Determinants of Plasma Concentrations of Perfluorooctanesulfonate and Brominated Organic Compounds in Nunavik Inuit Adults (Canada)

Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and brominated organic compounds (BOCs) have been found in biota and humans worldwide with levels of BOCs being the highest in North America. PFOS and BOC exposure of remote populations that consume species of a marine food web for their subsistence has seldom been investigated. In 2004, we determined the concentrations of these contaminants in 883 Nunavik Inuit adults from the Canadian Arctic and investigated the demographic and dietary factors associated with them. Demographic and dietary information were collected by questionnaires. Multiple linear regressions were conducted to investigate predictors of exposure to those contaminants. Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congener 153 concentrations are presented for comparative purposes. PFOS and PCB 153 were detected in all samples, with plasma concentrations several times higher than BOCs. The consumption of fish and marine mammals appears to be an important contributor to PFOS exposure among Nunavik Inuit. While PBDE 153 also appears as a persistent PBDE congener, exposure to PBDE 47 seems to be more recent in this population. Adoption of a westernized lifestyle seems to be related to an increased exposure to PBDE 47, but specific sources remain to be elucidated. In conclusion, we found that the remote geographical location and traditional lifestyle of the Nunavik Inuit population do not protect them against exposure to emerging POPS, particularly PFOS.