Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances exposure profiles and health risk assessment from dietary and drinking water sources among elderly populations in Songjiang District, Shanghai
- VernacularTitle:上海市松江区老年居民食物和饮用水来源的全氟和多氟烷基物质暴露特征和健康风险评估
- Author:
Qing CHEN
1
;
Tao YING
1
;
Yuwei LIU
1
;
Hua CAI
2
;
Hong LIU
2
;
Yonggen JIANG
3
;
Gengsheng HE
1
Author Information
- Publication Type:Selectedarticle
- Keywords: per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances; dietary pattern; population exposure; risk evaluation; biomarker
- From: Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(11):1299-1306
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
- Abstract: Background Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of persistent organic pollutants associated with adverse health effects including hepatotoxicity, immunosuppression, and carcinogenicity, have undergone risk assessments by multiple international organizations, with dietary exposure being the primary pathway. Objective To characterize the exposure to PFAS from food and drinking water sources of elderly residents in Songjiang District of Shanghai and to evaluate associated health risk and health effects. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to July 2024 in Songjiang District based on the Shanghai Suburban Adult Cohort and Biobank (SSACB) cohort. Dietary surveys were administered via face-to-face interviews among older adults aged 65 years and above, yielding 4 583 valid questionnaires. The estimated daily intake (EDI) of PFAS was calculated by integrating data from the Sixth National Dietary Survey and recent literature on PFAS concentrations in food and drinking water in Shanghai. Health risk assessment was performed using health-based guideline values (HBGV) proposed by various institutions and studies. Additionally, correlation analysis and linear regression modeling of EDI and biochemical indicators in the elderly were conducted to evaluate potential adverse health effects. Results The elderly population in Songjiang District exhibited dietary characteristics consistent with the Eastern Healthy Diet Pattern. Among PFAS compounds, PFOA showed the highest level of oral exposure [mean: 1.495 ng·(kg·d−1)], followed by PFOS [mean: 0.637 ng·(kg·d−1)], PFHxS [mean: 0.636 ng·(kg·d−1)], and PFBS [mean: 0.273 ng·(kg·d−1)]. Specifically, drinking water was the primary source of PFOA [1.415 ng·(kg·d−1), accounting for 94.60%], while aquatic products were the major source of PFOS [0.278 ng·(kg·d−1), accounting for 43.66%]. Using the HBGV derived by China's epidemiological studies, the mean hazard index (HI) for PFAS exposure was 1.39, indicating 54.35% of the population had potential health risks (HI>1). Following the 2024 standard established by the Food Safety Commission of Japan (FSCJ), the HI value dropped to 0.11, suggesting negligible risk. PFAS exposure was negatively associated with triglyceride levels and the indicators of liver and kidney function, but positively associated with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and lung cancer markers in the elderly residents. Conclusion PFAS exposure among the elderly residents in Songjiang District is predominantly attributed to PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, and PFBS, with drinking water and aquatic products identified as primary exposure sources. Current exposure levels demonstrate significant associations with biomarkers of lipid metabolism and lung cancer markers, suggesting potential population health risks. These findings underscore the urgent need to establish HBGV for PFAS compounds based on Chinese population-specific metabolic characteristics.
