PFAS Toxicology: Understanding The 70 ppt EPA Health Advisory

The webinar included the following presentations:

Dr. David Klein, Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Brown University
EPA Health Advisory for PFOA and PFOS Drinking Water [PDF]
Dr. Klein discussed the in vivo studies that validate PFAS as toxicants, with an emphasis on reproductive effects.

Dr. Joseph Braun, Assistant Professor of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health
Determinants and Health Impacts of PFAS Exposures in Humans [PDF]
Dr. Braun presented findings from epidemiological studies examining the toxicity of PFAS exposure. He also discussed sources of PFAS and how PFAS levels from environmental monitoring studies relate to human exposure. 

PFOA and PFOS are perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, respectively and belong to the broader class of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that have been widely used for carpet and fabric protection, in food packaging ,and in metal plating, and have been included in products with familiar trade names Teflon, Gore-Tex, Stainmaster, and Scotchguard. In addition, PFAS were key components of aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) widely used for firefighting.

This webinar provided attendees with an understanding of the health effects related to exposure to PFAS and why the May 2016 70 parts per trillion EPA Health Advisory Level for PFOA and PFOS (individually or combined) in drinking water is so low.