the scalability of these technologies are critically analyzed. In addition, this review highlights key research gaps that remain and outlines perspective research directions for improving the effectiveness, environmental safety, and practical implementation of thermal treatment approaches in PFAS mitigation.

PMID:40554349 | DOI:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.138969

Environ Int. 2025 Jun 13;202:109602. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2025.109602. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The increasing prevalence of short-chain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) poses significant challenges for urban water systems (UWS) due to their persistence, high mobility, and widespread occurrence. This study provides a comprehensive assessment of the occurrence, environmental transport, influencing factors, removal efficiency, and human health risks of PFASs across UWS impacted by industrial activities. Regulatory restrictions on long-chain PFASs have led to their replacement with short-chain analogues, resulting in their dominance in effluents from manufacturing plant parks (MPPs), with concentrations ranging from 30.28 to 3738.51 ng/L (mean: 557.68 ± 1072.03 ng/L). Wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) serve as both sources and sinks of PFASs, with a negative average removal efficiency (-47.4 %) and an estimated annual discharge of 12.29 kg of PFASs into the environment. Downstream of WWTP, PFASs concentrations in rivers decrease exponentially due to dilution and sediment partitioning; however, short-chain PFASs persist over long distances due to their high aqueous mobility. While the detected PFAS levels in rivers pose low health risks to humans, they present low to medium ecological risks to aquatic organisms, particularly algae, invertebrates, and fish. Advanced statistical analyses using piecewise structural equation modeling (piecewiseSEM) and co-occurrence network analysis (CNA) identified key environmental drivers of PFASs behavior, including heavy metals (effect size: 0.70), nutrient levels (0.36), and physicochemical parameters (-0.52). Furthermore, drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) demonstrated limited removal efficiency, with tap water concentrations ranging from 27.95 to 84.72 ng/L, exceeding the regulatory limits set by the US EPA (2022) (PFOA: 0.004 ng/L, PFOS: 0.02 ng/L) and Health Canada (Σ₂₅PFAS: 30 ng/L). These findings underscore the urgent need for enhanced regulations, the development of sustainable alternatives, and the implementation of advanced treatment technologies to mitigate the environmental and public health risks associated with short-chain PFASs.

PMID:40554224 | DOI:10.1016/j.envint.2025.109602

J Hazard Mater. 2025 Jun 19;495:138999. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.138999. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The effect of prenatal exposure to emerging Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on the trajectory of reproductive development has not been reported. Based on the Shanghai Minhang Birth Cohort, we aimed to examine the associations between prenatal exposure to legacy and emerging PFAS and the trajectory of the anogenital distance (AGD). A group-based trajectory model was used to characterize AGD trajectories. Multiple logistic and Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression models were used to explore the associations between prenatal PFAS exposure and the AGD trajectories. The findings showed that prenatal exposure to perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS), an emerging PFAS, was associated with decreased odds of being in the "Rapid Growth" group of AGD_AS (OR = 0.44, 95 % CI: 0.20-0.98) among boys. Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA), perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoDA) exposure in the highest tertile, and perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) in the medium tertile were associated with the higher odds of being in the AGD_AF "Rapid Growth" trajectory among girls, and the corresponding ORs were 2.98 (95 % CI: 0.97-9.19), 3.16 (95 % CI: 1.08-9.28), 3.27 (95 % CI: 0.99-10.81), and 3.60 (95 % CI: 1.05-12.28), respectively. This study provides preliminary evidence that prenatal legacy and emerging PFAS exposure are associated with AGD growth trajectories and that these effects exhibited sexual dimorphism.

PMID:40555014 | DOI:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.138999

Mar Pollut Bull. 2025 Jun 23;219:118319. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118319. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The contamination of marine environments by chemical pollutants poses a significant threat to both ecosystem health and human food safety, affecting marine One Health by disrupting the interconnected well-being of organisms, ecosystems, and humans. A diverse array of contaminants including metals, persistent organic pollutants, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), pesticides, among others, can accumulate in fish and seafood, raising concerns over dietary exposure. While regulations like the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) establish limits for certain contaminants, many emerging pollutants remain unregulated, and their long-term impacts are poorly understood. This review compiles global data from 2018 to 2024 on the occurrence of both regulated and unregulated contaminants in fishery products across different FAO zones. It provides an overview of contamination levels in various species, regional trends, and potential human health risks. Our findings highlight the widespread presence of plastic additive chemicals (e.g., phthalates, bisphenols), legacy contaminants (e.g., PCBs, pesticides, mercury), and advancement in PFAS monitoring, though still underreported in several regions together with other emerging contaminants including personal care products and industrial chemicals. Arsenic frequently appeared at higher concentrations than other regulated metals. Contaminant profiles varied by tissue type and species group. These findings emphasize the need for harmonized environmental regulations and expanded monitoring efforts. Future research should focus on cumulative exposure risks, mixture toxicity assessments, and the development of standardized methodologies for broader range of contaminants. Strengthening these practices is critical to safeguarding marine biodiversity and ensuring seafood safety for global consumers.

