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Tree swallow nest boxes were deployed at sites proximal to two putative aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) sources in the Duluth, MN area, as well as along the St. Louis River and a reference lake for comparative purposes in 2019, 2020 and 2021. The two AFFF sites were the current Duluth Air National Guard Base (ANG) and the Lake Superior College Emergency Response Training Center. Between 13 and 40 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), depending on year, were detected and quantified in tree swallow egg, nestling carcasses, and stomach contents. Assessments were made of oxidative stress and ethoxyresorufin-O-dealkylase activity in liver tissue, thyroid hormone levels in plasma and thyroid glands, DNA damage in red blood cells, and two measures of immune response (haptoglobin-like activity and immunoglobulin) in plasma of the nestlings. Additionally, other contaminants, such as polychlorinated biphenyls, legacy organochlorine pesticides, and trace elements, were assessed at sites with no previous data. Total egg PFAS concentrations at the ANG site and north of that site were 30–40 times higher than at the reference lake, while nestling PFAS concentrations were 10–15 times higher. In contrast, the St. Louis River sites had slightly, but non-statistically significant, elevated egg and nestling PFAS concentrations relative to the reference lake (2–5 times higher). One PFAS, perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), was higher, as a proportion of total PFAS, at sites with a known AFFF source compared to the reference lake, as well as compared to sites along the St. Louis River with mainly urban and industrial sources of PFAS. The ratio of total carboxylates to total sulfonates also distinguished between PFAS sources. There were few to no differences in biomarker responses among sites, and no association with PFAS exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tree swallow nest boxes were deployed at sites proximal to two putative aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) sources in the Duluth, MN area, as well as along the St. Louis River and a reference lake for comparative purposes in 2019, 2020 and 2021. The two AFFF sites were the current Duluth Air National Guard Base (ANG) and the Lake Superior College Emergency Response Training Center. Between 13 and 40 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), depending on year, were detected and quantified in tree swallow egg, nestling carcasses, and stomach contents. Assessments were made of oxidative stress and ethoxyresorufin-O-dealkylase activity in liver tissue, thyroid hormone levels in plasma and thyroid glands, DNA damage in red blood cells, and two measures of immune response (haptoglobin-like activity and immunoglobulin) in plasma of the nestlings. Additionally, other contaminants, such as polychlorinated biphenyls, legacy organochlorine pesticides, and trace elements, were assessed at sites with no previous data. Total egg PFAS concentrations at the ANG site and north of that site were 30–40 times higher than at the reference lake, while nestling PFAS concentrations were 10–15 times higher. In contrast, the St. Louis River sites had slightly, but non-statistically significant, elevated egg and nestling PFAS concentrations relative to the reference lake (2–5 times higher). One PFAS, perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), was higher, as a proportion of total PFAS, at sites with a known AFFF source compared to the reference lake, as well as compared to sites along the St. Louis River with mainly urban and industrial sources of PFAS. The ratio of total carboxylates to total sulfonates also distinguished between PFAS sources. There were few to no differences in biomarker responses among sites, and no association with PFAS exposure.

Abstract Background The successive FLEHS campaigns assess internal exposure to pollutants and associated early biological and health effects in participants of different age groups. Materials and methods Mother–newborn pairs (N = 220 in 2008–2009, age 18–42 years; N = 269 in 2013–2014, age 18–44 years), 197 adolescents 14–15 years (2010–2011), 201 adults 20–40 years (2008–2009) and 205 adults 50–65 years (2014) were recruited. For the various groups of subjects different sets of PFAS were assessed. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) were determined in cord plasma and peripheral serum as these were the PFAS compounds for which we had access to high quality measurements and which were expected to be present in the highest concentrations. Participants filled out a questionnaire based on the European Community Respiratory Health Survey questionnaire on asthma and allergy. In these cross-sectional studies associations were assessed using stepwise multiple logistic regression, with confounders (including smoking and familial occurrence of the disease) and potential covariates selected on the basis of experience in our previous studies and a literature search. Forest plots of odds ratios summarize the associations between the various PFAS on the one hand and the different immune outcomes on the other hand. Results For several self-reported immune system-related diseases inverse associations with PFAS serum concentrations were observed. These inverse associations were more pronounced in mothers and adults than in adolescents. A significant inverse association was observed in adults and mothers (for mothers based on measurements on cord plasma) between PFNA, PFOS, and PFHxS and asthma (for mothers also for PFOA), in mothers between PFHxS, PFNA and PFOS and allergic rhinitis, in mothers and adults between PFHxS and PFOS and some forms of allergy (for mothers also for PFOA), in adults between PFOA and eczema, and in adolescents between PFOS and systemic allergy. Conclusion Internal exposure to PFAS was associated with changes in immunological processes consistent with what has been reported in the literature. Whereas these changes were observed in many publications to be associated with adverse health effects, our findings suggest that they can also lead to inverse associations with certain immune system-related diseases.

