Fecal Excretion of Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Pets from New York State, United States

Human exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) continues to be a concern. Little is known about their toxicokinetics, particularly with regard to fecal excretion of PFASs. Because pets are sentinels of human exposure to environmental contaminants, analysis of PFASs in pet feces can provide information about rates of excretion of these chemicals. In this study, 15 PFASs were measured in cat and dog feces collected from the Albany area of New York State. All PFASs except perfluorodecanesulfonate and perfluoroheptanoic acid were found in cat and dog feces. The sum concentrations of 13 PFASs (∑PFAS) varied between 21.6 and 474 (mean: 85.4 ± 94.5) ng/g dry weight for dogs, which were slightly higher than those found for cats (range: 18.0–165 ng/g dry weight, mean: 54.7 ± 26.9 ng/g dry weight). Long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids with 9–12 carbons (perfluorononanoic acid, perfluorodecanoic acid, perfluoroundecanoic acid, and perfluorododecanoic acid) were predominant in pet feces. Perfluorooctanesulfonate and its precursors were found at low concentrations. Fecal excretion rates of PFASs in cats and dogs were found to be similar. The estimated daily fecal excretion suggested that both dogs and cats are exposed to some PFASs at doses above the provisional minimum risk level recommended for humans.