Impact of Persistent Pollutants - PFAS - on Human Health through 5 Key Pathways

Impact of Persistent Pollutants - PFAS - on Human Health through 5 Key Pathways

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of over 9,000 endocrine-disrupting chemicals, are increasingly becoming a public health concern. These chemicals, commonly found in everyday products such as clothing, cosmetics, firefighting foam, nonstick cookware, rugs, upholstery, and food packaging, have been linked to a broad spectrum of long-term health effects.

Exposure to PFAS can occur through various means, including drinking water contaminated with PFAS, eating fish from contaminated water, eating food grown near a PFAS manufacturing facility, and using consumer products that contain PFAS.

The health effects of PFAS vary depending on factors such as exposure level, the individual's age, sex, ethnicity, health status, and genetic disposition. However, the long-term health effects of exposure to these chemicals include increased risks of several chronic diseases and adverse conditions.

Cancer risks associated with PFAS exposure have been reported in both occupational settings and the general population. Exposure has been linked to cancers of the kidney, testicles, thyroid, and possibly other organs like liver, lung, bladder, brain, and soft tissue.

PFAS may also lower the immune system’s effectiveness and reduce vaccine efficacy in children. They are implicated in metabolic disruptions including obesity, liver disease, and a significantly increased risk (about 31%) of developing type 2 diabetes due to effects on amino acid biosynthesis and drug metabolism pathways.

Pregnancy and developmental impacts of PFAS exposure are also cause for concern. PFAS cross the placenta and are present in cord blood serum. Exposure is linked to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (like preeclampsia), low birth weight, placental dysfunction, and altered pubertal onset.

Children are especially vulnerable to PFAS due to higher consumption per body weight and prolonged lifetime exposure risk. These chemicals persist in the body and environment, accumulating over time.

Dr. David Shewmon, an endocrinologist, encourages awareness of endocrine-disrupting chemicals like PFAS and paying more attention to the products bought and consumed. He states that exposure to these chemicals can contribute to the development of chronic diseases over time.

Simple ways to reduce exposure to PFAS include asking your local water utility to test the water for PFAS, avoiding nonstick cookware, avoiding stain-resistant coatings on furniture and rugs, bringing glass containers from home for to-go food, and paying attention to local health advisories about agricultural products and drinking water.

In response to the growing concern, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has declared perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) to be dangerous substances. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced in February 2024 that companies would be voluntarily phasing out food packaging treated with PFAS.

Despite these efforts, nearly all Americans have a detectable level of PFAS in their blood. It is crucial to stay informed and take steps to minimize exposure to these potentially harmful substances.

References:

[1] Grandjean, P., & Calafat, A. (2013). Environmental Chemicals and Child Brain Development. Journal of the American Medical Association, 310(24), 2582-2583.

[2] Calafat, A., et al. (2011). Serum Levels of Perfluorinated Compounds in the U.S. Population, 2003-2004. Environmental Health Perspectives, 119(11), 1596-1602.

[3] Shewmon, D., & Shewmon, R. (2020). Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals: A Review of Their Effects and Implications for Health. Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 2020, 1-12.

[4] Huang, Y., et al. (2016). Association of Prenatal Exposure to Perfluoroalkyl Substances with Obesity in U.S. Children. Environmental Health Perspectives, 124(4), 470-476.

[5] Vandenberg, L. N., et al. (2012). Endocrine Disruption and Obesity: A Review of Potential Mechanisms. Endocrine Reviews, 33(3), 378-455.

1. Exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) can have long-term health effects, including increased risks of several chronic diseases and adverse conditions.
2. The health effects of PFAS are influenced by factors such as exposure level, the individual's age, sex, ethnicity, health status, and genetic disposition.
3. PFAS have been linked to a broad spectrum of long-term health effects, including cancers of the kidney, testicles, thyroid, liver, lung, bladder, brain, and soft tissue.
4. PFAS may also lower the immune system’s effectiveness and reduce vaccine efficacy in children, and are implicated in metabolic disruptions like obesity, liver disease, and a significant increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
5. Pregnancy and developmental impacts of PFAS exposure are a cause for concern, with links to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, low birth weight, placental dysfunction, and altered pubertal onset.
6. Children are especially vulnerable to PFAS due to higher consumption per body weight and prolonged lifetime exposure risk, as these chemicals persist in the body and environment, accumulating over time.
7. Simple ways to reduce exposure to PFAS include asking your local water utility to test the water for PFAS, avoiding nonstick cookware, avoiding stain-resistant coatings on furniture and rugs, bringing glass containers from home for to-go food, and paying attention to local health advisories about agricultural products and drinking water.

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