Multiple Man-Made ‘Forever Chemicals’ Found in 98.5 Percent of People Tested

So-called “forever chemicals” (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS) are a large group of around 10,000 synthetic chemicals used in countless everyday products, including nonstick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, electronics, food packaging, and firefighting foam. Because they break down extremely slowly, they accumulate in the environment and in human bodies over time. Previous research has linked some PFAS compounds to serious health problems such as cancer, infertility, immune dysfunction, liver damage, thyroid disorders, and high cholesterol. One of the chemicals most frequently detected in this new study was perfluorohexane sulfonic acid, which has already raised international concern because of its potential health risks.

The researchers identified dozens of different PFAS combinations in the blood samples they examined, with the most common mixture containing five separate PFAS chemicals. Lead author Laura Labay said the findings highlight that people are rarely exposed to a single PFAS in isolation, but instead carry complex mixtures that may affect multiple biological systems simultaneously. The researchers noted that the true scale of exposure may actually be even greater, since not every possible PFAS compound was included in the testing.

Published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, the study adds to the growing evidence that exposure to these chemicals has become nearly universal in modern life.

To read how nearly half of the tap water drunk in the United States is tainted with PFAS, see this news story on our website.