1. Perfluorinated substances in the Flemish population (Belgium) : levels and determinants of variability in exposure
- Author
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Anne Colles, Liesbeth Bruckers, Eva Govarts, Ilse Loots, Vera Nelen, Thomas Schettgen, Nicolas Van Larebeke, Greet Schoeters, Bert Morrens, Willy Baeyens, Elly Den Hond, Stefaan De Henauw, Tim S. Nawrot, Jurgen Buekers, Dries Coertjens, Vriendenkring VUB, Analytical, Environmental & Geo-Chemistry, Chemistry, and Schettgen, Thomas/0000-0003-1256-1713
- Subjects
Male ,PFNA ,Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis ,0208 environmental biotechnology ,02 engineering and technology ,010501 environmental sciences ,FLEHS ,01 natural sciences ,Perfluorononanoic acid ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Belgium ,Sociology ,Pregnancy ,Surveys and Questionnaires ,Medicine and Health Sciences ,Medicine ,EARLY MENOPAUSE ,education.field_of_study ,Fluorocarbons ,PFOA ,PERFLUOROOCTANOIC ,WOMEN ,General Medicine ,DIETARY EXPOSURE ,Middle Aged ,Pollution ,Human biomonitoring ,Parity ,Chemistry ,Breast Feeding ,Alkanesulfonic Acids ,ACID ,language ,Perfluorooctanoic acid ,Environmental Pollutants ,Female ,Caprylates ,Environmental Health ,Adult ,PLASMA-CONCENTRATIONS ,Environmental Engineering ,Adolescent ,Population ,POLYFLUOROALKYL CHEMICALS ,Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid ,Mothers ,PERFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES ,FLANDERS ,Time ,Young Adult ,PFOS ,Environmental health ,Environmental Chemistry ,Humans ,education ,Biology ,0105 earth and related environmental sciences ,Aged ,business.industry ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Infant, Newborn ,General Chemistry ,Environmental Exposure ,Fish consumption ,Serum samples ,SERUM CONCENTRATIONS ,language.human_language ,020801 environmental engineering ,Flemish ,Perfluorooctane ,PFHxS ,chemistry ,Food ,Earth and Environmental Sciences ,TIME TRENDS ,Sulfonic Acids ,business - Abstract
Because of their dirt-, water- and oil-repelling properties, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are frequently used in a broad variety of consumer products. They have been detected in human samples worldwide. In Flanders, Belgium, the Flemish Environment and Health Studies (FLEHS) measured the levels of five PFAS biomarkers in four different age groups of the Flemish population and identified determinants of variability in exposure. Cord plasma or peripheric serum samples and questionnaire data were available for 220 mother-newborn pairs (2008-2009), 269 mother-newborn pairs (2013-2014), 199 adolescents (14-15 years old, 2010), 201 adults (20-40 years old, 2008-2009) and 205 adults (50-65 years old, 2014). Measured levels of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) in Flanders are in the middle or low range compared to concentrations reported in other Western countries. Levels of perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS) were below the quantification limit in 98%-100% of the samples. Despite decreasing levels in time for PFOS and PFOA, 77% of the adults (2014) had serum levels exceeding HBM-I values of 5 mu/L for PFOS and 2 mu g/L for PFOA. Beside age, sex, fish consumption, parity and breastfeeding, the multiple regression models identified additionally consumption of offal and locally grown food, and use of cosmetics as possible exposures and menstruation as a possible route of elimination. Better knowledge on determinants of exposure is essential to lower PFASs exposure. This paper is based on research conducted within the framework of the Flemish Centre of Expertise on Environment and Health, funded by the Environment, Nature and Energy Department of the Flemish government, the Department of Public Health and the Department of Science of the Flemish government. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and are not necessarily endorsed by the Flemish government. Colles, A (reprint author), VITO Hlth, Boeretang 200, B-2400 Mol, Belgium. ann.colles@vito.be
- Published
- 2020