Longitudinal Assessment of Lipid and Hepatic Clinical Parameters in Workers Involved with the Demolition of Perfluoroalkyl Manufacturing Facilities

Objective: To examine in a longitudinal occupational assessment whether changes in serum concentrations of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) are associated with changes in non-high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.

Methods: Baseline and end-of-project PFOA, PFOS, lipid, and hepatic clinical chemistries were measured in 204 workers involved with the demolition of former perfluoroalkyl manufacturing facilities. Analyses were restricted to the 179 workers who did not take lipid-lowering medications. Two thirds had baseline PFOA and PFOS levels similar to the general population.

Results: The change in non-HDL cholesterol was not associated with the changes in PFOA or PFOS. An increase in HDL was associated with an increase in PFOA, although the magnitude was small. This increase in HDL resulted in a decrease in the total cholesterol/HDL ratio.

Conclusion: Adverse associations were not observed between changes in PFOA, PFOS, non-HDL cholesterol, HDL, and hepatic clinical chemistries.