Prevalence and Predictors of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Serum Levels among Members of a Suburban US Volunteer Fire Department

Abstract

Background: Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are ubiquitous pollutants associated with adverse health outcomes. High PFAS levels have been demonstrated among career firefighters; less is known about PFAS levels among volunteer firefighters who comprise two-thirds of US firefighters. Methods: Volunteer fire department members completed a survey and provided blood samples. We calculated geometric means and 95% CIs for PFAS reported by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). We compared PFAS distribution and levels among non-Hispanic white adult male study participants to those in the 2015–2016 and 2017–2018 NHANES cycles. We assessed associations between PFAS serum levels and years of firefighting controlling demographics and occupation using linear regression. Results: Participant’s average age was 46.6 years (sd. 17.1). Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA) was detected in almost half study but <3% of NHANES participants; serum levels of PFDoA, perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) were elevated among participants compared with NHANES. Serum levels of both PFDA and PFDoA were positively associated with years of firefighting. Conclusions: Volunteer firefighters may have a different serum profile and levels of PFAS than the general population. Future work in this area should include volunteer firefighters from other geographic locations and assess sources of PFAS exposure.

Biomonitoring of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from the Survey of the Health of Wisconsin (SHOW) 2014-2016 and comparison with the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)

“…To and communities near contamination sites [24][25][26]46,47]. Higher serum concentrations levels of PFOS are not surprising due its (and PFOA's) U.S. production since the 1940s, which peaked between 1970 and 2002.…”

Firefighter occupational factors and the risk of preterm birth: results from a survey of women firefighters in the USA

“…[4][5][6][7] Firefighters could be particularly vulnerable to these exposures, given their high level of exposures. [8][9][10] Research among career (full-time, salaried) firefighters in the USA has shown that pregnancies to working firefighters were more than twice as likely to result in self-reported pregnancy loss compared with non-firefighters. 1 However, exposures vary by firefighter type because of differences in time at fires, combustion products, activities and equipment used.…”

“… 4–7 Firefighters could be particularly vulnerable to these exposures, given their high level of exposures. 8–10 …”

“…Some potential occupational exposures (air pollutants, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and high temperatures) have also been associated with adverse reproductive outcomes among non-firefighters 4–7. Firefighters could be particularly vulnerable to these exposures, given their high level of exposures 8–10…”

Marks and Mechanisms: Unraveling Potential Health Impacts of PFAS via DNA Methylation

“…The researchers also measured four PFAS in maternal serum samples collected in the HOME Study 11 : two legacy chemicals that have been phased out (perfluorooctanoate and perfluorooctane sulfonate) and two newer chemicals (perfluorononanoate and perfluorohexane sulfonate). 12 , 13 …”