A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Blood Spot per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) from Adolescents in Chitwan Valley, Nepal

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are globally widespread contaminants linked to adverse health outcomes, including immune dysregulation. We aimed to characterize PFAS exposure among adolescents in Nepal. We conducted a cross-sectional study in Chitwan District, Nepal, during September-October 2023, enrolling 73 adolescents from the Chitwan Birth Cohort. METHODS: Dried blood spots from 48 participants were analyzed for 45 PFAS by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Sociodemographic and contextual behavioral covariates information (e.g., water source and local fish consumption) were collected via questionnaire. We used linear regression to analyze the association between contextual behavioral covariates and PFAS concentrations. RESULTS: = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Frequent fish intake was the only factor significantly associated with PFAS levels, suggesting a dietary exposure pathway. This study provides the first documentation of PFAS exposure among Nepalese adolescents, revealing low-level exposures. Findings underscore the need for ongoing surveillance of environmental contaminants in vulnerable populations.