Latest news with #PFAS-coated
Fox News
2 days ago
- Health
- Fox News
Microbes in human gut can absorb 'forever chemicals,' research says
A new study suggests gut microbes can help protect humans from toxic, long-lasting "forever chemicals." Scientists at the University of Cambridge have identified a natural "gut microbiome could play a helpful role in removing toxic PFAS chemicals from our body" following a study on mice, according to a media release. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, better known as PFAS, "are widely used, long lasting chemicals, components of which break down very slowly over time," the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says. "We found that certain species of human gut bacteria have a remarkably high capacity to soak up PFAS from their environment at a range of concentrations, and store these in clumps inside their cells," Dr. Kiran Patil, from the University of Cambridge's MRC Toxicology Unit and senior author of the report, said in a statement. "Due to aggregation of PFAS in these clumps, the bacteria themselves seem protected from the toxic effects," he said. Researchers say that more than 4,700 PFAS chemicals are widely used today. Some quickly exit the body through urine, others could linger for years. "We're all being exposed to PFAS through our water and food – these chemicals are so widespread that they're in all of us," Dr. Anna Lindell, a researcher at the University of Cambridge's MRC Toxicology Unit and first author of the study, said in a statement. "PFAS were once considered safe, but it's now clear that they're not. It's taken a long time for PFAS to become noticed because at low levels they're not acutely toxic. But they're like a slow poison," she said. Patil and Lindell are now working to create probiotic supplements to increase the amount of the beneficial microbes in people's guts to help protect against harms from PFAS. Until then, researchers say people can help protect themselves from PFAS exposure by avoiding PFAS-coated cooking pans and by using a "good water filter." "Given the scale of the problem of PFAS 'forever chemicals', particularly their effects on human health, it's concerning that so little is being done about removing these from our bodies," Patil said.
Fox News
2 days ago
- Health
- Fox News
Gut microbes could be key to fighting toxic, long-lasting 'forever chemicals,' research says
A new study suggests gut microbes can help protect humans from toxic, long-lasting "forever chemicals."Scientists at the University of Cambridge have identified that a natural "gut microbiome could play a helpful role in removing toxic PFAS chemicals from our body" following a study on mice, according to a media release. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, better known as PFAS, "are widely used, long lasting chemicals, components of which break down very slowly over time," the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said. "We found that certain species of human gut bacteria have a remarkably high capacity to soak up PFAS from their environment at a range of concentrations, and store these in clumps inside their cells," Dr. Kiran Patil, from the University of Cambridge's MRC Toxicology Unit and senior author of the report, said in a statement. DANGEROUS ADDITIVE LURKING IN DESSERT COULD BE DESTROYING YOUR GUT HEALTH, EXPERTS SAY"Due to aggregation of PFAS in these clumps, the bacteria themselves seem protected from the toxic effects," he said. Researchers say that more than 4,700 PFAS chemicals are widely used today. Some quickly exit the body through urine; others could linger for PANS FACE POTENTIAL BAN IN NEW YORK AMID HEALTH CONCERNS"We're all being exposed to PFAS through our water and food – these chemicals are so widespread that they're in all of us," Dr. Anna Lindell, a researcher at the University of Cambridge's MRC Toxicology Unit and first author of the study, said in a statement."PFAS were once considered safe, but it's now clear that they're not. It's taken a long time for PFAS to become noticed because at low levels they're not acutely toxic. But they're like a slow poison," she said. BEER DRINKERS BEWARE: SCIENTISTS FIND 'FOREVER CHEMICALS' EXCEEDING EPA LIMITS IN AMERICAN BREWSPatil and Lindell are now working to create probiotic supplements to increase the amount of the beneficial microbes in people's guts to help protect against harms from then, researchers say people can help protect themselves from PFAS exposure by avoiding PFAS-coated cooking pans and by using a "good water filter."HEART DISEASE DEATH RISK RAISED BY COMMON HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS, STUDY FINDS"Given the scale of the problem of PFAS 'forever chemicals', particularly their effects on human health, it's concerning that so little is being done about removing these from our bodies," Patil said.
New York Post
3 days ago
- Health
- New York Post
PFAS breakthrough? Scientists eye easy way to rid the body of forever chemicals
They're sticking it to the manmade chemicals. PFAS — synthetic substances that persist in the environment and human body — have been likened to 'slow poisons' that may increase the risk of certain cancers, fertility troubles, liver damage and developmental delays in children. Researchers have long tried to figure out how to destroy these so-called 'forever chemicals,' more formally known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. 3 This Illustration shows gut bacteria accumulating perfluorononanoic acid — a forever chemical — as dense clumps. Peter Northrop / MRC Toxicology Unit Now, UK scientists say they have identified a family of gut microbes that can absorb these dangerous molecules in mice — and remove them from their bodies. 'We found that certain species of human gut bacteria have a remarkably high capacity to soak up PFAS from their environment at a range of concentrations, and store these in clumps inside their cells,' explained senior study author Kiran Patil, from the University of Cambridge's MRC Toxicology Unit. 'Due to aggregation of PFAS in these clumps, the bacteria themselves seem protected from the toxic effects,' he added. When Patil's team introduced nine of these species into the guts of mice, the bacteria collected the PFAS that the mice had eaten within minutes. 3 Studies suggest that PFAS increase the risk of certain cancers, fertility troubles, liver damage and developmental delays in children. luchschenF – Then the mice pooped out the PFAS. The bacteria species gathered 25% to 74% of the toxins, no matter the amount of chemicals the mice consumed. The findings were published Tuesday in the journal Nature Microbiology. The researchers need to test this bacteria in humans. If they find similar results, they plan to develop probiotic supplements to boost the levels of these helpful microbes in the gut. A separate study, published earlier this year, suggested that certain types of fiber, like beta-glucan in oats, can bind to PFAS in the digestive system and potentially flush them from the body. As research continues on forever chemicals, the study authors recommend reducing exposure by avoiding PFAS-coated cooking pans and using a good water filter. 'The reality is that PFAS are already in the environment and in our bodies, and we need to try and mitigate their impact on our health now,' said study co-author Indra Roux, a researcher in the MRC Toxicology Unit. 3 There are over 4,700 PFAS, which are used to make items resistant to water, grease and stains. VectorMine – 'We haven't found a way to destroy PFAS,' Roux continued, 'but our findings open the possibility of developing ways to get them out of our bodies where they do the most harm.' There are over 4,700 PFAS, which are used to make items resistant to water, grease and stains. They can be found in food packaging, cookware, waterproof clothing, firefighting foam and even certain personal care products, like lipstick. Some PFAS can be excreted from the body via urine within days, but those with longer carbon chains can linger in the body for years.
