Researchers at NC State University have found PFAS associated with a nearby fluorochemical plant in the household dust of homes located in two counties in North Carolina. Homes closer to the plant had higher concentrations of those specific PFAS than homes located farther away.
In February 2019, researchers—with the GenX Exposure Study—collected dust samples from 65 homes located within about 6 miles of the plant. They targeted 48 PFAS, including 12 PFEAs (per- and polyfluoroalkyl ether acids) specifically associated with the fluorochemical plant that were also detected in the drinking water wells of nearby residents. They included ultrashort chain PFAS in the testing due to increased reports of their presence in dust and people.
According to the study results, every dust sample had at least one PFAS detected. GenX was present in 89% of the samples, and an additional six of the 12 PFEAs were detected in over 75% of the samples. Dust concentrations of six PFEAs (PEPA, PMPA, PFMOAA, PFO2HxA, GenX, and Nafion byproduct 2) decreased significantly as home distance from the fluorochemical plant increased.
The team also found TFA, an ultrashort chain PFAS, in 89% of dust samples. This compound had the highest median concentration of the 48 targeted PFAS in the study.
“Generally speaking, we know that dust exposure can contribute to overall exposure, and that small children tend to have higher dust exposures than adults,” said Jane Hoppin, environmental epidemiologist at NC State and principal investigator of the GenX Exposure Study. “This study demonstrates the need for evaluating household dust for PFAS in impacted communities.”