Development of Amphibian PFAS Toxicity Reference Values for Use in Ecological Risk Assessment at AFFF Sites: A Critical Review of the Purdue Amphibian PFAS Ecotoxicity Research Studies (2017-2022): Identification of Screening Levels in Water and Other Useful Resources for Site-Specific Ecological Risk Assessments
Abstract
With the goals of aiding risk assessors conducting site-specific ecological risk assessments at PFAS-contaminated sites, this critical review synthesizes information on the ecotoxicity of PFAS to amphibians produced by the Purdue University research group over 6 years, in 9 amphibian species, and across 14 peer-reviewed publications. The Purdue studies focused upon in this review consisted of spiked-PFAS chronic toxicity experiments with PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS, and 6:2 FTS that evaluated apical endpoints typical of ecological risk-based decision making (survival, growth, and development). Body mass was the most sensitive endpoint, showing clear and biologically meaningful population level adverse effect sizes (greater than or equal to 20 percent adverse effects). From these results, we recommended chronic no observed effect concentration (NOEC) screening levels of 120 micrograms/L for PFOS and 130 micrograms/L for PFOA. At or above recommended chronic LOEC screening levels of 1400 micrograms/L PFOS and 1400 micrograms/L PFOA, there is an ecologically significant chance of adverse chronic effects. Biologically relevant adverse effects were not observed for PFHxS and 6:2 FTS, so unbounded NOEC screening values or 1300 micrograms/L PFHxS and 1800 micrograms/L 6:2 FTS are recommended. Screening levels for the evaluation of potential risks to amphibians are also provided for concentration of PFAS in amphibian diet, amphibian tissue, and moss substrate. Additionally, we recommend bioconcentration factors that can be useful to predict concentrations of PFAS in amphibians using concentrations in water; these values are useful for food web modeling to understand risks to vertebrate wildlife that prey on amphibians. Overall, this paper provides a guide to the wealth of ecotoxicological research on PFAS conducted by this research group, and also highlights the need for additional work that that would improve the understanding of chemical risks to amphibians.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 30, 2023
- Accession Number
- AD1219240
Entities
People
- Elizabeth Allmon
- Jason Conder
- Jason T Hoverman
- Linda S Lee
- Maria Sepulveda
- Tyler Hoskins
- Youn Choi
- Zacharias Pandelides
Organizations
- Purdue University