Dietary and social predictors of PFAS exposure in Hispanic children from Northern Virginia

PFAS are chemicals that are persistent in the environment. PFAS bioaccumulate and have been detected in human biospecimens, including children. Hispanic populations may be disproportionately vulnerable to PFAS exposure due to dietary and social factors.

To identify dietary and social factors associated with PFAS concentrations in Hispanic children.

We enrolled 110 Hispanic children (ages 4-11) in the Vidas Activas Familias Saludables (VALE) study. Parents completed questionnaires on diet and social factors, and children's anthropometrics and blood specimens were collected. 12 PFAS were measured in plasma using LC-MS/MS. We estimated dietary and social predictors of blood PFAS using generalized linear regression models, adjusted for confounding factors.

PFOS (median: 2.73 ng/mL) and PFOA (median: 1.29 ng/mL) were measured in the highest concentrations. Animal-based foods predicted higher PFAS: burrito (mean difference (MD): 1.45 ng/mL per IQR greater consumption, 95% CI: 0.56, 2.35) and cheese (MD: 0.87 ng/mL, 95% CI: 0.01, 1.76) intake were associated with higher PFHpA. Fish (OR: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.17, 2.36) and beef (OR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.01, 2.12) intake were associated with greater odds of measuring PFBS above the detection limit. Using free or reduced-price school lunch programs predicted lower PFHpA (MD: -0.61 ng/mL, 95% CI: -1.13, -0.10), PFOA (MD: -0.22 ng/mL, 95% CI: -0.44, -0.01), and PFHxS (MD: -0.64 ng/mL, 95% CI: -0.64, -0.06). U.S. born children had lower PFHpA (MD: -0.54 ng/mL, 95% CI: -1.20, 0.09) and PFBS detection (OR: 0.25, 95% CI: 0.06, 0.88), and longer maternal residence in the U.S. was associated with lower PFBS detection (OR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.85, 0.99).

Greater animal-based food consumption was associated with higher blood PFAS concentrations in Hispanic children. School-meal program participation, U.S.-born, and English proficiency were associated with lower PFAS. These findings underscore how diet and social factors shape PFAS exposure in children and highlight the importance of evaluating predictors in vulnerable populations.

PFAS are persistent environmental chemicals to which Hispanic children may be disproportionately exposed. Little is known about culturally relevant predictors of PFAS exposure in this population. In a study of Hispanic children, we identified that consumption of animal-based foods was associated with higher blood PFAS concentrations. Social factors, like participation in school meal programs and acculturation measures, were associated with lower PFAS concentrations. These findings highlight the importance of the role of dietary and social factors in predicting PFAS exposure in Hispanic children. Our findings emphasize the need for studies to evaluate culturally relevant predictors of PFAS to inform future interventions.