The weight of evidence against PFAS is steadily increasing. Almost every week we see news articles linking PFAS to health concerns, or identifying new ways in which PFAS compounds are entering our environment. Fortunately, solutions are finally emerging that may allow us to reduce PFAS in our bodies and thus reduce our risks. Here, we look at the 4 Ms of PFAS reduction: Measure, Mitigate, Monitor, and Maintain.
What are PFAS “Forever” chemicals?
PFAS are a family of man-made chemicals that are widely used because of their useful properties. These include being water and grease proof, heat resistance, stain resistance, and lubricating properties. PFAS chemicals have earned the nickname of “forever chemicals” because they can persist for years in the environment. Moreover, they have now become endemic in almost every environment on earth. This is largely thanks to ready solubility, which has allowed them to enter the natural water cycle.
In practice, PFAS chemicals broadly fall into two groups: One group is extremely chemically stable, meaning they last for years in the environment or our bodies. This includes notorious compounds, such as PFOA and PFOS. The other group of so-called short-chain PFAS is able to be broken down more quickly. While both groups are cause for concern it’s the first group that poses the greatest health risks. This is due to the way they bioaccumulate in the environment and in our bodies.
Measure your PFAS level
If you are concerned about PFAS, the first step you should take is to get tested. The easiest way to do this is with a home blood test. These tests work by collecting a few drops of blood using a special microsampler device. This is then sealed in a bag with a desiccant which dries and preserves the sample. The whole thing is then sent to a lab for toxicology testing. The result will be a report showing the levels of each PFAS tested in ng/mL of blood. Ideally, you want a test that looks for the core PFAS compounds included in the CDC’s ongoing NHANES study:
- PFOA (branched + linear, or total)
- PFOS (branched + linear, or total)
- N‐MeFOSAA
- PFDA
- PFHpS
- PFHxS
- PFNA
- PFUnDA
The report should also give you details of converting your whole blood PFAS level into a serum PFAS level. If it doesn’t give a specific conversion, then a good rule of thumb is to double the whole blood PFAS level. So, 1 ng/mL in whole blood is the equivalent of 2 ng/mL in serum.
Understand your risk
The current best guidance relating to PFAS risk comes from the National Academies (NASEM). A couple of years ago they published a detailed report looking at the health risks from PFAS exposure. In the report they suggested a simple measure to determine your level of exposure. In essence, you take the serum levels of all the NHANES listed above and add them together. You then compare your total NASEM score to the 3 risk bands:
- Less than 2 ng/mL total serum PFAS (<1 ng/mL in whole blood)
- Between 2 and 20 ng/mL total serum PFAS (between 1 and 10 ng/mL in whole blood)
- Above 20 ng/mL total serum PFAS (>10 ng/mL in whole blood)
Anyone in the middle or upper band should check with their physician to see if additional health testing is required.
Mitigate and reduce your PFAS
There are three ways to reduce your PFAS:
- Reduce your exposure to environmental PFAS
- Take supplements to reduce the rate of uptake of PFAS
- Take medications that help eliminate PFAS in the body
Reduce exposure
PFAS enters your body primarily through drinking contaminated water, eating contaminated food, or through PFAS used in and around your home. Start by installing a high performance water filtration system that is certified to reduce PFAS. Try to cut down on fast food in disposable containers. Even “environmentally friendly” paper-based food packaging is typically coated with PFAS. Instead, opt for reusable containers, preferably metal or glass. Remove any damaged non-stick cookware from home and when you buy new pans, choose ones that are PFAS-free. Finally, most products that are sold as waterproof, stain resistant, or greaseproof will likely have PFAS in them.
Supplements to reduce PFAS uptake
Companies like NeutraOat and Cambiotics are working on supplements that can actively reduce PFAS in your body. They work by reducing the amount that can be absorbed by the gut, thus reducing your levels over time.
NeutraOat Complex is a modified oat fiber that is designed to prevent plasticizer, BPA, and PFAS absorption. Thus, it also protects you against potentially toxic microplastics.
Cambiotics produces a precision-formulated probiotic that supports the body’s natural process for removal of forever chemicals. Its specialized probiotic strains are designed to interact with PFAS molecules in the gut and support their removal through the digestive system.
Eliminate PFAS in the body
Certain drugs are proven to actively remove PFAS from the body. Many of these are primarily cholesterol-reducing drugs. There are clear links between cholesterol and PFAS, and it seems that many treatments for reducing cholesterol have associated reductions in PFAS.
Another increasingly popular approach to reducing toxins like PFAS and BPAs is through apheresis. This is the practice of cleaning the blood by filtering it in an external machine. It is a controversial approach, but research studies show that even simple plasma donations actively reduce PFAS.
Monitor your levels regularly
Once you start any PFAS reducing treatment or other mitigation, you should take regular tests to monitor its effectiveness. Some people test every 3 months, others, twice a year, and others just get tested annually. Our suggestions would be to initially get tested just a couple of months after you start your mitigation. This will give you an early indication of how effective it is. In turn, that may indicate how often you should test in future.
Maintain your levels
Finally, once you have your PFAS levels down to a level you are comfortable with, it’s important to take steps to maintain this. That means maintaining a PFAS-free lifestyle, continuing any treatment as recommended by the supplier, and avoiding any additional PFAS risks.
