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Perfluorinated Compounds
Citation:
LAU, C. Perfluorinated Compounds. Chapter 1, Springer (ed.), Molecular, Clinical and Environmental Toxicology. Birkhaeuser Verlag AG, Basel, Switzerland, 3:47-86, (2012).
Impact/Purpose:
Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) and their derivatives are organic compounds that have been widely used in industry and consumer products. Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA, C9) is a member of the PFAA family that has been found wide-spread and persistent (at low levels) in the environment, and is also detectable in humans and wildlife. Importantly, while recent data from NHANES showed downward trends for most of the PFAAs in US general population, levels of others may be on the rise due to new and replacement products coming into the marketplace. A number of epidemiological reports have also appeared lately describing subtle associations between exposure of these chemicals and clinical disorders. This chapter intends to provide a comprehensive (though by no means exhaustive) review of these chemicals in regard to their exposure, toxicological and epidemiological findings.
Description:
Perfluorinated compounds such as the perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) and their derivatives are important man-made chemicals that have wide consumer and industrial applications. They are relatively contemporary chemicals, being in use only since the 1950s, and until recently, have been considered as biologically inactive. However, during the past decade their global distribution, environmental persistence, presence in humans and wildlife, and adverse health effects in laboratory animals have come to light, generating scientific, regulatory and public interest on an international scale. This chapter will provide a brief overview ofrecent advances in understanding environmental and human exposure, toxicology and modes of action for this class of compounds in animal models, as well as a summary of epidemiological findings to date