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Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Human Serum Samples of Selected Populations from Ghana

Author

Listed:
  • Emmanuel Dartey

    (Faculty of Science and Environment Education, University of Education, Winneba, Mampong-Ashanti AM-0030-2291, Ghana)

  • Dag G. Ellingsen

    (National Institute of Occupational Health, N-0363 Oslo, Norway)

  • Balazs Berlinger

    (National Institute of Occupational Health, N-0363 Oslo, Norway)

  • Yngvar Thomassen

    (National Institute of Occupational Health, N-0363 Oslo, Norway)

  • Jon Ø. Odland

    (Department of Community Medicine, NTNU, The Norwegian University of Science and Technology, N-7491 Trondheim, Norway)

  • Jan Brox

    (Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital of North Norway, N-9038 Tromsø, Norway)

  • Vincent K. Nartey

    (Department of Chemistry, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra GA-490-6862, Ghana)

  • Francis A. Yeboah

    (Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah, University of Science and Technology, Kumasi AK-448-9252, Ghana)

  • Sandra Huber

    (Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital of North Norway, N-9038 Tromsø, Norway)

Abstract

The aims of this study were to assess serum concentrations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in selected populations from Ghana, including workers engaged in the repair of electronic equipment (ERWs), and to elucidate PFAS concentrations in relation to blood mercury concentrations (B-Hg) as a biomarker of seafood consumption. In all, 219 participants were recruited into the study, of which 26 were women and 64 were ERWs. Overall, the PFAS concentrations were low. The most abundant components were perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS). Women had generally lower PFAS concentration than men. The ERWs had statistically significantly higher concentrations of perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), which was associated with the concentration of tin in urine. This could indicate exposure during soldering. The concentration of B-Hg was associated with several of the PFASs such as PFOA, PFOS and perfluoroheptane sulfonate (PFHpS). Additionally, the concentrations of perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) and perfluoroundecanoate (PFUnDA) were highly associated with the concentrations of B-Hg. It is noteworthy that the linear isomer of PFHxS was strongly associated with B-Hg while the branched isomers of PFHxS were not. In conclusion, the PFAS concentrations observed in the present study are low compared to other populations previously investigated, which also reflects a lower PFAS exposure within the Ghanaian cohorts. ERWs had significantly higher PFOA concentrations than the other participants. Several PFASs were associated with B-Hg, indicating that seafood consumption may be a source of PFAS exposure.

Suggested Citation

  • Emmanuel Dartey & Dag G. Ellingsen & Balazs Berlinger & Yngvar Thomassen & Jon Ø. Odland & Jan Brox & Vincent K. Nartey & Francis A. Yeboah & Sandra Huber, 2021. "Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Human Serum Samples of Selected Populations from Ghana," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-15, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:4:p:1581-:d:495367
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Andrea B. Kirk & Alisa DeStefano & Alexander Martin & Karli C. Kirk & Clyde F. Martin, 2023. "A New Interpretation of Relative Importance on an Analysis of Per and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances (PFAS) Exposures on Bone Mineral Density," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-19, March.
    2. Tingting Ma & Chaoran Ye & Tiantian Wang & Xiuhua Li & Yongming Luo, 2022. "Toxicity of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances to Aquatic Invertebrates, Planktons, and Microorganisms," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-20, December.

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