CHE-Alaska Presents, Kids and Chemicals: PFAS exposure and the metabolism

 

 

For June’s CHE-Alaska webinar, we were joined by Dr. Jesse Goodrich, Assistant Professor of Population and Public Health Sciences at the University of Southern California. Dr. Goodrich discussed a recent study he co-authored which examined PFAS exposure with alterations in metabolic pathways in adolescents and young adults.

The multi-cohort study is the first study to comprehensively examine effects of exposures to PFAS mixtures on human metabolisms. PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are man-made chemicals used in numerous consumer products such as food packaging, textiles, apparel, and non-stick cookware due to their stain, grease, and water resistance properties.

PFAS are linked to adverse health outcomes, including liver and kidney damage, reproductive and developmental harm, immune system impairment, and certain cancers. The toxic class of chemicals have been around since the 30s, and due to their persistence in the environment have been dubbed as “forever chemicals”.

PFAS exposure during key developmental periods (such as adolescence or childhood) is a larger concern because of important metabolic tissue growth. During this crucial period, cells become specialized to carry out distinct functions. Examining the effects of PFAS on metabolisms is key to fully comprehending consequences of exposure.

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