Domestic Dogs and Horses as Sentinels of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Exposure and Associated Health Biomarkers in Gray's Creek North Carolina

Domestic dogs and horses provideunique insight into sharedenvironmental exposures and One Health risks for humansand animals in the industrialized world. Central North Carolina (NC) is highly contaminated withper- andpolyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), in part due to local fluorochemicalproduction. Little is known about the exposure profiles and long-termhealth impacts for humans and animals that live in nearby communities.In this study, serum PFAS concentrations were determined using liquidchromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry and diagnostic clinicalchemistry endpoints were assessed for 31 dogs and 32 horses that residein Gray's Creek NC at households with documented PFAS contaminationin their drinking water. PFAS were detected in every sample, with12 of the 20 PFAS detected in & GE;50% of samples from each species.The average total PFAS concentrations in horses were lower comparedto dogs who had higher concentrations of PFOS (dogs 2.9 ng/mL; horses1.8 ng/mL), PFHxS (dogs 1.43 ng/mL, horses < LOD), and PFOA (dogs0.37 ng/mL; horses 0.10 ng/mL). Regression analysis highlighted alkalinephosphatase, glucose, and globulin proteins in dogs and gamma glutamyltransferase in horses as potential biomarkers associated with PFASexposure. Overall, the results of this study support the utility ofcompanion animal and livestock species as sentinels of PFAS exposuredifferences inside and outside of the home. As in humans, renal andhepatic health in domestic animals may be sensitive to long-term PFASexposures.

Automated summary

In this study, serum PFAS concentrations were determined for 31 dogs and 32 horses in Gray's Creek NC. PFAS were detected in every sample, with higher concentrations found in dogs compared to horses. The study suggests that long-term PFAS exposures may affect the renal and hepatic health of domestic animals.