Research indicates that exposure to common Pfas compounds, known as forever chemicals, alters gene activity linked to various health issues, including multiple cancers, neurological disorders, and autoimmune diseases. The study aims to understand how these chemicals contribute to disease mechanisms, enabling better diagnosis and treatment for affected individuals. The research suggests a wide impact on genes and biological pathways, indicating potential for broader health problems linked to Pfas. The study's findings highlight the implications of Pfas in public health and could shed light on unidentified health risks associated with these chemicals.
The study checked the blood of about 300 firefighters from four departments across the country who were exposed to high levels of Pfas. The chemicals are the main ingredient in most firefighting foam.
Pfas are a class of about 15,000 compounds most frequently used to make products water-, stain- and grease-resistant. They are dubbed forever chemicals because they do not naturally break down in the environment.
Furlong said she was surprised to find the number of genes and biological pathways that were impacted by Pfas, which suggests the chemicals may cause or contribute to a broad range of health problems.
Pfas essentially change the way the genes are supposed to act, indicating that exposure may lead to serious health problems, including multiple cancers and autoimmune diseases.
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