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Tags
HERO ID
4238355
Reference Type
Journal Article
Title
Can profiles of poly- and Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in human serum provide information on major exposure sources?
Author(s)
Hu, XC; Dassuncao, C; Zhang, X; Grandjean, P; Weihe, P; Webster, GM; Nielsen, F; Sunderland, EM
Year
2018
Is Peer Reviewed?
1
Journal
Environmental Health
EISSN:
1476-069X
Volume
17
Issue
1
Page Numbers
11
Language
English
PMID
29391068
DOI
10.1186/s12940-018-0355-4
Web of Science Id
WOS:000424217600001
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Humans are exposed to poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) from diverse sources and this has been associated with negative health impacts. Advances in analytical methods have enabled routine detection of more than 15 PFASs in human sera, allowing better profiling of PFAS exposures. The composition of PFASs in human sera reflects the complexity of exposure sources but source identification can be confounded by differences in toxicokinetics affecting uptake, distribution, and elimination. Common PFASs, such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and their precursors are ubiquitous in multiple exposure sources. However, their composition varies among sources, which may impact associated adverse health effects.
METHODS:
We use available PFAS concentrations from several demographic groups in a North Atlantic seafood consuming population (Faroe Islands) to explore whether chemical fingerprints in human sera provide insights into predominant exposure sources. We compare serum PFAS profiles from Faroese individuals to other North American populations to investigate commonalities in potential exposure sources. We compare individuals with similar demographic and physiological characteristics and samples from the same years to reduce confounding by toxicokinetic differences and changing environmental releases.
RESULTS:
Using principal components analysis (PCA) confirmed by hierarchical clustering, we assess variability in serum PFAS concentrations across three Faroese groups. The first principal component (PC)/cluster consists of C9-C12 perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (PFCAs) and is consistent with measured PFAS profiles in consumed seafood. The second PC/cluster includes perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) and the PFOS precursor N-ethyl perfluorooctane sulfonamidoacetate (N-EtFOSAA), which are directly used or metabolized from fluorochemicals in consumer products such as carpet and food packaging. We find that the same compounds are associated with the same exposure sources in two North American populations, suggesting generalizability of results from the Faroese population.
CONCLUSIONS:
We conclude that PFAS homologue profiles in serum provide valuable information on major exposure sources. It is essential to compare samples collected at similar time periods and to correct for demographic groups that are highly affected by differences in physiological processes (e.g., pregnancy). Information on PFAS homologue profiles is crucial for attributing adverse health effects to the proper mixtures or individual PFASs.
Keywords
Serum; Fish and shellfish; Consumer products; Source attribution; Homologues; Perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (PFCAs)
Tags
PFAS
•
Additional PFAS (formerly XAgency)
•
Expanded PFAS SEM (formerly PFAS 430)
Litsearch: September 2019
PubMed
Web of Science
Not prioritized for screening
Perfluorooctane
Ethyl perfluorooctanoate
2-(N-Ethyl-perfluorooctanesulfonamido)acetate
2-(N-Ethylperfluorooctanesulfonamido)acetic acid
•
PFAS 150
Literature Search Update December 2020
PubMed
WOS
Literature Search August 2019
PubMed
Web of Science
Not prioritized for screening
Ammonium perfluorooctanoate
Perfluorinated compounds
Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid
Perfluorooctane
Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid
Perfluorooctanoic acid
•
PFHxS
Database searches
Pubmed
Toxline
WOS
Scopus
Inclusion
TiAb
Supplemental
Full Text
Exposure assessment or characterization (no health outcome)
Susceptible populations
•
PFNA
Litsearch Update 2017-2018
PFAS Untag
Pubmed
Toxline
Literature Search
Pubmed
Toxline
PFNA May 2019 Update
Toxnet
Title and Abstract Screening
Excluded
Not relevant to PECO
Tagged as Supplemental
Exposure assessment or qualitative exposure only
Susceptible population
•
PFOA (335-67-1) and PFOS (1763-23-1)
Literature Search Update (2013-2019)
PubMed
WOS
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