Understudied PFAS precursors dominate household dust: insights from a pilot study in Rochester, NY.

BACKGROUND

Indoor exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may contribute substantially to total PFAS exposure, yet few studies characterize indoor concentrations of precursor PFAS.

OBJECTIVE AND

METHODS

We conducted a pilot study targeting 46 ionic and neutral PFAS in vacuumed dust from 20 low-income owner-occupied homes in Rochester, New York.

RESULTS

Forty-three PFAS were detected; polyfluoroalkyl phosphate esters (PAPs), fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs), and perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) were detected in every sample. The highest median concentrations were 6:2 diPAP (755 ng/g), 6:2 FTOH (77.5 ng/g), and 6:2/8:2 diPAP (36.2 ng/g). Median PFAS concentrations differed by housing characteristics, although not significantly, with higher concentrations of PFCAs and lower PAPs in carpeted homes, and higher FOSEs, PFCAs, and PFSAs in homes with more upholstered furniture.

IMPACT: Under-studied PFAS, including important precursors, are prevalent in the indoor environment, and their levels are linked to housing characteristics. The ubiquity of PFAS mixtures indoors supports the need for class-based regulation.