PMID:40554911 | DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118319

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2025 Jun 23;302:118548. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.118548. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In order to fill the gap in previous research, we aim to investigate the relationship between single and co-exposure to bisphenols (BPs) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and behavioral problems among Chinese preschoolers. The current study measured urinary BPs and PFAS concentrations in 823 Chinese preschoolers. The children's behavioral problems were assessed using the Conners' Parent Symptom Questionnaire (PSQ). Binary logistic regression, weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression, and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) were used to examine the association between single or co-exposure to all chemicals and behavioral problems among preschoolers. After controlling for covariates, binary logistic regression results showed that bisphenol AP (BPAP), bisphenol B (BPB), bisphenol S (BPS), perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS), perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), and perfluorooctane sulphonate (PFOS) were significantly associated with children's behavioral problems (OR = 1.89-2.60, 95 % CI: 1.01-5.21). The WQS index was significantly positively associated with behavioral problems (OR = 2.01, 95 % CI: 1.24-3.32). BPAP and PFHxS were the chemicals with the most significant weights. BKMR results also found that the mixture of BPs and PFAS had a partially significant positive association with preschoolers' behavioral problems. This study indicated that a mixture of urinary BPs and PFAS has a combined effect on behavioral problems in preschoolers. In addition, BPAP and PFHxS, which are common substitutes for BPA and PFOS respectively, have a greater impact on preschoolers' behavioral problems and are worthy of further attention.

PMID:40555087 | DOI:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.118548

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2025 Jun 23;302:118546. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.118546. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The accumulation of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and its substitutes hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA, trade name Gen-X) and hexafluoropropylene trimer acid (HFPO-TA), which are widely used synthetic chemicals, may pose significant health risks across species. This study systematically investigated the multi-dimensional effects of PFOA and its substitutes on fatty acid metabolic processes and erythrocyte survival through bioinformatic and metabolomics analysis, complemented by a variety of zebrafish exposure experiments, including Oil Red O staining (ORO staining), Nile red staining (NR staining), 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane (DPPP) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), as well as inflammation, apoptosis and gene expression assays. PFOA and its substitutes significantly disrupted fatty acid oxidation degradation and synthesis, by interfering with the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) signaling pathway, leading to lipid accumulation in zebrafish. In addition, PFOA and HFPO-TA reduced the number of erythrocytes in zebrafish through excessive generation of ROS and abnormal activation of the tp53 gene. Gene expression analysis further confirmed that the expression of genes related to fatty acid metabolism, inflammation and apoptosis regulated by PPARα and its target genes were significantly upregulated. This study revealed that PFOA and its substitutes exert multi-dimensional effects on fatty acid metabolism and erythrocyte survival in zebrafish through the activation of PPARα, providing new perspectives for understanding the toxicity mechanisms of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

PMID:40555089 | DOI:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.118546

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2025 Jun 23;302:118562. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.118562. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The widespread use and persistence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have raised concerns about their ecological impacts. The relative lack of toxicological data for most current-use PFAS, including short-chain compounds such as perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) and precursors such as perfluorobutane sulfonamide (FBSA), is an uncertainty factor in ecological risk assessment. This study investigated the bioaccumulation and chronic toxicity (mortality, light avoidance, and change in soil granulometry as proxy of burrowing behaviour) of PFBS and FBSA in the earthworm species Eisenia fetida and Eisenia andrei in the natural standard LUFA 2.2 soil. Results showed that FBSA was more bioaccumulative (biota-to-soil accumulation factor (BSAF, minimum - maximum) of 0.191-205 kg-OC/kg-ww) and toxic than PFBS, with significant mortality (28-day LC₅₀ 10.0-10.4 mg/kg dry soil) and impaired light avoidance behaviour observed at concentrations close to the 28-day LC₅₀ concentration. PFBS exhibited a lower bioaccumulation potential (minimum - maximum BSAF of 3.85*10^-5 - 7.44 kg-OC/kg-ww) and toxicity (28-day LC₅₀ > 1000 mg/kg dry soil). For both PFAS, BSAF values were strongly dependent on exposure concentrations, with the highest BSAF values reported at the lower, environmentally relevant, test concentrations. Species-specific differences in bioaccumulation (absolute concentrations and BSAF values) were minor, with E. andrei showing slightly higher PFBS accumulation (4.13 ± 0.979 mg/kg ww) at high (1000 mg/kg dry soil) exposure concentrations than E. fetida (2.34 ± 0.0633 mg/kg ww). Despite minor differences in soil granulometry changes among exposure treatments, no clear dose-dependent patterns nor species-specific differences were observed. Overall, our results show a high bioaccumulation potential, but low toxicity, of FBSA and PFBS at environmentally relevant concentrations.

