Persistence of PFOA pollution at a PTFE production site and occurrence of replacement PFASs in English freshwaters revealed by sentinel species, the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra)

O'Rourke, Emily, Losada, Sara, Barber, Jonathan L., Scholey, Graham, Bain, Isobel, Pereira, M. Glória, Hailer, Frank ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2340-1726 and Chadwick, Elizabeth A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6662-6343 2024. Persistence of PFOA pollution at a PTFE production site and occurrence of replacement PFASs in English freshwaters revealed by sentinel species, the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra). Environmental Science and Technology 58 (23) , 10195–10206. 10.1021/acs.est.3c09405

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Abstract

Concentrations of 33 PFASs were determined in 20 Eurasian otters, sampled 2015–2019, along a transect away from a factory, which used PFOA in PTFE manufacture. Despite cessation of usage in 2012, PFOA concentrations remained high near the factory (>298 μg/kg ww <20 km from factory) and declined with increasing distance (<57 μg/kg ww >150 km away). Long-chain legacy PFASs dominated the Σ33PFAS profile, particularly PFOS, PFOA, PFDA, and PFNA. Replacement compounds, PFECHS, F-53B, PFBSA, PFBS, PFHpA, and 8:2 FTS, were detected in ≥19 otters, this being the first report of PFBSA and PFECHS in the species. Concentrations of replacement PFASs were generally lower than legacy compounds (max: 70.3 μg/kg ww and 4,640 μg/kg ww, respectively). Our study underscores the utility of otters as sentinels for evaluating mitigation success and highlights the value of continued monitoring to provide insights into the longevity of spatial associations with historic sources. Lower concentrations of replacement, than legacy, PFASs likely reflect their lower bioaccumulation potential, and more recent introduction. Continued PFAS use will inevitably lead to increased environmental and human exposure if not controlled. Further research is needed on fate, toxicity, and bioaccumulation of replacement compounds.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Biosciences
Publisher:	American Chemical Society
ISSN:	0013-936X
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	6 June 2024
Date of Acceptance:	10 May 2024
Last Modified:	17 Jun 2024 11:00
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/169508

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