New research aimed at identifying which US neighborhoods face increased exposure to toxic PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ has found that those living near superfund sites and other major industrial polluters, or in areas with limited access to fresh food, generally have higher levels of the dangerous compounds in their blood.
The study looked at hundreds of people living in Southern California and found that those who don’t live within a quarter mile of a grocery store have 14% higher levels of PFOA and PFOS – two common PFAS compounds – in their blood than those who do.
Meanwhile, those who live within three miles of a superfund site – one contaminated with hazardous substances – have up to 107% higher levels of some compounds, and people who live near a facility known to use PFAS, showed significantly higher blood values.
The findings highlight how the built environment in low-income neighborhoods exhibits multiple PFAS exposure pathways, said Sherlock Li, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Southern California. The solutions are not simple, he added.
“It’s a difficult question because you can’t tell people to just move or buy air filters and water filters and eat healthy food,” Li said. “We hope the government will see the analysis and take action… because it is more cost-effective to reduce pollution at source.”
PFAS are a class of about 15,000 compounds typically used to make products that resist water, stains and heat. They are called “forever chemicals” because they do not break down naturally and build up, and are linked to cancer, kidney disease, liver problems, immune disorders, birth defects and other serious health problems.
The study also found that people living in neighborhoods where water is contaminated with PFAS have 70% higher blood levels of PFOS and PFOA, although there was no link between some other compounds.
Researchers say diet is likely a factor contributing to the higher levels in neighborhoods with limited access to fresh food. Previous research has found that processed and fast food products that are more accessible in these neighborhoods tend to contain higher levels of PFAS — the chemicals are often added to resist moisture and grease in fast food packaging and takeout containers. Conversely, eating a diet with more fresh foods can help lower PFAS blood levels.
Although the Food and Drug Administration announced last year that PFAS compounds are no longer approved for use in paper food packaging produced in the U.S., the chemicals may be on imported wrappers or in plastic containers.
Packaging is one of the “main sources” of elevated levels in neighborhoods, Li said, but the solution is partly structural: Improving access to fresh food with more supermarkets or community gardens will also have the benefit of lowering PFAS levels be reduced.
Some study participants lived near several former Air Force bases and a metal processing facility that are now superfund sites contaminated with PFAS.
The link between site groundwater and drinking water was weak, and the authors hypothesize that the higher PFAS blood levels around superfund sites and industrial facilities using the chemicals largely stem from air pollution. PFAS can be volatile, meaning it can be released into the air from a contaminated area, or can land on dust and then be inhaled or ingested.
“We need to work more holistically to reduce exposure to water, food and soil air – all of them,” Li said.
