Biomonitoring of Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in biobanked plasma samples

Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of about 5000 chemicals commonly used for their heat, oil, water, and stain repellant properties in a wide range of consumer products including cookware, food packaging, and stain and water repellant fabrics. Data are limited on exposure levels and health effects in Canadians. PFAS do not break down easily, are widely found in the environment and in humans, and some have been found to have health impacts, including effects on the endocrine system.Identifying the levels of exposure to multiple PFAS and potential associations with effects on endocrine function would, therefore, address an important gap in scientific understanding and contribute to policy guidelines for these chemicals. The work described in the requirement will provide necessary data to address this gap by measuring 40 different PFAS in 2776 plasma biospecimens from the CARTaGENE biobank.