Exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and age-related macular degeneration in U.S. middle-aged and older adults

22 Aug 2024 | Chemosphere

Higher levels of certain PFAS chemicals, particularly PFOS, are linked to a significantly increased risk of age-related eye disease in middle-aged and older adults.

The perfluorooctanoic acid accumulation and release from pipelines promoted growth of bacterial communities and opportunistic pathogens with different antibiotic resistance genes in drinking water

22 Aug 2024 | J Hazard Mater

PFOA promotes the growth of harmful bacteria and the spread of antibiotic resistance genes in drinking water by enhancing bacterial metabolism, increasing protective substances, and facilitating gene transfer, leading to serious health risks.

Characterization of the Bioavailability of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Farmland Soils and the Factors Impacting Their Translocation to Edible Plant Tissues

22 Aug 2024 | Environ Sci Technol

PFAS were detected in all crops from the Fen-Wei Plain, with higher accumulation in leafy vegetables and stronger bioavailability in soils with more dissolved organic carbon; plant tissue lipid and protein contents significantly influenced PFAS accumulation.

All fluorine-free lithium-ion batteries with high-rate capability

19 Aug 2024 | J. Chem. Eng.

Non-fluorinated alternatives for lithium batteries have been developed, replacing traditional fluorinated components and offering improved performance and stability, showing promise for high-capacity, fluorine-free battery technologies in response to potential regulatory bans.

Contribution of Continued Dermal Exposure of PFAS-Containing Sunscreens to Internal Exposure: Extrapolation from and Tests to Physiologically Based Toxicokinetic Models

18 Aug 2024 | Environ Sci Technol

Sunscreens containing PFAS were found to significantly increase skin absorption of these chemicals, with models predicting higher exposure from applying the same amount of sunscreen over larger skin areas, posing a greater potential health risk.

First report of accumulation of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in platypuses (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) in New South Wales, Australia

16 Aug 2024 | Environ Sci Pollut Res Int

Platypuses in Australia were found to have PFOS levels in their livers ranging from less than 1 µg/kg to 1200 µg/kg, comparable to those in river otters and lower than in American mink, raising concerns about potential health impacts.

A Systematic Workflow for Compliance Testing of Emerging International Classwide Restrictions on PFAS

14 Aug 2024 | Environmental Science and Technology

The authors propose a three-step workflow to ensure compliance with new PFAS restrictions based on recent advances in analytical chemistry.

Clinical Implications of New Drinking Water Regulation for "Forever Chemicals"

14 Aug 2024 | JAMA

The new EPA regulations establish near-zero limits for specific PFAS in drinking water, underscoring the significant health risks associated with these persistent "forever chemicals" and the increasing importance for clinicians to address patient concerns about PFAS exposure and its potential health impacts.

Preferential Partitioning of Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Freshwater Ice

13 Aug 2024 | Environ. Sci. Technol.

PFAS are typically excluded from ice as freshwater lakes freeze, but some PFAS and dissolved organic carbon are preferentially concentrated in the ice, affecting their distribution and potential release into the environment when the ice melts.

Sampling of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances in drainage water from a waste management facility

12 Aug 2024 | Chemosphere

Drainage water at a Swedish waste management facility contained various PFAS, including short-chain perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (C4 and C5) and perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (C4 to C6).

Drinking water quality parameters in Africa and the United States: Implications for public health

12 Aug 2024 | Eng. Sci. Technol.

This study highlights significant disparities between water quality in Africa and the United States, with Africa facing high levels of microbiological and chemical contaminants due to inadequate infrastructure, while the U.S. contends with challenges like PFAS contamination and lead from aging pipes despite advanced treatment technologies, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions and policy improvements in both regions.

Dioxins vs. PFAS: Science and Policy Challenges

12 Aug 2024 | Environ Health Perspect

Dioxin-like chemicals, once a major environmental concern, have been largely controlled through regulations, but attention has now shifted to PFAS, a group of "forever chemicals" that pose a serious and urgent health threat, with ongoing debates about their regulation.

It’s too soon to stop studying the potential effects of PFAS on human health

9 Aug 2024 | Nature

Despite positive signs regarding the decreasing presence of specific PFAS in the blood of sampled humans, we do not know enough about this broad class of substances to justify stopping research on their toxicity.

Assessment of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances and physiological biomarkers in aquarium-based bottlenose dolphins and killer whales

6 Aug 2024 | Chemosphere

PFAS, especially PFOS and PFNA, were found in the serum of zoo-based bottlenose dolphins and killer whales, and the study revealed significant correlations between PFAS exposure and physiological effects, such as increased reactive oxygen species, suggesting potential health risks that could inform future conservation and regulatory decisions.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances exposure is associated with polycystic ovary syndrome risk among women attending a fertility clinic

6 Aug 2024 | Sci Total Environ

Exposure to certain PFAS, particularly PFOS and PFHxS, has been linked to an increased risk of polycystic ovary syndrome among women seeking fertility treatment, even at lower exposure levels, highlighting the reproductive health risks associated with PFAS.