A new study published in Environment International examines the ability of PFAS - a class of hazardous chemicals with known neurotoxic effects - to bypass the body’s protective barriers and enter into brain tissue.
In short:
- Both traditional PFAS and their newer substitutes are transported throughout the body via blood and can cross into the brain.
- All blood and tissue samples contained PFAS, and a mixture of seven different PFAS was found in over 60% of the blood samples taken from people with brain tumors.
- Newer substitute PFAS may have an even greater potential for accumulating in the brain than PFOA and PFOS because of their molecular structure.
Key quote:
“These findings underscore the significance of reducing and/or controlling exposure to PFAS in our daily life, as they have the potential to impact various organs.”
Why this matters:
PFAS are used in everyday products, and exposure to them is widespread - analyses from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey have found that PFAS are detectable in the blood of 97% - 100% of US individuals. While some forms of PFAS like PFOA and PFOS are subject to regulation, their use has been replaced by other PFAS that likely have similar health risks. This study points to the need to address widespread exposure to newer, untested chemical substitutes that are not covered by current regulatory structures.
Related EHN coverage:
- Op-ed: After decades of disinformation, the US finally begins regulating PFAS chemicals
- Evidence of PFAS found in popular bandage brands including Band-Aid
More resources:
The Mamavation website and Instagram page investigate common grocery store items for the presence of endocrine disrupting chemicals - like PFAS - to help make shopping for nontoxic products easier.
Xei, Meng-Yi et al. for Environment International vol. 187. May 2024
