If individuals present with test results which have been repeated, these should be interpreted in the context of the analytical variability of the test, which may differ by plus or minus 20%. Examples Scenario Interpretation Discussion Points Children born in Australia An 18 month old, fully breastfed This is within the range of would be expected to have infant with a serum PFOS of levels expected in any detectable levels of PFOS in 8 ng/mL. Australian community as a blood, acquired during the result of non-specific pregnancy. background PFOS exposures. PFOS is present in breast Most Australian children under milk in very low levels, 4 years old will have blood however the significant health levels less than 13 ng/mL. benefits of breast feeding are well established and far outweigh any potential health risks to an infant from any PFOS transferred through breast milk. This blood level is unlikely to cause harm. A 35 year old adult with a serum This is higher than the range of Additional specific PFOS of 210 ng/mL. levels expected as a result of exposure(s) have likely non-specific background PFOS occurred at some stage exposures, therefore; additional during the previous 10 or specific exposure sources are more years. There may or likely. may not be recent exposure. Most adults in the 31 to 45 year The most significant exposure age group will have blood pathways for adults are the levels under 25 ng/mL. consumption of water and food containing PFOS. Similar and higher levels have Those living in recognised been noted in Australian adults contaminated areas should who have had occupational follow local precautionary exposures or lived in advice to limit further contaminated environments. exposure. Evidence concerning elevated levels is still being evaluated but currently no consistent or conclusive findings of harm in humans have been reported. There is currently no specific treatment recommended. Repeat blood testing is of no clinical value. In the absence of ongoing exposure, blood levels of PFOS will fall slowly over many years. Further information Please contact Dr David Kanowski on (07) 3377 8779 or Dr Lee Price on (07) 3377 8672 at Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology (Sonic Healthcare), who is the pathology provider for the Voluntary Blood Testing Program for PFAS, for further information on PFAS blood testing.
If individuals present with test results which have been repeated, these should be interpreted in the context of the analytical variability of the test, which may differ by plus or minus 20%. Examples Scenario Interpretation Discussion Points An 18 month old, fully breastfed infant with a serum PFOS of 8 ng/mL. This is within the range of levels expected in any Australian community as a result of non-specific background PFOS exposures. Most Australian children under 4 years old will have blood levels less than 13 ng/mL. Children born in Australia would be expected to have detectable levels of PFOS in blood, acquired during the pregnancy. PFOS is present in breast milk in very low levels, however the significant health benefits of breast feeding are well established and far outweigh any potential health risks to an infant from any PFOS transferred through breast milk. This blood level is unlikely to cause harm. A 35 year old adult with a serum PFOS of 210 ng/mL. This is higher than the range of levels expected as a result of non-specific background PFOS exposures, therefore; additional specific exposure sources are likely. Most adults in the 31 to 45 year age group will have blood levels under 25 ng/mL. Similar and higher levels have been noted in Australian adults who have had occupational exposures or lived in contaminated environments. Additional specific exposure(s) have likely occurred at some stage during the previous 10 or more years. There may or may not be recent exposure. The most significant exposure pathways for adults are the consumption of water and food containing PFOS. Those living in recognised contaminated areas should follow local precautionary advice to limit further exposure. Evidence concerning elevated levels is still being evaluated but currently no consistent or conclusive findings of harm in humans have been reported. There is currently no specific treatment recommended. Repeat blood testing is of no clinical value. In the absence of ongoing exposure, blood levels of PFOS will fall slowly over many years. Further information Please contact Dr David Kanowski on (07) 3377 8779 or Dr Lee Price on (07) 3377 8672 at Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology (Sonic Healthcare), who is the pathology provider for the Voluntary Blood Testing Program for PFAS, for further information on PFAS blood testing.
wFS-GP-post-test-advice.docx