Latest news with #PFOS
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
The 84p supplement that can ‘FLUSH out cancer-causing microplastics' revealed
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A CHEAP supplement made from oats could help flush deadly "forever chemicals" from your body, US scientists have found. These toxic substances - known as PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances) - are found in non-stick pans, food wrappers, plastic containers and even stain-proof carpets. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Oat beta-glucan fibre could help flush deadly 'forever chemicals' from your body Credit: Getty They build up in the body over time and have been linked to cancer, infertility, liver damage and hormone disruption. But a new study by researchers at Boston University suggests a simple dietary fibre could help reduce PFAS levels in the blood. In the trial, 42 men were given 1g of oat beta-glucan fibre, a soluble oat bran fibre before every meal for four weeks. Another 30 took a placebo made from rice. The fibre is found naturally in oats, mushrooms and seeds. After a month, blood tests showed the fibre group had an 8 per cent drop in two of the most dangerous forms of PFAS: PFOA and PFOS, both linked to cancer and hormone disruption. Scientists believe the fibre works by binding to bile in the gut, which PFAS attach to, and helping excrete it all through poo, rather than letting it seep into the bloodstream. The study, published in Environmental Health, in March 2025, is the first real evidence that something as simple as oat fibre could help clear out chemicals once thought to stay in the body for decades. But PFAS take years to break down, so longer studies are needed to confirm how effective fibre is in the long term. Experts also warned not all fibre works the same - beta-glucan is the key type used in the trial. Previous research has shown that the fibre can also support heart health by lowering cholesterol. What are PFAS? Like other forms of fibre it it also helps ease constipation by keeping bowels moving and reduces the risk of bowel cancer. More than 90 per cent of adults in the UK don't eat enough fibre, according to the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS), with NHS guidelines recommending 30g of fibre a day. 2 The supplement is found naturally in oats Credit: Getty Oat beta-glucan supplements are available in the UK from health shops and online, often marketed for heart health or cholesterol. You'll need around 3g per day to match the study dose, typically taken as 1g before each meal. Holland and Barrett are selling a 14-day supply of Oatwell Original Oat Bran Powder with Beta-Glucan for £10.12 - which works out to 84p per dose.
7NEWS
3 days ago
- Health
- 7NEWS
Toxic forever chemicals in the blood of most Aussies as researchers uncover EPA testing gap for potential polluters
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has published new data revealing forever chemicals are in the blood of most Australians. These PFAS chemicals, which can accumulate in the body over a lifetime, are linked to cancer — but researchers have also now linked high PFAS concentrations in a Sydney drinking water catchment to sewage sources that the EPA does not test. Detectable levels of the three most prevalent PFAS chemicals — PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS — were found in 85 per cent of the biomedical samples given to the ABS, it said on Tuesday. That data comes just days after Western Sydney University researchers published their own alarming findings about PFAS in Sydney's waterways. 'Essentially, we wanted to look at potential contributors to PFAS in our aquatic ecosystems and were very interested in sewage treatment plants that discharge into Sydney's drinking water catchment,' lead study author Katherine Warwick told The study, built on Warwick's 2024 research, looked into nine dead PFOS-contaminated platypus found in the Warragamba catchment. The Warragamba catchment supplies about 80 per cent of Sydney's water, which is consumed by over five million people. For her latest study, Warwick and her team tested water at sewage treatment plants which pump their treated wastewater back into that catchment, and the researchers found a concerning build-up of PFAS in sediment downstream from the outfalls. 