New method for detecting “forever chemicals” in birds
The Total Oxidizable Precursor assay has identified higher levels of PFAS in birds than previously recorded.
A research team from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (Trondheim, Norway) have utilized an emerging method, known as the Total Oxidizable Precursor (TOP) assay, to detect per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in birds. This method allowed for easier detection of PFAS and highlighted potential unidentified PFAS which require further research.
PFAS, a large group of synthetic environmental toxins, are commonly referred to as “forever chemicals” as they break down very slowly or never break down at all. In recent years, PFAS have gained significant attention due to their extensive industrial use in fast food containers, Teflon, fires retardants and more. PFAS have also been found to have harmful effects on various organisms, including humans, including an array of cancers, hormone disorders, reduced fertility, developmental disorders and liver damage.
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While perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAS), a group of PFAS, have been extensively studied their precursors remain challenging to detect with traditional and high-resolution mass spectrometry methods. To address these challenges, the TOP assay, which oxidizes undetectable and undocumented precursors (PFAS) converting them into detectable PFAAS, was developed. Initially for use in large volumes of water, Laura Cioni had previously adapted the TOP assay to be utilized for the analysis of human blood.
The researchers then applied the TOP assay to analyze blood and liver samples of migratory birds from the East Asian–Australasian Flyway, an important route for millions of migratory birds. Declining population numbers of many bird species have been seen along this route, leading the researchers to investigate if environmental toxins such as PFAS could be a contributor. Samples from shellfish where the migratory birds stop to feed were also analyzed as ingestion of PFAS through food and water is common.
Results from the TOP assay revealed a significant increase in several types of harmful substances in all samples. Most notably, perfluorocarboxylic acids, another group of PFAS, were found to be significantly increased in the livers of wading birds when compared to previous results.
“This suggests that previous methods have not been good enough at detecting certain types of PFAS,” commented lead author Junjie Zhang.
The results also suggested the presence of “forever chemicals” from unidentified precursors. “We need to find out more about the sources, but also the effects of PFAS on wading birds, other animals and humans,” stated corresponding author Veerle Jaspers.
These results demonstrate the capabilities of the TOP assay in studying PFAS, and highlight the need for further research into PFAS, their ecological impact and potential human exposure.