Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA): emerging contaminants of increasing concern in fish from Lake Varese, Italy

Environ Monit Assess. 2015 Jul;187(7):438. doi: 10.1007/s10661-015-4686-0. Epub 2015 Jun 18.

Abstract

Perfluoroalkylated substances (PFASs) are highly fluorinated aliphatic compounds with high thermal and chemical stability, used in a range of industrial applications. Extensive screening analyses in biota samples from all over the world have shown the bioaccumulation of PFAS into higher trophic levels in the food chain. Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluoroctanoic acid (PFOA) are potential reproductive and developmental toxicants and are considered to be emerging endocrine disrupters. Ingestion of fish and other seafood is considered the main source of exposure of these contaminants. Here, we quantified PFOS and PFOA by LC-MS/MS in muscle samples of European perch from Lake Varese, Italy. PFOS was detected in all samples with concentrations of up to 17.2 ng g(-1). Although the reported values were lower than the recommended total daily intake (TDI) proposed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), fish from Lake Varese may be a significant source of dietary PFOS exposure.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkanesulfonic Acids / analysis*
  • Animals
  • Caprylates / analysis*
  • Chromatography, Liquid
  • Diet
  • Endocrine Disruptors / analysis
  • Environmental Exposure
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Fluorocarbons / analysis*
  • Food Chain
  • Food Contamination / analysis
  • Humans
  • Italy
  • Lakes
  • Muscles / chemistry
  • Perches*
  • Seafood / analysis
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis*

Substances

  • Alkanesulfonic Acids
  • Caprylates
  • Endocrine Disruptors
  • Fluorocarbons
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • perfluorooctanoic acid
  • perfluorooctane sulfonic acid