Concentrations of PFOS, PFOA and other perfluorinated alkyl acids in Australian drinking water

Perfluorinated alkyl acids (PFAAs) are persistent environmental pollutants, found in the serum of human populations internationally. Due to concerns regarding their bioaccumulation, and possible health effects, an understanding of routes of human exposure is necessary. PFAAs are recalcitrant in many water treatment processes, making drinking water a potential source of human exposure. This study was conducted with the aim of assessing the exposure to PFAAs via potable water in Australia. Sixty-two samples of potable water, collected from 34 locations across Australia, including capital cities and regional centers. The samples were extracted by solid phase extraction and analyzed via liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry for a range of perfluoroalkyl carboxylates and sulfonates. PFOS and PFOA were the most commonly detected PFAAs, quantifiable in 49% and 44% of all samples respectively. The maximum concentration in any sample was seen for PFOS with a concentration of 16 ng L−1, second highest maximums were for PFHxS and PFOA at 13 and 9.7 ng L−1. The contribution of drinking water to daily PFOS and PFOA intakes in Australia was estimated. Assuming a daily intake of 1.4 and 0.8 ng kg−1 bw for PFOS and PFOA the average contribution from drinking water was 2–3% with a maximum of 22% and 24% respectively.

► Perfluorinated acids measured in tap water from 34 sites across Australia.
► PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS present in 49, 44 and 27% of samples respectively.
► Concentrations of PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS up to 16, 9.7 and 13 ng L−1.
► Daily intakes via water estimated to account for on average 2% of total daily intakes.