Wednesday 10 August 2022 06:58 PM Experts call for increased testing for 'forever chemicals' in exposed ... trends now
A panel of experts are asking for clinical guidance regarding exposure to 'forever chemicals' to be updated amid a growing body of evidence showing the compounds many Americans interact with day-to-day pose significant long-term danger.
A report published by a panel of experts in the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) recommends that people with a known exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) - either through work or at home - be screened for traces of the chemicals in their blood and are given additional information on the potential long-term negative effects of the exposure.
The world is slowly learning more about these chemicals. A growing body of research also shows that repeated exposure to them could put a person at an increased risk of developing cancer, issues when giving birth and raises their overall mortality risk.
These chemicals are more common than many people think. Non-stick kitchen equipment can often have the substances lying on them. Eating some fish or daily products could expose a person as well. They could even be found in tap water and on some fabrics.
In response to these findings, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lowered the acceptable exposure to the chemicals by over 99 percent in June. The change is still very recent, though, meaning that a large portion of Americans have already been unknowingly exposed and could suffer health issues down the line as a result.
A panel of experts is recommending that people with a known exposure to 'forever chemicals' receive screenings to find if they are at risk of developing significant health issues down the line as a result (file photo)
'Forever chemicals' are often found on household products like non-stick cookware, water resistant clothing and some food packaging (file photo)
The experts warn that while not all exposure will lead to poor health outcomes, it is likely that nearly 100 percent of the U.S. population has been exposed.
'Although not all of the contamination represents exceedances of health advisories, the pervasiveness of the contamination is alarming,' the report says.
'Furthermore, almost 100 percent of the US population is exposed to at least one PFAS.'
The panel recommend that people who have known exposure receive blood testing to look for traces of the chemicals.
