Dietary Exposure of Canadians to Perfluorinated Carboxylates and Perfluorooctane Sulfonate via Consumption of Meat, Fish, Fast Foods, and Food Items Prepared in Their Packaging

TLDR

Human exposure to perfluorinated compounds is widespread, yet the specific dietary routes of exposure remain poorly defined. The study analyzed 54 solid food composite samples from the Canadian Total Diet Study (1992–2004) for PFCA and PFOS using methanol extraction followed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Detectable PFCA/PFOS were found in nine composites—mostly meat, fish, and a single fast‑food and popcorn item—with concentrations of 0.5–4.5 ng g⁻¹, yielding an estimated average daily intake of 250 ng for Canadians ≥12 years, indicating diet is a significant exposure source and that intake is far below toxicological thresholds.

Abstract

Human exposure to perfluorinated compounds is a worldwide phenomenon; however, routes of human exposure to these compounds have not been well-characterized. Fifty-four solid food composite samples collected as part of the Canadian Total Diet Study (TDS) were analyzed for perfluorocarboxylates and perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) using a methanol extraction liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method. Foods analyzed included fish and seafood, meat, poultry, frozen entrées, fast food, and microwave popcorn collected from 1992 to 2004 and prepared as for consumption. Nine composites contained detectable levels of perfluorinated compounds-four meat-containing, three fish and shellfish, one fast food, and one microwave popcorn. PFOS and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) were detected the most frequently; concentrations ranged from 0.5 to 4.5 ng/g. The average dietary intake of total perfluorocarboxylates and PFOS for Canadians was estimated to be 250 ng/day, using results from the 2004 TDS composites. A comparison with intakes of perfluorocarboxylates and PFOS via other routes (air, water, dust, treated carpeting, and apparel) suggested that diet is an important source of these compounds. There was a substantial margin of exposure between the toxicological points of reference and the magnitude of dietary intake of perfluorinated compounds for Canadians >/= 12 years old.