For the first time, researchers have demonstrated a clear link between PFAS exposure and an increased risk of cardiovascular-related deaths, a groundbreaking finding in environmental health studies.
Tom Perkins reports for The Guardian.
In short:
- A study in Veneto, Italy, has established a direct association between PFAS-contaminated drinking water and increased cardiovascular death rates.
- The study involved comparing health records of residents who consumed PFAS-laden water to those who did not, revealing significant disparities.
- Beyond cardiovascular issues, the study also indicated higher instances of kidney and testicular cancer among the exposed population.
Key quote:
“This is the first time that anyone has found strong evidence of an association of PFAS exposure and cardiovascular mortality.”
— Annibale Biggeri, University of Padua researcher
Why this matters:
Research indicates that PFAS exposure can lead to a range of health issues, including hormone disruption and immune system impairments. The link to cardiovascular health is particularly alarming; studies suggest that PFAS can lead to increases in cholesterol levels, changes in liver enzymes, and heightened blood pressure, all of which are risk factors for heart diseases.
More strikingly, data points to a direct correlation between PFAS levels in the blood and higher rates of cardiovascular-related deaths, suggesting that the more PFAS an individual is exposed to, the greater their risk of heart disease-related fatalities.
