Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To examine the relationship between serum perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), a biomarker of ammonium perfluorooctanoate (APFO) exposure, and lipids and liver enzymes in a cross-sectional study among workers with potential occupational exposure to APFO.

METHODS:

We conducted a cross-sectional study of 1,025 active workers with potential exposure to APFO using linear regression to examine the relationship between PFOA and selected outcomes from a standard metabolic health screening survey, emphasizing lipids and liver enzymes.

RESULTS:

Most outcome parameters were within normal limits. After adjusting for potential confounders, we observed a modest but statistically significant, positive relationship between serum PFOA and total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and gamma glutamyl aminotransferase (GGT). No associations were seen for high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or bilirubin; associations with AST (aspartate aminotransferase) and ALT (alanine transpeptidase) did not reach statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our findings indicate a modest positive association of PFOA on some lipid parameters and a need for follow-up studies.