Laboratory research was completed to assess the relative toxicity of various short-chain PFAS in adult and juvenile freshwater snails. Tests of various duration (7-28 days) and encompassing three life stages (adults, juveniles, and embryos) were completed with three sulfonic acids (PFSAs): perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS), and three carboxylic acids (PFCAs): perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), and perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA). Tissues were preserved to assess bioaccumulation and for later assessment of chronic effects on the metabolome and proteome.
Snail cages were deployed for twenty-eight days downstream of a local Ontario, Canada airport, to assess the effects of PFAS exposure. Water, sediment and tissues were collected for assessing bioaccumulation. Tissues were also collected and preserved for later assessment of chronic effects on the metabolome and proteome, and on the distribution of oxylipids in freshwater snails.
Manuscripts are in progress using these data and will be published in the near future.
Supplemental Information
The Chemicals Management Plan (CMP) is a Government of Canada initiative aimed at reducing the risks posed by chemicals to Canadians and their environment. A key element of the Chemicals Management Plan is the monitoring and surveillance of levels of harmful chemicals in Canadians and their environment. Monitoring and surveillance are essential to identify and track exposure to hazards in the environment and associated health implications. Monitoring and surveillance programs provide the basis for making sound and effective public health and environmental health policies and interventions, as well as measuring the efficacy of control measures.
In support of the Chemicals Management Plan, monitoring and surveillance initiatives were established to support Health Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada scientists, in collaboration with external partners and researchers, to advance our knowledge. This initiative has allowed the Government of Canada to increase its commitment to a number of existing monitoring initiatives, as well as to support new efforts.
For more information on the Chemicals Management Plan, please visit https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/chemical-substances/chemicals-management-plan.html