PFAS and Human Health: A Global Threat Across Generations

Forever Chemicals, also known as polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are everywhere in our lives now. They are getting into the water, we drink the food we eat and the clothes we wear. These are man-made Chemicals. For example, Forever Chemicals are in the tap water that comes out of our faucets in -stick pans that we use to cook, in the wrappers that hold our food and in the clothes that are made to fight stains. We see them in many things that we use every day.

What Are "Forever Chemicals"?

PFAS are synthetic chemicals it was first developed in the 1940s for their ability to withstand high temperatures and repel water and grease. Over time, they have been widely used in numerous household and industrial products, including food packaging, cosmetics, stain-resistant fabrics, non-stick cookware, and flame retardants.

Because PFAS take an extremely long time to break down, label as "forever". They have seeped into the soil and groundwater, and from there into the food chain and drinking water. These chemicals have been detected virtually everywhere on Earth, from the top of Mount Everest to inside human blood and brains.

The Most Common PFAS

There are thousands of these chemicals called PFAS, but people are really worried about two of them. These two are perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), often grouped under the name C8. PFOA was extensively used in non-stick cookware coatings such as Teflon, developed by DuPont. PFOS, meanwhile, was widely produced by 3M and used in products including Scotchgard for fabric protection, Scotchban for food packaging, and firefighting foams.

Concerns about the health effects of PFAS first emerged in the 1960s and 1970s, after workers at DuPont and 3M facilities began experiencing serious illnesses. Internal company studies linked PFAS exposure to conditions such as liver damage and prostate cancer. However, these findings were concealed for decades to protect commercial interests. It was only in the 1990s, when independent researchers detected PFAS contamination in groundwater, that the risks became widely known.

Big changes happened after that. DuPont and 3M had to pay a lot of money because of the problems with PFOA and PFOS. The United States said that companies could not make these substances anymore. The thing is, PFOA and PFOS are really bad because they stay in the environment for a very long time. Some countries still make these substances. The United States has started using other kinds of PFAS instead. The problem is that these new substances might also be bad for our health and the environment.

How Are Humans Exposed to PFAS?

According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, these forever chemicals can get into our bodies when we drink water that has them in it. We can also get forever chemicals from food that is packaged in materials that have been treated with PFAS. Even the dust in our homes can have chemicals in it. This dust can come from carpets and furniture that are stain-resistant.

PFAS increase over time because they do not break down easily. This process of chemicals increases the risk of serious health effects, including immune system suppression, liver damage, and specific types of cancer. Children are particularly vulnerable, as PFAS exposure has been linked to developmental and behavioural problems.

Can PFAS Exposure Be Avoided?

Avoiding exposure to PFAS is nearly impossible in today’s world. Their long-standing use in food packaging, these chemicals are also present in agricultural fertilisers, allowing them to enter crops and, ultimately, the human body. PFAS contamination is further widespread in both surface and groundwater. The Environmental Working Group made a map that shows where PFAS are found in drinking water. It shows that the places with the most PFAS are where the most people live.

In the United States, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey has monitored PFAS levels in human blood since 1999. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry has some scary information. They found that PFAS are in the blood of about 95% of people. Exposure to PFAS now begins before birth, as PFAS can cross the placenta and be transferred to a developing fetus, allowing these chemicals to persist across generations. It is worth noting, however, that levels of contamination per person have gone down since data collection began in 1999.

The U.S. government has introduced several measures, including a mandate requiring all public water systems to check the levels of PFAS and make the results public by 2027. However, regulation remains challenging. The Environmental Protection Agency is in charge of regulating chemicals rather than entire chemical groups. Since there are thousands of different PFAS out there, it is a big challenging job to keep track of all of them. 

Health Risks Associated with PFAS

Cancer: Cancer is a concern in relation to PFAS exposure. PFAS has been linked to a lot of types of cancer. These chemicals can mess with our hormone levels and even damage our DNA. This damage can increase the risk of a tumour developing. 

Weakened immune system: PFAS stop our body from making antibodies. So our body cannot fight off things as it should. This means we are more likely to get sick with infections and diseases. 

Thyroid and liver disorders: Compounds such as PFOA and PFOS have been shown to interfere with thyroid function and cause liver damage. They disrupt hormone regulation, trigger oxidative stress, and contribute to metabolic dysfunction, affecting organs including the liver and kidneys.

Endocrine system disruption: PFAS interfere with the endocrine system by altering gene expression and disrupting thyroid hormone regulation, leading to hormonal imbalances.

Reduced life expectancy: Long-term PFAS exposure may shorten life expectancy by accelerating ageing processes and increasing the risk of serious, life-threatening diseases such as cancer.

These forever chemicals are really hard to find. Their effects on human health are very clear. From hormonal disruption to increased cancer risks, their presence in everyday products poses a growing threat. 

In many countries, it is a bigger problem because the rules to control these chemicals are not very strong yet, so it is a powerful first step. By making informed choices such as reading product labels, limiting the use of non-stick cookware, and filtering drinking water, individuals can reduce their exposure. This is not about fear, but about informed action to safeguard our health and protect future generations.

ALSO READ: Key Wetlands of Assam You Should Know