Short-chain PFAS in US homes

Ultrashort PFAS like TFA now dominate dust, water, and serum in sampled US homes.

Source

Elevated Levels of Ultrashort- and Short-Chain Perfluoroalkyl Acids in US Homes and People

Zheng G, Eick SM, Salamova A · Environmental science & technology · 2023

Study at a glance

Design: Cross-sectional — Paired dust, water, urine, and serum PFAS sampling in US homes
N: N=81 · 81 participants and their homes
Population: US household participants with paired environmental and biomonitoring samples
Outcome: Ultrashort- and short-chain PFAA dominance in dust, water, and serum (e.g., dust TFA)

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What they did

Targeted 47 PFAS in dust, drinking water, urine, and serum from 81 US participants and their homes.

39 PFAS detected; ultrashort/short-chain acids were 69–100% of PFAAs; dust TFA median 220 ng/g; C2–C3 dominated dust, water, and serum.

The limits

Does not estimate nationwide prevalence or prove health effects of TFA at these levels.

Key terms

PFAS: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, persistent fluorinated chemicals.
PFAA: Perfluoroalkyl acid such as PFOA or TFA.
TFA: Trifluoroacetic acid, the C2 ultrashort PFAA.
Ultrashort-chain PFAS: PFAAs with very few carbons (C2–C3).
Legacy PFAS: Long-chain compounds such as PFOA and PFOS.
Indoor dust: Household particles that collect chemicals from products.

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Research intelligence for this paper

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Dust TFA median:

Common questions

Participants?

81.

PFAS targeted / detected?

47 targeted; 39 detected.

Dust TFA median?

220 ng/g.

Share of ultrashort/short PFAAs?

69–100% of total PFAAs.