Pfas Chemicals Found to Affect Sperm Formation in Mice, Highlighting Growing Health Concerns

Scientific studies have shown that Pfas chemicals have a significant impact on human health. A recent experiment with mice has revealed that Pfas compounds can affect sperm formation, adding to the growing evidence of their harmful effects. These chemicals are commonly found in clothing and cookware and can be absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream, as demonstrated by a study published in the scientific journal Environment International.

Researchers from the University of Birmingham conducted tests with artificial skin to investigate the absorption of 17 different Pfas compounds. The results showed that 15 of these compounds were absorbed through the skin, with some absorbing up to 58.9% of the dose placed on the artificial skin. Lead author Oddný Ragnarsdóttir highlighted that previous understanding of chemicals entering the body through the skin may need to be revised due to these findings.

Pfas compounds, also known as “eternity chemicals” because of their long-lasting nature, have been linked to various health issues such as weakening vaccine effectiveness and affecting liver and thyroid gland function. Recent studies have also found that these chemicals can accumulate in mouse testes and affect sperm formation.

Efforts are being made globally to restrict the use of Pfas compounds, including legislation in Colorado aimed at banning daily products containing these chemicals and proposals from European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) to limit their use in Europe despite opposition from lobbyists from the chemical industry. However, further research is needed to fully understand the risks associated with these chemicals and develop regulations that protect human health.

While some industries have shifted towards using Pfas compounds with shorter chains, believed to be less harmful, this study found that they were actually absorbed most efficiently through the skin when tested on artificial skin.

Overall, it’s clear that more needs to be done to regulate and restrict Pfas compounds before further harm is caused to human health.