• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.31
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• pp.2.1-2.4
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• 2016

Objectives In this study, we investigated the biodegradation features of 4 perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) alternatives developed at Changwon National University compared to those of PFOS. Methods Biodegradation testing was performed with microorganisms cultured in the good laboratory practice laboratory of the Korea Environment Corporation for 28 days following the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development guidelines for the testing of chemicals (Test No. 301 C). Results While $C_8F_{17}SO_3Na$, PFOS sodium salt was not degraded after 28 days, the 4 alternatives were biodegraded at the rates of 20.9% for $C_{15}F_9H_{21}S_2O_8Na_2$, 8.4% for $C_{17}F_9H_{25}S_2O_8Na_2$, 22.6% for $C_{23}F_{18}H_{28}S_2O_8Na_2$, and 23.6% for $C_{25}F_{17}H_{32}O_{13}S_3Na_3$. Conclusions $C_{25}F_{17}H_{32}S_3O_{13}Na_3$, $C_{23}F_{18}H_{28}S_2O_8Na_2$, and $C_{15}F_9H_{21}S_2O_8Na_2$ were superior to PFOS in terms of biodegradation rates and surface tension, and thus they were considered highly applicable as PFOS alternatives. Environmental toxicity, human toxicity, and economic feasibility of these compounds should be investigated prior to their commercialization.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.303-311
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• 2015

To determine the concentrations of selected 10 perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), a field study was conducted in the water body of Yeongsan River Water System. Raw water samples were collected in the spring and the fall, respectively, which included 18 sampling sites. Collected samples were equally mixed and then served as an analytical sample. The concentration of perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) were in range of 20.80-92.0 ng/L and ND-28.40 ng/L respectively. Perfluorononanoate (PFNA) and perfluorohexanesulfonate (PFHxS) were ranged from ND to 42.20 ng/L and from ND to 11.47 ng/L. The detection frequencies of other PFCs selected in this study were very sparse at very low concentrations, except for PFOS, PFOA, PFNA and PFHxS. PFOS was higher detection frequency and concentration in both spring and fall, PFOA and PFNA were in spring, and PFHxS was in fall. As a result, the observed concentrations of PFCs in the downtown water area of Gwangju, located in the wastewater treatment plants, were relatively higher than other sampling points.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.334-342
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• 2009

Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) have a wide range of domestic and industrial applications, but they are persistent in the environment. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) are among the metabolites of PFCs and occur at high concentration in the environment. Korea is the largest importer of PFC compounds in the world, therefore, the accumulation of these compounds is possible. In this study, the concentrations of PFOS and PFOA were determined in water samples taken from sewage treatment plants (STPs) and the Han River in Seoul, Korea. After extraction with a HLB cartridge, PFCs in the samples were analyzed by HPLC with an ion trap mass spectrometry in electrospray negative mode. Limits of detection was between 1 and 1.6 ng/l. The result showed that the concentrations of PFOS and PFOA in effluent and influent of the four STPs in Seoul were 60~570 ng/l, and not detected (nd)~254 ng/l, respectively. The levels of PFOS and PFOA were higher in the effluents which passed through the treatment process than in influent water samples which was against expectation. The concentration of PFOA and PFOS in the Han River was 60~570 ng/l and nd~254 ng/l, respectively. PFOA was detected in every sample, but PFOS was only detected in the downstreams of the Han River. This result indicates that there is comprehensive contamination of PFCs in the aquatic environment in Korea.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.112-117
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• 2016

Objectives: In this study, we investigated the biodegradation rates of 8 perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) alternatives synthesized at the at Changwon National University in comparison to those of PFOS potassium salt and PFOS sodium salt. Methods: A biodegradability test was performed for 28 days with microorganisms cultured in the good laboratory practice laboratory at the Korea Environment Corporation following the OECD Guidelines for the testing of chemicals, Test No. 301 C Results: While $C_5H_8F_3SO_3K$, $C_8F_{17}SO_3K$ and $C_8F_{17}SO_3Na$ were not degraded after 28 days, the 3 alternatives were biodegraded at the rates of 31.4% for $C_8H_8F_9SO_3K$, 25.6% for $C_{10}H_8F_{13}SO_3K$, 23.6% for $C_{25}F_{17}H_{32}S_3O_{13}Na_3$, 20.9% for $C_{15}F_9H_{21}S_2O_8Na_2$, 15.5% for $C_{23}F_{18}H_{28}S_2O_8Na_2$, 8.5% for $C_{17}F_9H_{25}S_2O_8Na_2$ and 4.8% for $C_6H_8F_5SO_3K$. When the concentration was the same(500 mg/L), $C_{23}F_{18}H_{28}S_2O_8Na_2$ had the lowest tension with 20.94 mN/m, which was followed by $C_{15}F_9H_{21}S_2O_8Na_2$ (23.36 mN/m), $C_{17}F_9H_{25}S_2O_8Na_2$ (27.31 mN/m), $C_{25}F_{17}H_{32}S_3O_{13}Na_3$ (28.17 mN/m), $C_{10}H_8F_{13}SO_3K$ (29.77 mN/m) and $C_8H_8F_9SO_3K$ (33.89 mN/m). Having higher surface tension of 57.64 mN/m and 67.57 mN/m, respectively, than those of the two types of PFOS salts, $C_6H_8F_5SO_3K$ and $C_5H_8F_3SO_3K$ were found valueless as substitute for PFOS. Conclusion: The biodegradation test suggest that 6 compounds could be used as substitutes for PFOS. $C_{23}F_{18}H_{28}S_2O_8Na_2$ and $C_{15}F_9H_{21}S_2O_8Na_2$ were found to be the best substitutes based on biodegradation rate and surface tension, followed by $C_{25}F_{17}H_{32}S_3O_{13}Na_3$, $C_8H_8F_9SO_3K$ and $C_{10}H_8F_{13}SO_3K$. $C_{17}F_9H_{25}S_2O_8Na_2$ was found to have relatively low value as an alternative but it still had a potential to substitute the conventional PFOS.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.105-117
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• 2012

