Sociodemographic predictors of PFAS exposure among a combined sample of U.S. pregnant women: an Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) public-use dataset analysis.

backgroundPer- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are chemicals widely used in manufacturing since the 1940s and are associated with developmental and immune effects at exposure levels observed in the general population.

objectiveTo evaluate differences in exposure to 14 PFAS by sociodemographic factors among U.S. pregnant women.

methodsWe combined maternal PFAS measurements from pregnant women from twelve pediatric cohorts drawn from the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) consortium's public-use dataset (n = 3,043). Geometric means were estimated by race, ethnicity, and education. We used multivariable linear regression to estimate percent difference in log-transformed PFAS levels and logistic regression to assess odds of detectable PFAS levels by sociodemographic factors, adjusting for cohort, maternal age, trimester, year of sample collection, parity, BMI, fish consumption, and breastfeeding.

resultsCompared with White mothers, Black mothers had lower levels of PFOA (-23%; 95% CI -29%, -16%), PFOS (-9%; 95% CI -16%, -1%), and PFHxS (-23%; 95% CI -29%, -14%) based on linear analysis, and lower detection of PFOSA, EtFOSAA, PFDoDA, and PFPeA and higher detection of PFBS and PFHxA based on logistic analysis. Compared with White mothers, Asian mothers had higher levels of PFNA ( + 26%; 95% CI 13%, 40%), PFDA ( + 60%, 95% CI 36%, 89%), and PFUnDA (+95%; 95% CI 63%, 134%) based on linear analysis and higher detection of PFPeA based on logistic regression. Greater weekly fish consumption was found to be a significant predictor of PFAS concentrations but did not attenuate associations with Asian race. Compared with non-Hispanic mothers, Hispanic mothers had lower levels of most of PFAS analytes studied. Higher levels of maternal education were associated with increased levels of most PFAS analytes. SIGNIFICANCE: In data drawn from this US consortium, documents continued widespread PFAS exposure, with higher levels noted for certain racial groups, non-Hispanic ethnicity, and higher educational attainment. IMPACT STATEMENT: We analyzed data from a combined sample of U.S. pregnant women (n = 3043) in the ECHO public-use dataset to assess exposure to 14 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including both legacy and less-studied compounds. Higher levels of some PFAS were observed by race, ethnicity, and education. Our findings document continued widespread PFAS exposure in the U.S., including among fetuses and newborns who may be especially vulnerable to developmental and immune effects. Ongoing biomonitoring is critical for understanding changing exposure patterns across racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups.