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Designed to address critical knowledge gaps in understanding the prevalence, dietary exposure, and health impacts of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAs) in Ireland
An Irish Perspective on a Global Problem
An Irish Perspective on a Global Problem
What are PFAs?
PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals used since the 1930s in various industrial applications, including non-stick cookware, food packaging, and stain-resistant fabrics.. To date, approximately 4,700 individual PFAS have been identified by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) (OECD, 2018). What are PFAs?
Structurally, PFAs are characterised by chains of carbon atoms bonded to fluorine atoms, joined to a carboxylate, phosphate or sulfonate functional group. Owing to the carbon-fluorine bond, PFAs can resist degradation and persist not only in the environment but in the human and animal body.
Hence, they are often referred to as forever chemicals.
PFAs Exposure & Health
PFAs Exposure & Health
Exposure Routes. The most studied PFAs, such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), are known for their environmental persistence and bioaccumulation in food webs, ultimately affecting human health through dietary intake and other exposure pathways (inhalation, dermal absorption).
Health Effects. Certain PFAs have been linked to various health issues, including liver, kidney, thyroid, and immune system dysfunctions.
Current exposure estimates and human biomonitoring indicate that the tolerable weekly intake (TWI) for PFAs is often exceeded, raising additional concerns about their potential health impacts. These estimates are based on incomplete food occurrence data, suggesting that actual exposure levels may be higher than reported.
To reduce uncertainty in dietary exposure assessment, there is a critical need to generate comprehensive occurrence data for all PFAs in a wide range of food products and biological samples from humans
Motivated by growing concerns about the global and ubiquitous presence of PFAs in the environment and their potential adverse health effects.
Motivated by growing concerns about the global and ubiquitous presence of PFAs in the environment and their potential adverse health effects.
DISREPAIR aims to
comprehensively analyse all PFAs in a variety of food that reflect habitual consumption patterns in Ireland.
data will enable accurate calculation of dietary exposure to PFAs among the Irish population and identify at-risk subgroups.
assess the health risks of PFAs exposure to pregnant women and infants.
Expected Impacts
Expected Impacts
Generate comprehensive occurrence data for all PFAs across a broad range of widely consumed food products and apply these to obtain contemporary estimates of dietary exposure in Ireland
Provide critical data on PFAs occurrence and exposure among pregnant women and newborns in Ireland, enabling stratification of groups at highest risk.
Promote public awareness and engagement, empowering communities to make informed decisions about chemical safety and environmental health
..............Watch this Space
..............Watch this Space
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