There are Pfas in the blood, even of children: confirmation in a new study

Pfas found (once again) in human blood, even in samples taken from children. A new Swiss study confirms the worrying presence of these toxic chemicals in our bodies

Finally, attention towards PFAS and their potential health risks is receiving the recognition it deserves. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are chemical compounds used for decades for their water-repellent and heat-resistant properties, and today still widely used in a vast range of products, from non-stick pans to technical fabrics and cosmetics.

Are these invisible substances slowly poisoning us? At what level are they already found in our body? To find out, one new investigation conducted by Balancea Swiss consumer magazine, analyzed blood samples from citizens of all ages, revealing the worrying presence of PFAS even in the youngest and highlighting the urgency of intervening to reduce exposure to these toxic compounds.

The study involved 35 people coming from 18 Swiss cantons, aged between 7 and 89 years. Participants were selected to represent a variety of environmental situations and lifestyles: residents in rural and urban areas, people living in older or recently renovated homes, potentially exposed to past contamination.

The Zurich medical laboratory in charge of the test carried out specific blood tests to detect two of the most well-known and dangerous PFAS:

These substances accumulate in organs, can remain in the body for decades, and have been linked to serious health risks, including damage to the immune system, increased cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, liver damage, and cancer risk.

It is no coincidence that they have been partially banned in Switzerland (PFOS since 2011 and PFOA since 2021), but thousands of other PFAS are still in use, without stringent regulations. Even in the European Union the situation is complex, with regulations trying to address the problem, but many substances still remain unregulated.

The results

The results of the analyzes revealed the presence of PFAS in every participant, with alarming levels in many cases, especially among children and the elderly.

Some participants, particularly those from agricultural areas, had particularly high levels of PFOS and PFOA, leading researchers to consider widespread environmental contamination.

As you read above Balance:

29 participants had levels of PFOS at which, according to the Federal Environment Agency, ‘harm to health cannot be ruled out’. In three women there is an ‘urgent need for action to reduce exposure’ due to high levels of PFOS.

In fact, the study results show that only three people among the participants had levels low enough to not cause concern.

And the future scenario, if nothing is done to stem this situation, is not the most rosy. As he stated Zurich environmental chemist Martin Scheringer:

Sources of PFAS must be eliminated. Authorities must better protect the population from PFAS, including through bans. Drinking water and food should be free of PFAS. Without interventions, PFAS concentrations in people will continue to increase.

A podcast to clarify Pfas

The PFAS topic is very dear to us at GreenMe and we have covered it in several articles. Now we are excited to announce the arrival of the second season of the podcast “Hey Erica, are we talking about PFAS?”, an initiative by Erica Srl which aims to shed light on these “eternal pollutants” now present practically everywhere.

This new season offers an in-depth journey into the world of PFAS, exploring their origins, health effects and the challenges they pose to our society. With eight new episodes, the podcast features interviews with experts, activists and citizens, providing a comprehensive and informative overview.

In the final episode of this season there is Simona Falascaour director in charge who will interview Edward Slavikwith which he will try to take stock and sum up the most imminent challenges to be resolved, the path taken in research and development of solutions to eliminate PFAS as well as the future prospects for combating this growing threat.

You can listen to “Hey Erica” on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify. Don’t miss the opportunity to inform yourself and contribute to raising awareness about this crucial issue.

Listen to the new season here: Spotify.