Present in tap water to food wrappers, can forever chemicals lower your lifespan forever?

In recent years, the term "forever chemicals" has become a pressing concern globally. These indestructible chemicals, also known as polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are omnipresent in our daily lives, contaminating the water, food, and clothing. "Forever chemicals," are man-made compounds that show up in loads of stuff like tap water, nonstick pans, food wrappers, and stain-fighting clothes. These tough chemicals got their nickname because they just don't break down, not in nature and not inside people. Sure, they make everyday items super handy, but there's a pile of studies piling up showing these PFAS might be bad news for our health—even could snip years off our lives.

What are "Forever Chemicals"?

PFAS are a group of synthetic chemicals that are resistant to degradation, earning them the name "forever chemicals." Two of the most well-known PFAS, Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA), usually present in non-stick cookware and stain-resistant fabrics, and Perfluorooctanesulfonic Acid (PFOS), which usually repel water and have been linked to various health problems, are also present. They are widely used in various industries, including manufacturing and food packaging. The persistence of these chemicals in the environment has led to their accumulation in water sources, soil, and air.

Tap water is loaded with PFAS

According to Dr. Shovana Veshnavi, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Noida, “PFAS sticking around in water supplies is a big worry. Research has found these chemicals in drinking water all over the place, so a whole bunch of people could get exposed. These nasties don't just go away or break down like some other bad stuff. Instead, PFAS pile up, and not just in the environment but inside people too. So when folks get even a tiny bit of it in their system, it could stack up and make the chances of health troubles go up.”

A piece of research from 2022 that popped up in "Environmental Science & Technology" pointed out that the amount of PFAS in our water is above what's considered safe by the folks who make the rules. This discovery has got many people worried about what it could mean for health over the long haul. Studies have shown a strong connection between PFAS and several harmful health issues. Liver harm, weakened immunity, hormonal issues, and higher cholesterol have all been tied to these chemicals. Even more concerning, there's evidence that being exposed to PFAS could lead to an increased chance of getting cancer, having thyroid problems, or facing troubles with fertility.

Can forever chemicals shorten our lives?

If you're wondering if those PFAS chemicals shorten our lives,? Well, we're still figuring out what they do to humans, but studies with animals are pretty clear—they don't seem too good. They cause animals to age faster and live less. Plus, one report from the Journal of the American Medical Association says folks with more PFAS in their blood might die sooner from heart problems.

Health risks associated with PFAS

Dr. Ashish Upadhyay, Consultant, Medical Oncolgy, Fortis Anandapur, Kolkata, mentions how exposure to PFAS has been linked to various health problems, including:

1. Cancer: PFAS have been linked to several types of cancer; they disrupt the hormone levels and damage the DNA, leading to tumor growth.

2. Immunity weakening: PFAS weaken immunity by suppressing antibody production, making individuals more susceptible to infections and diseases.

3. Thyroid and liver disorders: PFOA and PFOS have been shown to disrupt thyroid function and cause liver damage. They alter hormone regulation and induce oxidative stress, along with metabolic dysregulation, causing damage to the kidney and liver.

4. Endocrine system disruption: PFAS disrupts the endocrine system by altering gene expression and interfering with thyroid hormone regulation, leading to hormonal imbalances.

5. Reduced life expectancy: PFAS leads to shortened life expectancy by accelerating aging processes and promoting the development of life-threatening diseases, such as cancer.

To minimize exposure to PFAS, individuals can use water filters for drinking water and avoid heating food in plastic containers; instead, use stainless steel, glass, or ceramic utensils.

How are we tackling the forever chemicals and risk of them?

Now, about handling PFAS—there's more action these days. All around the globe, governments are getting tougher, setting tighter rules on PFAS in things we buy and in factories. But these chemicals are stubborn. Getting rid of PFAS is a tough cookie. If you want to dodge some of the risks, you might want to get a water filter, skip out on nonstick pans, and cut down on food that comes in boxes and bags.

In Western countries, regulatory bodies have established permissible limits for certain PFAS. However, in India, there is a lack of standardized guidelines and regulations to monitor and control the presence of these chemicals. A study conducted by IIT Chennai analyzed water samples from various rivers in Chennai, revealing the presence of wasted chemicals and an increased concentration of PFAS than permissible limits.

Even though we need more research to get how PFAS's presence affects how long we live, these chemicals are all over the place, and they might be risky for our health. So, it's super important to get ahead of this and try to cut down on how much we run into them.

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