MADISON, Wis. — A study conducted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health found that most Wisconsin residents have “forever chemicals,” known as PFAS, in their blood.
PFAS are man-made, non-degradable chemicals that accumulate in the food chain and can build up in the human body, particularly in the liver, kidneys, and blood. These chemicals have been linked to health issues like cancer, metabolic changes, lower birth weight, and puberty changes.
The study measured PFAS levels in blood samples from volunteers in the Survey of the Health of Wisconsin. Researchers looked at how these levels correlated with factors such as age, gender, race, income, eating habits, and lifestyle.
Key findings showed that higher PFAS levels were more common in older individuals, males, non-Hispanic whites, those with higher incomes, and those who ate caught fish.
Eating microwaved popcorn was also linked to higher PFAS levels due to the use of PFAS in bag linings until February 2024. However, no link was found between PFAS levels and eating fast food, although past research suggests fast food containers can be a source of exposure.
The researchers caution that these findings do not establish a cause-and-effect relationship. For example, while higher PFAS levels were associated with eating caught fish, this does not mean people should avoid local fish. Future studies will explore these trends further.