Quantitative characterization of trace levels of PFOS and PFOA in the Tennessee River

Hansen, KJ; Johnson, HO; Eldridge, JS; Butenhoff, JL; Dick, LA

HERO ID

1424808

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2002

Language

English

PMID

11993863

HERO ID 1424808
In Press No
Year 2002
Title Quantitative characterization of trace levels of PFOS and PFOA in the Tennessee River
Authors Hansen, KJ; Johnson, HO; Eldridge, JS; Butenhoff, JL; Dick, LA
Journal Environmental Science & Technology
Volume 36
Issue 8
Page Numbers 1681-1685
Abstract Although there is evidence of widespread distribution of organic fluorochemicals such as perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoate, in the environment, the versatility of these compounds in industrial and commercial applications complicates characterization of pathways into the environment. A solid-phase extraction method coupled with HPLC-negative-ion electrospray tandem mass spectrometry was developed to quantitatively measure trace levels of organic fluorochemicals in drinking water and surface water. Using this method, certain fluorochemicals can be quantitatively measured in water samples down to 25 ppt, a level well below calculated drinking water advisory levels. To assess fluorochemical distribution in a localized geography and to ascertain whether fluorochemical manufacturing facilities contribute to environmental levels of fluorochemicals, 40 water samples were collected on an 80-mi stretch of the Tennessee River, near a fluorochemical manufacturing site in Decatur, AL. Low levels (ppt) of perfluorooctane sulfonate were determined throughout the stretch of river sampled. Concentrations of the measured fluorochemicals increased downstream of the fluorochemical manufacturing facility, indicating that effluent from manufacturing is one likely source of organic fluorochemicals into the river.
Doi 10.1021/es010780r
Pmid 11993863
Wosid WOS:000174976300006
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English