Self-reported medical conditions in perfluorooctanesulfonyl fluoride manufacturing workers.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether some cancers, other conditions, and pregnancy outcomes were related to occupational perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) exposure.


METHODS
We surveyed current and former employees of a perfluorooctanesulfonyl fluoride production facility, using a self-administered questionnaire to ascertain several cancers and health conditions. Female cohort members also completed a brief pregnancy history. We requested medical records to validate reported melanoma, breast, prostate, and colon cancers. PFOS exposure was estimated based on a job exposure matrix up to the year of the diagnosis of the condition.


RESULTS
Of the 1,895 eligible participants, 1,400 questionnaires were returned. No association was observed between working in a PFOS-exposed job and the risk of any of the surveyed conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
We observed no association between working in a PFOS-exposed job and several cancers, common health conditions, and birth weight.
Grice
Mira M
MM
University of Minnesota, School of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health Sciences, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA.
Alexander
Bruce H
BH
Hoffbeck
Richard
R
Kampa
Diane M
DM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017738:Alkanesulfonic Acids / Q000506:poisoning*; D005260:Female; D005466:Fluorocarbons / Q000506:poisoning*; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008910:Minnesota; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012650:Self Disclosure
D017738:Alkanesulfonic Acids; D005466:Fluorocarbons; C076994:perfluorooctane sulfonic acid