Levels of perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) in blood samples from different groups of adults living in Greece

The production of perfluorinated compounds which finds application in a wide variety of consumer products has led to their accumulation in the environment. This fact, in combination with their chemical properties of amphiphilicity and chemical stability is the cause of their occurrence in human tissues, which according to reports is widespread, not only in occupationally exposed workers, but also in the general population. In this study, we analyzed 182 blood samples from three different groups of adults living in Greece, in order to evaluate blood levels of two environmentally most common perfluorinated compounds, perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA). The samples examined were from a group of individuals living in Athens, a group of inhabitants of the semi-urban and rural area of Argolida, and a group of cancer patients from the St. Savas Anticancer Hospital in Athens. The latter group was chosen in order to examine the possible relation of PFOS and PFOA levels with cancer incidence in the general population. The analytical results showed the presence of PFOS and PFOA in all samples examined, at levels similar to those reported from other European countries. There was no significant difference between the three groups however there was a significant difference between the levels of men and women in all groups examined. No correlation was found between age and PFOS and PFOA levels. This is the first study of this kind to be conducted in samples from Greece.