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Despite the low concentrations of PFAAs measured in maternal whole blood, relationships were observed between concentrations and birth weight. Given the ubiquitous nature of exposure to low levels of these compounds and the potential long term impacts associated with inappropriate foetal growth, this study adds further evidence to support the notion that PFAAs represent a public health concern and suggests that exposure to PFAAs warrants further study. Specifically, the potential for maternal exposure to PFHxS and PFUnDA to affect birth outcomes needs to be confirmed in a larger study and future studies need to control for glomerular filtration rates.

Typically, PFAAs are measured in blood plasma or serum samples. The Australian Maternal Exposure to Toxic Substances (AMETS) study provided the opportunity to measure PFAAs in whole blood to investigate the presence and range of concentrations in a sample of pregnant women. The researchers, including Prof Jane Heyworth from SPH, were able to consider factors that may have influenced exposure to PFAAs in pregnant women, as well as the associations between maternal blood PFAA concentrations and birth outcomes.

Perfluoralkyl acids (PFAAs) have been widely used for many years as water repellants and protective coatings in industrial and domestic products, as a constituent in flooring materials, and in fire-fighting formulations, adhesives and electrical wire. Several types of PFAA, including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) have been phased out in a number of countries, nevertheless they persist in the environment and have been measured in a number of human exposure studies.

Perfluoralkyl acids (PFAAs) have been widely used for many years as water repellants and protective coatings in industrial and domestic products, as a constituent in flooring materials, and in fire-fighting formulations, adhesives and electrical wire. Several types of PFAA, including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) have been phased out in a number of countries, nevertheless they persist in the environment and have been measured in a number of human exposure studies.

Concerns have been raised about the potential for health effects following PFAA exposure, and in particular, their role as endocrine disruptors and effects on foetal growth and development. PFOA and PFOS (both containing eight carbons) are the most widely studied of the PFAAs, with fewer human exposure studies reporting concentrations of other PFAAs, despite evidence that exposure to longer chain compounds, such as the 9-carbon perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) could be increasing. The exposure sources and health effects of exposure to other PFAAs are not as well understood.

The full article is available at doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.06.177

Media references

Prof Jane Heyworth , School of Population Health (+61 8 6488 7370)