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East Metro PFC Biomonitoring Pilot Project

For information about the Follow-up Project, see: East Metro PFC Biomonitoring Follow-up Project

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Description
Results
More information

Description

The East Metro Perfluorochemical (PFC) Biomonitoring Pilot Project was conducted to measure perflurochemical (PFCs) in the blood of East Metro residents known to have been exposed to PFCs through drinking water. Past disposal of PFC-containing waste was discovered to have contaminated ground water in these communities.

Participants included 196 adults who lived in Oakdale, Lake Elmo, and Cottage Grove, Minnesota. The MDH Public Health Laboratory tested participants' blood for PFOA, PFOS, PFBA, PFBS, PFHxS, PFPeA, and PFHxA.

Results

Three PFCs (PFOA, PFOS, and PFHxS) were found in the blood of all participants. Levels of each were somewhat higher than those found in the general US population, but comparable or lower than levels found in other studies of communities exposed to PFCs in drinking water. Two PFCs (PFBA and PFBS) were found in a smaller proportion of participants, and two (PFHxA and PFPeA) were not found in any participants. For people on private wells, PFOA and PFOS levels in drinking water were related to levels in blood. For information about PFCs in the general US population, see Chemicals in People: Biomonitoring (PFCs).

Based on recommendations from the Advisory Panel, MDH is currently conducting a follow-up study of these participants to determine how PFC levels in blood have changed over a two-year time period.