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Home / Equine Research Bank / Environ Sci Technol / Domestic Dogs and Horses as Sentinels of Per- and Polyfluoro...
Environmental science & technology2023; 57(26); 9567-9579; doi: 10.1021/acs.est.3c01146

Domestic Dogs and Horses as Sentinels of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Exposure and Associated Health Biomarkers in Gray’s Creek North Carolina.

Abstract: Central North Carolina (NC) is highly contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), in part due to local fluorochemical production. Little is known about the exposure profiles and long-term health impacts for humans and animals that live in nearby communities. In this study, serum PFAS concentrations were determined using liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry and diagnostic clinical chemistry endpoints were assessed for 31 dogs and 32 horses that reside in Gray's Creek NC at households with documented PFAS contamination in their drinking water. PFAS were detected in every sample, with 12 of the 20 PFAS detected in ≥50% of samples from each species. The average total PFAS concentrations in horses were lower compared to dogs who had higher concentrations of PFOS (dogs 2.9 ng/mL; horses 1.8 ng/mL), PFHxS (dogs 1.43 ng/mL, horses < LOD), and PFOA (dogs 0.37 ng/mL; horses 0.10 ng/mL). Regression analysis highlighted alkaline phosphatase, glucose, and globulin proteins in dogs and gamma glutamyl transferase in horses as potential biomarkers associated with PFAS exposure. Overall, the results of this study support the utility of companion animal and livestock species as sentinels of PFAS exposure differences inside and outside of the home. As in humans, renal and hepatic health in domestic animals may be sensitive to long-term PFAS exposures.
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Publication Date: 2023-06-20 PubMed ID: 37340551DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c01146Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • N.I.H.
  • Extramural

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The study explores the presence and impact of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination in domestic dogs and horses in North Carolina, which is highly affected due to local fluorochemical production. Concentration levels of PFAS and its associated health impacts were investigated in these animals.

About PFAS and its Detection in the Study

  • Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals that have been in use since the mid-20th century in various industries around the globe.
  • PFAS are extremely resilient and can persist in the environment and human body for extended periods, often leading to health problems, which is why they are often called ‘forever chemicals’.
  • In the study, 31 dogs and 32 horses living in Gray’s Creek, Central North Carolina were studied for PFAS contamination. All of them were from households with documented PFAS contamination in drinking water.
  • The researchers used liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry to determine serum PFAS concentrations in these animals.
  • PFAS were detected in every sample, with 12 out of 20 types of PFAS detected in at least half of the samples from each species.

Comparison between Concentration Levels in Dogs and Horses

  • On average, the total PFAS concentrations in horses were lower compared to dogs.
  • Dogs had higher concentrations of PFOS (2.9 ng/mL compared to horses’ 1.8 ng/mL), PFHxS (dogs at 1.43 ng/mL, horses less than detection limit), and PFOA (dogs 0.37 ng/mL; horses 0.10 ng/mL).

Health Impacts and Potential Biomarkers

  • Health impacts of PFAS exposure were also assessed in this study, focusing on diagnostic clinical chemistry.
  • The regression analysis done in the study revealed alkaline phosphatase, glucose, and globulin proteins in dogs and gamma glutamyl transferase in horses as potential health biomarkers influenced by PFAS exposure.
  • The study suggests that like in humans, the renal and hepatic health of domestic animals might be sensitive to long-term PFAS exposures.

Implications of the Study

  • The results of the study support the use of domestic animals and livestock as sentinels or indicators of PFAS exposure differences inside and outside homes.
  • This can help increase our understanding of the exposure profiles and long-term health impacts of PFAS on both humans and animals living in nearby communities.

Cite This Article

APA
Rock KD, Polera ME, Guillette TC, Starnes HM, Dean K, Watters M, Stevens-Stewart D, Belcher SM. (2023). Domestic Dogs and Horses as Sentinels of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Exposure and Associated Health Biomarkers in Gray’s Creek North Carolina. Environ Sci Technol, 57(26), 9567-9579. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c01146

Publication

Environmental science & technology
ISSN: 1520-5851
NlmUniqueID: 0213155
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 57
Issue: 26
Pages: 9567-9579

Researcher Affiliations

Rock, Kylie D
  • Center for Environmental and Health Effects of PFAS, Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States.
Polera, Madison E
  • Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States.
Guillette, Theresa C
  • Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education Research Participation Program, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States.
Starnes, Hannah M
  • Center for Environmental and Health Effects of PFAS, Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States.
Dean, Kentley
  • Southern Oaks Animal Hospital, Hope Mills, North Carolina 28348, United States.
Watters, Mike
  • Gray's Creek Residents United against PFAS in Our Wells & Rivers, Gray's Creek, North Carolina 28348, United States.
Stevens-Stewart, Debra
  • Gray's Creek Residents United against PFAS in Our Wells & Rivers, Gray's Creek, North Carolina 28348, United States.
Belcher, Scott M
  • Center for Environmental and Health Effects of PFAS, Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States.

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Dogs
  • Horses
  • Animals
  • North Carolina
  • Fluorocarbons / analysis
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis
  • Drinking Water / analysis
  • Drinking Water / chemistry
  • Biomarkers
  • Alkanesulfonic Acids / analysis
  • Environmental Pollutants / analysis

Grant Funding

  • P42 ES031009 / NIEHS NIH HHS

Citations

This article has been cited 15 times.
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