Chemicals in US drinking water may fuel OBESITY, study finds
People exposed to highly toxic “forever chemicals” in their diets and drinking water are more likely to become obese, a study suggests.
Obesity is usually associated with diet and lifestyle choices, but a new Danish study found that per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) may be contributing to the epidemic.
PFAS have been standard in the production of common household products, from non-stick pans and food packaging to fire extinguishing foam. The chemicals also leach into the water supply through waste runoff.
Exposure to PFAS has been linked to a host of worrisome health problems, including: infertility, metabolic disorders, kidney disease, and certain cancers.
The international team of researchers focused on one chemical commonly found in contaminated drinking water, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), showing the strongest links to obesity.
PFAS is a common contaminant in many household items. It is easily leached into the groundwater system when removed and can contribute to obesity
The researchers, led by Dr. Philippe Grandjean, an environmental scientist at the University of Rhode Island, reported that people who had the most PFOA in their blood gained about 11 pounds more than people with low levels in a one-year follow-up. . -upwards.
The study authors wrote: ‘Elevated plasma PFAS concentrations predicted greater weight gain after initial weight loss, regardless of the diet group to which participants were assigned.
‘The results suggest that PFOA and PFHxS [another type of PFAS] may cause weight gain in obese people in weight loss programs.’
The study’s authors analyzed more than 380 blood plasma samples that were already part of a randomized study by the European Commission focusing on obesity.
They recorded the presence of both PFOA and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS).
Participants in the study, which was published last week in the magazine Obesitycame from eight European countries: Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom.
Participants were asked to stick to an 800-calorie-a-day diet to lose eight percent of their body weight.
They were then randomly placed into one of five diet groups, such as low-protein, high-glycemic index foods, for 26 weeks.
Regardless of the diet each participant was assigned to, they gained weight if they had elevated levels of PFAS in their blood.
Dr. Grandjean said: “Our study adds new evidence that obesity is not just a lack of exercise and unhealthy eating habits – PFAS is increasingly suspected to be a contributing factor.”
Due to their widespread use in manufacturing, most Americans are regularly exposed to PFAS. It is estimated that more than 200 million Americans drink PFAS-contaminated drinking water.
The chemicals end up in drinking water when products containing them are used or spilled on the ground or in lakes and rivers.
Once in groundwater, PFAS can travel long distances and contaminate drinking wells. Airborne PFAS can also enter rivers and lakes, which are often used for drinking water.
Forever chemicals can be filtered from drinking water using an activated carbon filter, readily available for purchase at most stores and online marketplaces. But it is not a general solution to the problem.
To reduce Americans’ exposure to the harmful chemicals, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed groundbreaking changes last month to the maximum concentrations of PFAS allowed in drinking water.
Under the new guidelines, drinking water could contain no more than four parts per trillion (ppt) of PFOA or PFOS.