Serum concentrations of polyfluoroalkyl compounds in Faroese whale meat consumers

Abstract

To learn the extent of human exposure to polyfluoroalkyl compounds (PFCs) in a remote fishing population, we measured, in Faroese children and pregnant women, the serum concentrations of nine PFCs, including perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), and perfluorononanoate (PFNA), by using online solid-phase extraction coupled to isotope dilution high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The serum samples analyzed had been collected between 1993 and 2005 from 103 children 7 years of age, 79 of these children at 14 years of age, and from 12 pregnant women and their children 5 years later. PFOS was detected in all samples analyzed, and both PFOA and PFNA were detected in all but one of the samples. The concentrations found are comparable tothose reported elsewhere. Correlations between paired concentrations were poor. However, PFOS and PFNA concentrations correlated well with the frequency of pilotwhale dinners and with concentrations of mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls. One whale meal every two weeks increased the PFOS concentration in 14-year-olds by about 25% and PFNA by 50%. The high frequency of detection of most PFCs suggests widespread exposure in the Faroe Islands already by the early 1990s, with whale meat being an important source.

Figure 1

PFOS and PFOA among selected female populations

Figure 2

Comparison of serum median concentrations among Faroe Island residents (7 years of age [N ) 103] and 14 years of age [N ) 79]), the U.S. general population aged 12–19 years (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey [NHANES] 1999–2000, N ) 543 (10), and NHANES 2003–2004, N ) 640 (36)), and U.S. children aged 2–12 years (1994–1995, N ) 598 (44)). PFNA for children 2–12 years old was not available.