Contamination, bioaccumulation and toxic effects of perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) in the water environment: a review paper.
Perfluorinated compounds such as perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctane acid (PFOA) have been recognized as emerging environmental pollutants because of their ubiquitous occurrence in the environment, biota and humans. The paper focuses on the distribution, bioaccumulation and toxic effects of PFOS and PFOA in the water. From the available literature, tap and surface water samples in several countries were found to be contaminated with PFOS and PFOA. These compounds were detected globally in the tissues of fish, bird and marine mammals. Their concentrations from relatively more industrialized areas were greater than those from the less populated and remote locations. Blood samples of occupationally exposed people and the general population in various countries were found to contain PFOS and PFOA which suggested a possibility of atmospheric transport of these compounds. There is still a death of information about the environmental pathways of PFOS and PFOA. The presence of these compounds in the tap water, surface water and animal and human tissues indicates their global contamination and bioaccumulative phenomena in the ecosystems.
Suja
Fatihah
F
Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi Selangor, Malaysia. fati@vlsi.ukm.my
Pramanik
Biplob Kumar
BK
Zain
Shahrom Md
SM
D017738:Alkanesulfonic Acids / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity*; D002210:Caprylates / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity*; D005466:Fluorocarbons / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D014867:Water / Q000378:metabolism*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity*
D017738:Alkanesulfonic Acids; D002210:Caprylates; D005466:Fluorocarbons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D014867:Water; C023036:perfluorooctanoic acid; C076994:perfluorooctane sulfonic acid