US EPA

2349576 

Journal Article 

The relationship between birth weight, gestational age and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)-contaminated public drinking water 

Nolan, LA; Nolan, JM; Shofer, FS; Rodway, NV; Emmett, EA 

2009 

1 

Reproductive Toxicology
ISSN: 0890-6238
EISSN: 1873-1708 

PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD 

OXFORD 

27 

3-4 

231-238 

English 

19049861 

10.1016/j.reprotox.2008.11.001 

WOS:000266050100003 

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have examined the associations between perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) levels in cord blood and maternal plasma with lowered birth weight and gestational age in humans; however, no study has examined these effects in a population of known high PFOA exposure. Residents drinking PFOA-contaminated water from the Little Hocking Water Association (LHWA) in Washington County, Ohio have serum PFOA levels approximately 80 times those in the general U.S. population.

OBJECTIVES: To compare birth weights and gestational ages of neonates born to mothers residing in zip codes with water service provided completely, partially or not at all by the LHWA.

METHODS: Multiple logistic and linear regression analyses were performed on singleton neonatal birth weight data supplied by the Ohio Department of Health to examine the associations between LHWA water service category (used as a surrogate for PFOA exposure) with mean birth weight, mean gestational age, the likelihood of low birth weight (<2500 g), and the likelihood of preterm birth (<37 completed weeks of gestation). All models were adjusted for maternal age, gestational age, sex, race and population-level socioeconomic status.

RESULTS: The incidence of low birth weight, preterm birth, mean birth weight and mean gestational age of neonates did not significantly differ among water service categories.

CONCLUSION: Markedly elevated PFOA exposure, as categorized by water service category, is not associated with increased risk of lowered birth weight or gestational age. This study does not confirm earlier findings of an association between PFOA and lowered birth weight observed at normal population levels. 

Perflurooctanoic acid; PFOA; C8; Birth weight; Low birth weight; Gestational age; Preterm gestation; Fetal development; Little hocking water 

Workshop on Perfluorooctanoic Acid Toxicokinetics and Mechanisms of Toxicity 

Res Triangle Pk, NC