Explore the Human Health Assessment Regarding Potential Harm Caused by PFBS
The 2018 Draft Human Health Toxicity Assessment for Perfluorobutane Sulfonic Acid (PFBS) has been made available by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for public viewing. The draft report and its supporting materials, which are preliminary and subject to change, provide valuable background information for understanding the final 2021 Human Health Toxicity Assessment for PFBS.
The draft assessment identifies the dose levels at which health effects may occur for PFBS. The EPA's toxicity assessment for PFBS is a written summary of the potential health effects associated with the chemical. A Fact Sheet titled "Draft Toxicity Assessment for PFBS" is available, consisting of 7 pages and 221 KB. Additionally, a Technical Fact Sheet titled "Toxicity Assessment for PFBS" is also available.
A Fact Sheet titled "Toxicity Assessment for PFBS" is also available, consisting of 4 pages and 104 KB. This document provides an overview of the draft assessment, including key findings and potential health effects associated with PFBS.
It is important to note that the EPA did not issue a press release for the 2018 draft Human Health Toxicity Assessment for PFBS. The supporting materials are available on the EPA's website for public review and comment.
In April 2021, the EPA released the final Human Health Toxicity Assessment for PFBS, along with its supporting materials. A press release was issued on April 8, 2021, announcing the final assessment. The toxicity values for PFBS, calculated based on the dose levels identified in the draft assessment, are also available.
Perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS) is a member of the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) group. The EPA's final assessment provides detailed toxicity values and a characterization of health impacts, focusing on human health risk assessment. The report emphasizes that PFBS is less bioaccumulative than longer-chain PFAS but still presents concerns due to persistence and potential health effects, especially on the liver and developmental processes.
Key toxicity values and health impacts from the EPA's 2021 assessment include an oral reference dose (RfD) for PFBS, which is typically in the low microgram per kilogram body weight range, reflecting toxicity primarily to liver and thyroid functions. The report also highlights potential health effects such as liver toxicity, developmental toxicity, possible effects on the thyroid hormone system, and immunotoxicity concerns.
While this EPA assessment focuses on critical toxicity values relevant for regulatory risk analysis, related studies and regulatory discussions emphasize ongoing concerns about cumulative PFAS exposure, with PFBS included among PFAS substances that contribute to chronic health risks such as hormonal disruption, reduced immunity, and developmental issues.
In summary, the EPA's 2018 draft Human Health Toxicity Assessment and the 2021 final report present PFBS as a persistent chemical with measurable adverse effects primarily on the liver and development at relatively low exposure levels, justifying its regulatory evaluation and limitation in environmental media and human exposure pathways. The draft assessment provides valuable background information for understanding the final 2021 Human Health Toxicity Assessment for PFBS.
The EPA's toxicity assessment for PFBS, available in the 2018 draft and 2021 final reports, covers potential health effects associated with the chemical, including liver toxicity, developmental toxicity, and possible effects on the thyroid hormone system. Past and ongoing studies suggest that PFBS, as part of the PFAS group, may contribute to chronic health risks such as hormonal disruption, reduced immunity, and developmental issues, making mental- and health-and-wellness concerns relevant.
