Dr Albert Laszlo Juhasz
Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia
Abstract: PFAS are highly persistent, man-made chemicals used in many manufacturing processes and found in numerous commercial products (e.g. carpeting, apparels, upholstery, food paper wrappings, paint, non-stick cookware). PFAS are also commonly associated with Aqueous Film Forming Foams (AFFF), which are widely used to extinguish highly flammable liquid Class B fires. AFFF formulations contain a complex mixture of PFAS including those of regulatory and health concern (i.e. per-fluoroalkyl acids [PFAA]) and compounds that have the potential to be transformed into PFAA (i.e. precursors). The toxicity of a limited number of PFAS, particularly PFOA and PFOS, has been evaluated in both humans and laboratory animals, although toxicity mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Numerous adverse health outcomes from PFAS exposure have been identified from epidemiological studies while the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the USEPA concluded that there was suggestive evidence for PFOS and PFOA carcinogenic potential in humans. Although there are numerous data gaps on the toxicological effect of PFAS exposure, little information is available on the extent of PFAS absorption following exposure to contaminated matrices (i.e. PFAS bioavailability) including physicochemical/biological factors influencing bioavailability. For an adverse health effect to be realized, the toxicant must be solubilized for absorption to occur across the intestinal epithelium (ingestion pathway), air-blood barrier (inhalation pathway) or epidermis (dermal pathway) into the systemic circulation. As bioavailability influences the dose available to exert a toxicological effect, understanding bioavailability is critical for assessing the risk of exposure to PFAS sources. This presentation details efforts to elucidate PFAS toxicokinetics for oral, inhalation and dermal pathways to better understand human health exposure to these ubiquitous environmental pollutants.
Host：Prof. Xinyi Cui
Nanjing University
Time：10:00am Nov 10, 2022 (Beijing time)
Zoom ID: 816 9975 7155
Bilibili: 25002335
