The UK government is launching its first study into the levels of so-called forever chemicals in the population. By collecting blood and urine samples, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) aims to understand potential health risks linked to these substances, known as PFAS, as well as other contaminants like lead and arsenic.
Understanding PFAS and Health Risks
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, have been used widely since the 1940s and 1950s due to their resistance to water, oil, and heat. They are found in thousands of consumer products, including cookware, clothing, and fire-fighting foams. Because they do not easily break down in the environment, they have sparked growing health concerns.
Two types of PFAS, PFOA and PFOS, are already banned in the UK because prolonged exposure to them can elevate cancer risks, according to the World Health Organization. However, researching PFAS is an emerging field that encompasses more than 15,000 different types.
Current evidence indicates that the potential health impacts associated with PFAS are likely limited, though large population groups have shown strong links to raised cholesterol and lower birth weights. The UKHSA notes that additional known risks include reduced antibody levels following childhood vaccinations and various endocrine effects tied to the thyroid.
Study Scope and Expert Insights
The UKHSA will analyze blood and urine samples gathered through the existing Health Survey for England to establish baseline levels of PFAS, lead, arsenic, bisphenols, phthalates, and flame retardants.
In an interview with BBC Radio 4’s Inside Health, Dr Edward Wynne-Evans, director of radiation, chemicals, climate and environmental hazards at the UKHSA, told BBC News that knowledge gaps remain regarding what different exposure levels mean for long-term individual health. While residents living near contaminated sites have opted for individual tests—with some showing very high levels of PFOA near a major chemical factory—the government does not recommend routine testing.
Wynne-Evans explained that testing is not normally advised when there is no established clinical intervention available for elevated levels, adding that the new study will help build an evidence base.
Prof Tony Fletcher from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine stated before the study announcement that low levels of PFAS would likely be found in anyone’s blood. He noted that while large population studies show causal associations between exposure and adverse effects, the chances of an individual contracting a severe disease remain quite low. Fletcher emphasized that the priority is stopping ongoing exposure to prevent long-term effects.
The first results from the UKHSA study are expected next year.
