RISK ASSESSMENT OF PERFLUORINATED COMPOUNDS IN TAP WATER FROM CHINA, JAPAN, INDIA, THE U.S. AND CANADA

摘要

To assess the risks associated with the consumption of PFC-contaminated tap water, concentrations of 20 perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), including several short-chain PFCs, were investigated in tap water samples collected from China, Japan, India, the U.S. and Canada between 2006 and 2008. Of the PFCs measured, 15 PFCs (including PFOS, PFHxS, PFBS, PFPrS, PFEtS, PFOSA, N-EtFOSAA, PFDoDA, PFUnDA, PFDA, PFNA, PFHpA, PFHxA, PFPeA, PFBA) were found at detectable concentrations in the tap water samples. The water samples from Shanghai (China) contained the greatest concentrations of total PFCs (arithmetic mean = 130 ng/L), whereas those from Toyama (Japan) contained the least (0.62 ng/L). Apart from PFOS and PFOA, short-chain PFCs such as PFHxS, PFBS, PFHxA and PFBA were found to be prevalent in drinking water. Based on the provisional health advisory, health-based values (HBVs) and advisory guidelines derived for PFOS, PFBA, PFHxS, PFBS, PFHxA and PFPeA by the U.S. EPA and the Minnesota Department of Health (U.S.), tap water may not pose an immediate health risk to consumers. However, the RQs for PFOA in tap water samples from Shanghai that were calculated using a recently published guideline were greater than unity, and measures should be implemented to protect the residents of this city.