Supervisors info:
Δασενάκης Εμμανουήλ Αναπλ. Καθηγητής ΕΚΠΑ, Σκούλλος Μιχαήλ Καθηγητής ΕΚΠΑ, Λεοντιάδης Λεόντιος Ερευνητής Α'
Summary:
Perfluooroctane sulfate (PFOS, C8F17SO3H) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA,
C7F15CO2H) are the two most commonly found perfluorinated compounds (PFCs).
European Safety Authority (EFSA) has established a health risk assessment for
PFOS and PFOA in 2008, and has prescribed a Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI)
(150ng/kg b.w. per day for PFOS and 1500ng/kg b.w. per day for PFOA) for the
two chemical compounds as well. In accordance to the Stockholm Convention in
2009, PFOS and its salts have been characterized as persistent organic
pollutants (POPs).
PFOS and PFOA possess thermal, chemical and biological stability,
non-flammability and surface-active properties. Furthermore, PFOS and PFOA are
widely used as industrial and consumer applications. PFOS and PFOA have been
detected in air, dust, soil, sewage, drinking water, rivers, seas and living
organisms such as fish and mammals. Through the environment PFOS and PFOA enter
into the food chain and finally into human organism by inhalation, consumption
of food products, and direct dermal contact. PFOS and PFOA have also been
detected in food samples and in human serum and breast milk.
There is limited information available on the human toxicity of PFOS and PFOA
and on their effects on human health. Despite this fact, it is known from the
results of surveys on rodents, that PFOS and PFOA are responsible for
hepatotoxicity, developmental toxicity, hormonal effects, neurological effects,
immunological effects, occurrence of adenomas and sometimes cancer.
The aim of this study is the development of a specific, sensitive and
quantitative method of analysis for the detection of PFOS and PFOA in food
products. For the achievement of this objective LC-MS/MS and isotope dilution
method were employed. In addition, validation of the method took place, through
which the characteristics of the method were examined and evaluated depending
on the requirements of the method. Finally, food samples from Greece and Cyprus
were analyzed for the detection of PFOS and PFOA.
Keywords:
Isotope dilution method, Food, LC-MS/MS, PFOS, PFOA
