Predictors of PFOA Levels in a Community Surrounding a Chemical Plant
Date
2009-07
Authors
Steenland, Kyle
Jin, Chuangfang
MacNeil, Jessica
Lally, Cathy
Vieira, Verónica
Fletcher, Tony
Version
OA Version
Citation
Steenland, Kyle, Chuangfang Jin, Jessica MacNeil, Cathy Lally, Alan Ducatman, Verónica Vieira, Tony Fletcher. "Predictors of PFOA Levels in a Community Surrounding a Chemical Plant" 117 (7): 1083-1088. (2009)
Abstract
BACKGROUND. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is considered a probable human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It does not exist in nature but has been used widely since World War II. It is present in the serum of most Americans at about 4-5 ng/mL, although the routes of exposure remain unknown. OBJECTIVES. We examined predictors of PFOA in mid-Ohio Valley residents living near a chemical plant that until recently released large quantities of PFOA into the environment, contaminating drinking water. METHODS. We studied 69,030 residents in six contaminated water districts who participated in a 2005-2006 survey involving a questionnaire and blood tests. Of these, 64,251 had complete data on PFOA and covariates. We also analyzed a subset (71%) for whom we had occupational history. We ran linear regression models to determine serum PFOA predictors. RESULTS. Mean PFOA serum level was 83.0 ng/mL (median, 28.2). The most important predictors were current (median for all districts, 38.4; highest district, 224.1) and past (median, 18.6) residence in contaminated water districts, and current (median, 147.8) and past (median, 74.9) employment at the chemical plant (R^2 model = 0.55). PFOA was higher for males, those consuming local vegetables, and those using well water rather than public water, and lower for those using bottled water. PFOA was higher at younger and older ages. CONCLUSIONS. PFOA levels in this population varied with distance of residence from the plant and employment at the plant. Effects of age and sex reflected prior findings. Effects of other demographic and lifestyle covariates were relatively weak.
Description
License
This is an Open Access article: verbatim copying and redistribution of this article are permitted in all media for any purpose, provided this notice is preserved along with the article's original DOI.