GEN-MKT-18-7897-A
Oct 14, 2021 | Blogs, Environmental / Industrial | 0 comments
Read time: 2 minutes
Short-chain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are increasing in the Canadian Arctic environment, with the most rapid increases occurring post-2000, according to a recent study in Geophysical Research Letters (April 2020). For example, trifluoracetic acid (TFA) in the Devon Ice Cap increased ~10-fold from 1.4 μg/m2 per year during 1977–1989 to 10.3 μg/m2 per year during 2001–2014. The authors of the study suggest that the increased short-chain PFAS concentrations post-2000 were from new chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) replacement chemicals produced as a result of the 1987 Montreal Protocol treaty. One of the paper’s lead authors, Professor Cora Young of York University in Toronto, Ontario, discussed the study findings during the inaugural episode of my new video podcast, “PFAS fireside chats with Craig Butt.
PFAS are well-known environmental contaminants, and they are widely detected in surface and drinking water and in humans and wildlife. PFAS have many uses in commercial products due to their properties, such as stain repellency, and they are also used in firefighting foams to combat petroleum fires. The most widely known PFAS chemicals are perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which have 8 carbons. The chemicals examined in the study by Young et al. are similar to PFOA, but they have 2–4 carbons and are therefore known as short-chain PFAS. Chemicals from the fluoropolymer industry are typically attributed to long-chain PFAS, such as PFOA, that are found in remote environments. While these chemicals could explain the ice core concentrations of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), which is 2 carbons, and perfluoropropanoic acid (PFPrA), which is 3 carbons, the study instead attributes their source to the degradation of CFC replacement chemicals, such as hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). These CFC replacements were manufactured to respond to the Montreal Protocol to combat ozone hole depletion. Therefore, international efforts to solve an environmental crisis may have unintentionally caused the global contamination of short-chain PFAS. While the study examined PFAS levels in the Canadian Arctic environment, Young believes that short-short-chain PFAS levels will be higher in more populated regions. However, due to their analytical difficulty, few labs are currently monitoring these “shorties,” which represents a major data gap. Also, while the human health implications are currently unknown, recent studies suggest that TFA may be more abundant in humans than previously thought.
Click here to read Prof. Cora and team’s full study.
Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) has gained significant attention in the clinical laboratory due to its ability to provide best-in-class sensitivity and specificity for the detection of clinically relevant analytes across a wide range of assays. For clinical laboratories new to LC-MS/MS, integrating this technology into their daily routine operations may seem like a daunting task. Developing a clear outline and defining the requirements needed to implement LC-MS/MS into your daily operations is critical to maximize the productivity and success of your clinical laboratory.
In today’s rapidly evolving food industry, the role of food testing laboratories has never been more critical. Ensuring the safety, quality, and authenticity of food products is paramount, and this responsibility falls heavily on the shoulders of laboratory managers. The economics of food testing—encompassing everything from high-throughput pesticide screening to advanced research on alternative protein sources—plays a pivotal role in shaping the operational efficiency and financial health of these laboratories.
Imagine having a tech expert at your fingertips to solve computer issues or a fitness trainer guiding you through workouts from the comfort of your home. In today’s fast-paced world, the ability to provide and receive service and support remotely is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Whether it’s troubleshooting a software issue, repairing a device, offering customer assistance, or enjoying the convenience of telehealth as a private individual, remote capabilities have revolutionized how businesses operate and how individuals get help
Posted by
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Share this post with your network