Abstract
Prenatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), bisphenol A (BPA), lead (Pb), total mercury (THg), and methylmercury (MeHg) can affect fetal development. Factors influencing placental transfer rate of these toxins are poorly investigated. Whether prenatal exposure to pollutants has an effect on birth weight is incompletely understood. We therefore aimed (1) to determine placental transfer rates of PFAS, BPA, Pb, THg, and MeHg, (2) to analyze relationships between fetal exposure and birth outcome and (3) to analyze gene variants as mediators of placental transfer rates and birth outcome. Two hundred healthy pregnant women and their newborns participated in the study. BPA, 16 PFAS, THg, MeHg, and Pb were determined using HPLCMS/MS (BPA, PFAS), HPLC-CV-ICPMS (MeHg), CV-AFS (THg), and GF-AAS (Pb). Questionnaires and medical records were used to survey exposure sources and birth outcome. 20 single nucleotide polymorphisms and two deletion polymorphisms were determined by real-time PCR from both maternal and newborn blood. Genotype-phenotype associations were analyzed by categorical regression and logistic regression analysis. Specific gene variants were associated with altered placental transfer of PFAS (ALAD Lys59Asn, ABCG2 Gln141Lys), THg (UGT Tyr85Asp, GSTT1del, ABCC1 rs246221) and Pb (GSTP1 Ala114Val). A certain combination of three gene polymorphisms (ABCC1 rs246221, GCLM rs41303970, HFE His63Asp) was over-represented in newborns small for gestational age. 36% of Austrian and 75% of Slovakian mothers had levels exceeding the HBM guidance value I (2 μg/L) of the German HBM Commission for PFOA. 13% of newborns and 39% of women had Ery-Pb levels above 24 μg/kg, an approximation for the BMDL01 of 12 μg/L set by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Our findings point to the need to minimize perinatal exposures to protect fetal health, especially those genetically predisposed to increased transplacental exposure.
Highlights
The objective of the transnational human biomonitoring (HBM) project “UmMuKi1: chemicals in mothers and their newborns in the Bratislava-Vienna region,” was to compare the exposure situation of pregnant women and its potential effect on birth weight in greater urban areas
A strong focus in the UmMuKi study was on Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that are covered by International Conventions such as the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants
perfluorooctansulfonic acid (PFOS)/perfluorooctane acid (PFOA) are substituted by other PFAS and exposure to these PFAS will increase within the years and decades
Summary
The objective of the transnational human biomonitoring (HBM) project “UmMuKi1: chemicals in mothers and their newborns in the Bratislava-Vienna region,” was to compare the exposure situation of pregnant women and its potential effect on birth weight in greater urban areas. A strong focus in the UmMuKi study was on Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that are covered by International Conventions such as the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. Other substances of very high concern (SVHC) recognized under the European REACH2 Regulation are Bisphenol A (BPA) and lead (Pb). Two PFAS, perfluorooctane acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctansulfonic acid (PFOS) are already restricted within the European Union to minimize exposures. PFOS/PFOA are substituted by other PFAS and exposure to these PFAS will increase within the years and decades
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