Occurrence, bioaccumulation, water quality criteria, and human health risk assessment of perfluoroalkyl substances in the Haihe River Basin, China

Abstract

Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are globally concerning pollutants due to their persistence, bioaccumulation potential, and adverse human health effects. As a densely populated and industrially intensive region suffering complex water pollution, the Haihe River Basin (HRB) in China is a priority area for PFAS research. This study clarified the occurrence characteristics and bioaccumulation patterns of PFASs in the middle and lower reaches of the HRB, derived ambient water quality criteria (AWQC) for seven PFASs, and assessed the potential non-carcinogenic human health risks. PFOA was the dominant compound in surface water (mean: 35.84 ng/L), while PFOS was most abundant in biota (1.16 ng/g). Chemical properties (45.3%) and PFASs concentration in water (26.8%) were the primary drivers of bioaccumulation factor (BAF) variation. BAFs displayed a non-monotonic pattern across carbon chain lengths (C8 < C6 < C4 < C9 < C10). AWQC were derived across different age groups and exposure scenarios. The AWQC values followed a consistent order of PFHxS < PFOS < PFNA < PFDA < PFHxA < PFOA < PFBA. Children aged 2–6 yr were identified as the most sensitive population. Human health risk assessment revealed Mentougou region in Beijing as a spatial hotspot. Drinking water was the dominant exposure pathway for PFOA, whereas fish consumption was the main route for other PFASs. Notably, PFOA, PFHxA, and PFHxS posed potential non-carcinogenic risks (HQ > 1) under certain specific scenarios. The results of this study could support the development of water quality criteria and risk-based management strategies for PFASs in industrialized watersheds.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Perfluoroalkyl substances / Haihe River Basin / Bioaccumulation factors / Human health ambient water quality criteria / Human health risk assessment

Highlight

	● BAF of seven PFASs exhibited a non-linear dependence on carbon chain length.
	● Age-specific AWQC of seven PFASs were derived under two exposure scenarios.
	● Fish consumption dominated human health risk for six of seven PFASs, except PFOA.
	● PFOA, PFHxA, and PFHxS posed potential non-carcinogenic risks in Haihe River Basin.

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