Assessment of exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in dogs by fur analysis

Abstract

Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a large group of chemicals commonly used in various branches of industry, which may adversely affect the living organisms. The aim of this study were to evaluate exposure of dogs to six selected PFASs: five perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (perfluorobutanoic acid - PFBuA, perfluoropentanoic acid - PFPeA, perfluorohexanoic acid - PFHxA, perfluoroheptanoic acid - PFHpA, perfluorooctanoic acid – PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) through the analysis of fur samples. To our knowledge this is the first study concerning the use of fur samples to evaluation of exposure of domestic animals to PFASs. Relationship between PFASs concentration and age, gender and body weight of animals was also evaluated. Fur samples were collected from 30 dogs living in Olsztyn (Poland). All PFASs studied were detected in the canine fur samples. The highest concentrations were observed in the case of PFOA and PFBuA, detected at concentrations in the range between 1.51 and 66.7 ng/g and 0.98–26.6 ng/g, respectively. During the present study generally no statistically significant differences dependent on gender, age and body weight of animals were found. This study confirms the suitability of fur samples for biomonitoring of exposure to PFASs in domestic animals, what may be important in veterinary toxicology.