Effects of age, gender and region on serum concentrations of perfluorinated compounds in general population of Henan, China

• 133 Serum samples were collected from inland China aged 0–88 years for analysis.
• Compared with coastal region, the levels and composition of PFCs were different.
• Significant increases in PFOA, PFNA, and PFOS concentrations over age were found.
• Median concentrations of 4 PFCs were higher in males than in females.
• Higher PFOA concentrations were found in urban populations.

133 Serum samples collected from Henan donors aged from 0 to 88 years were analyzed for 12 perfluorinated compounds (PFCs). Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) accounted for 69.19% of the total PFCs in serum samples, with a median concentration of 1.43 and 1.47 ng mL−1, respectively. Other PFCs were detected at much lower concentrations, with median concentrations ranging from 0.03 to 0.37 ng mL−1. PFOA and PFOS were positively correlated (r = 0.219) in serum samples, indicating that they may have common exposure pathways. For all donors (0–88 years), significant increases in PFOA (r = 0.239, p < 0.01), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) (r = 0.185, p < 0.05) and PFOS (r = 0.175, p < 0.05) concentrations over age were found. Median concentrations of PFOA, PFNA, perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), and PFOS were higher in males than in females. Higher PFOA concentrations were found in urban populations than in rural populations. Since PFCs exposure in general population is prevalent, further studies are needed to explore its possible impacts on epidemiological factors.