Per-Fluorinated Alkyl Substances (PFAS) in Environmental and Human Body Samples: First Israeli Water Survey and Human Biomonitoring

Luda Groisman, National Public Health Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Tel Aviv, Israel (luda.groisman@phlta.health.gov.il)
Tamar Berman, Environmental Health Department, Ministry Of Health, Jerusalem, Israel
Irit Hen, Environmental Health Department, Ministry Of Health, Jerusalem, Istael
Alla Nasonov, National Public Health Laboratory, Ministry Of Health, Tel Aviv, Israel
Andrei Shapiro, National Public Health Laboratory, Ministry Of Health, Tel Aviv, Israel
Elena Rabinovich, National Public Health Laboratory, Ministry Of Health, Tel Aviv, Israel
Efrat Rorman, National Public Health Laboratory, Ministry Of Health, Tel Aviv, Israel

Per-Fluorinated Alkyl Substances (PFAS) are large, complex group of chemicals widely used in many industries and products (food preparation tools and packages, personal care products, oil, stain and water resistance coatings, paints, varnishes, cleaning agents, fire-extinguishing foam etc.). Due to their widespread use and their persistence in the environment, PFAS components are found in environmental samples (water, soil, food commodities) all over the world and human as well as animals' body liquids and tissues.

These substances are on the agenda of the environmental scientific community and regulatory authorities (including Israel) as epidemiological studies revealed that PFAS exposure are associated with several health effects. Current peer-reviewed scientific studies have shown that exposure to low levels of PFAS may lead to decreased fertility, developmental effects in children, increased risk of some cancers, reduced ability of the body’s immune system to fight infections and reduced vaccine response etc. (https://www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-explained).

Before making decisions to update the regulations, the Israeli Ministry of Health conducted a first drinking water survey in which 120 drinking water wells were tested for the presence of PFAS. An analytical method was developed at the National Public Health Laboratory. Direct injection to LC-MS/MS method was applied, and it accuracy was approved by successful participation in international Professional Testing. The method includes 9 PFAS of Canadian PFAS Water List with Limit of Quantification 10 ng/L. In addition, two methods with an expanded list of PFAS were developed for human biomonitoring, for PFAS measurement in plasma and placenta.

Comparing PFAS occurrence in water and human body samples it appears that 2 substances, PFHxS and PFOS were present in all types of samples, while the distribution of other PFAS were different in water and human body samples.

Results and methods details would be further presented.

Per-Fluorinated Alkyl Substances (PFAS) are large, complex group of chemicals widely used in many industries and products (food preparation tools and packages, personal care products, oil, stain and water resistance coatings, paints, varnishes, cleaning agents, fire-extinguishing foam etc.). Due to their widespread use and their persistence in the environment, PFAS components are found in environmental samples (water, soil, food commodities) all over the world and human as well as animals' body liquids and tissues.

These substances are on the agenda of the environmental scientific community and regulatory authorities (including Israel) as epidemiological studies revealed that PFAS exposure are associated with several health effects. Current peer-reviewed scientific studies have shown that exposure to low levels of PFAS may lead to decreased fertility, developmental effects in children, increased risk of some cancers, reduced ability of the body’s immune system to fight infections and reduced vaccine response etc. (https://www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-explained).

Before making decisions to update the regulations, the Israeli Ministry of Health conducted a first drinking water survey in which 120 drinking water wells were tested for the presence of PFAS. An analytical method was developed at the National Public Health Laboratory. Direct injection to LC-MS/MS method was applied, and it accuracy was approved by successful participation in international Professional Testing. The method includes 9 PFAS of Canadian PFAS Water List with Limit of Quantification 10 ng/L. In addition, two methods with an expanded list of PFAS were developed for human biomonitoring, for PFAS measurement in plasma and placenta.

Comparing PFAS occurrence in water and human body samples it appears that 2 substances, PFHxS and PFOS were present in all types of samples, while the distribution of other PFAS were different in water and human body samples.

Results and methods details would be further presented.