According to a recent study, the toxic ‘forever chemicals’ present in almost half of the drinking water in the United States pose a higher health risk to women than men. Up until now, scientists have been warning about the dangers of man-made PFAS chemicals found in everyday household products, which can lead to various diseases and cancers. However, this study is the first to show that PFAS affect men and women differently, with women facing a greater risk of developing cancer.
The study found that women with higher exposure to PFAS were twice as likely to have had a previous melanoma diagnosis compared to women with lower exposure levels. It also discovered a link between PFAS and past diagnoses of uterine cancer, and women with higher exposure had a slightly increased chance of previous ovarian cancer. David Andrews, a senior scientist at the Environmental Working Group, who reviewed the study findings, emphasized the need for greater oversight regarding contaminated water.
He stated, ‘This study provides further evidence to support the growing body of scientific research that links exposure to common man-made chemical contaminants to a higher risk of developing cancer. We need to conduct more thorough investigations to ensure that chemicals affecting our endocrine system and hormone levels are not contaminating our bodies.’
PFAS, known as ‘forever chemicals,’ have been associated with birth defects and an increased risk of various cancers. These synthetic chemicals can be found in food packaging, clothing, and numerous other products across the United States. Due to their widespread use, they seep into soil, drinking water, the air, and food, leading to exposure to toxins for Americans in nearly every setting.
PFAS are endocrine-disrupting chemicals, which means they interfere with the body’s hormones and biological processes, including brain and nervous system development, as well as the growth and function of the reproductive system. The study showed that individuals with a previous cancer diagnosis had higher levels of these toxins in their bodies across multiple types of tumors. This is particularly concerning because hormonally driven cancers like breast cancer are often treated with hormone therapy, and exposure to endocrine-disrupting substances like PFAS can hinder the effectiveness of these therapies and contribute to disease progression and recurrence.
The researchers analyzed data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2005 to 2018, which included approximately 27,000 individuals. They evaluated concentrations of seven PFAS and 12 phenols/parabens (another type of ‘forever chemical’) in blood and urine samples. The study did not provide information about the geographical locations of the subjects.
However, a previous study conducted by the US Geological Survey tested water sources from 716 private and public sites across the country and found that 45% of drinking water sources contained at least one PFAS chemical. Based on this data, the researchers concluded that urban areas generally had higher levels of PFAS compared to rural locations, with the highest concentrations found in the Great Plains, the Great Lakes region, the Eastern seaboard, and Central and Southern California.
When examining self-reported diagnoses of melanoma and cancers of the breast, ovaries, uterus, thyroid, prostate, and testicles among individuals over 20 years old, the study found that certain PFAS and phenols/parabens were associated with higher rates of specific cancer diagnoses. For instance, women exposed to certain types of PFAS had an increased risk of previous melanoma, ovarian cancer, and uterine cancer.
Interestingly, there was no link found between PFAS exposure and previous cancer diagnoses among men. Additionally, there were differences observed among racial groups, with white women more likely to have previous diagnoses of ovarian and uterine cancer compared to Black women, and white men with PFAS exposure more likely to have had a previous prostate cancer diagnosis compared to Black men.
The study, led by researchers from the University of California San Francisco, the University of Southern California, and the University of Michigan, was published in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology.
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