Cited by 112Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances researchToxic Organic Pollutants ImpactSynthesis and properties of polymers

Indoor exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the childcare environment

Zheng, Guomao, Boor, Brandon E., Schreder, Erika, Salamova, Amina·2020·Environmental Pollution

Abstract

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely used in stain-resistant carpets, rugs, and upholstery, as well as in waxes and cleaners, and are potential contaminants in the childcare environment. However, limited knowledge exists on the occurrence of PFAS in indoor environments, apart from residential homes. Here, we determined the occurrence and distribution of 37 neutral and ionic PFAS, including perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (PFCAs) perfluoroalkyl sulfonates (PFSAs), fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs), fluorotelomer sulfonates (FTSs), perfluorooctane sulfonamides and perfluorooctane sulfonamidoethanols (FOSAs/FOSEs), and fluorotelomer acrylates and fluorotelomer methacrylates (FTACs/FTMACs) in the childcare environment and estimated children's exposure through dust ingestion and dermal absorption. We analyzed dust and nap mats, a commonly used item in many childcares, from eight facilities located in the United States. Twenty-eight PFAS were detected in dust with total PFAS concentrations (ΣPFAS) ranging from 8.1 to 3,700 ng/g and were dominated by the two neutral PFAS groups: ΣFTOH (n.d. - 3,100 ng/g) and ΣFOSA/FOSE (n.d. - 380 ng/g). The ionic PFAS were detected at lower concentrations and were dominated by 6:2 FTS and 8:2 FTS (median 12 and 5.8 ng/g, respectively). ΣPFAS concentrations in mats (1.6-600 ng/g) were generally an order of magnitude lower than in dust and were dominated by ΣFOSA/FOSE concentrations (n.d. - 220 ng/g). Daily intake of neutral PFAS in the childcare environment via dust ingestion was estimated at 0.20 ng/kg bw/day and accounted for 75% of the ΣPFAS intake. This higher exposure to neutral PFAS is concerning considering that many neutral PFAS are the precursors of toxic ionic PFAS, such as PFOA.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113714

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Authors
Zheng, G., Boor, B. E., Schreder, E., & Salamova, A.
Affiliations
  • Indiana University Bloomington (US)
  • Purdue University West Lafayette (US)
Corresponding author
Salamova, Amina
Venue
Environmental Pollution
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2020-03
Volume
258
Pages
113714
ISSN
0269-7491 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2993817027
Cited by
112
References
51
Citations by year
2026: 22 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 8
FWCI
4.03
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Environmental Pollution (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • HumanLinks Foundation
  • Healthy Babies
  • Bright Futures
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances research
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Toxic Organic Pollutants Impact
  • Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Polymers and Plastics › Synthesis and properties of polymers
Keywords
per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, PFAS, indoor air pollution, childcare facilities, children's exposure, dust ingestion, percutaneous absorption, fluorotelomer alcohols, fluorotelomer sulfonates, perfluorooctane sulfonamide, perfluorooctanoic acid, PFAS precursors
MeSH terms
Carboxylic Acids, Child, Child Care, Dust, Environmental Exposure, Environmental Monitoring, Fluorocarbons, Humans, Air Pollution, Indoor

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