'While PFAS may not be detected in high concentrations in the sewage outfall, it can build up in the downstream sediment, which can pose ecological risks to aquatic wildlife and potentially enter our drinking water supply,' Warwick told 'Currently, these sewage treatment plants are not required to test or monitor for PFAS in either the water or the sediment, and so this issue is largely going undetected.' NSW EPA confirmed it does not currently test for PFAS in the wastewater pumped out into rivers and streams by the sewage treatment plants. But they said that wheels have been in motion to do so for several months. 'As part of the implementation of the revised PFAS National Environmental Management Plan, the EPA has commenced a process to include PFAS monitoring on sewage treatment plant (STP) licences,' the spokesperson said. 'We have commenced targeted engagement on the implementation of monitoring conditions consistent with the NEMP, which was released in March. 'We have also commenced public consultation on our statutory five-yearly review of Sydney Water's STP licences, including on the level of treatment required at STPs. Public submissions close on 12 June 2025 and feedback will inform future licence changes.' Thorough investigation recommended PFAS was not the only pollutant that Warwick's study tested for in the water by sewage treatment plants serving Lithgow, Goulburn, Mittagong, Moss Vale, and Bowral — it also tested for metals, nitrogen and phosphorus. 'The concentration of these pollutants generally exceeded recommended NSW Government catchment guidelines in rivers downstream of the sewage treatment plant outfalls,' the study said. And while PFAS levels measured in running water from the sewage treatment plant outfalls were generally below Australian guideline values, it did found PFAS sediment bioaccumulation areas in water nearby. 'We suggest consideration should be given to establishing effluent disposal licence requirements that impose concentration limits and require the regular measurement of PFAS,' the study said. Sewage treatment plants are not the only possible source of PFAS in the catchment — landfills, or and run off from fire training locations where the chemicals in firefighting foam, could also be at fault. The study recommended that 'the source and concentration of PFAS in Warragamba catchment STPs and rivers is thoroughly investigated over an extended period of time.' Sydney Water does test for PFAS in its drinking water, but asserts that there is a safe level of PFAS that can be consumed daily. Australian standards lag behind the US, where a new safety standard would deem some Sydney drinking water unsafe based on 2024 data. An expert previously told that Australian drinking water standards are an 'international embarrassment'. Warragamba Dam was just one of the places where the 2024 testing by Sydney Water found controversial levels of PFAS in the drinking water. The highest levels were detected at Cascade Dam in Blackheath and Katoomba in the Blue Mountains. Toxic national blood findings There were 11 different types of PFAS that the ABS sought to detect in the blood of the Australians over the age of 12, for its National Health Measures Survey. ABS head of health statistics James Eynstone-Hinkins said that the data is will work 'to create a national baseline for levels of PFAS in the Australian population' and 'support further research into PFAS and the potential impacts of these chemicals on human health.' It will allow the nation to monitor the levels of PFAS in Australians in the future, he said. While the 85 per cent of Australians were found to contain a combination of the three most common PFAS chemicals, the most common of the three, PFOS, was found in 99.1 per cent of men, and 98.3 per cent of women. Two of the other types of PFAS, that the ABS was testing for, were detected in Aussie blood samples at rates between 15 per cent and 45 per cent. Six other types of PFAS were also detected in less than 10 per cent of people. Older people were found to have higher levels of PFAS in general, despite varying levels among survey respondents 'This was in line with expectations as there have been changes in the population's exposure to PFAS over time,' Eynstone-Hinkins said. 'PFAS levels were also generally higher for males than for females.'
