The Air That We Breathe: Neutral and Volatile PFAS in Indoor Air

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.estlett.1c00481
• Publication Date: 2021-08-31T10:00:12Z
• Authors: Maya E. Morales-M...; Jitka Becanova; Arlene Blum; Thomas A. Bruton; Simon Vojta; Melissa Woodward; Rainer Lohmann
• Keywords: Indoor air

Sources of exposure to per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) include food, water, given that humans spend typically 90% our time indoors, air dust. Quantifying PFAS prevalent such as neutral, volatile PFAS, estimating their risk is thus important. To accurately measure these compounds polyethylene (PE) sheets were employed validated passive detection tools, analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Air concentrations compared dust carpet reported elsewhere. Partitioning between PE different thicknesses suggested interactions the PEs with are occurring absorption. Volatile specifically fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs), ubiquitous in indoor environments. For example, carpeted Californian kindergarten classrooms, 6:2 FTOH dominated ranging from 9-600 ng m-3, followed 8:2 FTOH. Concentrations air, closely related each other, indicating carpets major sources FTOHs air. Nonetheless, posed largest biotransformed perfluorinated acids (PFAA) young children. This research highlights inhalation an important pathway need for further reduction precursors PFAA.