PFAS study highlights rise in replacement chemicals

A 25-year study of roe deer livers has revealed a significant decline in regulated PFAS compounds, alongside increasing concentrations of some replacement chemicals, highlighting the need for continued environmental monitoring.

Researchers from The James Hutton Institute and the University of Graz analysed liver samples collected from one-year-old roe deer in Germany's Bavarian Forest National Park between 1998 and 2022. Using specimens from the German Environmental Specimen Bank, the team measured a range of both regulated and emerging PFAS compounds. The study is published in Environmental Pollution.

The study found that total PFAS concentrations fell by more than 87% over the study period, with levels of PFOS declining by more than 98% following regulatory restrictions and voluntary industry phase-outs. However, some replacement compounds showed the opposite trend. Concentrations of PFNA, for example, doubled during the same period despite tighter controls on older PFAS.

The findings suggest that while restrictions on well-known PFAS have reduced environmental concentrations, continued monitoring remains essential as alternative compounds enter widespread use. The study also demonstrates the value of long-term wildlife biomonitoring for assessing the effectiveness of regulatory measures and identifying emerging contaminants.

The researchers suggest the findings demonstrate a pattern of ‘regrettable substitution’, where restricted PFAS are replaced by alternative compounds that continue to accumulate in the environment.

Dr Viktoria Mueller of The James Hutton Institute said the results indicate that regulating only a limited number of PFAS is unlikely to eliminate contamination, as replacement chemicals continue to emerge.

More information online

1. Tracking the impact of PFAS regulations: Long-Term analysis of roe deer livers from 1998 until 2022 published in Environmental Pollution