Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Blood Levels and Health Outcomes in Residents Following Contamination of the Community Water Supply in Paulsboro, New Jersey

摘要

Background: Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are chemicals of emerging concern. A PFAS, Perfluorononanoic Acid (PFNA),, was detected in the community water supply (CWS) of Paulsboro, NJ at a ten-fold higher level than the NJ groundwater criterion (10 ng/L). In 2014, the CWS was filtered to remove PFAS. Little is known about the health effects of PFNA, concerns include disruption of immune response; disruption of cholesterol homeostasis; and adverse liver, thyroid and/or reproductive system effects. Methods: A class-action lawsuit awarded Paulsboro residents a blood test for 11 PFAS. Consenting participants provided those blood test results and were surveyed about demographic and health information. The geometric means of PFAS serum levels were compared to those of the 2013-2014 NHANES. Linear regression was used to assess associations between PFNA levels and demographics. Logistic regression was used to assess associations between PFAS serum levels and self-reported health outcomes (high cholesterol; circulatory issues, CVD, neurological diagnoses, and pregnancy outcomes). Results: Four PFAS were detected in >25% of 194 participants: perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS; 70.9%), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS; 96.9%), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA; 97.9%), and, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA; 98.5%). PFOA and PFNA serum concentrations were significantly higher among study than NHANES participants (PFNA: 0.91 ng/L, 95 %CI: 0.87, 0.96, vs. 3.50 ng/L 95 %CI: 3.04, 4 .04; PFOA: 2.08 ng/L 95 %CI: 1.91, 2.26 vs. 3.03 ng/L, 95 % CI: 2.70, 3.40). Among the 105 participants with health data, PFNA blood levels were significantly associated with and high cholesterol (odds ratio 1.14, 95% CI 1.02, 1.29). No other significant associations were observed between PFAS and health outcomes. Discussion/Conclusion: PFNA levels in Paulsboro residents exceeded those in the general US population. Further research is warranted to explore associations between PFNA levels and health outcomes.