PFAS chemicals, or perfluoroalkyl substances, are a type of chemical that has been used in industrial production and consumer products such as carpeting, furniture upholstery, textiles, and firefighting foam.
These PFAS chemicals have been found in water sources around the world and have been linked to health risks. The new study found that these chemicals can lead both to immediate symptoms like diarrhea or vomiting, as well as PFAS cancer later on in life.
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How can PFAS lead to cancer?
PFAS chemicals are used in a wide variety of everyday products- from water bottles to furniture to car paint. And because these chemicals can be absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream, they have the potential to cause cancer. Here are four ways that PFAS chemicals could lead to cancer:
1. They can cause cancer by interacting with the body’s own hormones. PFAS chemicals can disrupt the body’s normal hormone function, which can lead to cancer growth.
2. They can damage DNA and chromosomes. PFAS chemicals can interfere with the way DNA is organized, which can lead to cancer formation.
3. They can damage cells in the body, leading to cancer growth. PFAS chemicals can damage cells in different parts of the body, including the skin, lungs, and liver, which can lead to cancer development.
4. They can increase the risk of other types of cancers. In addition to causing cancer by directly damaging cells, PFAS chemicals may also increase the risk of developing other types of cancers by promoting inflammation and cellular damage.