A few decades ago, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were virtually unheard of. The forever chemicals and their harmful effects on the environment and the body were recently thrust into the spotlight due to the AFF lawsuit.
If you’ve been keeping abreast of the lawsuit, you’ll know PFAS has the starring role of being the bad guy in the case. For those who need a quick catch-up, we’ll give you the condensed version…
AFFF (Aqueous Film Forming Foam) is a fire retardant substance that’s been used for decades by firefighters across the U.S. AFFF firefighting foam contains PFAS which was found to be toxic.
The nasty chemicals aren’t your run-of-the-mill variety. Exposure to PFAS has been linked to increased risks of thyroid cancer, prostate cancer and testicular cancer. Because of the higher exposure to AFFF firefighting foam, firefighters are the most at risk.
The unfortunate case of events has come to a head in the firefighting foam lawsuit. Firefighters and military personnel who have been exposed to PFAS allege that AFFF manufacturers knew about the health risks and yet failed to warn the public.
Just when we thought we knew everything there was to know about PFAS, another study makes us wonder, how worried should we be.
PFAS Found in Firefighting Turnout Gear
During the initial court claims, the general public was made aware of how dangerous exposure to PFAS was. It wasn’t just about firefighting foam.
PFAS contamination was found in firefighting turnout gear as well. When exposed to heat and abrasion, concentrations of PFAS were found to increase.
As expected, the findings forced AFFF lawyers to change tact. The AFFF firefighting foam MDL now includes AFFF lawsuits from firefighters and communities impacted by PFAS water contamination, explains TorHoerman Law.
Skin Deep
A recent study could push your paranoia levels up by twofold. Now that environmental scientists are taking a closer look at PFAS and their closely related cousins, PFOA and PFOS, they’re constantly making discoveries.
PFAS has been detected as far as the Arctic. Even rainwater hasn’t been untouched by the toxic forever chemicals. Shockingly, they were found in dust from the International Space Station.
Until now experts were still stumped by how PFAS made their way into the human body. Research published by The Conversation could provide a clearer picture.
Using 3D models of lab-grown skin tissue, the team of environmental chemists investigated how the skin reacted to 17 types of PFAS chemicals.
Experts initially thought the skin acted as a barrier against harmful chemicals such as PFAS. The study concluded that the theory didn’t hold water and suggested these toxic compounds can be absorbed via human skin.
Once in our bodies, the synthetic chemical compounds are concentrated in the liver, kidneys and the bloodstream. Unlike other toxins, PFAS play havoc with more than one internal function.
“Not many chemicals have such a breadth of effect,” Patrick Breysse, former director of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, told WBUR.
Is There a Cause for Concern?
The skin absorption study may have debunked a previously held view, but it did add that permeation took some time to occur.
Then again, more than 5% of the applied dose was able to fully permeate through the skin into the bloodstream, the study authors noted.
While industries are scrambling to ditch PFAS chemicals, finding alternatives may be harder than initially thought. The substances are found everywhere, from kitchen utensils to beauty products.
Transitioning to PFAS-free products needs to be carefully evaluated, claims Science. Long and short-term strategies have to be put in place while accounting for uncertainties.
Reports from the Chemical Secretariat say that the health implications of PFAS could cost humans more than $16 trillion a year in the foreseeable future.
In the meantime, the EPA has released an updated list of how you can limit exposure to PFAS. They are simple steps you can take in your everyday life, from your drinking water to your diet.
You can do your part by putting pressure on companies to remove harmful chemicals from their products. Federal and state governments should put regulations in place to limit the use of PFAS.
Ultimately, there is no escaping the legacy of forever chemicals. Educate yourself and those around you so you can make better-informed decisions.
The scientific community is making strides to be cognisant of how PFAS affects the human body. They’re learning every day. And that’s a positive sign of moving forward.
To answer the question, should we be worried? If fear is what spurs you into action, then by all means, be afraid.