Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) in the Great Lakes Atmosphere

Session: Chemical Contaminants (3)

Yan Wu, Indiana University, [email protected]
Amina Salamova, Indiana University, [email protected]
Ronald Hites, Indiana University, [email protected]
Marta Venier, Indiana University, [email protected]

Abstract

Because of several decades of large-scale production and widespread applications, PFASs have become ubiquitous in the environment. Due to public concern over the potential adverse health effects induced by PFASs, an increasing number of studies have been conducted to explore their environmental occurrence and associated toxic effects. However, data on PFAS levels in the atmosphere and precipitation remain scarce, particularly in the Great Lakes basin, where 10% of the U.S. population and 30% of the Canadian population reside. A total of 38 polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) were measured in air (vapor and particulate phases) at six sites (Eagle Harbor, MI; Sleeping Bear Dunes, MI; Sturgeon Point, NY; Chicago, IL; Cleveland, OH; and Point Petre, ON) in the North American Great Lakes basin as part of the EPA-funded Great Lakes Integrated Atmospheric Deposition Network project (IADN) using liquid chromatographic tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) and gas chromatographic MS (GC/MS). The target compounds included 13 perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs), 10 perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSAs), 3 fluoroalkyl sulfonamides (FSAs), 2 fluoroalkyl sulfonamidoethanols (FSEs), 3 telomer acids (FTAs), 4 telomer alcohols (FTOHs), and 3 telomer sulfonic acid (FTSs). This paper will report, for the first time, the atmospheric concentrations of PFASs in this region.