Nontargeted screening reveals fluorotelomer ethoxylates in indoor dust and industrial wastewater

Katherine L Steeves; Meera J Bissram; Sonya Kleywegt; Douglas Stevens; Frank L Dorman; Andre J Simpson; Myrna J Simpson; Lindsay S Cahill; Karl J Jobst

doi:10.1016/j.envint.2022.107634

Nontargeted screening reveals fluorotelomer ethoxylates in indoor dust and industrial wastewater

Environ Int. 2023 Jan:171:107634. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107634. Epub 2022 Nov 15.

Authors

Katherine L Steeves¹, Meera J Bissram¹, Sonya Kleywegt², Douglas Stevens³, Frank L Dorman⁴, Andre J Simpson⁵, Myrna J Simpson⁵, Lindsay S Cahill¹, Karl J Jobst⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 45 Arctic Ave., St. John's, NL A1C 5S7, Canada.
² Technical Assessment and Standards Development Branch, Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, 40 St. Clair Ave. W., Toronto, ON M4V 1P5, Canada.
³ Waters Corporation, 34 Maple St., Milford, MA, USA.
⁴ Waters Corporation, 34 Maple St., Milford, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry, Dartmouth College, Hannover, NH, USA.
⁵ Departments of Chemistry and Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto, 1265 Military Trail, Scarborough, ON M1C 1A4, Canada.
⁶ Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 45 Arctic Ave., St. John's, NL A1C 5S7, Canada. Electronic address: kjobst@mun.ca.

PMID: 36459821
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107634

Abstract

Concerns regarding the persistence, bioaccumulation behaviour, and toxicity of perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid have resulted in the creation of thousands of replacement perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This study reports on the discovery of fluorotelomer ethoxylates (FTEO) in indoor dust (9/15 samples), and industrial effluents (14/37 samples) using gas chromatographic cyclic ion mobility mass spectrometry (GC-cIMS). By filtering the detected unknowns by mass and collision-cross section, a series of FTEO homologues were revealed with the formula F-(CF₂)_n(C₂H₄O)_xH, where n = 6,8,10, and x = 4-12. The highest concentrations were observed in samples collected from healthcare facilities, consistent with the potential use of these compounds in anti-fog products, sprays used to prevent condensation on eyeglasses. FTEOs were also detected in c. 40 % of industrial effluent samples, with the highest concentrations in electroplating facilities, manufacturers of cosmetics and personal care products, and linen cleaning services for healthcare and work uniforms. These results suggest that FTEOs may well be widespread pollutants that are more persistent than previously thought, underlining the need for further study of their occurrence and potential impact to human health and the environment.

Keywords: Fluorotelomer ethoxylates (FTEO); Indoor dust; Industrial wastewater; Non-targeted screening; Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); Persistent organic pollutants (POPs); Wastewater.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Dust / analysis
Environmental Pollutants* / analysis
Fluorocarbons* / analysis
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
Humans
Wastewater

Substances

Wastewater
Dust
Fluorocarbons
Environmental Pollutants