High in Utero Exposure to Perfluoroalkyl Substances from Drinking Water and Birth Weight: A Cohort Study among Infants in Ronneby, Sweden.

Karin Engström,Anna Axmon,Anna Rignell-Hydbom,Christel Nielsen

doi:10.3390/ijerph19042385

Karin Engström, Anna Axmon + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19042385

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Abstract

In 2013, the drinking water for one-third of the households in Ronneby, Sweden, was found to be contaminated by perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS, >10,000 ng/L) from Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF). In utero PFAS exposure can influence birth weight, but little is known about the effects at very high levels. This study aimed to examine the association between in utero PFAS exposure and birth weight. Infants with mothers from Ronneby exposed to contaminated water at home (high exposure) and infants with mothers from Ronneby not exposed to contaminated water at home (low exposure) were compared to infants with mothers from Blekinge county excluding Ronneby (referents). All infants born in Blekinge county 1995–2013 were included (n = 30,360). Differences in birth weight were only seen among infants born after 2005. For boys, Ronneby high exposure had a lower mean birth weight than referents (−54 g, 95% CI −97; −11). For girls, Ronneby high exposure had a higher mean birth weight than referents (47 g, 95% CI 4; 90). There were no differences in birth weight between referents and Ronneby low exposure. In conclusion, high exposure to PFAS may influence birth weight in a sex-specific way, although the effect estimates were relatively small.

Highlights

Accepted: 15 February 2022Perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of many different synthetic substances produced and widely used for approximately 50 years
The current study aims to investigate the association between PFAS exposure and birth weight by comparing groups with significant contrasts in exposure: one group of infants from Ronneby areas with highly contaminated water at home, one group of infants from Ronneby areas without contaminated water at home, and one reference group with background exposure
The association was in the opposite direction for girls, where those with mothers residing in areas with very high PFAS exposure in drinking water had increased birth weights compared to girls from the reference group

Summary

Introduction

Perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of many different synthetic substances produced and widely used for approximately 50 years. PFAS are endocrinedisrupting compounds [1], i.e., they interfere with hormonal biosynthesis and cause developmental disruptions [2]. PFAS are highly persistent compounds found in, e.g., non-stick cookware, impregnated paper and textiles, detergents, and firefighting foams, and can enter the environment through production or waste streams. There is exposure from contaminated drinking water in areas with PFAS point-source contamination [8]. The latter was noted as early as the 1990’s around PFAS production facilities and military/civilian firefighting

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