January 2009
Retrospective Exposure Assessment for Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA)
Our Challenge
- ChemRisk conducted a retrospective exposure assessment for approximately 50,000 residents in West Virginia to estimate exposures to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).
- Residents allegedly exposed from nearby fluoropolymer manufacturing facility.
- PFOA is a highly soluble, synthetic chemical formed during fluoropolymer manufacturing.
- Similar studies have not been conducted using other chemicals with properties similar to PFOA.
Our Approach
- We calculated PFOA emissions from the facility over 50 years using a mass balance derived from historical purchasing records and process engineering data.
- Quantified PFOA in various environmental media using air dispersion, soil, groundwater and surface water models.
Our Findings
- Primary exposure pathway of PFOA through ingestion of drinking water.
- Methods used likely overestimated the actual exposure of residents.