Occurrence of Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) in Aquatic Systems from Asia

• Published in: Applied Mechanics and Materials Vol. 295-298; pp. 513 - 519
• Main Authors: Lu, Yin, Wang, Wei, Zhang, De Yong, Tong, Guo Zhang, Xu, Hui Ying, Xu, Xiao Lu, Shen, Xiu Ying
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Zurich Trans Tech Publications Ltd 01.01.2013
• Subjects: Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS); Aquatic Environment; Asia; Perfluorooctanoate(PFOA)
• ISBN: 3037856491; 9783037856499
• ISSN: 1660-9336; 1662-7482; 1662-7482
• DOI: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.295-298.513

Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) are man-made fluorinated hydrocarbons, which are very persistent in the environment. Being the most important PFC, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) have received much attention. According to the large production volume and wide usage in industrial and commercial products in the past, PFOS and PFOA can be detected in various environmental media and matrix, even in human tissues. This paper attempts to review the current status of PFOS and PFOA contaminations in Asia, focusing on a variety of water systems, including surface waters, drinking water, coastal water and sea water. The current information suggests that PFOS and PFOA were replacement compounds identified, although PFC species detected were not completely the same in different water systems. The information also suggests that drinking water might be an important source of exposure to PFOS and PFOA, and continued human exposure to even relatively low concentrations of PFOS and PFOA in drinking water may result in elevated body burdens that may increase the risk of health effects.