Perfluoroalkyl Acids (PFAAs) in Large-Bodied Fish of the Great Lakes

Session: Poster session

Sarah Gewurtz, University of Windsor, [email protected]
Nilima Gandhi, Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change, [email protected]
Ken Drouillard, University of Windsor, Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, [email protected]
Chunyan Hao, OMOECC, [email protected]
Xiaoming Zhao, OMOECC, [email protected]
Dave Morse, OMOECC, [email protected]
Satyendra Bhavsar, Ontario Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, [email protected]

Abstract

Fish consumption from contaminated water bodies is a major source of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) to anglers.  As such, it is important to determine the current status of PFAAs in large-bodied fish of the Great Lakes to evaluate potential human health risk.  PFAA concentrations were determined in the edible portion (fillet) of 33 fish species collected between 2000 and 2014 from various parts of the Canadian waters of the Great Lakes.  PFOS was the dominant PFAA compound (99% detection frequency), while PFNA, PFDA, PFUnA, PFDoDA, and PFTrDA were also detected in >50% of the fish samples analyzed.  The PFOS concentrations ranged from below detection (<0.2 ng/g wet weight [ww]) to 68 ng/g ww, with levels in approximately 20% of fish above Ontario’s benchmark for unrestricted consumption of 18 ng/g.  The guideline values for PFOS have been recently lowered by various local, national and international agencies with the release of new toxicity information. If this trend continues, PFAAs may become a newer generation of contaminants that limit consumption of many Great Lakes fish.

1. Keyword
fish toxins

2. Keyword
human health

3. Keyword
environmental contaminants

4. Additional Keyword
PFAA