Per- and Polyfluorinated Compounds in Blood and their Impact on Respiratory Problems in Young Children in Winnipeg, Manitoba

Abstract

Per- and polyfluorinated compounds (PFCs) are known to be toxic, bioaccumulative, and persistent. However, exposure routes and toxic effects in humans are still widely unknown. The concentrations of 17 PFCs were measured in newborn cord blood plasma and plasma from pre- and postnatal women from Winnipeg, Manitoba using online solid phase extraction coupled with liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Median concentrations (with standard deviation) were 2.2 ng/mL (1.8 ng/mL) for perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and 0.89 ng/mL (0.75 ng/mL) for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in prenatal maternal plasma and 1.8 ng/mL (1.8 ng/mL) for PFOS and 0.55 ng/mL (0.46 ng/mL) for PFOA in postnatal maternal plasma. Multiple linear regression and principal component analysis were used to evaluate possible associations of maternal and infant characteristics with PFC concentrations. In general, concentrations of PFCs in plasma were associated with maternal characteristics, but not home characteristics, wheezing, or developmental effects.