title: Concentration and correlations of perfluoroalkyl substances in whole blood among subjects from three different geographical areas in Korea.
abstract: Toxicity and persistence of perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) in human have raised considerable concern and several biomonitoring studies throughout the world reported the widespread occurrence of these compounds in human tissues. However, information regarding influence of geographic, lifestyle and demographic factor on PFAS levels in human blood tissues is limited. In this study, whole blood samples collected in 2006-2007 from 319 donors from suburban Seoul (Suwon and Yongin), Busan and Yeosu in Korea were analyzed for perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), perfluorononanoate (PFNA), perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) and perfluorooctane sulfonamide (PFOSA). Blood donors classified into seven age groups with ages ranging from 8 to 82 years, and different lifestyles and socio-economic status. PFOS (median=4.15 ng/mL) was found at the highest concentration with a maximum concentration of 59.1 ng/mL. The concentrations of other PFASs were in the decreasing order of; PFOA (median=1.30 ng/mL)>PFNA (median=0.85 ng/mL)>PFHxS (median=0.47 ng/mL)>PFOSA (median=0.12 ng/mL). Geographical differences in the concentrations of five target PFASs were found. Significant positive relationships between PFAS concentrations and the age of the donors were found. Gender-related differences were found in the concentrations of PFOA, PFNA, PFHxS and PFOSA. No association was found between PFAS levels and several lifestyle factors and socio-economic status which included drinking habit, furniture/carpet in an indoor environment and monthly income. Occupation was an important determinant for PFNA and PFHxS concentrations in the whole blood. Except for PFOSA, significant associations were noted between PFASs concentrations and smoking habit. The results of this study provide information for further public health monitoring and safety management for PFASs in Korea.
authors: College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, Chonnam National University, Yeosu 550-749, Republic of Korea.
authors: Chon Rae
authors: CR
authors: Cho
authors: College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, Chonnam National University, Yeosu 550-749, Republic of Korea.
authors: Nguyen Hoang
authors: NH
authors: Lam
authors: Department of Preventive Medicine and Occupational Medicine, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 626-770, Republic of Korea.
authors: Byung Mann
authors: BM
authors: Cho
authors: Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health and Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, State University of New York at Albany, Empire State Plaza PO Box 509, Albany, NY 12201-0509, USA.
authors: Kurunthachalam
authors: K
authors: Kannan
authors: College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, Chonnam National University, Yeosu 550-749, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: hscho@jnu.ac.kr.
authors: Hyeon Seo
authors: HS
authors: Cho
mesh_terms: D017738:Alkanesulfonic Acids / Q000097:blood; D002210:Caprylates / Q000097:blood; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005466:Fluorocarbons / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D056910:Republic of Korea
chemical_list: D017738:Alkanesulfonic Acids; D002210:Caprylates; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D005466:Fluorocarbons; C073608:perfluorooctane; C018959:hexadecafluoro-nonanoic acid; C023036:perfluorooctanoic acid; C076994:perfluorooctane sulfonic acid; C078626:perflexane
keywords: Biomonitoring; Human whole blood; Korea; PFOA; PFOS