Human biomonitoring (HBM)-II values for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS)-Description, derivation and discussion

For evaluation of internal exposure to harmful substances, the Human Biomonitoring Commission of the German Environment Agency (HBM Commission) develops toxicologically justified assessment values (HBM-I and HBMII). The HBM-I value corresponds to the concentration of a compound in human biological material below which no adverse health effects are expected to occur. Consequently, no action is required when the HBM-I value is not exceeded (HBM-Commission, 1996). In 2016, the HBM Commission developed HBM-I values of 2 ng PFOA/mL and 5 ng PFOS/mL in blood serum or plasma, respectively. A detailed delineation of supporting arguments was published in April 2018 (HBM-Commission, 2018). In contrast to the HBM-I, the HBM-II value corresponds to the concentration in human biological material which, when exceeded, may lead to health impairment which is considered as relevant to exposed individuals (HBM-Commission, 1996, HBM-Commission, 2014). HBM-II values for PFOA and PFOS: On September 17, 2019, the HBM Commission of the German Environment Agency established the following HBM-II values: Women at child-bearing age: 5 ng PFOA/mL blood plasma; 10 ng PFOS/mL blood plasma; All other population groups: 10 ng PFOA/mL blood plasma; 20 ng PFOS/mL blood plasma.

Automated summary

The Human Biomonitoring Commission of the German Environment Agency develops toxicologically justified assessment values (HBM-I and HBM-II) to evaluate internal exposure to harmful substances, with HBM-I corresponding to no adverse health effects expected and HBM-II indicating potential health impairments. Different HBM-II values are established for various population groups.