The Star
24-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Eat fibre to lower PFAS levels in the body
A diet rich in fibre offers many health benefits, including reducing the levels of PFAS, or forever chemicals, in the body, new research suggests. A diet rich in fibre could help reduce levels of toxic PFAS (per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances) – otherwise known as "forever chemicals' – in the body, according to two recent US studies involving mice and a small group of humans. The scourge of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and environmental associations alike, PFAS are virtually unavoidable. Composed of a powerful combination of carbon and fluorine that makes them highly resistant, PFAS exist in their thousands, and are known as forever chemicals because of the very long time they take to degrade (hundreds, even thousands of years). They are found in many everyday products, like paints, varnishes, pesticides, textiles, food packaging, waterproofing, Teflon coatings, toilet paper, etc. And this is not without consequences. Considered to be endocrine disruptors, PFAS are increasingly highlighted in scientific literature as risk factors for human health. In particular, they are thought to be linked to certain cancers (testicular, breast, kidney). Significant and prolonged exposure to PFAS can also promote obesity, raise cholesterol levels and cause complications during pregnancy, particularly an increased risk of miscarriage or high blood pressure (pre-eclampsia). The more PFAS we ingest, the more problematic they can become. Several scientific studies have shown that certain foods, such as fish and seafood, contain high levels of PFAS. This is particularly true of shrimp and lobster, according to an American study published in April 2024, as well as eels, according to research carried out in the Netherlands, published in 2019. But it seems that there are other foods that could help reduce levels of forever chemicals in the body. This is the case of fibre-rich foods, according to a study published in the journal Environmental Health . Researchers at Boston University in the United States collected blood samples from 72 men living in Canada, from a clinical trial testing the efficacy of a dietary fibre-based intervention to reduce cholesterol. The researchers re-analysed these samples – this time to determine whether the blood was contaminated with PFAS. After four weeks of observation, the researchers found that eating fibre-rich foods was associated with a reduction in PFOS (perfluorooctane sulphonate) and PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) – two of the most widespread and dangerous types of forever chemicals – in the participants' blood. One of the explanations put forward by the study's authors to explain this phenomenon is that dietary fibre favours the formation of a protective gel that lines the gut, potentially hindering the absorption of these chemicals. Another study, published December 2024 by the same team of scientists – this time involving mice – came to a similar conclusion. "This observation suggests that a sustained dietary fibre intervention may reduce long-chain PFAS body burden, but future intervention studies need to control for PFAS exposure sources and extend the dietary supplement intake beyond four weeks," the researchers caution. In any case, fibre-rich foods such as fruit (especially dried fruit), vegetables, wholegrain cereals, legumes and nuts, have many proven health benefits: they are known to regulate appetite, improve intestinal transit, strengthen the microbiota, reduce blood sugar peaks and reduce the risk of cardiovascular (heart) disease. – AFP Relaxnews
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
The Latest Unlikely Source of 'Forever Chemicals' Is a Memorial Day Menu Staple
"Forever chemicals," or synthetic compounds that have been linked to cancer and other health problems, have now been found in beer Researchers with the American Chemical Society found in a new study that beer brewed in regions of the U.S. with forever chemicals in their tap water had the highest concentration of such chemicals "I hope these findings inspire water treatment strategies and policies that help reduce the likelihood of PFAS in future pours," research lead Jennifer Hoponick Redmon saidThe synthetic compounds known as "forever chemicals" that have been linked to cancer and other health problems have been found in a popular beverage — and researchers believe these compounds make their way in through drinking water. A new study from the American Chemical Society published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology has found forever chemicals, or PFAS, have been found in beers from several regions around the U.S. According to a press release from researchers, it was previously proven that forever chemicals are present in hundreds of tap water systems around the country. This new study found that "beers produced in parts of the country with known PFAS-contaminated water sources showed the highest levels of forever chemicals." Research lead Jennifer Hoponick Redmon said in the release, "As an occasional beer drinker myself, I wondered whether PFAS in water supplies was making its way into our pints." Beer is made of about 90% water, and the rest is malt from grains such as barley, hops and yeast. The study found that almost two gallons of water are sometimes used to produce just one quart of beer. Although breweries usually have a water filtration system in place their tap water, "they are not necessarily effective at removing [forever chemicals]," and during production, tap water can potentially introduce "contaminants." To conduct the study, Hoponick Redmon and her colleagues tested 23 beers, some produced by "U.S. brewers in areas with documented water system contamination, plus popular domestic and international beers from larger companies with unknown water sources." