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A recent extensive study has revealed that almost every blood sample tested contained PFAS, a group of chemicals commonly referred to as “forever chemicals” because they linger in the environment and human bodies for extremely long periods.
The research analyzed over 10,500 blood samples, finding PFAS in 98.8% of them. Experts say these results highlight how pervasive these chemicals have become in daily life.
Published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, this study is among the largest investigations on PFAS levels in humans to date.
PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a broad family of man-made chemicals that have been used for decades to make products resistant to water, grease, stains, and high heat.
These chemicals are present in many common items, including nonstick cookware, waterproof jackets, food wrappers, carpets, furniture, cosmetics, electronics, and firefighting foams. Because PFAS break down very slowly, they can remain in water, soil, and living organisms for many years.
Scientists now believe PFAS contamination is nearly everywhere in the modern world. They have been detected in rivers, oceans, rainwater, wildlife, food, and even in remote regions far from urban areas or industrial sites.
This new study reinforces the idea that exposure to PFAS is now almost unavoidable for many individuals.
Most people carry multiple PFAS chemicals simultaneously, with about 98.5% of samples showing several chemicals together. This is significant because there is growing concern that mixtures of chemicals may affect the human body differently and potentially more severely than single chemicals.
Many prior studies have focused on individual PFAS compounds, but real-life exposure often involves a combination of many. Researchers found dozens of different PFAS mixtures, with the most common containing five different chemicals, present in over 2,700 samples.
Some of the most frequently detected chemicals include PFOS and PFOA, which were heavily used for years before safety concerns arose.
Previous research links certain PFAS chemicals to serious health issues like cancer, infertility, thyroid problems, liver damage, weakened immune response, high cholesterol, and developmental issues in children.
One chemical frequently identified, perfluorohexane sulfonic acid, has been associated with potential effects on immune function, liver health, and thyroid activity.
Despite knowing some PFAS can be harmful, significant gaps remain because roughly 10,000 variants exist, most of which lack comprehensive study.
Blood samples for this research were collected through NMS Labs, a leading independent testing laboratory in the U.S. They tested most samples for 13 PFAS chemicals, with some screened for as many as 18.
Lead researcher Dr. Laura Labay explained that this study offers valuable insight into actual human exposure patterns. Understanding which PFAS combinations often appear together can help scientists better assess health risks and develop improved public health guidelines.
The study also suggests that current exposure levels might be underestimated, as not all PFAS variants were tested.
Over recent years, global concern about PFAS has surged. Contamination has been found in drinking water supplies near military bases, airports, factories, and industrial sites, locations heavily involved in firefighting foam and chemical manufacturing.
Governments worldwide face increasing pressure to tighten regulations and remediate contaminated sites. Some PFAS chemicals have already been restricted or phased out in certain countries, yet many replacement chemicals are still in widespread use.
One challenge with PFAS is their practical application; their unique chemical properties—resisting heat and water—have made them valuable to industry for a long time.
Health experts say it may be impossible to eliminate personal exposure entirely because these chemicals are so widespread. However, steps like using water filters designed to remove PFAS, avoiding unnecessary stain- and water-resistant products, and limiting consumption of heavily packaged foods could help reduce individual exposure.
The findings underscore the urgent need for more research into the combined effects of multiple PFAS chemicals over time, especially since environmental contamination can silently spread into daily life over decades.
Future studies are needed to identify which PFAS mixtures pose the greatest health risks and whether long-term exposure to multiple chemicals increases disease likelihood.
While the study does not establish causation, it strengthens the case that widespread PFAS exposure is a looming public health challenge. It also highlights the importance of stricter regulations and further scientific investigation to fully understand and mitigate associated risks.
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