| Title | PFAs: How Research Is Uncovering Damaging Effects Of 'Forever Chemicals' | |
| Date | Monday November 13 2023, @07:42PM | |
| Author | janrinok | |
| Topic | ||
| from the dept. | ||
Arthur T Knackerbracket has processed the following story:
Since their inception in the 1940s, the so-called forever chemicals have woven themselves into the fabric of our modern world. But recently, they've been appearing in alarming news headlines about their damaging effects on our health.
PFAS have, in fact, come under intense scrutiny due to new research showing their persistent nature in the environment and potential health impacts.
[...] The strength of their carbon-fluorine bonds is also what makes them resist breakdown by natural processes. Their longevity, often measured in centuries, has earned them the moniker of "legacy compounds."
Their presence has been detected in worrying concentrations in drinking water, soil, air and even in Arctic ice. Recent scientific investigations have unveiled a concerning connection between PFAS exposure and damage to health, both in humans and animals.
These effects include an increased risk of cancer, liver damage, compromised immune function, developmental disorders and hormonal disruption.
The adverse health effects can be traced to their persistence within the human body. Unlike many substances that are metabolized and eliminated over time, PFAS accumulate in bodily tissues and fluids without breaking down.
This accumulation creates a perpetual, self-sustaining cycle: PFAS contamination permeates rivers, soil and the food chain. These chemicals find their way into the bodies of humans and animals, where they continue to accumulate over time.
The mounting evidence of PFAS-related health risks has triggered global concern. Organizations such as the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants have set their sights on imposing stricter regulations on PFAS use within the European Union.
There is still a lot we don't know about the long-term health consequences of PFAS exposure, but the increasing global concern is indisputable.
In the UK and Ireland, PFAS contamination infiltrates everyday consumer products and industrial processes. In 2019, the UK Environment Agency's screening consistently identified PFAS in surface water samples, with PFOA and PFOS found at 96% of the sites they surveyed.
The presence of heightened PFAS concentrations signifies that none of England's rivers meet the "good chemical" status criteria established by the Water Framework Directive. The Chief Scientist's Group report identified military and civilian airfields, landfills and wastewater treatment facilities as the likely sources of PFAS contamination.
A pressing issue in Europe and the UK is the absence of standardized regulations regarding these forever chemicals. Only two of the most prevalent PFAS variants, PFOA and PFOS, are currently monitored in the UK.
[...] The intricacies associated with PFAS mean we need a holistic approach involving research to discover new chemical compounds that do not harm the environment and human health.
While the solution is complex, it is undoubtedly achievable. We need stringent regulations, more research and a global effort to eliminate PFAS. The pay off is worth it—a safer and healthier future for both our planet and its inhabitants.
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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printed from SoylentNews, PFAs: How Research Is Uncovering Damaging Effects Of 'Forever Chemicals' on 2025-03-23 04:18:43