Comparative assessment of the environmental hazards of and exposure to perfluoroalkyl phosphonic and phosphinic acids (PFPAs and PFPiAs): Current knowledge, gaps, challenges and research needs

WANG, Zhanyun, Ian T. COUSINS, Urs BERGER, Konrad HUNGERBUHLER and Martin SCHERINGER. Comparative assessment of the environmental hazards of and exposure to perfluoroalkyl phosphonic and phosphinic acids (PFPAs and PFPiAs): Current knowledge, gaps, challenges and research needs. Environment International. OXFORD (ENGLAND): Pergamon Press, 2016, 89-90, April-May, p. 235-247. ISSN 0160-4120. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2016.01.023.

Basic information

• Original name: Comparative assessment of the environmental hazards of and exposure to perfluoroalkyl phosphonic and phosphinic acids (PFPAs and PFPiAs): Current knowledge, gaps, challenges and research needs
• Authors: WANG, Zhanyun (756 Switzerland), Ian T. COUSINS (752 Sweden), Urs BERGER (276 Germany), Konrad HUNGERBUHLER (756 Switzerland) and Martin SCHERINGER (756 Switzerland, guarantor, belonging to the institution).
• Edition: Environment International, OXFORD (ENGLAND), Pergamon Press, 2016, 0160-4120.

Other information

• Original language: English
• Type of outcome: Article in a journal
• Field of Study: 30304 Public and environmental health
• Country of publisher: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
• Confidentiality degree: is not subject to a state or trade secret
• WWW: URL
• Impact factor: Impact factor: 7.088
• RIV identification code: RIV/00216224:14310/16:00089992
• Organization unit: Faculty of Science
• Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2016.01.023
• UT WoS: 000374603900027
• Keywords in English: Life-cycle; PBT assessment; Environmental fate and transport; Environmental occurrence; Exposure routes; Sampling and analytical challenges; PFPAs and PFPiAs
• Tags: AKR, rivok
• Tags: International impact, Reviewed

Abstract

Perfluoroalkyl phosphonic and phosphinic acids (PFPAs and PFPiAs) are sub-groups of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) that have been commercialized since the 1970s, particularly as defoamers in pesticide formulations and wetting agents in consumer products. Recently, C-4/C-4 PFPiA and its derivatives have been presented as alternatives to long-chain PFASs in certain applications. In this study, we systematically assess the publicly available information on the hazardous properties, occurrence, and exposure routes of PFPAs and PFPiAs, and make comparisons to the corresponding properties of their better-known carboxylic and sulfonic acid analogs (i.e. PFCAs and PFPAs). This comparative assessment indicates that [i] PFPAs likely have high persistence and long-range transport potential; [ii] PFPiAs may transform to PFPAs (and possibly PFCAs) in the environment and biota; [iii] certain PFPAs and PFPiAs can only be slowly eliminated from rainbow trout and rats, similarly to long-chain PFCAs and PFPAs; [iv] PFPAs and PFPiAs have modes-of-action that are both similar to, and different from, those of PFCAs and PFSAs; and [v] the measured levels of PFPAs/PFPiAs in the global environment and biota appear to be low in comparison to PFCAs and PFPAs, suggesting, for the time being, low risks from PFPAs and PFPiAs alone. Although risks from individual PFPAs/PFPiAs are currently low, their ongoing production and use and high persistence will lead to increasing exposure and risks over time. Furthermore, simultaneous exposure to PFPAs, PFPiAs and other PFASs may result in additive effects necessitating cumulative risk assessments. To facilitate effective future research, we highlight possible strategies to overcome sampling and analytical challenges.

Links

• EF15_003/0000469, research and development project: Name: Cetocoen Plus
• LM2015051, research and development project: Name: Centrum pro výzkum toxických látek v prostředí (Acronym: RECETOX RI)

Investor: Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the CR