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. 2020 Jul 7;54(13):8158-8166.
doi: 10.1021/acs.est.9b07102. Epub 2020 Jun 12.

Identifying Risk Factors for Levels of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in the Placenta in a High-Risk Pregnancy Cohort in North Carolina

Jacqueline Bangma  1 , Lauren A Eaves  1 , Kirsi Oldenburg  1 , Jessica L Reiner  2 , Tracy Manuck  3   4 , Rebecca C Fry  1   4   5
Affiliations

Identifying Risk Factors for Levels of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in the Placenta in a High-Risk Pregnancy Cohort in North Carolina

Jacqueline Bangma et al. Environ Sci Technol. .

Abstract

Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a ubiquitous class of chemicals, is associated with adverse outcomes such as pre-eclampsia, low infant birth weight, and later-life adiposity. The objectives of this study were to examine PFAS levels in the placenta and identify sociodemographic risk factors in a high-risk pregnancy cohort (n = 122) in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Of concern, PFOS, PFHxS, PFHpS, and PFUnA were detected above the reporting limit in 99, 75, 55, and 49% of placentas, respectively. Maternal race/ethnicity was associated with significant differences in PFUnA levels. While the data from this high-risk cohort did not provide evidence for an association with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, fetal growth, or gestational age, the prevalence of detectable PFAS in the placenta suggests a need to biomonitor for exposure to PFAS during pregnancy. Future research should investigate factors underlying the differences in PFAS levels in association with a mother's race/ethnicity, as well as potential effects on pregnancy and child health.

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Conflict of interest statement

Certain commercial equipment or instruments are identified in the paper to adequately specify the experimental procedures. Such identification does not imply recommendations or endorsement by the NIST nor does it imply that the equipment or instruments are the best available for the purpose. The authors declare no competing financial interest.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Maximum, minimum, and median (means are indicated when medians were not reported in the literature) PFAS levels measured by ng/g wet weight in the human placenta as reported in the literature for Chen et al. 2017 (n = 32), Mamsen et al. 2019 (n = 78), Mamsen et al. 2017 (n = 34, means reported), and placentas included in the current study, Bangma et al. (n = 122). Frequently reported PFAS, including PFOS, PFOA, PFNA, and PFDA, were included in the graph as well as any additional PFAS detected in ~50% of the placenta in the current study, including PFUnA, PFHxS, and PFHpS.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Whisker plots of the distribution of PFAS of the four PFAS included in statistical analysis: PFHpS, PFHxS, PFOS, and PFUnA. Circles represent individual PFAS values, and bars represent median and interquartile ranges.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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