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First Evidence of Prenatal Exposure to Emerging Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances Associated with E-Waste Dismantling: Chemical Structure-Based Placental Transfer and Health Risks.

Bo ZhangZiyang WeiCheng GuYiming YaoJingchuan XueHongkai ZhuKurunthachalam KannanHongwen SunTao Zhang
Published in: Environmental science & technology (2022)
Limited information is available about prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in electronic waste (e-waste) recycling sites. In this study, we determined 21 emerging PFAS and 13 legacy PFAS in 94 paired maternal and cord serum samples collected from an e-waste dismantling site in Southern China. We found 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate (6:2 FTSA), 6:2 chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate (6:2 Cl-PFESA), and perfluorooctanephosphonate (PFOPA) as the major emerging PFAS, regardless of matrices, at median concentrations of 2.40, 1.78, and 0.69 ng/mL, respectively, in maternal serum samples, and 2.30, 0.73, and 0.72 ng/mL, respectively, in cord serum samples. Our results provide evidence that e-waste dismantling activities contribute to human exposure to 6:2 FTSA, 6:2 Cl-PFESA, and PFOPA. The trans-placental transfer efficiencies of emerging PFAS (0.42-0.94) were higher than that of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (0.37) and were structure-dependent. The substitution of fluorine with chlorine or hydrogen and/or hydrophilic functional groups may alter trans-placental transfer efficiencies. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated significant associations between maternal serum concentrations of emerging PFAS and maternal clinical parameters, especially liver function and erythrocyte-related biomarkers. This study provides new insights into prenatal exposure to multiple PFAS in e-waste dismantling areas and the prevalence of emerging PFAS in people living near the sites.
Keyphrases
  • ionic liquid
  • heavy metals
  • sewage sludge
  • municipal solid waste
  • birth weight
  • pregnant women
  • life cycle
  • drinking water
  • risk factors
  • healthcare
  • health information
  • electron transfer
  • anaerobic digestion