Detection of ultrashort-chain and other per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in U.S. bottled water
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are compounds of emerging concern due to their persistence in the global water cycle and detection in drinking water sources. However, PFAS have been poorly studied in bottled water, especially in the United States. This study investigated the occurrence of PFAS and related factors in 101 uniquely labelled bottled water products for sale in the U.S. Products were screened for 32 target PFAS by solid phase extraction-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (SPE-LC-MS/MS). Fifteen of 32 measured analytes were detected, consisting primarily of C3-C10 perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCA) and C3-C6 and C8 perfluorosulfonic acids (PFSA). PFAS were detected above method detection limits in 39/101 tested products. The Σ 32 PFAS concentrations detected were 0.17-18.87 ng/L with a median of 0.98 ng/L; 97% of samples were below 5 ng/L. PFCA (83%) and short-chain perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAA) containing 5 or less CF 2 groups (67%) were more prevalent on a mass basis than PFSA and longer-chain PFAA, respectively. Ultrashort-chain PFPrA, measured for the first time in bottled water, accounted for the greatest individual fraction of detected PFAS mass (42%) and was found almost exclusively in products labeled as Spring water. Purified water products contained significantly less PFAS than Spring water products, which was attributed to the use of reverse osmosis (RO) treatment in the majority of Purified waters (25/35) compared to Spring waters (1/4…
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Due to their persistent nature, PFAS become 'forever chemicals' once they enter ecosystems and bioaccumulate.
“Due to the persistent nature of PFAS as a result of aforementioned properties they become 'forever chemicals ' once they enter ecosystems and bioaccumulate (Chow et al., 2021; Wanninayake, 2021).”
From Review of emerging contaminants in green stormwater infrastructure: antibiotic resistance genes, microplastics, tire wear particles, PFAS, and temperature (2024) · cites this paper as Chow et al., 2021
PFAS have been found in various concentrations in all ecosystems.
“PFAS have been found in various concentrations in all ecosystems.”
From Review of emerging contaminants in green stormwater infrastructure: antibiotic resistance genes, microplastics, tire wear particles, PFAS, and temperature (2024) · cites this paper as Chow et al., 2021
Surface water, municipal drinking water, bottled water, oceanic air, soils, and food are contaminated with PFAS.
“Surface water (Podder et al., 2021), municipal drinking water (Domingo and Nadal, 2019), bottled water (Chow et al., 2021), oceanic air (Yamazaki et al., 2021), soils (Mahinroosta and Senevirathna, 2020), and even the food we eat (Ghisi et al., 2019) are contaminated with PFAS.”
From Review of emerging contaminants in green stormwater infrastructure: antibiotic resistance genes, microplastics, tire wear particles, PFAS, and temperature (2024) · cites this paper as Chow et al., 2021
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Self-citationOccurrence and fate of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in urban waters of New Zealand
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- Authors
- Chow, S. J., Ojeda, N., Jacangelo, J. G., & Schwab, K. J.
- ORCID
- Chow, Steven J.
- Venue
- Water Research
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2021-08
- Volume
- 201
- Pages
- 117292
- ISSN
- 0043-1354
- Cited by
- 166
- References
- 7
- Language
- en
- Licence
- Funders
- Johns Hopkins University
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