Aker and al., have examined the association between a wide range of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) congeners and cardiometabolic health in Inuit population. PFAAs are contaminants, which can be found in high concentrations in Nunavik, that can negatively affect cardiometabolic health as they are linked with conditions like hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Scientists of this study used different measures from the Qanuilirpitaa? health survey conducted for and by Inuit across the 14 villages of Nunavik on board the CCGS Amundsen in 2017. More specifically, they have examined cardiometabolic markers (e.g. LDL, HDL) and outcomes (e.g. high blood pressure) from blood samples and laboratory analyses. Their findings provide further evidence that high exposition to PFFAAs mixtures can increase cholesterol and lipoproteins. This highlights the risks associated with long-chain PFAAs (PFNA, PFDA and PFUnDA) in the Arctic context where these contaminants are more present due to the environmental breakdown of volatile fluorotelomer alchohols.
Cardiometabolic health and per and polyfluoroalkyl substances in an Inuit population
