Association between maternal exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) from electronic waste recycling and neonatal health outcomes

OBJECTIVE: Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) has applications in numerous industrial and consumer products. The widespread prevalence of PFOA in humans demonstrated in recent studies has drawn considerable interest from the public. We aimed to evaluate the exposure of mothers to PFOA and the potential hazards to neonates in a primitive electronic waste recycling area, Guiyu, China, and a control area, Chaonan, China. METHODS: Our investigation included analyses of maternal serum samples, health effect examinations, and other relevant factors. Questionnaires were administered and maternal serum samples were collected for 167 pregnant women. Solid phase extraction method was used for all analytical sample preparation, and analyses were completed using high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method. RESULTS: The PFOA concentration was higher in maternal serum samples from Guiyu than in samples from Chaonan (median 16.95, range 5.5–58.5ngmL⁻¹; vs. 8.7, range 4.4–30.0ngmL⁻¹; P<0.001). Residence in Guiyu, involvement in e-waste recycling, husband's involvement in e-waste and use of the family residence as workshop were significant factors contributing to PFOA exposure. Maternal PFOA concentrations were significantly different between normal births and adverse birth outcomes including premature delivery, term low birth weight, and stillbirths. After adjusting for potential confounders, PFOA was negatively associated with gestational age [per lg-unit: β=−15.99days, 95% confidence interval (CI), −27.72 to −4.25], birth weight (per lg-unit: β=−267.3g, 95% CI, −573.27 to −37.18), birth length (per lg-unit: β=−1.91cm, 95% CI, −3.31 to −0.52), and Apgar scores (per lg-unit: β=−1.37, 95% CI, −2.42 to −0.32), but not associated with ponderal index. CONCLUSIONS: Mothers from Guiyu were exposed to higher levels of PFOA than those from control areas. Prenatal exposure to PFOA was associated with decreased neonatal physical development and adverse birth outcomes.