PFAS Chemicals and Their Effects on Cholesterol and Cardiovascular Disease Open Access

Abstract

PFAS chemicals are known endocrine disruptors that can increase risk and affect health outcomes related to cardiovascular disease. PFAS can affect lipid panels, blood chemistry, adipose tissue, and inflammation. This suggests cholesterol production in the liver is an affected process that so happens to be an indicator of cardiovascular disease. However, more evidence is needed to determine the mechanism routes. 

The study analyzes nine different PFAS compounds with Simple Linear Regressions, Logistic Regression, and One- Way ANOVA to determine correlation of PFAS effects on Low-Density Lipid, Total Cholesterol, and overall high cholesterol levels. The sample population collected is secondary data available through the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) during 2017-2018 data collection. A 95% Confidence Interval range was used to determine significant values. Findings for Perfluorohexanesulphonic acid (PFHxS) and Low-Density Lipid suggested significant correlation. It was concluded that more in-depth analyses would need to be performed to accumulate more information on PFAS’ effects on the endocrine system and cardiovascular disease. Results from this study suggested significance between Low Density Lipid and PFAS PFHxS. In conclusion, further analyses will need to be collected to determine the relationship of PFAS and Cardiovascular disease.

Table of Contents

Background: DuPont (pages 8- 9)

PFAS Structure (pages 9- 10)

PFAS Uses (page 10- 11)

Contamination of the Environmental and Human Exposure (page 11)

PFAS-Associated Health Outcomes (pages 11-12)

Endocrine System Anatomy (pages 12- 13)

Endocrine System Physiology (pages 13- 14)

Hypothalamus- Pituitary Axis (HPA) Anatomy (pages 14- 15)

Hypothalamus- Pituitary Axis (HPA) Physiology (pages 15- 16)

Growth Hormone (pages 16- 17)

Cholesterol (pages 17- 18)

Methods (pages 18- 19)

Results (pages 21- 22)

Demographics-- Tables 1.- 4. (pages 23- 26)

ANOVA One-Way-- Table 5. (page 27)

Logistic Regression-- Table 6. (page 27)

Simple Linear Regression-- Tables7a.-i. (pages 28- 30)

Discussion (pages 31- 34)

Conclusion (pages 34- 35)

References (pages 36- 39)

About this Master's Thesis

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• Permission granted by the author to include this thesis or dissertation in this repository. All rights reserved by the author. Please contact the author for information regarding the reproduction and use of this thesis or dissertation.

School	Rollins School of Public Health
Department	Executive Masters of Public Health - MPH
Subfield / Discipline	Prevention Science
Degree	M.P.H.
Submission	Master's Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Health Sciences, Toxicology Environmental Health Health Sciences, Public Health
Keyword	logistic regression cholesterol Perfluorohexanesulphonic acid cardiovascular disease ANOVA one way forever chemicals PFAS PFHXS LDL Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances growth hormone hypothalamus pituitary axis simple linear regression forever plastics microplastics HPA PFOA endocrine system
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	W. Michael Caudle, PhD, Emory University
Committee Members	Frank Glover, III, PhD, Emory University

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