Early-life chemical exposures may contribute to adverse health outcomes later in life. However, conventional chemical analyses typically cover only a limited subset of the chemical exposureome. Suspect and nontargeted screening (SS/NTS) using high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) workflows provides a powerful framework for comprehensive assessments of exposure, with the potential to detect a broad range of environmental contaminants and emerging chemicals. An interlaboratory assay involving 12 laboratories was performed to evaluate the comparability and complementarity of SS/NTS approaches for maternal urine, serum, and milk, based on reversed-phase (RPLC), hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC), and gas chromatography (GC) with HRMS. Participants used in-house methods to possibly detect a predefined and shared list of 50 compounds with varying polarities spiked at three concentrations. The overall detection rates ranged from 4% to 72% for all three techniques, with RPLC-HRMS covering compounds with log P 0–6, while HILIC-HRMS and GC-HRMS extended this coverage. Univariate and multivariable analyses of RPLC-HRMS results for serum and urine identified sample preparation steps as key factors influencing detection rates. Workflow performances were additionally benchmarked by using the S-score. These findings demonstrate the complementarity of SS/NTS platforms for extending chemical-space coverage for the most comprehensive exposure characterization. Therefore, efforts should be made for harmonized QA/QC provisions while conserving the added value of different workflows for exposure data for risk assessments.
Tarek Moufawad, K. Ayeni, E. Baira et al.· Environmental Science &...· 0 citations
BACKGROUND
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are environmentally persistent chemicals suspected to act as endocrine-active compounds, disrupting lipid metabolism and hormonal homeostasis, while possible multigenerational effects are an emerging concern. Although legacy PFAS such as perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) have been restricted in France since 2009, the impact of these measures on long-term exposure remains unclear.
OBJECTIVES
We aimed to (1) compare serum PFAS concentrations across two generations of adult French women and identify determinants of exposure; (2) evaluate associations between PFAS (individually and as mixtures) and early hormonal and metabolic biomarkers; and (3) explore potential intergenerational associations between maternal PFAS exposure and adult daughters' biomarkers.
METHODS
We analyzed serum PFAS concentrations among two generations of women from the E3N-Generations cohort (1995-1999 and 2024). Biomarkers included thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), triglycerides, and total, HDL, and LDL cholesterol. Multivariable models assessed determinants of exposure and PFAS-biomarker associations, with exploratory analyses of maternal-daughter pairs.
RESULTS
Total PFAS concentrations decreased substantially over time, particularly for PFOS and PFOA, although these compounds remained the predominant PFAS detected in both generations. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, and reproductive factors were associated with PFAS serum concentrations, with generation-specific patterns. The results showed a positive cumulative association between PFAS and testosterone and a negative association with TSH and HDL cholesterol, while associations with other lipid biomarkers were heterogeneous. No consistent associations were observed between maternal PFAS concentrations and adult daughters' biomarkers.
CONCLUSIONS
Despite regulatory-driven declines, PFAS exposure remains widespread and associated with endocrine and metabolic biomarkers in adult women. These findings are consistent with the need for strengthened, class-based PFAS regulation and dedicated studies to rigorously evaluate potential multigenerational associations.
F. Mancini, Claire Perrin, Régine Billmann et al.· Environment International· 0 citations
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