Clean Water Action Alliance of Minnesota

Human Health Effects of PFCs

We All Have PFCs In Our Bodies

National studies show we all have PFOA in our bodies. The median level in the blood of the U.S. population is 5 ppb. In 3M workers, levels were shown as high as 115 ppb. These toxic chemicals stay in our bodies a long time – PFOA has a half life of 3.8 years and 3-5 years for PFOS.

Global Concern

PFCs are under consideration for addition to the International POPs treaty. The POPs treaty's goal is to eliminate the production of persistent organic pollutant chemicals worldwide (POPs). POPs resist breakdown, bio-accumulate, and cause serious impacts around the world. The current list of twelve toxic chemicals on the POPs list may be expanded to included ten additional chemicals, PFCs being one of them. Given there are over 80,000 chemicals in production, this very short list of bad actors emphasizes the international concern over the toxicity of PFCs.

PFOA

Toxicological studies found PFOA causes liver cancer and testicular cancer and may cause other types of cancer such as breast cancer.

In 2006, the U.S. EPA Scientific Advisory Panel recommended PFOA be classified a likely human carcinogen. (See Testimony of Samuel Yamin, MCEA (pdf) for source citations)

mice in pfc exposure experimentLaboratory mice exposed prenatally to PFOS and PFOA develop more slowly and suffer a higher rate of neonatal mortality than nonexposed mice. Once exposed mice reach adulthood, however, they are more likely to become obese.

Source: Environmental Health Perspectives, Volume 115, Number 5, May 2007

PFOA & PFOS

Toxicological studies have shown these two chemicals cause: birth defects, weakened immune system and Altered Hormone System Function, also known as endocrine disruption. (See Testimony of Samuel Yamin, MCEA (pdf) for source citations)

PFBA

3M recently completed two studies to determine the potential human health effects of PFBA. According to 3M, the developmental study showed effects on the liver and thyroid. Decreased cholesterol and decreased liver weight were observed. The half life study determined PFBA has a half life of several days. The study results are being prepared for submission to scientific journals. The U.S. EPA will be reviewing the study results.

PFBA Study Concerns

At a Health and Human Services PFC Oversight Committee meeting, several state legislators expressed concerns about the 3M studies. According to 3M, the only scientific experts who have thus far reviewed the study are EPA employees. They offered their opinions as experts without making official comments on the studies on behalf of US EPA. Legislators expressed concerns about their ties to EPA and concerns that EPA is subject to political pressure. It was suggested other neutral experts be solicited by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to review 3M's studies. MDH stated they would take the requests under advisement. Legislators also raised concerns about the 3M studies not looking at the effects of combinations of chemicals, potential hormone disruption caused by low levels or examining PFBA's effects on pregnant women and children

Biomonitoring Pilot Project

In the spring of 2008, MDH will begin project field work in some communities affected by the PFC contamination. The department will study 200 adults who where exposed to PFCs in their drinking water and have lived in the community before 2005. Adults who fit MDH's eligibility criteria will be invited to participate in the project. All participants will provide a blood sample so the level of PFCs in their bodies can be measured. The purpose of the project is to determine the following:

  • Levels of PFCs in study participants bodies
  • How participants PFC levels compare to levels in the general population
  • Whether PFC contaminated communities have elevated levels of PFCs in their bodies compared to the general population

The MDH is required to submit a report to the legislature on the pilot program results by January 15th, 2008. See Minnesota Department of Health (pdf)for more info.

Minnesota Environmental Health Tracking System

Environmental health tracking is a tool that can create better understanding about how the environment can affect people's health. This system can determine disease patterns and impacts, evaluate trends, identify populations most affected or vulnerable, and identify opportunities for research or public health interventions to reduce exposures to health hazards. See Minnesota Department of Health Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

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