Serum per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) levels and health-related biomarkers in a pilot study of skiers in New England
By Birgit Claus Henn, Emily R Leonard, Brett T Doherty, Sam Byrne, Nicola Hartmann, Adam S Ptolemy, Shaké Ayanian, and Kathryn A Crawford
Environ Res
October 8, 2024
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.120122
Background
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), synthetic chemicals with adverse health effects, are used extensively in consumer products. Ski waxes, applied to the base of skis, contain up to 100% PFAS by mass, but exposure and health effects are poorly characterized.
Objectives
Our objectives were to quantify serum PFAS concentrations among skiers and explore associations with reported ski wax use and biomarkers of cardiometabolic, thyroid, and immune health.
Methods
We recruited 30 active adult skiers to provide non-fasting blood samples and complete questionnaires. We quantified 18 PFAS using mass spectrometry, and measured serum lipids, thyroid hormones, and immunoglobulins. We explored associations of individual and aggregate measures of serum PFAS with wax use indicators and health biomarkers using multivariable regression models, adjusted for age and gender identity.
Results
Nine PFAS (PFBS, PFHpS, PFHxS, Sm-PFOS, n-PFOS, PFDA, PFNA, PFUnDA, n-PFOA) were detected in 100% of participants, and MeFOSAA in 93%. Compared to NHANES, median serum concentrations (ng/ml) were similar, but higher in coaches (e.g., PFOA: 1.1, PFOA: 2.7, PFOA: 1.2; PFNA: 0.5, PFNA: 1.7, PFNA: 0.4). Factors reflecting wax exposure were positively associated with PFAS: e.g., >10 years as a snow sport athlete, compared to <10 years, was associated with 3.2 (95% CI: 0.7, 5.6) ng/ml higher aggregate PFAS, as defined by National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM). An IQR (6.3 ng/ml) increase in NASEM PFAS was associated with 32.1 (95% CI: 7.0, 57.2), 35.5 (13.5, 57.5), and 12.8 (0.6, 25.1) mg/dl higher total cholesterol, LDL-C, and sdLDL-C, respectively.
Discussion
Our study provides early evidence that recreational skiers, particularly coaches, are exposed to PFAS through ski wax. Several PFAS were associated with higher serum lipids among these physically active adults. Interventions to remove PFAS from fluorinated wax could decrease direct exposure to skiers and reduce PFAS release into the environment.
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