Exposure of free-ranging white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at PFAS-impacted sites in Minnesota

Wildlife harvested for human consumption in areas with environmental contamination may pose risks to human health. We assessed levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in wild white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), an important food source in Minnesota, U.S. Liver samples (n = 116) collected from deer harvested by hunters near three PFAS-impacted sites were screened for 40 PFAS. Seventeen PFAS compounds were detected at least once in liver samples, with PFOS found in 100 % of liver samples, and PFDA and PFBA detected in over 50 % of liver samples. The seven PFAS found in liver samples above 1 ng/g (and their maximum concentrations) were PFOS (96.0 ng/g), 6:2 FTS (48.4 ng/g), PFBA (9.14 ng/g), NFDHA (5.75 ng/g), PFOA (4.84 ng/g), PFHxS (2.78 ng/g), and PFHpA (2.42 ng/g). Statistically significant differences in PFAS concentrations were found between sites; PFAS profiles were generally consistent with the known or suspected PFAS sources at the three sites. Total PFAS concentrations also differed between deer life stage-sex groups, with adult males having significantly higher concentrations of total PFAS compared to adult females and male fawns. To assess human consumption potential, paired deer muscle samples were evaluated when liver PFOS reached a concentration threshold of ≥20 ng/g (n = 17 muscle samples). PFOS was the most frequently detected PFAS in muscle (88 % detection frequency), with PFOS liver levels approximately two orders of magnitude higher than in the paired muscle tissue. These data are important for determining if public health interventions, such as localized consumption advisories, are warranted.