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Polyfluoroalkyl compounds in Texas children from birth through 12 years of age

Arnold Schecter1, Noor Malik-Bass, Antonia M Calafat

  • 1University of Texas School of Public Health, Dallas, Texas 75390, USA. arnold.schecter@utsouthwestern.edu

Environmental Health Perspectives
|December 21, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Serum polyfluoroalkyl compounds (PFCs) were detected in Dallas children, with concentrations increasing by age but not sex. These findings indicate ongoing exposure in children despite production changes.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Toxicology
  • Pediatric Health

Background:

  • Polyfluoroalkyl compounds (PFCs) have widespread use globally, primarily as surfactants and emulsifiers.
  • Human exposure to certain PFCs is common, necessitating monitoring in vulnerable populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine serum concentrations of eight PFCs in children aged 0 to 12 years in Dallas, Texas.
  • To investigate potential differences in PFC levels based on age and sex.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 300 children's serum samples collected in 2009.
  • Quantification of eight PFCs using online solid phase extraction-high performance liquid chromatography-isotope dilution-tandem mass spectrometry.

Main Results:

  • Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) were detected in over 92% of participants.
  • Median concentrations were highest for PFOS, followed by PFOA, PFNA, and PFHxS.
  • Serum PFC concentrations increased significantly with age for these four compounds, with no significant sex-based differences.

Conclusions:

  • Serum concentrations of PFOS, PFOA, PFNA, and PFHxS showed no significant sex differences but increased with age in Dallas children.
  • Results suggest continued exposure to several PFCs in children up to 12 years old in late 2009, even after US production modifications.
Abstract

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