Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Human Serum Samples of Selected Populations from Ghana
Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Abstract
The aims of this study were to assess serum concentrations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl
substances (PFASs) in selected populations from Ghana, including workers engaged in the repair
of electronic equipment (ERWs), and to elucidate PFAS concentrations in relation to blood mercury
concentrations (B-Hg) as a biomarker of seafood consumption. In all, 219 participants were recruited
into the study, of which 26 were women and 64 were ERWs. Overall, the PFAS concentrations were
low. The most abundant components were perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorohexane
sulfonic acid (PFHxS).Women had generally lower PFAS concentration than men. The ERWs had
statistically significantly higher concentrations of perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), which was associated
with the concentration of tin in urine. This could indicate exposure during soldering. The concentration
of B-Hg was associated with several of the PFASs such as PFOA, PFOS and perfluoroheptane
sulfonate (PFHpS). Additionally, the concentrations of perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) and perfluoroundecanoate
(PFUnDA) were highly associated with the concentrations of B-Hg. It is noteworthy
that the linear isomer of PFHxS was strongly associated with B-Hg while the branched isomers of
PFHxS were not. In conclusion, the PFAS concentrations observed in the present study are low
compared to other populations previously investigated, which also reflects a lower PFAS exposure
within the Ghanaian cohorts. ERWs had significantly higher PFOA concentrations than the other
participants. Several PFASs were associated with B-Hg, indicating that seafood consumption may be
a source of PFAS exposure.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
PFAS, Occupational exposure, Ghana, human serum, blood mercury