Serum concentration trends and apparent half-lives of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Australian firefighters

Nilsson, Sandra; Smurthwaite, Kayla; Aylward, Lesa L.; Kay, Margaret; Toms, Leisa-Maree; King, Leisa; Marrington, Shelby; Barnes, Craig M.; Kirk, Martyn; Mueller, Jochen F.; Bräunig, Jennifer

doi:10.1016/j.ijheh.2022.114040

Cited by 37 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…The apparent half-life of “total PFOS” (average 6.5 years) in these firefighters was in the upper range of half-lives estimated in other observational longitudinal studies, such as in a community after the end of exposure to AFFF contaminated drinking water (average 3.4 years) . However, the individual half-lives varied greatly between the firefighters, with an approximate 3.5-fold difference between the 5th and 95th percentile . This variation has also been observed in and between other populations …”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 62%

“…Use of 3M-AFFF, historically produced by ECF, for training and firefighting events, is associated with elevated PFAS exposure in the firefighters assessed in this study; thus, ECF PFOS is believed to have been the main source of PFOS exposure in this cohort. , The proportion of L-PFOS in the serum of the firefighters (45% in 2013–2014, and 35% in 2018–2019) is significantly lower than the proportion of L-PFOS in the ECF mixture the firefighters would have been exposed to . 3M-AFFF usage ceased between 2002 and 2005, approximately 10 years prior to the first serum collection.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 65%

“…In Australian airport firefighters, the levels of “total PFOS” have decreased after the replacement of 3M-AFFF foam (the 3M-AFFF was replaced between 2002 and 2005) . The apparent half-life of “total PFOS” (average 6.5 years) in these firefighters was in the upper range of half-lives estimated in other observational longitudinal studies, such as in a community after the end of exposure to AFFF contaminated drinking water (average 3.4 years) .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 75%

“…The largest difference was observed for 1m-PFOS, which can be explained by the low quantified concentrations (0.31 vs 0.39 ng/mL). The sum of the quantified individual PFOS isomer concentrations (referred to as “∑PFOS isomers”) in each sample was compared to the quantified “total PFOS” of the same samples from a previous analysis (quantified using mz 499/99 transition (all peaks), and linear PFOS standard) and was found to be an average of 16% lower (further discussed in the Supporting Information).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In relation to the general population, elevated levels of “total PFOS” have been found in serum of firefighters that are or have been using AFFF. − In addition to elevated levels of total PFOS (and other PFAS, such as PFHxS and PFHpS), increased detection frequency of Cl–PFOS [confirmed by accurate mass/high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS)] has been reported in Australian firefighters with historical exposure to 3M-AFFF, a fire-fighting foam that has been produced by ECF . However, the levels of Cl–PFOS were not quantified, nor was the PFOS isomer profile determined . To fully understand the PFAS exposure to firefighters, it is important to identify the full extent of PFASs that accumulate in serum.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Apparent Half-Lives of Chlorinated-Perfluorooctane Sulfonate and Perfluorooctane Sulfonate Isomers in Aviation Firefighters

Nilsson

Thompson

Mueller

et al. 2022

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Elevated levels of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and elevated detection frequency of chloro-substituted PFOS have been reported in Australian firefighters with historical exposure to aqueous-film forming foam (AFFF). The aim of this study is to estimate the apparent half-lives of Cl–PFOS and PFOS isomers in firefighters following the end of exposure to 3M-AFFF. Paired serum samples from 120 firefighters, collected approximately five years apart, were analyzed for 8-Cl–PFOS (8-chloroperfluoro-1-octanesulfonic acid) and PFOS isomers via targeted LC–MS/MS. Apparent half-life was estimated by assuming a first order-elimination model. Cl–PFOS was detected in 93% of all initial serum samples (

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Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 62%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 65%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 75%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Apparent Half-Lives of Chlorinated-Perfluorooctane Sulfonate and Perfluorooctane Sulfonate Isomers in Aviation Firefighters

Nilsson

Thompson

Mueller

et al. 2022

Environ. Sci. Technol.

Self Cite

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Occupational exposure and serum levels of per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): A review

Lucas

Gaines

Paris-Davila

et al. 2022

American J Industrial Med

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Background Per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are a class of chemicals used in nearly all sectors of industry and many consumer products. Their resistance to degradation, however, means that PFAS are ubiquitous in the environment and bioaccumulate. PFAS exposure has also been linked to a variety of adverse health effects. Occupational PFAS exposure is of particular concern as research on PFAS exposure in worker populations has historically been limited and generally restricted to fluorochemical plant workers involved in PFAS production. Methods A comprehensive review of peer‐reviewed scientific literature was conducted to investigate which worker populations may experience occupational exposure to PFAS. Serum PFAS levels reported in various occupations were analyzed and compared to serum PFAS levels published on the general public exposed to PFAS‐contaminated drinking water and the study population of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Results Our analysis indicates that professional ski waxers and firefighters may be exposed to several different PFAS at levels often similar to or higher than levels among fluorochemical plant workers and individuals in communities with PFAS‐contaminated drinking water, and higher than levels in the general public. PFAS serum level data on other occupations were largely absent. Conclusions Results highlight a need for additional research on occupational PFAS exposures and concomitant environmental exposures in these populations. Research on exposure levels in occupations and industries known or suspected to utilize PFAS is critically needed to foster informed recommendations for exposure mitigation measures to protect workers from adverse health effects of PFAS exposure.

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HBM4EU chromates study – PFAS exposure in electroplaters and bystanders

Göen,

Abballe,

Bousoumah

et al. 2024

Chemosphere

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Serum concentration trends and apparent half-lives of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Australian firefighters

Cited by 37 publications

References 44 publications

Apparent Half-Lives of Chlorinated-Perfluorooctane Sulfonate and Perfluorooctane Sulfonate Isomers in Aviation Firefighters

Apparent Half-Lives of Chlorinated-Perfluorooctane Sulfonate and Perfluorooctane Sulfonate Isomers in Aviation Firefighters

Occupational exposure and serum levels of per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): A review

HBM4EU chromates study – PFAS exposure in electroplaters and bystanders

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