An evaluation and risk assessment of children’s exposures to water-soluble per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances through winter gloves

Abstract

Winter gloves are often treated with fluoroacrylic surface coatings containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to enhance water resistance. Concern over exposure to water-soluble PFAS, those with the greatest toxicological and regulatory relevance, has grown, particularly for children, who may experience higher relative body burdens due to lower body weight and frequent hand-to-mouth behaviors. In this study, we characterized the PFAS content and migration potential of winter gloves and conducted a screening-level risk assessment of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) glove exposures in children aged 2–6, considering both hand-to-mouth transfer and dermal absorption. Experimental data were generated through total fluorine analysis, liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS), and leachate testing of individual glove components across eight glove brands. Three fluorotelomer compounds were detected above the limits of detection in 6 out of 173 components, spanning 3 of the 8 brands. No PFAS were detected in leachate samples, suggesting negligible migration under simulated use conditions. The calculated oral, dermal, and cumulative hazard indices, based on conservative, low-exposure scenarios using estimated concentrations below the detection limit, were all well below 0.001. This study contributes to the evidence base for PFAS risk assessment in consumer products and demonstrates that detectable PFAS residues do not necessarily translate to meaningful exposure or health risk. These findings support the use of risk-based regulatory approaches that incorporate realistic exposure scenarios in the evaluation of PFAS in treated textiles.