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March 12, 2024
Researchers at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) have uncovered evidence linking the presence of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in human blood to unfavorable lipid profiles, thereby increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The findings, based on data from over 2,500 adults in Bonn, Germany, and Leiderdorp, the Netherlands, have been published in the scientific journal Exposure and Health.
PFAS, developed since the 1950s, are widely used in various products for their water, fat, and dirt-repellent properties. These chemicals, found in cosmetics, pan coatings, fire-extinguishing foam, and other consumer goods, are nearly non-degradable and enter the human food chain primarily through groundwater contamination.
Impact on Human Health
The study indicates that even low concentrations of PFAS in the blood are associated with unfavorable blood lipid profiles, particularly among younger individuals. “We see clear signs of a harmful effect of PFAS on health. The negative effects are more pronounced in younger subjects than in older ones,” says Prof. Dr. Dr. Monique Breteler, Director of Population Health Sciences at DZNE.
According to the findings, PFAS levels in the blood correlate with harmful blood lipids linked to cardiovascular risk. The higher the PFAS concentration, the higher the concentration of these lipids, suggesting a potential causal relationship.
Study Details
The research, conducted as part of the “Rhineland Study” in Bonn and the “Netherlands Epidemiology of Obesity study” (NEO study), involved analyzing blood samples from participants aged 30 to 89 using advanced mass spectrometry technology. The study focused on three prevalent types of PFAS — PFOA, PFOS, and PFHxS — and examined 224 blood lipids, metabolites, and amino acids.
Elvire Landstra, the first author of the publication, emphasizes the significance of their untargeted approach, which revealed a clear connection between PFAS concentration and problematic lipid profiles associated with cardiovascular disease risk.
Implications and Future Research
The findings underscore the need for stricter regulation of PFAS to protect public health. While immediate health threats may not be evident, the long-term impact on the heart and cardiovascular system is concerning.
Future studies could explore the occurrence of PFAS in individual organs to gain further insights into their health effects. “We looked at the blood levels. In a next step, it would make sense to investigate the occurrence of PFAS in individual organs,” suggests Monique Breteler.
The study, described as the most detailed on the topic to date, highlights the urgent need for greater awareness and regulation of PFAS chemicals to safeguard public health.
