An article published on June 24, 2017 in the peer-reviewed journal International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health reported on serum concentrations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) among South Korean adults in relation to several factors associated with exposure. Jin Heon Lee and colleagues from the Department of Environmental Education, Kongju National University, Gongju, South Korea, measured ten PFASs in nationally representative samples of the adult population (n=1874, 18-69 years). They found that perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA, CAS 375-95-1) was higher in individuals who used wax, polish, and water-resistant materials, while perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA, CAS 335-67-1) was higher in those who daily drank beverages packaged in a plastic bag. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA, CAS 335-67-1) concentrations were higher in those who daily or weekly consumed food microwaved in a plastic wrap, and in those who used disposable paper cups.
A study by Eleni Papadopoulou and colleagues from the Department of Environmental Exposures and Epidemiology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway, also found that high PFOA intakes were related to food contact with paper. In their article, published on June 26, 2017 in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Research, these authors presented a comparison of several methods used to assess dietary exposure to PFASs. Namely, they compared the results of (i) a one-day duplicate diet study, (ii) a two-day weighted food diary study, and (iii) a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) study. The estimates of perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS, CAS 1763-23-1) and PFOA intake derived by the two latter methods were found to be comparable to the results of a duplicate diet study. Therefore, the authors suggested that these two methods could be used as “less burdensome” alternative tools for assessing dietary exposure to PFASs in humans.
References
Lee, J., et al. (2017). “Serum concentrations of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances and factors associated with exposure in the general adult population in South Korea.” International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health (published June 24, 2017).
Papadopoulou, E., et al. (2017). “Estimating human exposure to perfluoroalkyl acids via solid food and drinks: Implementation and comparison of different dietary assessment methods.” Environmental Research 158: 269-276.
