Fast Track Article

Community Exposure to Perfluorooctanoate: Relationships Between Serum Concentrations and Exposure Sources

Emmett, Edward Anthony MD, MS; Shofer, Frances Susan PhD; Zhang, Hong MD, MPH; Freeman, David MS; Desai, Chintan BSc; Shaw, Leslie Michael PhD

Author Information

From the University of Pennsylvania (Dr Emmett, Dr Shofer, Mr Desai, Dr Shaw), School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Grand Central Family Medicine (Dr Zhang), Parkersburg, West Virginia; and the Decatur Community Association (Mr Freeman), Cutler, Ohio.

This study was supported by grant ES12591 from the Environmental Justice Program of the U.S. National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health, and by P30 Core Center grant ES 013508 from the NIEHS.

Address correspondence to: Edward A. Emmett, MD, Occupational Medicine, Silverstein Pavilion, Ground Floor, 3400 Spruce St., Philadelphia, PA 19104-4284; E-mail: [email protected].

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 48(8):p 759-770, August 2006. | DOI: 10.1097/01.jom.0000232486.07658.74

Abstract

Objective:

The objective of this study was to determine serum (perfluorooctanoate [PFOA]) in residents near a fluoropolymer production facility: the contributions from air, water, and occupational exposures, personal and dietary habits, and relationships to age and gender.

Methods:

The authors conducted questionnaire and serum PFOA measurements in a stratified random sample and volunteers residing in locations with the same residential water supply but with higher and lower potential air PFOA exposure.

Results:

Serum (PFOA) greatly exceeded general population medians. Occupational exposure from production processes using PFOA and residential water had additive effects; no other occupations contributed. Serum (PFOA) depended on the source of residential drinking water, and not potential air exposure. For public water users, the best-fit model included age, tap water drinks per day, servings of home-grown fruit and vegetables, and carbon filter use.