{"title":"PFC/PFAS concentrations in human milk and infant exposure through lactation: a comprehensive review of the scientific literature.","authors":"Neus González, Jose L Domingo","doi":"10.1007/s00204-025-03980-x","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), previously known as perfluorinated compounds (PFC), are a group of synthetic chemicals widely used over the past decades. Their extensive application, combined with their environmental persistence, has contributed to their ubiquitous presence in the environment and the associated toxicological risks. Regarding humans, blood serum testing remains the primary method for biomonitoring PFAS exposure, while breast milk has also been used due to the transfer of these substances from mothers to infants during lactation. This paper aims to review the scientific literature (using PubMed and Scopus databases) on PFAS concentrations in the breast milk of non-occupationally exposed women. Where available, the estimated daily intake of these compounds by breastfeeding infants is also examined. The reviewed studies are categorized by continent and country/region, revealing a significant lack of data for many countries, including both developed and developing nations. The findings indicate substantial variability in PFAS concentrations, influenced by factors such as geographic location, sampling year, and the specific PFAS analyzed. Among the identified compounds, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are most commonly detected, along with perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), being the only PFAS with regulated maximum levels in certain foodstuffs. Most studies were conducted before the implementation of the current (updated) tolerable weekly intake (TWI) values for these substances. Consequently, the majority reported a low health risk for breastfeeding infants, even in high-intake scenarios. Nevertheless, biomonitoring studies are urgently needed in countries with limited or no data, and new investigations should assess whether current estimated intakes exceed the updated TWI. Special focus should be given to rural and industrial areas where exposure levels remain poorly understood.</p>","PeriodicalId":8329,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Toxicology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.8000,"publicationDate":"2025-02-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Archives of Toxicology","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00204-025-03980-x","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"TOXICOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), previously known as perfluorinated compounds (PFC), are a group of synthetic chemicals widely used over the past decades. Their extensive application, combined with their environmental persistence, has contributed to their ubiquitous presence in the environment and the associated toxicological risks. Regarding humans, blood serum testing remains the primary method for biomonitoring PFAS exposure, while breast milk has also been used due to the transfer of these substances from mothers to infants during lactation. This paper aims to review the scientific literature (using PubMed and Scopus databases) on PFAS concentrations in the breast milk of non-occupationally exposed women. Where available, the estimated daily intake of these compounds by breastfeeding infants is also examined. The reviewed studies are categorized by continent and country/region, revealing a significant lack of data for many countries, including both developed and developing nations. The findings indicate substantial variability in PFAS concentrations, influenced by factors such as geographic location, sampling year, and the specific PFAS analyzed. Among the identified compounds, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are most commonly detected, along with perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), being the only PFAS with regulated maximum levels in certain foodstuffs. Most studies were conducted before the implementation of the current (updated) tolerable weekly intake (TWI) values for these substances. Consequently, the majority reported a low health risk for breastfeeding infants, even in high-intake scenarios. Nevertheless, biomonitoring studies are urgently needed in countries with limited or no data, and new investigations should assess whether current estimated intakes exceed the updated TWI. Special focus should be given to rural and industrial areas where exposure levels remain poorly understood.
期刊介绍:
Archives of Toxicology provides up-to-date information on the latest advances in toxicology. The journal places particular emphasis on studies relating to defined effects of chemicals and mechanisms of toxicity, including toxic activities at the molecular level, in humans and experimental animals. Coverage includes new insights into analysis and toxicokinetics and into forensic toxicology. Review articles of general interest to toxicologists are an additional important feature of the journal.