Biomonitoring of Exposure to Great Lakes Contaminants in New York State Burmese Refugees: Assessing Exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and Its Association with Local Fish Consumption

摘要

Background: Fish consumption is a potential source of PFAS exposure, but few studies have looked at the associations between fish consumption and PFAS exposure. Burmese refugees and immigrants in Buffalo, NY consume a substantial amount of fish caught from the Great Lakes and surrounding waters, raising their risk of exposure to contaminants including PFAS. The aims of this study were to: (ⅰ) present the PFAS exposure profile of the Burmese refugees, and (ⅱ) examine the associations between PFAS levels and local fish consumption. Methods: Burmese participants (n=199) provided blood samples and completed a detailed questionnaire. We measured 12 PFAS compounds in serum. Multiple linear regression was used to assess associations between PFAS concentrations and self-reported consumption offish from the Great Lakes waters. Results: Local fish consumption was high among study participants (median: 3 meals/week in summer, 1 meal/week in winter). Nine PFAS were detected in at least 65% of participants. PFOS had the highest median concentration (35.6 μg/L), 6 times that of the U.S. general population. We selected the 5 most abundant PFAS (PFOS, PFHxS, PFOA, PFNA, and PFDA) with 100% detection rate for further regression analysis. Consumption of fish/shellfish within the past 3 days was associated with elevated PFOS and PFNA. There was evidence of potential effect modification by ethnicity (Karen and Other). Higher consumption of Great Lakes fish in summer and consuming fish/shellfish within the past 3 days were associated with PFOS and PFDA among the Burmese of 'Other' ethnicity, but not among participants of Karen ethnicity. Conclusions: Burmese refugees and immigrants in western New York had elevated blood PFAS concentrations (especially PFOS) and some PFAS were associated with Great Lakes fish consumption. Besides local fish consumption, there may be other PFAS exposure routes related to ethnicity in this population.