Evaluation and comparison of tools used to quantify aggregate PFAS exposure: Extractable organic fluorine, PFAS burden scores and summed PFAS concentrations

This study highlights the potential of extractable organofluorine (EOF) as a comprehensive biomarker for assessing aggregate PFAS exposure in human populations. By analyzing data from eight studies across the US, Asia, and Europe, we found that EOF concentrations were higher than summed PFAS concentrations and correlated strongly with PFAS burden scores. Although EOF does not identify specific fluorine sources, its strong associations suggest it is a practical tool for detecting high PFAS exposure. While EOF offers promise for identifying at-risk populations, practical challenges in laboratory analyses may limit its widespread use in biomonitoring programs.