Introduction
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) are fluorosurfactants that are also considered major global pollutants. PFOA, in the past, has been used industrially in the emulsion polymerization of fluoropolymers. In particular, it has found application in the manufacturing of Teflon among other products. Despite its industrial use, PFOA persists in the environment and has been considered a major toxicant. On the other hand, PFOS comes from industrial synthesis or degradation of its existing elements. In combination, both chemicals are detrimental to both human and animal health as has been determined by health experts in the past. A wide body of research concludes that the determinants of PFOA in the general population include sex, race and age. Since the following discussion is age-oriented, it is critical to note beforehand that the younger population is more exposed to PFOA/PFOS as compared to their older counterparts (Steenland et al., 2009). Even so, the exposure quadruples for people living near the point sources of contamination with drinking water becoming the major source of exposure. While none of the chemicals is metabolized in the body, its human tissue distribution remains a mystery but past research indicates that it is highly likely to affect blood, liver and kidneys. Lau et al. (2007) observed a significant reduction of birth weight and instances of neonatal death in rats exposed to either of the chemicals. Alongside other relatively common effects including liver disorders, diabetes, cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases, PFOA/PFOS are likely to reduce birth weight in the children and greatly hamper their subsequent development, possibly their adult life if the impacts are not managed aggressively and timely.