Research around eternal pollutants are multiplying and how they affect us. Per- and polyfluoroalkyls, better known as PFAS, have been present in industry since the 1950s and are found in the composition of many everyday objects, such as household products, cosmetics, non-stick coatings (here’s how to replace them) or even some plastic packaging. The modes of transmission are therefore numerous and experts are working to identify them all.
In this sense, researchers from the University of Birmingham, England, analyzed 17 commonly used synthetic PFAS. They discovered that the latter “can penetrate the skin barrier and reach the body’s bloodstream.” Their results are published in the revue Environment International.
PFAS contamination could occur through skin contact
At present, many studies have shown that les PFAS entered the body through different routes, via certain foods, breathing, consumption of certain drinking waters. Until then, “Until now, we thought that PFAS could not cross the skin barrier.” But recent research “showed links between the use of personal care products and PFAS concentrations in blood and breastmilk”.
To analyze human skin absorption of PFAS, the researchers used devices that approximate human skin. They then applied samples of each chemical to measure the proportions that were: “absorbed”, “not absorbed” or “retained in the models”.
Au total, 15 PFAS “presented significant skin absorption, i.e. at least 5% of the exposure dose”. The researchers note that “bloodstream absorption of the most regulated PFAS (perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)) was 13.5%.” Experts say that 38% of this dose could be retained in the skin, increasing the risk of transmission into the blood.
Researchers note that “shorter chain” compounds would be particularly absorbed through the skin
The researchers note that “substances with longer carbon chains have lower absorption levels, while Shorter chain compounds have higher absorption levels”. Until now, according to researchers, manufacturers favored PFAS compounds with shorter chains, believing that they were less harmful.
“This study helps us understand the importance of exposure to these chemicals through the skin and also which chemical structures are most easily absorbed,” Professor Stuart Harrad, from the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Birmingham, explains in a press release.
The latter adds that this research work is important because the researchers observe “an industry shift towards shorter chain chemicals, considered less toxic.”
Sources :
- Dermal bioavailability of perfluoroalkyl substances using in vitro 3D human skin equivalent models – Environment International
- New study confirms forever chemicals are absorbed through human skin – University of Birmingham