PMID:40555091 | DOI:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.118562

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2025 Jun 23;302:118558. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.118558. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: It has been found that prenatal perfluorine and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure can affect infant neurodevelopment. On the other hand, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation can improve neurodevelopment, but studies on whether it can improve neurodevelopmental delay caused by prenatal PFAS exposure are limited.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between prenatal PFAS exposure and infant neurodevelopmental delay and evaluate the effects of postnatal DHA supplementation on infant neurodevelopment.

METHODS: From October 2020 to December 2022, 2415 mother-newborn pairs were enrolled in the study from China WuHu Birth Cohort Study (WH-BC). Six PFAS (PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFBS, PFHxS and PFHxA) were measured in maternal urine samples using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Infant neurodevelopment was assessed at 6 and 12 months using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3) score. Generalised linear models (GLMs) and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) were used to evaluate the associations between single or mixed PFAS exposure and infant neurodevelopment. Generalized estimating equations (GEEs) were used to identify the sensitive time window for the effect of prenatal exposure to PFAS on infant neurodevelopment. Stratified analysis was used to investigate the potential effect of postnatal DHA supplementation on infant neurodevelopment.

RESULTS: In the gross motor domain, there was a significant positive association between child development delay at 6 months of age and first-trimester PFOA (1st tri: OR = 1.97, 95 % CI: 1.20, 3.24) as well as second-trimester PFNA (2nd tri: OR = 1.61, 95 % CI: 1.03, 2.52). Similarly, at 12 months of age, there were significantly and positively associated between second-trimester exposure levels of PFNA (OR = 1.98, 95 % CI: 1.14, 3.45), PFBS (OR = 1.63, 95 % CI: 1.04, 2.55) and children's developmental delay. We found significant association between prenatal exposure to PFAS and increased children's developmental delay after adjusting for confounders, and the critical exposure windows of PFAS were the first-trimester and second-trimester of pregnancy. Prenatal PFAS exposure affected neurodevelopmental domains differently in infants of different sexes, with PFAS exposure mainly affecting fine domain development in boys and communication and gross motor domains in girls. The children's developmental delay associated with exposure to PFAS could be attenuated by DHA supplementation during lactation in mother-child pairs with PFAS. Whereas in the DHA unsupplemented group, PFAS exposure increased the risk of neurodevelopment. There was a significant and positive association between PFOA (1st tri: OR = 1.68, 95 % CI: 1.09, 2.60) and PFNA (1st tri: OR = 1.43, 95 % CI: 1.01, 2.03;2nd tri: OR = 1.61, 95 % CI: 1.06, 2.45) with developmental delay at 6 months of age.

CONCLUSIONS: PFAS exposure was associated with developmental delays, with gender differences observed, and female infants are more vulnerable. Infant neurodevelopmental delay caused by prenatal PFAS exposure can be alleviated by postnatal DHA supplementation. These findings offer important directions for future research and may have implications for public health policy development.

PMID:40555095 | DOI:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.118558

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2025 Jun 23;302:118569. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.118569. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a global health concern with rising prevalence, and its link to PFAS exposure remains unclear. No machine learning (ML) models have yet been developed to predict DM based on PFAS exposure.

METHODS: We analyzed data from 10471 participants in National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2003-2018). Twelve ML models were compared, with LightGBM showing the best performance (AUC = 0.84, sensitivity = 0.83, accuracy = 73 %). Variable importance, Partial Dependence Analysis (PDA), SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP), and LOWESS smoothing were applied to assess predictor contributions and nonlinear effects. We developed a web-based calculator using Gradio to translate our findings into a clinical risk assessment tool.

RESULTS: PFOA was identified as the strongest predictor and was negatively associated with DM risk. PFOS, PFNA, and MPAH showed positive associations, while PFDE had a slightly negative association. A PFOA threshold of 2.48 ng/ML was identified, below which DM risk was markedly reduced. At low PFOA levels, PFOS and PFNA exhibited mild synergistic effects, but these diminished at higher concentrations. SHAP analyses confirmed PFAS dominant protective contribution, and nonlinear patterns were observed for multiple PFAS. The deployed calculator provides clinicians with an accessible tool to assess individual DM risk based on patient profiles including PFAS exposure.

CONCLUSION: This study provides novel ML-based insights into the associations between PFAS and DM. These findings warrant prospective validation and may inform environmental health strategies for diabetes prevention.

PMID:40555098 | DOI:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.118569