PFAS EXPOSURE ASSESSMENT and HEALTH IMPACTS

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been widely used since the 1940s in manufacturing, firefighting, and consumer products, and are known to persist in the environment and accumulate in living organisms, presenting a significant public health concern. Toxicological studies have linked PFAS exposure to serious health effects, making it imperative to address their presence in the environment. There is a significant gap in research on PFAS in the central and southern counties of Delaware. This proposal aims to address that gap by conducting research in DPH-approved locations in Kent and Sussex Counties, ensuring all three counties have representative data. The findings will support health equity efforts by informing Delawareans of their PFAS exposure and associated health outcomes across the state. B. Project Goals The Health Systems Protection Section of the DPH plans to initiate the following research studies in January 2026, or as soon as approved by DPH: 1. Assess deidentified healthcare claims data to determine potential health impacts of PFAS exposure in areas where exposure is known or highly suspected. DPH will provide exposure areas to the selected vendor(s) and will approve the selected locations. a. Health impacts and/or outcomes to be assessed are not limited to but must include: type 2 diabetes, hypertension, hypertensive diseases, coronary artery disease, stroke, hypercholesterolemia, high triglycerides, mixed and other hyperlipidemia, any thyroid disease, hypothyroidism, and hyperthyroidism. 2. Conduct a PFAS exposure assessment to determine source apportionment. a. A questionnaire, along with clinical (blood and urine), and environmental (drinking water, soil, and dust) samples, must be collected and analyzed using EPA-certified and approved methods. The selected vendor(s) will be responsible for developing the PFAS exposure questionnaire, distributing the questionnaire to the DPH-approved community, collecting responses, and interpreting data. The questionnaire will gather information on past and current PFAS exposure, as well as basic demographic information. The selected vendor(s) or their subcontractor(s) will be responsible for collecting the clinical and environmental samples using EPA-approved methods, and ensuring samples are properly routed to an EPA-certified laboratory for analysis. The PFAS compounds to be analyzed are not limited to but must include: Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA), and N-Methyl perfluorooctane sulfonamidoacetic acid (MeFOSAA).The selected vendor(s) are responsible for all aspects of sample collection, appropriate distribution to EPA-certified laboratories, and ensuring results are properly discussed with the participant, while using EPA-validated methods. Services can be subcontracted. C. Scope of Work/Bidders Requirements -Appendix B