National and Targeted Biomonitoring of Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Biobanked Blood Samples

Biomonitoring, the direct measure of all sources of exposure, is the gold standard of monitoring and is a core element of chemicals management. Human biomonitoring data informs all phases of chemicals management, from risk assessment to risk management, program performance indicators, and public health decision making. 

Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of approximately 5000 chemicals with heat, oil and repellant properties. They are found in a wide range of consumer products including cookware, food packaging, and stain and water repellant fabrics. Data are limited on exposure levels and health effects in Canadians, especially vulnerable populations. These chemicals do not break down easily, and are widely found in the environment and in humans. Studies have shown that exposure to certain PFAS cause health effects, including effects on the immune and endocrine systems. 

Identifying exposure levels to multiple PFAS of interest and their potential associations with endocrine effects or immune function would address an important gap in scientific understanding and contribute to policy guidelines for these chemicals.

The work described in the requirement will provide necessary data to address this data gap by measuring 40 PFAS of interest (Table 1) in plasma/serum biospecimens from two Canadian biobanks. Biomonitoring of this important chemical class in these stored samples is cost effective, timely and forward-looking strategy. Data will support Health Canada's risk assessment and risk management activities under the chemicals management plan, as well as Health Canada's obligation to undertake research into endocrine disrupting substances under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999.