Silent Disruptors: PFOA & PFOS vs. Female Reproductive Health
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Kelly Molinare
College:
The Dorothy and George Hennings College of Science, Mathematics, and Technology
Major:
Chemistry
Faculty Research Advisor(s):
Matthew Mongelli, Subhasish Chatterjee
Abstract:
This research investigates how perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) disrupt the endocrine system in females, particularly the reproductive system. Per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) are chemicals used globally in both consumer and industrial products with current research exploring and validating the negative impacts when bioaccumulation occurs within the human body. Using a biochemical approach to survey the mechanism of action of how these synthetic organic compounds interact within the biological system, this research studies and compares the existing data showcasing the potential cross-linkage between PFOA & PFOS in complications within female reproductive health, including but not limited to menstrual health, pregnancy complications, neonatal complications, breast cancer, and infertility. PFOA and PFOS are two of the most well-studied and documented PFAS, out of the 15,000 known to exist. Further research into how these two chemicals disrupt hormone signaling pathways in both short-term and long-term exposure is crucial to the future of women’s reproductive health.