Differences in Prevalence of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in North Carolina Public Water Systems by Neighborhood Racial Characteristics
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This is an abstract on differences in racial composition of block groups where PFAS exposure has been evaluated in public water systems.
Objective: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are associated with numerous health risks which may be exacerbated by social stressors. Disproportionately elevated PFAS occurrence in areas with racial minorities may point to important environmental justice concerns. This study aims to examine associations between PFAS in public water systems (PWS) and race in North Carolina.
Methods: PFAS occurrence data were obtained from the Third Unregulated Contaminant Rule (UCMR3) which evaluated PFAS occurrence in a nationwide sample of PWS. In NC, the UCMR3 tested 110 PWS for the following four PFAS compounds: PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, and PFHpA. PWS service areas were linked with the UCMR3 data and each PFAS was classified as present if detected in concentrations above the minimum reporting level. The percentage of the population in each block group (BG) which self-identified as Black or African American; American Indian/Alaska Native; and white was obtained from the 2010 Census. We examined potential differences in PFAS occurrence above vs below the average statewide percentage (ASP) of each of the racial groups. A Prevalence Ratio (PR) and associated 95% confidence interval (CI) for each PFAS comparing prevalence in BGs above ASP for each racial group was calculated. Statistical significance was determined using a Chi-squared test.