A Look into the Man-Made Health Risk

What Are PFAS?

Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely used chemicals in many consumer and industrial products. These synthetic chemicals resist oil, grease, heat, and water. PFAS have been used to make cookware, stain resistance in clothes and carpets, and even to create firefighting foams. In addition, they are seen in almost every industry, including aerospace, automotive, construction, and electronics.

The problem with PFAS is that they are difficult to break down. Thus, they become dangerous to the environment and human health, especially in water.

Some of the most well-known and widely used chemicals under the PFAS umbrella are PFOA and PFOS. Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) is an organic acid used primarily as an emulsifier in industrial applications or as a stabilizing agent to prevent separation or increase storage life. Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) is used on surface-active goods, such as cleaning products.

How Are We Exposed to PFAS?

According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), PFAS contamination can be found in soil, air, or water. Human exposure can be attributed to consuming water or food contaminated by PFAS, using PFAS products, or simply breathing PFAS-contaminated air.

The NIEHS identifies over 9000 PFAS contaminants, so studying the effects of exposure is difficult. To date, the NIEHS has conducted several studies, and the findings indicate there are some adverse health effects and PFAS contamination symptoms, such as altered metabolism, infertility, reduced fetal growth, increased risk for obesity, increased risk for some cancers, and reduced immune system health.

What’s Being Done To Study and Regulate PFAS Usage?

Possible PFAS contamination is a global issue; thus, several studies and governmental PFAS regulations are being implemented.

The European Union (EU) has been studying the effects of PFAS for over a decade. And in 2022, they began to implement regulations regarding PFAS sampling and analytical guidelines. This includes PFAS in food of animal origins, plant origins, baby food, and beverages. They are also setting limits of quantification to up to 1 part per trillion on some matrices. These guidelines include details on sampling, packaging, and transportation. The requirements will start with a focus on 28 analytes.

The first regulation in Canada was set in 2008 and restricted PFOS products. This was repealed and replaced with tighter regulations in 2016, with the latest regulation coming in 2022. However, these regulations are limited to the federal government and in a limited way in British Columbia and Ontario, with the remaining territories and provinces unregulated.

Since 2021, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released many regulations in the United States to increase awareness of PFAS chemicals, especially for PFOA in water. One such holistic endeavor is the National PFAS Testing Strategy. This strategy will require PFAS manufacturers to provide toxicity data. Due to the number of PFAS chemicals, the EPA uses a phased approach. In June 2022, the Phase I list will include 24 analytes.

What Can Mérieux Nutrisciences Do for You?

Our colleagues in Italy have developed a method to meet the EU regulatory requirements using an LC-MS/MS technique, with multiple matrices, such as baby food, fruits, and vegetables, meeting the limit of quantification (LOQ) reaching as low as 1ppt (parts per trillion) for some matrices.

We are developing a similar methodology for North America that should be ready to deploy by the summer of 2023. The current FDA method (Method Number C010.01) we are implementing will cover upwards of 16 PFAS chemicals listed on the EPA Phase I list. We will start with food products and move on to water using Liquid Chromatography and Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

Mérieux Nutrisciences is here to help you with your PFAS needs. Contact us today!