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Citation
Tags
HERO ID
3856467
Reference Type
Journal Article
Title
Microbial toxicity and biodegradability of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and shorter chain perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs)
Author(s)
Ochoa-Herrera, V; Field, JA; Luna-Velasco, A; Sierra-Alvarez, R
Year
2016
Is Peer Reviewed?
Yes
Journal
Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts
ISSN:
2050-7887
EISSN:
2050-7895
Publisher
ROYAL SOC CHEMISTRY
Location
CAMBRIDGE
Volume
18
Issue
9
Page Numbers
1236-1246
Language
English
PMID
27711852
DOI
10.1039/c6em00366d
Web of Science Id
WOS:000384252500011
Abstract
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and related perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are emerging contaminants that have been widely applied in consumer and industrial applications for decades. However, PFOS has raised public concern due to its high bioaccumulative character, environmental persistence, and toxicity. Shorter PFASs such as perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) and polyfluoroalkyl compounds have been proposed as alternatives to PFOS but it is unclear whether these fluorinated substances pose a risk for public health and the environment. The objective of this research was to investigate the microbial toxicity and the susceptibility to microbial degradation of PFOS and several related fluorinated compounds, i.e., short-chain perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl sulfonic and carboxylic acids. None of the compounds tested were toxic to the methanogenic activity of anaerobic wastewater sludge even at very high concentrations (up to 500 mg L(-1)). All PFASs evaluated were highly resistant to microbial degradation. PFOS was not reductively dehalogenated by the anaerobic microbial consortium even after very long periods of incubation (3.4 years). Similarly, the tested short chain perfluoroalkyl substances (i.e., PFBS and trifluoroacetic acid) and a polyfluoroalkyl PFOS analogue, 6 : 2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (FTSA) were also resistant to anaerobic biodegradation. Likewise, no conclusive evidence of microbial degradation was observed under aerobic conditions for any of the short-chain perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids tested after 32 weeks of incubation. Collectively, these results indicate that PFOS and its alternatives such as short chain perfluoroalkyl sulfonates and carboxylates and their polyfluorinated homologues are highly resistant to microbial degradation.
Tags
•
Additional PFAS (formerly XAgency)
•
Expanded PFAS SEM (formerly PFAS 430)
Litsearch: September 2019
PubMed
Web of Science
Not prioritized for screening
6:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid
Perfluorooctane
•
^Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
PFOA (335-67-1) and PFOS (1763-23-1)
Literature Search – Adverse outcome pathway (2015-present)
Pubmed
WOS
PFBS (375-73-5)
Literature Search
Pubmed
WOS
FtS 6:2 (27619-97-2)
Literature Search
Pubmed
WOS
•
PFAS 150
Literature Search Update December 2020
PubMed
WOS
Literature Search August 2019
PubMed
Web of Science
ToxNet
6:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid
Perfluorinated compounds
Perfluorobutanesulfonate
Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid
Perfluorobutanesulfonyl fluoride
Perfluorooctane
Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid
Trifluoroacetic acid
•
PFBA
Protocol References
•
PFBS
Pubmed
WOS
Excluded/Not on Topic
Search
PubMed
WOS
Excluded
WOS
Scopus: April 2021
•
PFOA (335-67-1) and PFOS (1763-23-1)
Literature Search – Adverse outcome pathway (2015-present)
Pubmed
WOS
Screening Results
Excluded/Not on Topic
Literature Search Update (2013-2019)
PubMed
WOS
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