Evaluating Legacy and Emerging PFAS in Human Blood Collected from 2003 to 2021.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Chemistry
• Toxicology
• Human Health

Background:

• Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are widespread synthetic chemicals linked to adverse health effects.
• Legacy PFASs like PFOS and PFOA have been phased out, but replacement chemicals are increasingly used.
• The environmental and health impacts of emerging PFASs are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate temporal trends of emerging PFASs in human serum.
• To explore potential associations between PFAS exposure and autoimmune diseases.
• To identify novel PFAS compounds in human circulation.

Main Methods:

• Serum samples (n=156) were collected from 2003-2021, comprising autoimmune patients, healthy siblings, and controls.
• Quantitative and non-targeted analyses were employed to detect and quantify various PFASs.
• Statistical methods were used to assess PFAS levels and potential links to autoimmune diagnoses.

Main Results:

• No significant association was found between PFAS exposure and autoimmune disease diagnosis.
• A concerning increase in specific emerging PFASs, including 9Cl-PF3ONS, 6:2 DiPAP, and PFPis, was detected in human serum since 2003.
• A novel PFAS, Cl-PFNPA, was identified in human serum samples.

Conclusions:

• While no link to autoimmune disease was established, temporal trends reveal increasing exposure to certain emerging PFASs.
• The long-term health implications of these accumulating replacement PFASs require further investigation.
• Continued monitoring and toxicological assessment of novel and emerging PFASs are crucial.