A new study links toxic PFAS “forever chemical” exposure in young adults to reduced gut health, which researchers suspect is a driver of kidney disease later in life. Kidney disease is one of the well-established health problems linked to PFAS exposure, and the new research suggests changes in gut bacteria and associated metabolites caused by the chemicals seems to be responsible for up to 50% of a decrease in kidney function seen over a four-year period. “Along with these metabolic diseases comes a higher risk of diabetic or chronic kidney diseases, and this is one of the fastest-growing causes of mortality in the US, so it’s a really important question,” said Jesse Goodrich, one of the University of Southern California study’s co-authors.
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a class of about 15,000 compounds that are used to make products water, stain and grease resistant. They are also linked to a range of serious health problems like cancer, immune dysfunction, birth defects, endocrine disruption and liver disease. They are known as “forever chemicals” because they do not fully break down once in the environment.
The only US epidemiological study to check health impacts of PFAS found some of the chemicals probably cause chronic kidney disease. The researchers built on recent findings linking PFAS to gut health effects, and an increased understanding of how gut health is tied to kidney function. To try to connect those dots, the scientists asse.
