Occurrence of PFAS in Cow’s Milk: A Comparative Study of Swedish Farms near Contaminated Sites and Regional Dairy Production Facilities

TL;DR

This study compares PFAS levels in cow's milk from farms near contaminated sites in Sweden and regional dairy facilities, finding limited consumer exposure but highlighting the need for continued monitoring.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into PFAS contamination in dairy farms near hotspots and evaluates consumer exposure risks.

Findings

PFAS like PFOA, PFOS, and PFNA were detected in 5–77% of milk samples from farms near contamination hotspots.

No PFAS were detected above method detection limits in milk from regional production facilities.

One milk sample exceeded the EU's indicative PFOA level, but overall consumer exposure appears limited.

Abstract

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent
pollutants
that raise food safety concerns, especially near contamination hotspots.
This study measured 9 PFAS in milk and 15 PFAS in water from 22 Swedish
dairy farms <10 km from contamination hotspots and 49 PFAS in milk
from 20 regional production facilities. PFOA, PFOS, and PFNA were
quantified in 5–77% of milk from dairy farms, with maximum
levels of 18, 17, and 10 pg/g milk ww, respectively; the remaining
PFAS were below method detection limits (MDL). All PFAS were <
MDL at production facilities. One dairy farm milk sample exceeded
EU’s indicative level for PFOA (10 pg/g), but levels in production
facilities suggest limited consumer exposure. No correlation was found
between PFAS in farm water and milk, implying other exposure routes
may dominate when water contamination is low. While results indicate
limited health risks, contamination in other milk-producing regions
cannot be ruled out, supporting the need for continued PFAS monitoring
in dairy production.

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