Polyfluorinated compounds: Are point sources contaminating the environment-consequences for human exposure in China and Norway (PFC-ChiNo)

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The proposed project is aiming to investigate the impact of PFC emissions from industrial point sources on the surrounding environment. Both in coastal and terrestrial industrial areas human food items are harvested close by. PFCs are known to be taken up by animals and plants and can already be found in a very broad variety of human diet items. PFCs are used in China and Norway industrially in considerable and increasing amounts with emissions not well understood. Agricultural areas, drinking water res ervoirs and fishery grounds are exposed to PFC emissions from point sources both in Norway and China. Knowledge is required: i) on the degree and characteristics of the PFC emissions, ii) on the potential uptake into crops, vegetables, drinking water and animals iii) on exposure to humans living close to potential point sources from food etc., and iv) by local stakeholders and decision makers concerning risks and management options. Both countries would greatly benefit from a combined effort in indentifyi ng and characterising possible PFC emissions and find solutions to minimise the effect on the human population. During the project, data on PFC pollution caused by point sources in Norway and China will be made available for the Norwegian stakeholders a nd decision makers. The main deliverables are (i) capacity building on reliable and robust techniques for sampling and analysis of PFCs in environmental samples including food items, (ii) Established routes through which plants and animals become cotamin ated, and (iii) Models of PFC emissions from point sources and human intake scenarios. The major outcome of this project will be made available for the public and the different stakeholders both via project reports, participation in workshops and conferen ces and publications in mass media. The main scientific results will be published in international peer reviewed journals.