Analysis of blood spots for polyfluoroalkyl chemicals
Kayoko Kato1, Amal A Wanigatunga, Larry L Needham
1Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA.
Insights
Dried blood spots (DBS) can measure prenatal exposure to harmful polyfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFCs). This method detects perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) in newborns, aiding children
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Toxicology
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Polyfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFCs) are widespread environmental contaminants.
- Concerns exist regarding PFCs' potential developmental and reproductive toxicities, particularly for children.
- Dried blood spots (DBS) are collected from newborns in the US, offering a potential matrix for assessing prenatal exposure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate an analytical method for measuring four specific PFCs in DBS.
- To assess the feasibility of using DBS for monitoring perinatal exposure to PFCs.
Main Methods:
- Online solid-phase extraction coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography-isotope dilution tandem mass spectrometry (SPE-HPLC-ID-MS/MS).
- Analysis of four PFCs: perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorohexane sulfonate, perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), and perfluorononanoate.
- Method validation using 98 DBS samples collected in the US.
Main Results:
- The method achieved analytical limits of detection below 0.5 ng/mL using one whole DBS.
- PFOS and PFOA were detected in all analyzed DBS samples at low ng/mL concentrations.
- The developed method demonstrated sensitivity for detecting PFCs in DBS.
Conclusions:
- DBS show promise as a suitable matrix for assessing perinatal exposure to PFCs.
- Further research on sampling and specimen storage is required to fully establish the utility of DBS for exposure assessment.
- The findings support the use of DBS in biomonitoring programs for children's environmental health.
Abstract:
Polyfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFCs) have been detected in humans, in the environment, and in ecosystems around the world. The potential for developmental and reproductive toxicities of some PFCs is of concern especially to children's health. In the United States, a sample of a baby's blood, called a "dried blood spot" (DBS), is obtained from a heel stick within 48 h of a child's birth. DBS could be useful for assessing prenatal exposure to PFCs. We developed a method based on online solid phase extraction coupled with high performance liquid chromatography-isotope dilution tandem mass spectrometry for measuring four PFCs in DBS, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorohexane sulfonate, perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), and perfluorononanoate. The analytical limits of detection using one whole DBS (approximately 75 microL of blood) were <0.5 ng mL(-1). To validate the method, we analyzed 98 DBS collected in May 2007 in the United States. PFOS and PFOA were detected in all DBS at concentrations in the low ng mL(-1) range. These data suggest that DBS may be a suitable matrix for assessing perinatal exposure to PFCs, but additional information related to sampling and specimen storage is needed to demonstrate the utility of these measures for assessing exposure.
