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)

Environmental Sciences Europe, vol. 34

Abstract

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

Authors 15

1. Nicolas Van Larebeke corresponding

   Vrije Universiteit Brussel · Ghent University Hospital

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Analytical, Environmental and Geochemistry (AMGC), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium

   Study Centre for Carcinogenesis and Primary Prevention of Cancer, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, 9000, Ghent, Belgium

2. Gudrun Koppen

   Flemish Institute for Technological Research

   Affiliation as printed

   VITO-Health, Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium

3. Sam Decraemer

   Vrije Universiteit Brussel

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Analytical, Environmental and Geochemistry (AMGC), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium

4. Ann Colles

   Flemish Institute for Technological Research

   Affiliation as printed

   VITO-Health, Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium

5. Liesbeth M. Bruckers

   Hasselt University

   Affiliation as printed

   Hasselt University, Data Science Institute, Interuniversity Institute for Biostatistics and Statistical Bioinformatics, Agoralaan, Gebouw D, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium

6. Elly Den Hond

   Provincial Institute for Hygiene

   Affiliation as printed

   Provincial Institute of Hygiene, Kronenburgstraat 45, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium

7. Eva Govarts

   Flemish Institute for Technological Research

   Affiliation as printed

   VITO-Health, Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium

8. Bert Morrens

   University of Antwerp

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Sociology, University of Antwerp, Sint-Jacobstraat 2-4, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium

9. Thomas Schettgen Aachen Institut Für Arbeits-, Sozial- Und Umweltmedizin

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institut Für Arbeits-, Sozial- Und Umweltmedizin, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany

10. Sylvie Rémy

    Flemish Institute for Technological Research

    Affiliation as printed

    VITO-Health, Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium

11. Dries Coertjens

    University of Antwerp

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Sociology, University of Antwerp, Sint-Jacobstraat 2-4, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium

12. Tim S. Nawrot

    Hasselt University

    Affiliation as printed

    Centre of Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan, Gebouw D, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium

13. Vera J. Nelen

    Provincial Institute for Hygiene

    Affiliation as printed

    Provincial Institute of Hygiene, Kronenburgstraat 45, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium

14. Willy Baeyens

    Vrije Universiteit Brussel

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Analytical, Environmental and Geochemistry (AMGC), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium

15. Greet E. R. Schoeters

    University of Antwerp · Flemish Institute for Technological Research

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Campus Drie Eiken, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium

    VITO-Health, Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium