研究發(fā)現，狗和貓會排出可能有害的化學物質

研究發(fā)現，狗和貓會排出可能有害的化學物質

Cats and dogs are pooping out potentially dangerous levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) after being exposed in a variety of ways, which could have implications for pet owners, according to new research published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters.

根據發(fā)表在《環(huán)境科學與技術快報》上的一項新研究，貓和狗在以各種方式接觸到每一種多氟烷基物質(PFAS)后，其排泄物有潛在的危險水平，這可能會對寵物主人產生影響。

PFAS and related PFOS are man-made chemicals that have been manufactured globally since the 1940s in a variety of products, from non-stick cookware to food packaging.

全氟辛酸鹽和相關的全氟辛酸鹽是自20世紀40年代以來在全球范圍內從不粘鍋到食品包裝等生產的各種產品中的人造化學品。

Madison Dapcevich

These water- and stain-repelling substances have become ubiquitous in the environment and persistent in the human body, meaning that they do not break down over time and instead accumulate, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. Human exposure has been linked to low infant birth weights, cancer, impacts on the immune system, thyroid hormone disruption but little else is known about how these chemicals impact the human body.

據美國環(huán)境保護署稱，這些抗水和抗污物質已經在環(huán)境中普遍存在，并在人體中持續(xù)存在，這意味著它們不會隨著時間的推移而分解，而是會積累起來。人類接觸這些化學物質與嬰兒出生體重過低、癌癥、對免疫系統(tǒng)的影響、甲狀腺激素紊亂有關，但人們對這些化學物質如何影響人體知之甚少。

Pets are often “sentinels of human exposure to environmental contaminants,” and analyzing what goes in – and out – of their bodies helps scientists determine which chemicals their owners are being exposed to and how certain compounds might build up.

寵物通常是“人類接觸環(huán)境污染物的前哨”，通過分析它們的體內和體外的物質，科學家可以確定它們的主人接觸了哪些化學物質，以及某些化合物是如何形成的。

To determine the occurrence and profile of PFAS in pet feces as a proxy for human levels, scientists collected pet poop from 41 cats and 37 dogs between January and March 2019 from the Albany area of New York State. Feces samples were taken from both pets owned by an individual as well as those in a pet shelter and the animal’s age, gender, and breed were recorded. Immediately after pooping, the feces samples were collected and put in a polypropylene (PP) container. Liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry revealed the “widespread exposure” of PFAS were observed in pets, in particular, 13 of the 15 targeted chemicals.

為了確定PFAS在寵物糞便中的發(fā)生率和分布情況，作為人類糞便水平的代表，科學家們在2019年1月至3月期間從紐約州奧爾巴尼地區(qū)收集了41只貓和37只狗的寵物糞便。從個人和寵物收容所的寵物身上采集糞便樣本，并記錄動物的年齡、性別和品種。大便后立即收集糞便樣本，并將其放入聚丙烯(PP)容器中。液相色譜和串聯質譜分析顯示，在15種靶向化學物質中，有13種存在于寵物體內。

Levels observed in both cats and dogs were shown to be above the minimum risk level for exposure.classen/Shutterstock

After ingesting, inhaling, or being exposed to PFAS, the chemicals can be found throughout the body, some of which have been metabolized while some may be accumulated. Levels observed in pets are consistent with what has been previously modeled in humans with the highest concentrations being found in the liver, kidneys, and blood. Furthermore, the amount of PFAS that are excreted in animals suggests that both dogs and cats are at doses that are above the minimum risk level recommended for humans. Because pets share homes with people, the researchers add that monitoring chemical compounds in animals’ feces may be used to monitor human exposure.

在攝入、吸入或暴露于PFAS后，可在全身發(fā)現這些化學物質，有些已被代謝，有些可能會積累。在寵物身上觀察到的濃度與之前在人類身上模擬的濃度一致，在肝臟、腎臟和血液中發(fā)現的濃度最高。此外，動物體內排泄的全氟辛酸鹽的量表明，狗和貓的攝入量都超過了推薦給人類的最低風險水平。因為寵物和人類共享家園，研究人員補充說，監(jiān)測動物糞便中的化合物可能被用來監(jiān)測人類接觸的情況。

“In summary, this study provides evidence that PFASs are present at measurable concentrations in feces of cats and dogs,” write the authors, adding that the “age and gender of pets did not affect concentrations of PFAS in cats and dogs.”

作者寫道:“總而言之，這項研究提供了證據，證明貓和狗的糞便中存在可測量濃度的PFAS，”并補充說，“寵物的年齡和性別并不影響貓和狗的PFAS濃度。”

The researchers add that further studies are needed to evaluate the sources and health effects of PFAS in pets.

研究人員補充說，還需要進一步的研究來評估PFAS的來源和對寵物健康的影響。