Congenital anomalies, labor/delivery complications, maternal risk factors and their relationship with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)-contaminated public drinking water.

Background: We have previously examined the associations between perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) exposure, birth weight and gestational age in individuals exposed to PFOA-contaminated residential drinking water from the Little Hocking Water Association (LHWA). In this investigation, we expand the scope of our analysis to examine the associations between PFOA, congenital anomalies, labor and delivery complications and maternal risk factors.

Objectives: To compare the likelihood of congenital anomalies, labor and delivery complications and maternal risk factors in neonates and their mothers residing in zip codes with public water service provided completely, partially or not at all by the LHWA.

Development and successful application of a "Community-First" communication model for community-based environmental health research.

Objectives: Effectively communicate results from a community exposure study to meet predetermined community priorities, maintaining ethical principles of autonomy, empowerment and justice.

Methods: The community established principles for the communications and a plan to inform study participants, community and other stakeholders of results and recommendations in a novel sequence: the "Community-First" communication model.

Results: The communications resulted in positive actions including company sponsored free bottled water, accepted by 77.

The relationship between birth weight, gestational age and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)-contaminated public drinking water.

Background: Recent studies have examined the associations between perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) levels in cord blood and maternal plasma with lowered birth weight and gestational age in humans; however, no study has examined these effects in a population of known high PFOA exposure. Residents drinking PFOA-contaminated water from the Little Hocking Water Association (LHWA) in Washington County, Ohio have serum PFOA levels approximately 80 times those in the general U.S.

Community exposure to perfluorooctanoate: relationships between serum levels and certain health parameters.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine whether certain biomarkers of toxicity and/or a past diagnosis of liver or thyroid disease were associated with serum perfluorooctanoate concentrations (PFOA) in a community with longstanding environmental exposure to PFOA.

Methods: Serum (PFOA), hematologic and biochemical biomarkers, and a questionnaire were administered to 371 residents selected by stratified random sampling and a lottery among volunteers. Median PFOA was 354 ng/mL (interquartile range, 181-571 ng/mL).