Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in river and ground/drinking water of the Ganges River basin: Emissions and implications for human exposure. (January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sharma, Brij Mohan; Bharat, Girija K.; Tayal, Shresth; Larssen, Thorjørn; Bečanová, Jitka; Karásková, Pavlína; Whitehead, Paul G.; Futter, Martyn N.; Butterfield, Dan; Nizzetto, Luca
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 208:Part B(2016)
• Page Start: 704
• Page End: 713
• Publication Date: 2016-01
• Subjects: Perfluoroalkyl substances -- Ganges River -- Emissions -- Groundwater -- Human exposure; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2015.10.050
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: Many perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants. They have been widely used in production processes and daily-use products or may result from degradation of precursor compounds in products or the environment. India, with its developing industrialization and population moving from traditional to contemporary lifestyles, represents an interesting case study to investigate PFAS emission and exposure along steep environmental and socioeconomic gradients. This study assesses PFAS concentrations in river and groundwater (used in this region as drinking water) from several locations along the Ganges River and estimates direct emissions, specifically for PFOS and PFOA. 15 PFAS were frequently detected in the river with the highest concentrations observed for PFHxA (0.4–4.7 ng L −1 ) and PFBS (<MQL – 10.2 ng L −1 ) among PFCAs and PFSAs, respectively. Prevalence of short-chain PFAS indicates that the effects of PFOA and PFOS substitution are visible in environmental samples from India. The spatial pattern of C5 –C7 PFCAs co-varied with that of PFOS suggesting similar emission drivers. PFDA and PFNA had much lower concentrations and covaried with PFOA especially in two hotspots downstream of Kanpur and Patna. PFOS and PFOA emissions to the river varied dramatically along the transect (0.20–190 and 0.03–150 g d −1, respectively). PFOS emission pattern could be explained by the number of urban residents in the subcatchment (rather than total population). Per-capita emissions were lower than in many developed countries. In groundwater, PFBA (<MQL – 9.2 ng L −1 ) and PFBS (<MQL – 4.9 ng L −1 ) had the highest concentrations among PFCAs and PFSAs, respectively. Concentrations and trends in groundwater were generally similar to those observed in surface water suggesting the aquifer was contaminated by wastewater receiving river water. Daily PFAS exposure intakes through drinking water were below safety thresholds for oral non-cancer risk in all age groups. Highlights: PFAS concentrations determined in the Ganges River and groundwater in India. PFAS levels were below international safety standards. PFOS contamination in groundwater consistent with wastewater-receiving river water. PFOS per capita emissions related to the number of urban residents. Human exposure to PFAS from drinking water lower than in many developed nations. Abstract : Ground/drinking water and wastewater-receiving river water along the Ganges River have consistent PFAS contamination levels.