Title: Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS): Firefighter Exposures and Toxicity (2019-2022)
Funding: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) EMW-2018-FP-00086
Principal Investigator: Jeff Burgess, MD, MS, MPH
Goal:
This study extended the goals of the overarching FFCCS research project by adding firefighters who had direct exposure to PFAS, such as aircraft rescue fire fighters (ARFF), to understand the extent of PFAS exposures in the fire service, potential sources of exposure, and potential health effects.
Specific Aims
1. Create and administer a national survey assessing current AFFF products and uses.
2. Assess acute exposure to PFAS through multiple anticipated exposure pathways, including contributions from fire responses, turnout gear, and use of AFFF.
3. Evaluate acute in vitro and chronic human toxicity of PFAS exposure.
Impact
Serum PFAS were measured in ARFF firefighters and reported back to them. Follow-up samples were also collected. Serum PFAS levels in structural firefighters were compared against the CDC National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a national representation of the non-institutional US civilian population with oversampling of minorities. These results, showing increased serum PFHxS, Sm-PFOS, n-PFOS, n-PFOA, and PFNA levels in firefighters from at least two of four fire departments compared to the general population have been published. Serum PFAS levels were also associated with epigenetic age acceleration and with DNA methylation at prostate cancer genes. The research team also evaluated the in vitro toxicity of both AFFF and synthetic alternative foams. Additional publications are being prepared for submission.