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Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) in Fine Aerosols (PM2.5) during Floor Waxing
JIAQI ZHOU, Karsten Baumann, Naomi Chang, Jason Surratt, Wanda Bodnar, Zhenfa Zhang, Glenn Morrison, Joanna Atkin, Barbara Turpin, UNC-Chapel Hill
Abstract Number: 129
Working Group: Indoor Aerosols
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), with their water- and heat-resistant properties, have been widely used in industrial and consumer products, including floor waxes and sealants. Studies have shown adverse health effects associated with PFASs exposure, e.g., increased risk of cancer and immunotoxicity. However, little is known about the extent to which PFASs are emitted during floor stripping/waxing, and the potential for occupational exposures and subsequent health risks. In our study, we measured PFASs concentrations in fine particles (PM2.5) during floor stripping and waxing events performed in a university building and estimated the PFASs emission rates. PM2.5 samples were collected on 37mm quartz fiber filters downstream of a multiple-jet 2.5 mm cut-point impactor before, during, and after floor stripping/waxing activities. Samples were analyzed for 34 targeted PFASs by LC-MS/MS on an AB SCIEX Triple Quad™ 6500 mass spectrometer system. In total, ten PFAS compounds were detected during floor waxing with concentrations ranging from 0.6-29.8 pg/m3. Five of these were statistically significantly elevated in concentrations during stripping/waxing, specifically: perfluoro-2-methoxyacetic acid (PFMOAA), perfluoro-n-butanoic acid (PFBA), perfluoro-n-hexanoic acid (PFHxA), perfluoro-n-heptanoic acid (PFHpA), and sodium perfluoro-1-octanesulfonate (PFOS). Emission rates and exposure implications for workers will be discussed.