Blood concentrations of certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have decreased in the general Australian population since our human biomonitoring project started in 2002. However, occupational exposure, and environmental contamination of PFAS, has resulted in elevated PFAS blood concentrations in some individuals, such as firefighters and community members from areas affected by PFAS contamination.
The aim of this project is to assess the changes over time in PFAS blood serum concentrations, particularly in those identified as having elevated serum PFAS concentrations, to investigate the effectiveness of exposure control and identify factors governing successful exposure reduction.
The study also aims to assess historical temporal PFAS serum concentration trends prior to 2000, in individuals representative of background PFAS exposure.
Current and former firefighters and exposed community members who had previously had their blood tested in previous PFAS studies (i.e. Airservices Exposure Studies (2018/19 and/or 2014/15) or the PFAS Health Study (2016-2021)) were recruited for this project. Participants were asked to fill in a questionnaire and provide a blood sample twice, two years apart (in 2021/22 and 2023/24). The blood samples were analysed for PFAS as well as health biomarkers.
To understand potential ongoing exposure, participants residing in the PFAS affected communities were also asked to provide indoor and outdoor environmental samples (e.g. water, soil, homegrown produce, dust and air) for PFAS analysis.
In late 2022, PFAS contamination was detected in the main water at Avalon Airport. Airservices Australia invited us to assist with a study with the aim of better understanding the Avalon Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting Service (ARFFS) staff's exposure to PFAS. Some of the staff members were already participants in the ongoing study. An alternative water source was provided, and Avalon ARFFS staff were asked to provide an initial, as well as follow up blood sample. This investigation is referred to as the “Avalon Case Study”.
To assess the PFAS blood concentration trends in individuals representative of background PFAS exposure in Australia prior to 2000s, archived blood samples from the ‘Busselton Health Study sample bank” were accessed and analysed for PFAS, known as “The Busselton Study”.
Outcomes
Approximately 500 firefighters and 300 community members provided longitudinal blood samples as part of this project. Compared to participants previous PFAS measures, as well as over the course of the current study, an overall decrease in PFAS blood concentration can be observed. Further data analysis is underway. Specific expected outcomes include:
- Change in the concentration (‘trend’) of PFAS in the blood serum of individuals will be calculated,
- Factors associated with PFAS trends in exposed individuals will be identified,
- A model for estimating PFAS exposure levels in individuals will be developed,
- The relationship between changes in PFAS concentrations in serum and health biomarkers will be assessed.
Indoor and outdoor environmental samples (i.e. water, soil, homegrown produce, dust and air) has been collected from 45 households in the communities affected by PFAS contamination. PFAS and data analysis is underway.
As part of the “Avalon Case Study”, approximately 30 ARFFS staff provided a blood sample in both the initial and follow up blood testing 9-11 months later. Out of these, 66% were blood/plasma donors. This allowed us to assess the association between a decrease in PFAS and donations. We found that a greater number of blood/plasma donations were associated with a greater decrease in PFAS serum concentration.
As part of the “Busselton Study”, we identified three longitudinal blood samples, collected in 1975, 1981, and 1995 from 17 individuals. Several PFAS were detected in the blood as early as 1975, and the total PFAS serum concentration was observed to increase between 1975 and 1995.
Research Outputs
Conference Abstracts
Nilsson, S., Braunig, J., Carey, R., Hui, J., Smurthwaite, K., Toms, L., Kirk M. D., Fritschi, L. & Mueller, J. F. Using archived serum samples to understand historical human exposure trends of Per-and-poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), ABNA 19th Annual Conference, Biobanking Blue Sky Horizons, 19 - 21 October 2022.
Nilsson, S., Smurthwaite, K., Kay, M., Braunig, J., Toms, L., Fielding, K., King, L., Marrington, S., McLachlan, M., Fritschi, L., Armstrong, B., Kirk, M.D. & Mueller, J. Effectiveness of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) exposure control in exposed communities in Australia, 44th International Symposium on Halogenated Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), Singapore, 29 September-4 October 2024.
Nilsson, S., Kay, M., King, L., Marrington, S., Barnes, C. & Mueller, J. Plasma and blood donation speeds up the reduction of polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) serum concentrations: An observational case study, 44th International Symposium on Halogenated Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), Singapore, 29 September-4 October 2024.
Nilsson, S. Occupational exposure of firefighters to per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), Fir4Health Conference, Portugal, 17-18 October 2024.
Research Impact
The research project has been presented to the PFAS Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, during an inquiry into the elimination and remediation of PFAS-related impacts in and around defence bases (2022).
