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Project title

DIetary expoSure and Risk to hEalth of Per- and poly-fluroAlkyl substances: an Irish Perspective

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

University College Cork (UCC)

Lead Applicant

Eileen Ryan

Project Abstract

The DISREPAIR project aims to address significant knowledge gaps regarding the prevalence, dietary exposure, and health impacts of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Ireland. These substances, often referred to as "forever chemicals" due to their persistent nature, pose potential health risks, particularly to vulnerable populations such as pregnant women and infants. The project's overarching goal is to generate comprehensive data that can inform public health policies and risk management strategies. PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals used since the 1930s in various industrial applications, including non-stick cookware, food packaging, and stain-resistant fabrics. Structurally, PFAS are characterized by chains of carbon atoms bonded to fluorine atoms, which contribute to their resistance to degradation. To date, approximately 4,700 individual PFAS have been identified. The most studied PFAS, such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), are known for their environmental persistence and bioaccumulation in food webs, ultimately affecting human health through dietary intake and other exposure pathways (inhalation, dermal absorption). These chemicals have been linked to various health issues, including liver, kidney, thyroid, and immune system dysfunctions. Current exposure estimates and human biomonitoring indicate that the tolerable weekly intake (TWI) for PFAs is often exceeded, raising concerns about their potential health impacts. These estimates are based on incomplete food occurrence data, suggesting that actual exposure levels may be higher than reported. To reduce uncertainty in dietary exposure assessment, there is a critical need to generate comprehensive occurrence data for all PFAs in a wide range of food products and biological samples from humans. DISREPAIR aims to comprehensively analyse all PFAS in a wide variety of food that reflect habitual consumption patterns in Ireland. Using state-of-the art Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-HRMS), the project will quantify known PFAs and identify new analytes. These data will enable accurate calculation of dietary exposure to PFAs among the Irish population and identify at-risk subgroups. Additionally, the project aims to develop a novel method utilising imaging MS, specifically desorption electrospray ionisation (DESI) MS, for the localisation of PFAs on/in food and validate the use of this method as a screen for PFAs in food. DISREPAIR also focuses on assessing the health risks of PFAs exposure to pregnant women and infants. Maternal and infant bio-banked sera will be analysed for PFAs and the results will be correlated with existing health outcomes such as thyroid hormone levels, gestational hypertension, and infant birth weight. DISREPAIR leverages interdisciplinary expertise in analytical chemistry, nutrition, epidemiology, and public health. Key collaborators include experts from the UCC, INFANT Research Centre and Waters Corporation. The key actors for DISREPAIR include the general public, regulatory bodies, policymakers, non-governmental organisations, and industry representatives. The outcomes of DISREPAIR will be highly relevant for national agencies such as the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) and the EPA, as well as international bodies like the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Data generated will inform evidence-based policy-making and risk management strategies, contributing to improved public health protection against PFAs exposure

Grant Approved

€639,700.00

Research Hub

Delivering a Healthy Environment

Research Theme

Further Understanding the Health Impacts of a Changing Environment

Start Date

03/03/2025

Initial Projected Completion Date

02/03/2029