Letter Health Consultation: Potential Health Effects of Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) Levels in Fish on the Conasauga River, Dalton, Georgia, October 7, 2010

摘要

The Georgia Division of Public Health (GDPH) has reviewed available fish data from a section the Conasauga River located east and southeast of Dalton, Georgia. We are writing you to inform you ofour findings regarding the potential for adverse health effects from exposure to perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) found in fish and fresh water mussels ca ght in the Conasauga River near Dalton. Surface water sampling for polyfluorochemicals (PFCs) in the Conasauga River was conducted by the University of Georgia (UGA) in 2006. Results showed concentrations of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and PFOS were higher downstream than upstream ofthe Loopers Bend Wastewater Treatment Plant, and wastewater Land Application System (LAS) site where treated wastewater is sprayed on over 9,200 acres ofwooded peninsula surrounded on three sides by the Conasauga River. These sites are located approximately 4.5 miles southeast ofDalton. The 2006 study found that PFOA concentrations ranged from 253 1150 nanograms per liter (nglL); while the PFOS concentrations ranged from 192-318 ngIL. In the summer of 2009, UGA conducted a study to measure PFOS levels in fish and mussels caught in the Conasauga River near Dalton. Sampling locations included a site upstream of the Loopers Bend Wastewater Treatment Facility, at a site adjacent to the wastewater treatment site, and two sites downstream of the wastewater treatment site.