Cited by 10Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances researchToxic Organic Pollutants ImpactEffects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Paired Serum and Breastmilk Samples among Pregnant Farmworkers in Thailand

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Eick, Stephanie M., Sehgal, Neha, Salamova, Amina, Fiedler, Nancy, Hood, Robert B., Yakimavets, Volha, Promkam, Nattawadee, Prapamontol, Tippawan +6 more·2025·International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health

Abstract

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely detected in pregnant persons and can be transferred to the developing fetus in utero. Breastfeeding may represent an important source of PFAS exposure for infants. However, studies quantifying levels of PFAS in breastmilk samples remain scarce, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. We examined breastmilk as a postnatal PFAS exposure source among mother-infant pairs in Thailand. Pregnant farmworkers were enrolled in the Study of Asian Women and their Offspring's Development and Environmental Exposures (SAWASDEE), a prospective birth cohort in Northern Thailand, between 2017 and 2019. We quantified levels of eight PFAS in maternal serum samples obtained during the second trimester, as well as in breastmilk samples obtained at 9.5 months and 11.5 months in infancy (N = 46 matched pairs). For each PFAS, we calculated lactational (serum to milk) transfer efficiencies and lactational estimated daily intake. PFOA, PFOS PFHxS, PFNA, PFDA, and PFUnDA were detected in >90% of serum samples. PFOS was detected in >60% of breastmilk samples obtained at 9.5 and 11.5 months, while PFNA was detected in >50% of 9.5-month breastmilk samples only. All remaining PFAS were detected in <50% of breastmilk samples. The lactational transfer efficiency for PFOS was 7.03% (SD = 5.78) and 5.83% (SD = 5.21) at 9.5 and 11.5 months, respectively. The lactational estimated daily intake for PFOS was 12.1 ng/kg bodyweight/day (SD = 5.49) and 10 ng/kg bodyweight/day (SD = 6.22) at 9.5 and 11.5 months, respectively. For PFNA, the lactational transfer efficiency and estimated daily intake at 9.5 months was 14.7% (SD = 14.3) and 6.14% (SD = 3.40), respectively. Within one of the first PFAS biomonitoring studies conducted in Thailand, we found that legacy PFAS were widely detected in serum, and some compounds were also detected in breastmilk of farmworkers. This study provides new evidence enhancing our understanding of postnatal exposure to PFAS.

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  • Breastmilk studies show PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, PFDA, and PFUnDA present in over 90% of maternal samples, with PFOS transfer efficiencies of ~7% at 9.5 months and ~6% at 11.5 months.

    “Breastmilk studies show PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, PFDA, and PFUnDA present in over 90% of maternal samples, with PFOS transfer efficiencies of ~7% at 9.5 months and ~6% at 11.5 months [119].”

    From Exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) in Healthcare: Environmental and Clinical Insights (2025) · cites this paper as [119]

    The Results report that all six listed PFAS were detected in over 90% of second-trimester maternal serum samples, not breastmilk samples. They report PFOS in over 50% of breastmilk samples at both time points, and the Abstract gives PFOS transfer efficiencies of 7.03% and 5.83% at 9.5 and 11.5 months, respectively. (LLM, conf=0.91)

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Authors
Eick, S. M., Sehgal, N., Salamova, A., Fiedler, N., Hood, R. B., Yakimavets, V., Promkam, N., Prapamontol, T., Suttiwan, P., Sittiwang, S., Mangklabruks, A., Naksen, W., Panuwet, P., & Barr, D. B.
Affiliations
  • Emory University (US)
  • Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey (US)
  • Chiang Mai University (TH)
  • Chulalongkorn University (TH)
Corresponding author
Eick, Stephanie M.
Venue
International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2025-03
Volume
264
Pages
114509
ISSN
1438-4639 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4405126379
Cited by
10
References
56
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 5
FWCI
1.31
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Fogarty International Center
  • National Institutes of Health
  • NIEHS (R21ES01546501, R01ES029212, P30ES019776, R21ES018722, R01ES026082)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances research
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Toxic Organic Pollutants Impact
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Effects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals
Keywords
per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, PFAS, breast milk, maternal serum, estimated daily intake, PFOS, PFNA, farm workers, pregnancy, breastfeeding, legacy PFAS, environmental exposure, Thailand, biomonitoring, low- and middle-income countries, mother-infant dyads, prenatal exposure, infant exposure
MeSH terms
Farmers, Adult, Environmental Pollutants, Female, Fluorocarbons, Humans, Infant, Milk, Human, Pregnancy, Prospective Studies, Thailand, Maternal Exposure, Young Adult

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