According to a study conducted by researchers from The Mount Sinai Hospital and Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, Asian-Americans have approximately twice the levels of toxic ‘forever chemicals’ in their blood compared to other ethnicities. The study, which tested the blood and urine of over 3,000 Americans, found that the average levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were 89 percent higher in Asian-Americans.
The reason for this heightened exposure to PFAS remains unclear, but researchers speculate that it could be attributed to a diet that is rich in seafood, which is a significant source of PFAS contamination. PFAS are synthetic chemicals that are found in various products in the US, including food packaging and clothing. These chemicals are incredibly prevalent and leach into the environment, contaminating soil, drinking water, air, and food, thus exposing Americans to toxins almost everywhere.
PFAS, often referred to as ‘forever chemicals,’ do not break down in the environment or the human body. They have been linked to birth defects and an increased risk of various cancers. The recent study is the first to consider a range of exposure sources in different ethnic groups, aiming to calculate an individual’s exposure to PFAS accurately.
Researchers analyzed data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which included a representative sample of 3,915 people from the US population between 2013 and 2018. The study collected blood and urine samples, measuring levels of eight different PFAS. Dr. Shelley Liu, a study author and associate professor of Population Health Science and Policy at the Icahn School of Medicine, explained that the researchers employed a customized approach to determine PFAS levels among different ethnicities, uncovering previously unseen disparities.
Among Asian-Americans, the study also revealed that those with lower incomes had higher median PFAS levels in their blood. Conversely, households with higher incomes in the general population had higher PFAS levels. Based on the data analyzed, researchers concluded that exposure sources such as diet and occupation may be the underlying cause of exposure disparities among different ethnic populations in the US. However, pinpointing the exact sources of exposure is challenging due to the widespread presence of PFAS. Future research should focus on identifying these sources for a better understanding of PFAS exposure.
In summary, this study highlights the concerning higher levels of toxic PFAS in Asian-Americans and emphasizes the need to determine the sources of exposure to protect public health effectively.
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