How Forever Chemicals (PFAS) May Affect Your Health

“Forever chemicals,” also known as PFAS, are all around us — and that’s a reality that comes with health risks.

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) linked to cancers and other health issues. These EDCs can build up in your body and stick around for years after you come in contact with them.

“EDCs are everywhere, and you’re being exposed to them constantly through what you eat, breathe and touch,” says metabolism researcher Christopher Hine, PhD. “Over time, that exposure can cause both acute and long-lasting problems in your body.”

So, how concerned should you be about PFAS? Let’s find out with Dr. Hine.

What are forever chemicals?

PFAS are a group of more than 14,000 compounds that manufacturers began using in the 1940s. They’re designed to be strong and long-lasting thanks to their carbon-fluorine chemical bonds.

These chemicals were created with good intentions — to keep people safe, offer convenience, and toughen up products to resist heat, oil, stains, grease and water.

We interact with forever chemicals through a long list of everyday products, including:

• Nonstick cookware
• Waterproof clothing
• Cosmetics and personal care products
• Food packaging
• Stain-resistant carpets, rugs and furniture

Health effects of PFAS

Collected data suggests that forever chemicals can bring harmful health effects. But how much these environmental toxins impact your health varies depending on:

• How much and how often you’re exposed
• Your age, sex, ethnicity, health and genetics

“Nothing in medicine ever happens by itself,” says Dr. Hine. “Exposure to these chemicals is probably not the only reason you develop a chronic disease, but it can contribute.”

You may be exposed to forever chemicals when you:

• Use products that contain PFAS
• Eat food packaged in PFAS-treated material
• Drink contaminated water
• Eat fish from contaminated water
• Eat food grown near factories making or using PFAS
• Use cosmetics and healthcare products packaged in PFAS-treated containers

Repeated or high exposure to PFAS chemicals can cause them to build up in your blood. Today, nearly all people in the U.S. have a detectable level of PFAS in their blood. High levels may lead to health issues such as:

1. Increased cancer risk

The U.S. National Cancer Institute reports possible links between PFAS exposure and an increased risk of:

• Kidney cancer
• Testicular cancer

Researchers are also studying potential connections between PFAS and other forms of cancer.

2. Slowed development in children

Exposure to PFAS can affect children even before birth. Research has shown a link between prenatal (during pregnancy) exposure to PFAS and:

• Lower birth weights
• Increased risk of obesity

Later developmental concerns in children exposed to PFAS include:

• Early onset of puberty
• Bone issues
• Behavioral changes

3. Reduced immune function

PFAS can impact your body’s immune function and ability to fight off disease.

Studies show that exposure to forever chemicals may make it harder for your body to fight infection. Research also finds that PFAS may reduce the body’s response to vaccines, especially in children.

4. Reproductive challenges

PFAS chemicals can reduce semen quality and sperm count in men. They may also make it more difficult for women to get pregnant.

During pregnancy, PFAS exposure may cause pregnancy-induced hypertension (preeclampsia).

5. Thyroid issues

Researchers studying the effects of eight different PFAS chemicals found changes to thyroid hormone levels. When thyroid hormone levels change, it can cause body functions to either speed up (hyperthyroidism) or slow down (hypothyroidism).

What can you do about forever chemicals?

You can’t avoid PFAS completely, but you can lower your exposure. You can start by:

• Using a certified water filter if PFAS levels are high (check with your local utility for water quality test results)
• Not using nonstick cookware
• Avoiding furniture or rugs with stain-resistant coatings
• Bringing glass containers from home for to-go food
• Checking local advisories on food and water safety

PFAS-related risk also tends to be higher for individuals with certain occupations (such as firefighters and military personnel) and those residing in specific locations (near a PFAS manufacturing plant or contaminated water supply).

If you don’t have those jobs or live in those areas, exposure to PFAS chemicals can be more moderate, especially if you take precautions when possible.

PFAS levels in your body can also go down if your exposure drops.

“We’re not trying to make you anxious about forever chemicals or to completely remove these types of products from your lives,” Dr. Hine clarifies.

“We just want to make you aware that EDCs exist and encourage you to pay more attention to the products you buy and consume, as well as how you utilize and dispose of them.”