Dangers of forever chemicals
News report shows scientists are getting clearer picture of impact of PFAS
PFAS are known as forever chemicals. They are a large, complex group of synthetic chemicals that have been used in consumer products since the 1950s. Now scientists are getting a clearer picture of just how dangerous these chemicals are.
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are used in the aerospace, automotive, construction and electronic industries. These chemicals keep food from sticking and clothes from burning, but scientists said they can also be life-threatening.
PFAS can leak into soil and water, and because they break down slowly, if at all, almost everyone is repeatedly exposed to them.
“They can be found in house dust,” explained Susan Pinney, PhD, professor of epidemiology in the Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. A report on her research recently aired on KPLC-TV in Lake Charles, La.
PFAS can cause increased cholesterol levels, lower immunity and some cancers. Now a new study out of UC shows that exposure to PFAS may impact young girls.
“We found that PFAS delayed the onset of puberty,” said Pinney.
85 percent of the young girls in the study had measurable levels of PFAS in their blood — impacting the same hormones that delay the onset of puberty, which could in turn make these girls more susceptible to breast cancer, infertility and endometriosis.
So, what can anyone do? Use a water filter that removes PFAS, and when possible, opt for products labeled as PFAS-free.
Pinney also suggests getting rid of any old Teflon cookware.
Click here to read the entire report from KPLC-TV.
Featured image at top: Scientists wearing white lab coats and purple rubber gloves use lab equipment in their research. Photo/Provided
Related Stories
Sugar overload killing hearts
November 10, 2025
Two in five people will be told they have diabetes during their lifetime. And people who have diabetes are twice as likely to develop heart disease. One of the deadliest dangers? Diabetic cardiomyopathy. But groundbreaking University of Cincinnati research hopes to stop and even reverse the damage before it’s too late.
Is going nuclear the solution to Ohio’s energy costs?
November 10, 2025
The Ohio Capital Journal recently reported that as energy prices continue to climb, economists are weighing the benefits of going nuclear to curb costs. The publication dove into a Scioto Analysis survey of 18 economists to weigh the pros and cons of nuclear energy. One economist featured was Iryna Topolyan, PhD, professor of economics at the Carl H. Lindner College of Business.
App turns smartwatch into detector of structural heart disease
November 10, 2025
An app that uses an AI model to read a single-lead ECG from a smartwatch can detect structural heart disease, researchers reported at the 2025 Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association. Although the technology requires further validation, researchers said it could help improve the identification of patients with heart failure, valvular conditions and left ventricular hypertrophy before they become symptomatic, which could improve the prognosis for people with these conditions.