Strategies to assess PFAS emissions from a fluoropolymer manufacturing plant

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent chemicals that accumulate externally and internally in the environment and in humans, and which pose risks to health. While rather low EU and national environmental limits exist for perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAA) in water and food, industrial PFAS emissions are hardly regulated. Residents living near fluoropolymer (FP) manufacturing plants (MPs) which (re-)coat FPs on metals and other surfaces may therefore be exposed to FP related PFAS. This pilot study aimed to 1) investigate pollution around a Danish FPMP and 2) to develop a sampling and analysis strategy independent of access to the factory. To this end, we compiled a list of PFAS suspected to be used, formed and emitted, and conducted a local-scale air dispersion modelling (OML) to predict the spread of gases. This informed where to sample 23 bird eggs (blackbirds, great tit), 10 snails (Helix pomatia), and lake water at varying distances from the factory. A combined analytical strategy was applied to the samples, using target analysis (PFAS₃₃), suspect/non-target screening (SS/NTS), and extractable organofluorine-combustion ion chromatography (EOF-CIC). Near the factory, the eggs had elevated organofluorine levels (blackbirds: 670-2,500 ng/g; great tits: 260-670 ng/g), fourfold higher for blackbirds than in the controls. PFAS₃₃ explained only 1.0-4.7% of EOF, indicating substantial unidentified organofluorines (UOF). Organofluorine levels in snails were below the LOD, while water samples showed PFAS patterns but were below the NTS confirmation levels. The elevated organofluorine levels in eggs sampled near the factory support the concern that the FPMP has polluted its surroundings.