Objective To determine the concentrations of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) in drinking water in the Anhui section of the Huaihe River Basin and conduct a health risk assessment, and to provide basic data for water environmental protection in the Huaihe River Basin.

Methods The concentrations of PFOA and PFOS in water samples were determined using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The non-carcinogenic health risk assessment model recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was used to evaluate the hazard quotients of PFOA and PFOS for children and adults.

Results The detection rate of PFOA (70.00%) was higher than that of PFOS (37.50%) in drinking water in the Anhui section of the Huaihe River Basin (χ²=8.50, P < 0.05). The concentration ranges of PFOA and PFOS were from 0.15 to 18.20 ng/L and from 0.10 to 48.95 ng/L, respectively. There were significant differences in the concentrations of PFOA and PFOS between dry and wet seasons. The concentration of PFOA in the dry season was higher than that in the wet season (Z=-3.95, P < 0.001), and the concentration of PFOS in the wet season was higher than that in the dry season (Z=-4.20, P < 0.001). The hazard quotients of PFOA and PFOS for children in different age groups and adults were all lower than 1.

Conclusion The detection rate of PFOA was higher than that of PFOS in drinking water in the Anhui section of the Huaihe River Basin. The hazard quotients of PFOA and PFOS for children and adults were at acceptable levels. However, attention should still be paid to the potential short-term health risks posed by occasional excessive levels of perfluorinated compounds.