A Simple Pharmacokinetic Model of Prenatal and Postnatal Exposure to Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs)

Environ Sci Technol. 2016 Jan 19;50(2):978-86. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.5b04399. Epub 2016 Jan 6.

Abstract

Most children are exposed to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) through placental transfer, breastfeeding, and other environmental sources. To date, there are no validated tools to estimate exposure and body burden during infancy and childhood. In this study, we aimed to (i) develop a two-generation pharmacokinetic model of prenatal and postnatal exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), and perfluorohexanesulfonate (PFHxS); and to (ii) evaluate it against measured children's levels in two studies. We developed a pharmacokinetic model consisting of a maternal and a child compartment to simulate lifetime exposure in women and transfer to the child across the placenta and through breastfeeding. To evaluate the model, we performed simulations for each mother-child dyad from two studies in which maternal PFAS levels at delivery and children's PFAS levels were available. Model predictions based on maternal PFAS levels, sex of child, body weight, and duration of breastfeeding explained between 52% and 60% of the variability in measured children's levels at 6 months of age and between 52% and 62% at 36 months. Monte Carlo simulations showed that the daily intake through breastfeeding and resulting internal PFAS levels can be much higher in nursing infants than in mothers. This pharmacokinetic model shows potential for postnatal exposure assessment in the context of epidemiological studies and risk assessment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alkanesulfonic Acids / adverse effects
  • Alkanesulfonic Acids / pharmacokinetics
  • Breast Feeding
  • Caprylates / adverse effects
  • Caprylates / pharmacokinetics
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Environmental Exposure / adverse effects*
  • Environmental Pollutants / adverse effects*
  • Environmental Pollutants / blood
  • Environmental Pollutants / pharmacokinetics*
  • Female
  • Fluorocarbons / adverse effects
  • Fluorocarbons / pharmacokinetics
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Monte Carlo Method
  • Mothers
  • Placenta / drug effects
  • Pregnancy
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects
  • Sulfonic Acids / adverse effects
  • Sulfonic Acids / pharmacokinetics

Substances

  • Alkanesulfonic Acids
  • Caprylates
  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Fluorocarbons
  • Sulfonic Acids
  • perfluorohexanesulfonic acid
  • perfluorooctanoic acid
  • perfluorooctane sulfonic acid