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Forever chemicals were found in 95% of the beers they tested. The Environmental Protection Agency recently updated regulations for such chemicals — including perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) — when they extended deadlines to reduce the amount of PFOS and PFOA in Americans' tap water earlier this month. Although the study didn't name specific brands of beer, researchers found that beers brewed near Cape Fear River Basin in North Carolina had the highest levels and largest mix of forever chemicals. Beer from St. Louis County, Mo. also had large amounts of PFAS present. is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! According to Hoponick Redmon, this strong correlation between forever chemicals in tap water and locally-brewed beer has not yet been studied in U.S. retail beer. Researchers now hope that this data can spread awareness to beer companies, and that regulators will step in and try to limit consumers' exposure to forever chemicals. The study also highlights the "possible need for water treatment upgrades at brewing facilities," as well as updates to tap water treatment centers. "I hope these findings inspire water treatment strategies and policies that help reduce the likelihood of PFAS in future pours," Hoponick Redmon added. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'Forever Chemicals' Found in Popular US Beers, Above EPA Limits
Humans love beer: worldwide, we can go through more than 187.9 million kiloliters (49.6 billion gallons) of it in just one year. But new research adds this beloved beverage to the long list of products found to contain PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances), aka 'forever chemicals'. PFAS earned that nickname because they don't readily break down in the environment. It's estimated that there are around 12,000 different types of forever chemical, and while health effects are mostly unknown, two in particular – PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctanesulfonic acid) – are linked to adverse health outcomes, including increased risks of cancer and birth defects. A team of scientists from the US nonprofit Research Triangle Institute used methods employed by the Environmental Protection Agency to suss out how PFAS gets into beer, and at what levels. "As an occasional beer drinker myself, I wondered whether PFAS in water supplies was making its way into our pints," says toxicologist Jennifer Hoponick Redmon. It turns out, quite a lot. The team measured PFAS at levels above the maximum limit set by the EPA, which some argue is still not set high enough to protect people from these chemicals. While breweries do usually have their own water filtration and treatment systems, these are not necessarily designed to remove PFAS. Up to seven liters of water can be used to make just one liter of beer, and whatever PFAS contaminants are in that water will probably still be there when you crack open your cold one. The team bought 23 different kinds of beer, each represented by at least five cans, from a North Carolina liquor store in 2021. At least one PFAS was found in almost every can they tested. Most contained some level of PFOS. Three beers tested in this study – two from the upper Cape Fear River Basin in North Carolina, and one from Michigan – exceeded the EPA's maximum limit for PFOA concentration, and one beer from the lower Cape Fear River Basin exceeded PFOS limits. Those limits were developed by the EPA in 2023 for six different kinds of PFAS, and they're designed for drinking water, not beer. But since there's no existing framework for how much PFAS is acceptable in beer – and, like drinking water, beers are intended for direct consumption – Hoponick Redmon's team figured these drinking water standards could be repurposed. "By adapting EPA Method 533 to analyze PFAS in beers sold in US retail stores, we found that PFAS in beer correlates with the types and concentration of PFAS present in municipal drinking water used in brewing," the team reports. "North Carolina beers, particularly those within the Cape Fear River Basin, generally had detections of more PFAS species than Michigan or California beers, which reflects the variety of PFAS sources in North Carolina." PFAS detections and concentrations were particularly elevated in beers brewed in North Carolina, California, and Michigan. International beers (one from Holland and two from Mexico) were less likely to have detectable PFAS, which may suggest that the countries of origin do not face the same degree of contamination seen in the US. "Our findings indicate a strong link between PFAS in drinking water and beer, with beers brewed in areas with higher PFAS in local drinking water translating to higher levels of PFAS in beer, showing that drinking water is a primary route of PFAS contamination in beer," the team concludes. They hope the findings will offer breweries the chance to try to remove PFAS from the water that goes into their beers, and highlight the importance of policy to limit PFAS in general. This research was published in Environmental Science & Technology. NOAA Forecasts a Busy Hurricane Season For 2025. What's Fueling It? Alarming Sea Level Rise Expected Even With 1.5°C Warming Limit Interactive Map Reveals Ocean Pathways Vital For 109 Species
