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Levels of PFAS concentrations in the placenta and pregnancy complications
Luda Groisman1, Tamar Berman2, Anna Quinn3
1National Public Health Laboratory, Israel Ministry of Health, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Insights
Exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) during pregnancy is a growing concern. This study found PFAS in placental tissue, with elevated perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) linked to pregnancy complications.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Toxicology
- Reproductive Health
Background:
- Growing concerns regarding health effects of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure.
- Focus on critical developmental periods like pregnancy.
- Need to investigate PFAS presence and impact in placental tissue.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of PFAS in placental tissue.
- To explore potential impacts of PFAS on pregnancy outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Measured 13 PFAS compounds in placental tissue from 50 women in southern Israel.
- Included 10 women with pregnancy complications and 40 matched controls.
- Used conditional logistic regression to analyze associations.
Main Results:
- Detected 5 PFAS compounds (PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS, PFNA, PFDA) with concentrations comparable to international data.
- Elevated placental PFOA concentrations were associated with pregnancy complications (OR=1.82).
- PFAS exposure was widespread in the studied population.
Conclusions:
- This pilot study confirms widespread PFAS exposure in Israeli pregnant women's placental tissue.
- Findings highlight the need for further research and national biomonitoring.
- Suggests potential links between PFAS and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Background:
Recent research has raised concerns about the potential health effects of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure, particularly during critical periods of development such as pregnancy. In this study, we sought to investigate the presence and potential impacts of PFAS in the placenta.
Methods:
We measured 13 PFAS compounds in placental tissue samples among 50 women who gave birth at a tertiary medical center in southern Israel. The sample comprised of 10 women with pregnancy-related complications (preterm birth, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes or small-for-gestational age) and 40 women without complications individually matched to cases by age.
Results:
For five (5) out of 13 PFAS compounds (Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), Perfluorohexanesulphonic acid (PFHxS), Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA)) median concentrations were lower or comparable to placental measurements in different international populations. Geometric mean was estimated at 0.09 ng/g (90%CI:0.07;0.10) for PFOA, 0.05 ng/g for PFNA (90%CI:0.04;0.07), 0.03 ng/g for PFDA (90%CI:0.01;0.03), 0.06 ng/g for PFHxS (90%CI:0.05;0.07), 0.23 ng/g for PFOS linear measurement (90%CI:0.20;0.26) and 0.25 ng/g (90%CI:0.22;0.30) for PFOS summed concentrations that included non-linear isomers. Composite outcome of pregnancy-related complications was associated with elevated PFOA placental concentrations at an odds ratio (OR)= 1.82 (90%CI:1.06;3.13) for an increase of one quintile of PFOA value and adjusted to maternal gravidity in a conditional logistic regression.
Conclusion:
This pilot study indicates a widespread exposure to multiple PFAS compounds in placental tissue of pregnant women in Israel. These findings warrant further validation through comprehensive national human biomonitoring initiatives.
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