Background: The successive FLEHS campaigns assess internal exposure to pollutants and associated early biological and health effects in participants of different age groups. Materials and methods: Mother–newborn pairs (N = 220 in 2008–2009, age 18–42 years; N = 269 in 2013–2014, age 18–44 years), 197 adolescents 14–15 years (2010–2011), 201 adults 20–40 years (2008–2009) and 205 adults 50–65 years (2014) were recruited. For the various groups of subjects different sets of PFAS were assessed. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) were determined in cord plasma and peripheral serum as these were the PFAS compounds for which we had access to high quality measurements and which were expected to be present in the highest concentrations. Participants filled out a questionnaire based on the European Community Respiratory Health Survey questionnaire on asthma and allergy. In these cross-sectional studies associations were assessed using stepwise multiple logistic regression, with confounders (including smoking and familial occurrence of the disease) and potential covariates selected on the basis of experience in our previous studies and a literature search. Forest plots of odds ratios summarize the associations between the various PFAS on the one hand and the different immune outcomes on the other hand. Results: For several self-reported immune system-related diseases inverse associations with PFAS serum concentrations were observed. These inverse associations were more pronounced in mothers and adults than in adolescents. A significant inverse association was observed in adults and mothers (for mothers based on measurements on cord plasma) between PFNA, PFOS, and PFHxS and asthma (for mothers also for PFOA), in mothers between PFHxS, PFNA and PFOS and allergic rhinitis, in mothers and adults between PFHxS and PFOS and some forms of allergy (for mothers also for PFOA), in adults between PFOA and eczema, and in adolescents between PFOS and systemic allergy. Conclusion: Internal exposure to PFAS was associated with changes in immunological processes consistent with what has been reported in the literature. Whereas these changes were observed in many publications to be associated with adverse health effects, our findings suggest that they can also lead to inverse associations with certain immune system-related diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: PFAS are persistent, bioaccumulative compounds repelling water, oil and stains which are widely used. There is mounting evidence linking exposure to a range of adverse health outcomes including renal, hepatic, immunotoxic, reproductive, endocrine disrupting and carcinogenic effects. PFAS possibly also induce neurobehavioral and developmental effects. Within Flanders Environment and Health Studies (FLEHS) internal exposure to PFAS and relevant health effects are assessed since 2008. Results: Adolescents 14–15 y (2010–2011) living in an industrially contaminated area (without known PFAS contamination) and adults 50–65 y (2014) randomly sampled from the general Flemish population using a stratified clustered multi-stage design, were recruited. For the adolescents perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) were measured in serum, for the adults PFOS, PFOA, perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS). In adolescents the Neurobehavioral Evaluation System (NES3) computerized battery of tests developed to study the neurological effects of an exposure to environmental agents was applied. The adults did the Stroop test, the NES3 Continuous Performance Test and the NES3 Digit Span Test. In adolescents sleepiness, masculinity and femininity were assessed via the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and Personal Attributes Questionnaires, respectively. In adolescents PFOA was associated with significantly increased somnolence, and PFOS with a significant inverse association with boys' femininity and with girls' masculinity. In adolescents, PFAS were also associated with a marginal decrease in sustained attention (PFOS) and cognitive performance (PFOA) and a significant decrease in short-term memory (PFOS). However, in older adults PFOS was associated with a significant increase in the capacity to pay attention and PFHxS with a significant increase in sustained attention. Conclusion: Our observations point to neurobehavioral and cognitive effects of PFAS. The neurobehavioral effects might in part result from the changes in sex hormone levels that have been reported to be associated with internal exposure to PFAS. Interestingly, whereas in relation to cognition some adverse effects were recorded for adolescents, for elderly persons our observations rather suggest possible weak positive effects with respect to cognition. Our observations might be in line with the view that PFAS have many, sometimes contrasting health effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental emissions of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) impact estuarine species and the fisheries that rely on them. Migratory estuarine fishes may be captured for consumption in areas distant to known contaminant sources, but exposure risk depends on how quickly contaminants are depurated. This baseline presents the outcomes from a novel experiment simulating the migration of a popular recreational fish species (Dusky Flathead, Platycephalus fuscus) following environmental exposure to PFAAs, and assessing depuration from edible muscle tissues. Over the 33-day experiment, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) concentrations declined slowly, with modelling suggesting that concentrations fell below the relevant screening value (5.2 μg kg−1) within ∼558 h (285–1372 h; 90 % CI). Low concentrations (<1.2 μg kg−1) of perfluorohexane sulfonate also depurated rapidly. This study provides useful information for assessing potential exposure risk posed by recreationally targeted fish migrating away from contaminated areas. The experimental design employed has a real-world context that is relevant for future studies. • Depuration of perfluoroalkyl acids was assessed for a recreationally fished species. • Perfluorooctane sulfonate concentration in edible tissue declined slowly with time. • Perfluorohexane sulfonate concentration in edible tissue declined rapidly with time. • The experimental design has a real-world context that is relevant for future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]