| Predictors of PFOA Levels in a Community Surrounding a Chemical Plant Kyle Steenland,1 Chuangfang Jin,2 Jessica MacNeil,1 Cathy Lally,1 Alan Ducatman,2 Veronica Vieira,3 and Tony Fletcher4 1Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA; 2Department Community Medicine, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; 3Department of Environmental Health, Boston School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; 4London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom 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 (R2 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. Key words: PFOA, serum levels, water contamination. Environ Health Perspect 117:1083–1088 (2009) . doi:10.1289/ehp.0800294 available via http://dx.doi.org/ [Online 23 March 2009]
Address correspondence to K. Steenland, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30322 USA. Telephone: (404) 712-8277. Fax: (404) 727-8277. E-mail: nsteenl@sph.emory.edu We thank D. Savitz for comments. This research is funded by the C8 Class Action Settlement Agreement (Circuit Court of Wood County, WV, USA) between DuPont and plaintiffs, which resulted from releases into drinking water of the chemical perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA, or C8) . Funds were administered by the Garden City Group (Melville, NY) that reports to the court. Our work and conclusions are independent of either party to the lawsuit. The authors declare they have no competing financial interests. Received 18 October 2008 ; accepted 23 March 2009.
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