Chrome Plating Facility Siting Is Associated with Neighborhood Demographic and Socioeconomic Factors and Elevated Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Blood in California
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Chrome plating facilities release toxic chemicals, including perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), disproportionately affecting nearby neighborhoods. We analyzed census-tract-level demographic and socioeconomic data using the American Community Survey (2018–2022) alongside 2019 data on chrome plating facilities from the California State Water Board. Two cohorts were included: adolescents from the Study of Latino Adolescents at Risk of Type 2 Diabetes (SOLAR; n = 238; recruited between 2001 and 2012) and young adults from the Metabolic and Asthma Incidence Research study (Meta-AIR; n = 118; 2014–2018). Plasma PFAS were measured via liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry. Multiple linear regression assessed associations between neighborhood characteristics, numbers of chrome plating facilities, and PFAS concentrations in participants’ plasma. Compared to areas without chrome plating facilities, neighborhoods with one (or more than one) facility had 11% (22%) more Hispanic residents, 6% (9%) more residents without a high school education, and 3% (3%) more individuals below the poverty line. In Meta-AIR, residents within 3 km of these facilities were correlated with elevated plasma PFOS, PFHxS, and PFOA concentrations, and in SOLAR, with PFDA and PFHpS. Chrome plating facilities are concentrated in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods in California. Proximity to these facilities is linked to elevated blood PFAS levels.
Authors: Shiwen Li, Elizabeth Costello, Tomas K.D. Manea, Tamar Galindo, Douglas I. Walker, Jesse A. Goodrich, Tanya L. Alderete, Michael I. Goran, Damaskini Valvi, Brittney O. Baumert, Sarah Rock, Adam L. Smith, Amy E. Childress, Sandrah P. Eckel, David V. Conti, Zhanghua Chen, Frank D. Gilliland, Rob McConnell, Lida Chatzi, Max Aung
Language: English
Subfield: Environmental Chemistry
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,500
Funders: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, University of Southern California, National Institutes of Health, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities
Awards: G1480891745, G1583036818, Environmental Genomics, G2658848486, G2702965091, Environmental Chemical Exposures and Longitudinal Changes of Glucose Metabolism, Insulin Sensitivity and B Cell Function in Youth, G346198372, Environmental Health MethodologicAl, Training, and Teaching EnterpRiSe (EH MATTERS), G444661368, Effects of DDE exposure on adipose tissue function, weight loss and metabolic improvement after bariatric surgery: A new paradigm for study of lipophilic chemicals, G5569704551, G5601034234, G57626283, Type 2 Diabetes in Hispanic Adolescents, G7495004546, G804905152, G89476839, Mount Sinai Center for Health and Environment Across the LifeSpan (HEALS), Perfluoroalkyl Substances and the Gut Microbiome and Fecal Metabolome: Implications for Obesity Risk in Hispanic Children, G984942071
OpenAlex ID: W4411344890