Towards understanding the fate of perfluoroalkyl compounds (PFCs) within urban environments: implications for human exposure.

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) have been detected across the globe in a variety of media. The toxicity of these compounds and other precursors has led to concern about human exposure. The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the presence of perfluoroalkyl compounds (PFCs) in UK indoor and outdoor microenvironments and the impact this may have on human exposure. Both PFOS and PFOA were chosen for analysis (via LC-ESI-MS/MS) because of their highly persistent behaviour. Additionally, perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), was chosen along with precursors to PFOS and PFOA; perfluorooctane sulfonamides (PFOSAs) and perfluorooctane sulfonamidoethanols (PFOSEs). An international comparison of house dust was conducted and concentrations of PFCs in the UK (except for ethyl perfluorooctane sulfonamide (EtFOSA)) were found to be similar to those from France, Germany, USA, Canada and Australia and much greater than from homes in Kazakhstan and Thailand. Concentrations of EtFOSA were significantly higher in house dust samples from Australia compared to the UK, and were raised in all other countries. The reason for this is uncertain, but is speculated to derive from the use of EtFOSA as an active ingredient in Sulfluramid, which is an insecticide used for control of ants, cockroaches and termites.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

d_ph

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

d_ph

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Birmingham

Year dc:date.issued

2010

Author dc:creator

• Goosey, Emma Rae

• GE Environmental Sciences