Perfluoroalkyl Substances and Metabolic Syndrome in Firefighters A Pilot Study

Objective: To compare association of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) with metabolic syndrome (MetS) profile among firefighters (FF) at airport to suburban FF. Methods: Cross-sectional exploratory study, 47 men FF aged 18 to 62 years were enrolled from two fire departments in Ohio. Association between MetS outcome and log transformed serum concentrations of four PFASs was evaluated using multivariable logistic regression. Results: PFASs serum concentrations were 18% to 74% higher in FF than the general population, and 21% to 62% higher in airport FF than suburban FF. Compared with US general population, an elevated risk of hypertension was noted in FF, but no significant association between PFASs and MetS was found. Conclusions: Current serum PFASs in FF are not associated with MetS risk.