Silicone Wristbands as a Personal Passive Sampler to Evaluate Indoor Exposure to Volatile and Non-volatile PFASs.

Exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) primarily occurs via consumption of contaminated drinking water and food; however, individuals can also be exposed dermally and via inhalation indoors. This study developed an analytical method for measuring volatile PFASs in silicone wristbands and used them to assess personal exposure in a Midwestern community ( = 87). Paired samples of blood and wristbands were analyzed for PFASs using LC-MS/MS and GC-HRMS to monitor both non-volatile and volatile PFASs.

Self-Collection Blood Test for PFASs: Comparing Volumetric Microsamplers with a Traditional Serum Approach.

A remote sampling approach was developed at Eurofins for quantifying per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in whole blood samples collected using volumetric absorptive microsamplers (VAMSs), which allow for self-collection of blood using a finger prick. This study compares PFAS exposure measured by self-collection of blood using VAMSs to the standard venous serum approach. Blood samples were collected from participants ( = 53) in a community with prior PFAS drinking water contamination using a venous blood draw as well as participant self-collection using VAMSs.

Quaternary Ammonium Compounds: A Chemical Class of Emerging Concern.

Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs), a large class of chemicals that includes high production volume substances, have been used for decades as antimicrobials, preservatives, and antistatic agents and for other functions in cleaning, disinfecting, personal care products, and durable consumer goods. QAC use has accelerated in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the banning of 19 antimicrobials from several personal care products by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2016. Studies conducted before and after the onset of the pandemic indicate increased human exposure to QACs.

Addressing systemic problems with exposure assessments to protect the public's health.

Background: Understanding, characterizing, and quantifying human exposures to environmental chemicals is critical to protect public health. Exposure assessments are key to determining risks to the general population and for specific subpopulations given that exposures differ between groups. Exposure data are also important for understanding where interventions, including public policies, should be targeted and the extent to which interventions have been successful.

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Facemasks: Potential Source of Human Exposure to PFAS with Implications for Disposal to Landfills.

Facemasks are important tools for fighting against disease spread, including Covid-19 and its variants, and some may be treated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Nine facemasks over a range of prices were analyzed for total fluorine and PFAS. The PFAS compositions of the masks were then used to estimate exposure and the mass of PFAS discharged to landfill leachate.

Disposition of Fluorine on New Firefighter Turnout Gear.

Firefighter turnout gear is essential for reducing occupational exposure to hazardous chemicals during training and fire events. Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are observed in firefighter serum, and possible occupational sources include the air and dust of fires, aqueous film-forming foam, and turnout gear. Limited data exist for nonvolatile and volatile PFASs on firefighter turnout gear and the disposition of fluorine on the individual layers of turnout gear.

Prenatal phthalate exposures and autism spectrum disorder symptoms in low-risk children.

Background: Prenatal exposure to environmental chemicals has been associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) symptoms in some, but not all, studies, but most research has not accounted for other childhood behavior problems.

Objectives: To evaluate the specific associations of prenatal phthalate exposures with ASD symptoms in children (ages 3-6) accounting for other behavior problems, and to assess sex differences in these associations.

Methods: We measured phthalate metabolites in prenatal urine samples.

PFAS and Dissolved Organic Carbon Enrichment in Surface Water Foams on a Northern U.S. Freshwater Lake.

Information is needed on the concentration of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in foams on surface waters impacted by aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF). Nine pairs of foam and underlying bulk water were collected from a single freshwater lake impacted by PFAS and analyzed for PFAS by liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QToF) and for dissolved organic carbon (DOC). The DOC of two foam:bulk water pairs was characterized by H NMR.

Reproductive outcomes associated with flame retardants among couples seeking fertility treatment: A paternal perspective.

Background: Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have been phased out of production for nearly a decade yet are still frequently detected in serum of U.S. adults.

Exploring reproductive associations of serum polybrominated diphenyl ether and hydroxylated brominated diphenyl ether concentrations among women undergoing in vitro fertilization.

Study Question: Are serum concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and hydroxylated brominated diphenyl ethers (OH-BDEs) associated with IVF endpoints?

Summary Answer: Positive associations were observed for BDE153 and several OH-BDEs with IVF endpoints.

What Is Known Already: PBDEs have been voluntarily phased out of production in the USA and EU due to their persistence and toxicity to humans and ecosystems. PBDEs have been associated with implantation failure among women undergoing IVF, yet some animal studies suggest greater toxicity from their metabolites, OH-BDEs.

New Approach Methodologies for Exposure Science.

