Glyphosate-based herbicides contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and trace elements

The present study investigated the occurrence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and trace elements in glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs). A set of 12 GBHs was analyzed for 68 PFAS and 12 trace elements. PFAS analysis was performed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with Q Exactive high-resolution orbitrap mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) whereas analysis of trace elements was performed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). As a result, all investigated GBHs contained at least one PFAS and at least 10 out of the 12 trace elements. Total PFAS concentrations ranged from 216 to 3124 ng/kg product, with N-MeFOSAA being the most prevalent and abundant. Total elemental concentrations ranged from 680 to 196,752 µg/kg product, with Fe, Ti, Cu, Zn, and As among the most abundant elements. The annual Σ 68 PFAS inputs to Québec soils may reach 2–25 g/yr (1–16 µg/ha/yr) while global inputs may reach 809–10,986 g/yr (1–17 µg/ha/yr). The Σ 12 trace elements inputs were substantially higher, reaching 14–1503 kg/yr (9–940 mg/ha/yr) in Québec and up to 657,188 kg/yr globally (9–1017 mg/ha/yr). These findings suggest additional environmental and health implications associated with contaminants other than glyphosate in GBHs, warranting further ecotoxicological and exposure assessment studies.