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the concentration of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) in blood and factors controlling their exposure among Koreans. Methods: Study subjects were selected to include 718 members of the general population residing in five metropolitan cities and the Gangwon Province area from August 2008 to January 2009. A questionnaire was administered to investigate lifestyle, socio-demographic characteristics, and other related factors. Blood samples were collected and extracted using solid-phase extraction and anion-exchange methods, and quantified by high-performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC, Agilent 1200 Series) coupled with a Triple Quad LC-MS/MS system (Agilent 6410). Results: Geometric mean concentrations of PFOA and PFOS in the blood were measured as 1.82 and 6.06 ng/ml, respectively. Mean PFOA and PFOS concentrations generally increased with age in both genders. Blood PFOA concentration was significantly different according to such variables as age, family income, residential district, and province. Blood PFOS concentration was significantly different by such variables as gender, age, lifestyle factors such as regular exercise, alcohol consumption, and smoking status. Also, family income, hazardous facilities, job classification, and province contributed significantly to differences in blood PFOS concentration levels. Conclusions: Blood PFOA and PFOS concentrations in Koreans were similar with those found in Japan, the USA, and Germany, but less than those in Australia. PFOA and PFOS exposure seems to be affected by a variety of factors in Korea. Therefore, investigation is required for each factor to assess the relative contribution of different variables.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.326-334
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• 2012

To determine the concentrations and the mass flow of selected 10 perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), a field study was conducted in a wastewater treatment plant. Raw influent, primary influent, primary effluent, aeration tank effluent, secondary effluent, final effluent, dehydration liquor, primary sludge, thickened sludge, final sludge were collected over 3 days in the summer and the winter respectively. Collected samples were equally mixed and then served as an analytical sample. Total 10 compounds were analyzed. In terms of treated water, the concentration of perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) were in range of N.D.~26.29 ng/L and N.D.~38.15 ng/L respectively. Perfluorononanoate (PFNA) and perfluorohexanesulfonate (PFHxS) were ranged from N.D. to 36.79 ng/L and from N.D. to 24.36 ng/L. In terms of sludges, a concentration of PFOS, PFOA, and perfluorodecanesulfonate (PFDS) were detected from 6.82 to 59.37 ng/g, from 0.13 to 0.37 ng/g, from N.D. to 0.83 ng/g respectively. Mass loading for PFCs increased during wastewater treatment except for PFNA. The observed increase in mass flow of PFCs may have resulted from biodegradation of precursor compounds.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.313-323
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• 2012

We have developed analysis method of PFCs in river water and sediment, and determined seven species of PFCs such as PFBS, PFHxS, PFOS, PFHpA, PFOA, PFNA and PFDA. Water and sediment samples were collected from 21 and 13 different sites along the Nakdong, Seomjin and Nam River, respectively. The water samples were pretreated with HLB cartridge and sediment samples were concentrated after extracted by sonication, and the levels of PFCs were determined by LC-MS/MS. The coefficient of determination ($R^2$) values of calibration curves were higher than 0.99. The method detection limits ranged 0.09~0.63 ng/L in water and 0.013~0.020 ng/g in sediment. The recovery rates of PFCs was found to be 74~98% for water and 87~111% for sediment. PFOA was the major species in water samples and followed by PFHpA and PFOS. In sediment, PFOA, PFOS and PFDA showed similar levels. Both water and sediment samples collected from the Nakdong River showed the highest concentrations of PFCs among the three rivers.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.18 no.11
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• pp.5-12
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• 2017

Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) as environmental pollutants are an important environmental issue. However, little is known on the PFCs monitoring of sea waters around estuaries on the East and West Coasts of Korea. This study shows the monitoring results of PFCs in sea waters in these Coasts. Among 10 PFCs selected in this study, concentrations of perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS), and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) in the East Coast were 9.6-50.7 ng/L (total mean${\pm}$standard deviation: $26.14{\pm}12.66ng/L$), 13.79-44.58 ng/L ($27.95{\pm}11.41ng/L$), limit of quantification (LOQ)-2.6 ng/L ($0.96{\pm}1.15ng/L$), and 2.95-11.05 ng/L ($4.25{\pm}2.57ng/L$), respectively. In the West Coast, concentrations of PFOS, PFOA, PFBS, and PFHxS were 27.66-51.71 ng/L ($36.27{\pm}7.79ng/L$), 8.97-22.53 ng/L ($14.47{\pm}4.25ng/L$), LOQ-2.27 ng/L ($1.63{\pm}0.93ng/L$), and 3.0-7.66 ng/L ($4.27{\pm}1.49ng/L$), respectly. Other PFCs were below LOQ. The result of this study provides the distribution pattern of PFCs for assessing environmental pollution in two coastal areas of Korea.