Chemical risk assessment relies on knowledge of hazard, the dose-response relationship, and exposure to characterize potential risks to public health and the environment. A chemical with minimal toxicity might pose a risk if exposures are extensive, repeated, and/or occurring during critical windows across the human life span. Exposure assessment involves understanding human activity, and this activity is confounded by interindividual variability that is both biological and behavioral.

Intervention to reduce gymnast exposure to flame retardants from pit foam: A case study.

Gymnasts can have high exposures to flame retardants (FRs), which are used in gymnastics safety equipment such as the loose foam pit. Therefore, we aimed to reduce gymnast exposure to FRs by replacing the foam in the pit using foam free of additive FR and measuring personal exposure during practice using hand-wipes. To assure maintenance of fire safety we first conducted a flammability study and facilitated a fire inspection for our partner gym.

The association of urinary phosphorous-containing flame retardant metabolites and self-reported personal care and household product use among couples seeking fertility treatment.

Background: Phosphorous-containing flame-retardants (PFRs) are widely detected. They are used both as a flame retardant as well as plasticizer.

Methods: A subset of 230 women and 229 men were recruited from Massachusetts General Hospital fertility clinic between 2005 and 2015.

Organophosphate flame-retardant metabolite concentrations and pregnancy loss among women conceiving with assisted reproductive technology.

Objective: To evaluate whether urinary concentrations of organophosphate flame retardant (PFR) metabolites are associated with pregnancy loss among women conceiving with assisted reproductive technology (ART).

Design: Prospective preconception cohort of subfertile women.

Setting: Academic hospital fertility center in Boston, Massachusetts.

The association between urinary concentrations of phosphorous-containing flame retardant metabolites and semen parameters among men from a fertility clinic.

Background: The use of PFRs has steadily increased as brominated compounds have been or are being phased out. Human exposure is widespread and animal studies have shown adverse impacts on male reproduction, but human data are lacking.

Objective: To study the associations between urinary concentrations of phosphorous-containing flame retardant (PFR) metabolites and semen parameters.

Exposure to organophosphate flame retardants in spray polyurethane foam applicators: Role of dermal exposure.

Background: Spray polyurethane foam (SPF) is a highly effective thermal insulation material that has seen considerable market growth in the past decade. Organophosphate flame retardants (PFRs) are added to SPF formulations to meet fire code requirements. A common flame retardant used in SPF formulations is tris 1-chloro 2-propyl phosphate (TCIPP), a suspected endocrine disruptor.

Paternal urinary concentrations of organophosphate flame retardant metabolites, fertility measures, and pregnancy outcomes among couples undergoing in vitro fertilization.

Background: Use of organophosphate flame retardants (PFRs) has increased over the past decade following the phase out of some brominated flame retardants, leading to increased human exposure. We recently reported that increasing maternal PFR exposure is associated with poorer pregnancy outcomes among women from a fertility clinic. Because a small epidemiologic study previously reported an inverse association between male PFR exposures and sperm motility, we sought to examine associations of paternal urinary concentrations of PFR metabolites and their partner's pregnancy outcomes.

Erratum: "Urinary Concentrations of Organophosphate Flame Retardant Metabolites and Pregnancy Outcomes among Women Undergoing Fertilization".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1289/EHP1021.].

Urinary Concentrations of Organophosphate Flame Retardant Metabolites and Pregnancy Outcomes among Women Undergoing Fertilization.

Background: Evidence from animal studies suggests that exposure to organophosphate flame retardants (PFRs) can disrupt endocrine function and impair embryo development. However, no epidemiologic studies have been conducted to evaluate effects on fertility and pregnancy outcomes.

Objectives: We evaluated associations between urinary concentrations of PFR metabolites and outcomes of fertilization (IVF) treatment among couples recruited from an academic fertility clinic.

Urinary triclosan concentrations and diminished ovarian reserve among women undergoing treatment in a fertility clinic.

Objective: To investigate the association between urinary triclosan concentrations and antral follicle count (AFC), a well-accepted marker of ovarian reserve, among women from a fertility center.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: Hospital fertility center.

Influence of storage vial material on measurement of organophosphate flame retardant metabolites in urine.

Use of organophosphate flame retardants (PFRs) has increased over the past decade with the phase out of polybrominated diphenyl ethers. Urinary metabolites of PFRs are used as biomarkers of exposure in epidemiologic research, which typically uses samples collected and stored in polypropylene plastic cryovials. However, a small study suggested that the storage vial material may influence reported concentrations.