You are here:
Identification of a Pathway for Perfluorocompounds to Human Diet from Application of Biosolids to Agricultural Fields
Citation:
Washington, J., H. Yoo, T. Jenkins, J. Ellington, M. Neill, AND L. Libelo. Identification of a Pathway for Perfluorocompounds to Human Diet from Application of Biosolids to Agricultural Fields. Presented at SETAC 33rd North American Annual Meeting, Long Beach, CA, November 11 - 15, 2012.
Impact/Purpose:
Poster for SETAC 33rd North American Annual Meeting. November 11-15,12; Long Beach, CA
Description:
Perfluoro compounds are ubiquitous contaminants in human blood. The pathways which result in near universal exposure to humans in modern societies are not clearly understood. Sources to environmental compartments and transport between compartments are only poorly studies, and this lack of data greatly limits any exposure assessment. Biosolids generated by a wastewater treatment plant receiving cosmetic and industrial (including floorochemical manufacturing-and-use wastewater) effluent were shown to contain levels of perfluorochemicals as high as the parts-per-million range. The biosolids containing elevated levels of per- and poly-fluroinated chemicals were applied to agricultural land in the Decatur, AL area for a number of years. Understanding the potential for human exposure as a result of this land application has required a multiyear effort beginning with the development of analytical methods for a variety of perfluorocarboxylic acids, fulfonates, and precursors in water, sludge, treated biosolids, soil, vegetation and animal tissues. These methods have been used to measure levels of PFCs in environmental media from the initial sludge to agricultural products grown on the receiving soil. High levels of a large number of PFCs and PFC precursors were detected in the tested media. Measured concentrations in each environmental compartment allow the evaluation of the partitioning and transport from the source sludge though to soil to agricultural products. This complete pathway analysis shows that land application of contaminated biosolids can contribute to human exposure. Since all biosolids, that have been tested and reported upon in peer-reviewed literature, contain PFCs and PFC precursors, this exposure pathway represents a potentially significant contribution to humans.
