A groundbreaking study has discovered that PFAS can infiltrate the bloodstream through skin absorption. This startling finding raises critical questions about the safety of everyday products containing these substances and their long-term impacts on human health.
As researchers delve deeper into the implications, the urgency for stricter regulations and consumer awareness has never been more pressing. What does this mean for you and your family? Let’s explore the dangers hidden beneath the surface.
Understanding PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’
You likely have PFAS in your system, even if you aren’t aware of it. These human-made chemicals have been found in blood samples and consumer products like clothing and cosmetics. They are also present throughout the environment, including in air, water, soils, and even rain.
PFAS is an umbrella term for per- and poly-fluoroalkyl chemicals, which number around 12,000 compounds. They are valued for their stain-resistant and non-stick properties. These chemicals are used widely in waterproof clothing, cookware, electronics, food packaging, firefighting foam, and industrial processes.
Most concerning is that PFAS will not degrade for thousands of years, earning them the label “forever chemicals.” Their persistence means levels continue accumulating globally. Scientists have determined that the atmospheric spread of just four PFAS has exceeded a proposed planetary boundary for chemical pollution. As per The Guardian, this poses a risk of instability in Earth’s systems.
PFAS are very mobile due to their grease- and water-resistant qualities. Once released, they can migrate long distances out of disposal sites like landfills and into the environment. Additionally, many PFAS bioaccumulate over time within organisms faster than they can be eliminated. They also biomagnify up the food chain, giving top predators like orcas significant exposure.
New Evidence Shows PFAS Can Permeate Skin and Contaminate Blood
New research published in ScienceDirect found that 15 different perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as toxic “forever chemicals,” can be absorbed through human skin and enter the bloodstream. The study investigated 17 PFAS commonly regulated in the European Union’s drinking water or widely used and studied for their health effects.
Using 3D human skin models, researchers found that at least 5% of the applied dose of 15 PFAS penetrated the skin. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a commonly regulated chemical, was absorbed into the bloodstream by 13.5% of the dose. Additionally, 38% of the PFOA dose was retained in the skin.
PFAS uptake through the skin adds to other exposure routes like ingestion and inhalation. In addition to conventional exposure pathways such as food and inhalation, PFAS are also absorbed through the skin. The primary author of the paper, Dr. Oddný Ragnarsdóttir, finished her doctoral work at the University of Birmingham.
As per The DEF, Dr. Oddný says that the ability of these chemicals to enter the skin was previously disregarded. This was because the molecules are ionized, making them repellent to water and stains. However, the study shows this theory does not always apply, and dermal exposure could significantly contribute to harmful chemical levels in the body.
Absorption seemed to correlate with carbon chain length, as compounds with longer chains showed lower absorption. Meanwhile, chemicals introduced to replace longer-chain PFAS, like PFOA, were more readily absorbed due to shorter carbon chains. This research provides the most comprehensive evidence to date that PFAS can enter the bloodstream through skin contact.
Holding PFAS Manufacturers Accountable Through Litigation
Numerous studies have associated even low-level PFAS exposures with serious health effects. They can cause cancer, liver damage, thyroid disorders, decreased fertility, and developmental issues in children. PFAS contamination from industrial sites, military bases, and airports has impacted water supplies used by millions of people.
Due to widespread PFAS usage and persistence in the environment, contamination incidents have prompted legal actions aimed at holding manufacturers and polluters responsible. The litigation encompasses various types of lawsuits, including the PFAS lawsuit against these harmful compounds’ producers.
Communities and individuals affected by PFAS in their water have sued for compensation for health impacts and environmental harm. State governments have also taken legal action to recover testing, monitoring, and remediation costs. TorHoerman Law says notable cases against companies like 3M and DuPont ended in sizable settlements, highlighting the extensive nature of PFAS water contamination.
Lawsuits have led to tighter PFAS regulations and heightened oversight of industrial practices, promoting more responsibility and efforts to address contamination. People suffering health issues from contaminated drinking water may have the right to pursue personal injury claims against PFAS manufacturers.
FAQs
1) What percentage of the population has PFAS in their blood?
Studies show that PFAS persist in human bodies and the environment for decades. According to research, over 97% of the U.S. population now has PFAS in their bloodstream, as these chemicals do not readily break down.
2) Can I test my blood for PFAS levels?
It is possible to get private blood tests that measure PFAS concentrations. However, such tests are expensive and provide limited insight into current exposures. Blood test results alone also cannot diagnose illness, as PFAS exposures may occur through multiple routes over long periods.
3) What types of foods tend to contain higher PFAS levels?
Research has identified certain food groups and prepared foods that may contribute more to PFAS blood levels. Teas, bacon, sweets, sports drinks, processed meats, butter, crisps, and bottled water are some of them. The studies also found potential correlations with increased restaurant meals and take-out food consumption. However, diet represents just one of the various sources of exposure to PFAS chemicals.
These “forever chemicals” pose systemic and pervasive hazards to the environment and public health, as disturbing new research shows they can permeate human skin. It is now more evident than ever that prompt and forceful action is needed to protect communities and future generations from PFAS exposure.
Regulations strive to stop future pollution, while lawsuits seek to hold culpable parties accountable. These chemical dangers that are always present are too significant for us to ignore. The time to act is now!
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