Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and neurobehavioral function and cognition in adolescents (2010–2011) and elderly people (2014): results from the Flanders Environment and Health Studies (FLEHS)

• DOI: 10.1186/s12302-022-00675-3
• Publication Date: 2022-09-30T16:03:18Z
• Authors: Nicolas van Larebeke; Gudrun Koppen; Sam Decraemer; Ann Colles; Liesbeth Bruckers; Elly Den Hond; Eva Govarts; Bert Morrens; Thomas Schettgen; Sylvie Remy; Dries Coertjens; Tim Nawrot; Vera Nelen; Willy Baeyens; Greet Schoeters
• Keywords: Perfluorooctane; Perfluorooctanoic acid

Abstract Background PFAS are persistent, bioaccumulative compounds repelling water, oil and stains which widely used. There is mounting evidence linking exposure to a range of adverse health outcomes including renal, hepatic, immunotoxic, reproductive, endocrine disrupting carcinogenic effects. possibly also induce neurobehavioral developmental Within Flanders Environment Health Studies (FLEHS) internal relevant effects assessed since 2008. Results Adolescents 14–15 y (2010–2011) living in an industrially contaminated area (without known contamination) adults 50–65 (2014) randomly sampled from the general Flemish population using stratified clustered multi-stage design, were recruited. For adolescents perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) measured serum, for PFOS, PFOA, perfluorohexane (PFHxS), perfluorononanoic (PFNA) perfluorobutane (PFBS). In Neurobehavioral Evaluation System (NES3) computerized battery tests developed study neurological environmental agents was applied. The did Stroop test, NES3 Continuous Performance Test Digit Span Test. sleepiness, masculinity femininity via Epworth Sleepiness Scale Personal Attributes Questionnaires, respectively. PFOA associated with significantly increased somnolence, PFOS significant inverse association boys’ girls’ masculinity. adolescents, marginal decrease sustained attention cognitive performance short-term memory (PFOS). However, older increase capacity pay PFHxS attention. Conclusion Our observations point PFAS. might part result changes sex hormone levels that have been reported be Interestingly, whereas relation cognition some recorded elderly persons our rather suggest possible weak positive respect cognition. line view many, sometimes contrasting