Perfluoroalkyl compounds in dust from Asian, Australian, European, and North American homes and UK cars, classrooms, and offices

Abstract

Perfluoroalkyl compounds (PFCs) were measured in dust from Australian, Canadian, French, German, Kazahkstani, Thai, UK, and US homes, and UK cars, classrooms, and offices. Most PFCs were significantly lower in Kazahkstan and Thailand than elsewhere; 2-(N-methylperfluoro-1-octanesulfonamido)-ethanol (MeFOSE) and 2-(N-ethylperfluoro-1-octanesulfonamido)-ethanol (EtFOSE) were significantly lower in Canada than in the UK and the US; perfluoro-1-hexanesulfonate (PFHxS) was significantly lower in Canada than in the UK, and N-ethylperfluoro-1-octanesulfonamide (EtFOSA) was significantly higher in Australia than in the UK. High EtFOSA concentrations in some samples may be consistent with its use as an insecticide. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), PFHxS, and MeFOSE were significantly higher in classrooms than in cars, homes, and offices; N-methylperfluoro-1-octanesulfonamide (MeFOSA) was significantly lower in classrooms than in homes and offices, and perfluoro-1-octanesulfonamide (FOSA) was significantly lower in classrooms than in cars, homes, and offices. While homes are usually the most important vector of dust exposure (typically > 60%), offices and classrooms make important contributions. While diet is usually the main exposure pathway for UK adults and children (~ 1–6 years) for PFOS, PFOA, and PFHxS; dust ingestion can be significant under high dust ingestion scenarios. Even under high-end exposure scenarios for dust and diet, PFOS and PFOA exposures are well within the European Food Safety Authority tolerable daily intakes.