A new study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania reports that material exposure to the toxic chemical C8 was not linked to either lowered birth weight or increased risk of pre-term birth.
Click here to read more about the study.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A new study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania reports that material exposure to the toxic chemical C8 was not linked to either lowered birth weight or increased risk of pre-term birth.
The study, published in the journal Reproductive Toxicity, contradicts some previous research and its authors said there are a variety of factors that limit the study's meaning.
"Although C8 was not associated with lowered birth weight or increased risk of pre-term birth, the authors noted that additional research is still required to confirm these findings and to investigate other potentially adverse health effects of C8 on fetal and childhood development," said a news release issued by Penn's School of Medicine, where the study was conducted.
Among the researchers who produced the study was Edward Emmett of Penn, who conducted previous research that found high levels of C8 among Mid-Ohio Valley residents near the DuPont Co. Washington Works plant south of Parkersburg.
In his previous work, Emmett reported that he did not find a link between the levels of C8 in those communities' drinking water and signs of liver, kidney or thyroid illnesses. But, he also said his work did not examine C8's potential to cause cancer or developmental problems in children. Both have been linked to C8 exposure in animals, and Emmett has said the risk to humans remains unclear.
DuPont has used C8 since the 1950s at Washington Works as a processing agent to make Teflon and other nonstick products, oil-resistant paper packaging and stain-resistant textiles.
Around the world, researchers are finding that people have C8 and other perfluorochemicals, or PFCs, in their blood at low levels.
Click here to read more about the study.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A new study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania reports that material exposure to the toxic chemical C8 was not linked to either lowered birth weight or increased risk of pre-term birth.
The study, published in the journal Reproductive Toxicity, contradicts some previous research and its authors said there are a variety of factors that limit the study's meaning.
"Although C8 was not associated with lowered birth weight or increased risk of pre-term birth, the authors noted that additional research is still required to confirm these findings and to investigate other potentially adverse health effects of C8 on fetal and childhood development," said a news release issued by Penn's School of Medicine, where the study was conducted.
Among the researchers who produced the study was Edward Emmett of Penn, who conducted previous research that found high levels of C8 among Mid-Ohio Valley residents near the DuPont Co. Washington Works plant south of Parkersburg.
In his previous work, Emmett reported that he did not find a link between the levels of C8 in those communities' drinking water and signs of liver, kidney or thyroid illnesses. But, he also said his work did not examine C8's potential to cause cancer or developmental problems in children. Both have been linked to C8 exposure in animals, and Emmett has said the risk to humans remains unclear.
DuPont has used C8 since the 1950s at Washington Works as a processing agent to make Teflon and other nonstick products, oil-resistant paper packaging and stain-resistant textiles.
Around the world, researchers are finding that people have C8 and other perfluorochemicals, or PFCs, in their blood at low levels.
People can be exposed by drinking contaminated water, eating tainted food, or through food packaging and stain-proof agents on furniture and carpets. Evidence is mounting about the chemical's dangerous effects, but regulators have yet to set a binding federal limit for emissions or human exposure.
Over the last two years, three studies have found that levels of C8 in newborn cord blood was linked to low birth weight and small head circumference. Those studies found associations with C8 in concentrations to which the average U.S. population is already exposed.
The Penn researchers decided to examine these issues in the Parkersburg-area communities, where C8 levels in drinking water and in human blood are much higher.
But, the Penn study did not examine birth outcomes compared to specific C8 blood levels in mothers, their babies or cord blood. Instead, Emmett and his colleagues used ZIP codes to compare birth outcomes to the levels of C8 in the different water systems in the area.
They found no statistically significant birth weights among the various water districts.
Study authors reported that "the lack of individual exposure levels may introduce exposure misclassification" if the mothers drank water from outside the ZIP code where they lived, used bottled water or a home water filter. Mothers living outside areas with less C8 in their drinking water could have consumed contaminated water at work or during critical areas of fetal development, the study said.
Reach Ken Ward Jr. at kw...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1702.
Post a comment