Researchers have discovered that the skin can absorb eternal chemicals, allowing them to enter the bloodstream.
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are called eternal chemicals because they do not break down naturally and can be found in industrial and household products such as cosmetics, hand sanitizers, and clothing.
Eternal chemicals can cause serious health issues, including cancer, liver conditions, weakened immune system, and premature births.
Researchers from the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom, tested 17 different compounds corresponding to the chemicals regulated by the EU drinking water law, as reported by Euronews.
Experimenting on 3D models equivalent to human skin, which mimic skin properties and are used to test hazardous industrial chemicals, the scientists found significant absorption for 15 out of the 17 substances.
It is known that PFAS enter the body through inhalation or ingestion, but the research published in the journal Environment International sheds new light on how these substances penetrate the bloodstream through the skin.
Understanding the pathways of PFAS exposure could help decision-makers determine how and where restrictions should be placed, for example in the textile industry, said Basile Ghesquiere, senior health and chemicals policy officer at the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL).
The study also found that substances with a shorter chemical chain were absorbed more easily than compounds with a longer chain - which is remarkable. Ironically, the industry has shifted towards short-chain PFAS based on the belief that they are less toxic.
Previous studies have shown that people frequently inhale and ingest chemicals that remain in the body throughout their lifetime. It is estimated that 12.5 million people in Europe live in communities with drinking water contaminated with PFAS, according to HEAL.
In 2023, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, part of the World Health Organization (WHO), classified a chemical substance (PFOA or perfluorooctanoic acid) as carcinogenic.
The European Chemicals Agency is considering banning eternal chemicals, but the plan has faced strong industry opposition, which could slow down the regulatory process, believes Basile Ghesquiere.
T.D.