An evaluation of the potential exposure and impact PFOS to mustelids: A current perspective

Session: Chemical Contaminants (2)

John Newsted, OBG, A part of Ramboll, [email protected]

Abstract

Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are synthetic fluorinated organic compounds that can be released into the environment during manufacturing process, from commercial products and applications. Few ecologically relevant toxicity studies have been conducted with wildlife exposed to PFAAs. Protective water values for PFOS have been calculated for mustelids based on the Great Lakes Initiative (GLI). Analysis of uncertainty related to these values was associated with the bioaccumulation and biomagnification factors were used to extrapolate toxic doses to water values. Much of this uncertainty was related to incomplete knowledge concerning the role of sediments as source, biotic and abiotic characteristics that are system specific (eg. Lotic vs lentic), and food web composition and complexity.  To better examine this issue, a simple food web model was developed evaluated the significance of these aspects relative to mustelid exposure to PFOS. The results indicated that the sediments as well as food web structure can have an impact of exposure and bioaccumulation of PFOS by mustelids and need to be taken into consideration when driving water values. These findings will be discussed relative to current and historical PFOS concentrations measured in surface water as they relate to mustelids in the Great Lakes basin.