A new method to quantify the health risks from sources of perfluoroalkyl substances, combined with positive matrix factorization and risk assessment models

A hybrid model based on Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) and Health Risk Assessment Model for assessing risks associated with sources of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in water was for the first time established, and applied at Dianchi Lake to test its applicability. The new method contains two stages: (1) The sources to PFASs were apportioned by PMF model and (2) the contribution of health risks from each source was calculated by the new hybrid model. Two factors were extracted by PMF, with Factor 1 identified as aqueous fire-fighting foams (AFFFs) source, and Factor 2 as fluoropolymer (FP) manufacturing and processing & perfluorooctanoic acid production source. Health risk of PFASs in the water assessed by Health Risk Assessment Model was 9.54 × 10−7 a−1 on average, showing no obvious adverse effects to human health. The two sources' risks estimated by the new hybrid model ranged from 2.95 × 10−10 to 6.60 × 10−6 a−1 and from 1.64 × 10−7 to 1.62 × 10−6 a−1 respectively. The new hybrid model can provide useful information on the health risks of PFASs sources, which is helpful for pollution control and environmental management. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved