Abstract

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent, manmade chemicals used since the 1950s in a wide variety of consumer products. Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) such as PFAS, have been linked to an increase in hormone-sensitive cancers, such as breast and prostate, decreased fertility, decreased sperm count, genital malformations, and early puberty. This study utilized a mixed methods approach, including a literature review, a survey consisting of surface water and drinking water analysis, and a spatial analysis of public cancer data. Analyzed cancer data stratified by Kentucky River lower subbasin versus the remainder of the sectors, resulted in three significant p-values, breast (p = 0.0045), prostate (p < 0.0001), and female thyroid (p = 0.0192). Sampling revealed low PFOA contamination (1.7 ppt) within the Kentucky River. All other samples were below the limit of quantification (LOQ) for all 55 PFAS analytes. In contrast to other studies, breast and thyroid cancer differed from one region to the other. PFOA contamination and elevated incidence rates for breast and prostate cancers for those residing within the Kentucky River lower subbasin warrant further investigation of potential EDC contamination.

Semester/Year of Award

Spring 5-4-2026

Mentor

Ashlee T. Kirby

Mentor Department Affiliation

Environmental Health Science

Access Options

Open Access Thesis

Document Type

Bachelor Thesis

Degree Name

Honors Scholars

Degree Level

Bachelors

Department

Environmental Health Science

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