Hyderabad: From non-stick cookware and waterproof clothing to food packaging and firefighting foams, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have become part of everyday life.
But their widespread use has raised alarm among scientists and public health experts worldwide.
What are they called forever chemicals?
Known as ‘forever chemicals’, PFAS are highly resistant to breaking down because of their strong carbon-fluorine bonds.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), this persistence allows them to remain in soil, water and the human body for years, increasing the risk of long-term exposure through drinking water, food, air and household dust.
A recent landscape review has ranked the health effects of PFAS based on available scientific evidence and expert assessment, helping identify the areas that require the greatest public health attention.
The top 10 health concerns from using PFAS
1. Metabolic disorders: Ranked the highest priority, PFAS exposure has been linked to changes in cholesterol levels, obesity and diabetes-related metabolic changes.
2. Reproductive health: Studies suggest PFAS may affect fertility, pregnancy outcomes and reproductive health in both men and women.
3. Endocrine disruption: PFAS can interfere with hormones that regulate growth, metabolism, reproduction and thyroid function.
4. Liver damage: These chemicals tend to accumulate in the liver and have been associated with altered liver function and fatty liver disease.
5. Cardiovascular disease: Researchers are examining links between PFAS exposure, high cholesterol, blood pressure and heart disease.
6. Developmental effects: Exposure during pregnancy and childhood may affect growth, brain development and overall child health.
7. Nervous system effects: Scientists are investigating possible impacts on learning, behaviour and neurological development, particularly in children.
8. Immune system: Evidence suggests PFAS can weaken immune responses, including reducing the effectiveness of some vaccines.
9. Cancer: Certain PFAS, particularly older compounds such as PFOA and PFOS, have been linked to increased risks of some cancers, though research continues.
10. Kidney and urinary health: Studies indicate possible associations between long-term PFAS exposure and reduced kidney function.
Why should people care?
Unlike many pollutants, PFAS do not disappear quickly. Instead, they accumulate in the environment and in the human body over time.
Scientists say people are exposed not to a single PFAS but to mixtures of many chemicals through water, food and consumer products, making long-term monitoring and regulation essential.
While research is still evolving, the growing evidence has prompted health agencies worldwide to prioritise reducing PFAS exposure.
