Exposure to common ‘forever’ chemicals linked to risk factor for heart disease: study

Nanjing, China — A recent study highlighting the expected ties between exposure to cancer-causing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, and a risk factor for heart disease could impact workers.

Researchers from the Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences found that U.S. adults exposed to various PFAS – also known as forever chemicals because they break down slowly over time – have a higher risk of hyperlipidemia. The condition refers to high cholesterol and other dysregulated lipid levels and is associated with an increased risk of heart disease.

A 2023 research review by NIOSH reports that exposure to PFAS is common “across occupations.” Although workers involved in PFAS-based chemical manufacturing have the highest exposure levels, textile mill workers, metal plating workers, office workers, fishers and barbers also face a risk.

The Nanjing researchers looked at 2017-2018 data from a nationally representative group of 1,600 adults in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. They found that nearly 3 out of 5 participants had hyperlipidemia, while eight of the nine PFAS studied were present in more than 85% of the participants.

Further, the participants in the two highest categories of exposure to one PFAS faced a 41% to 57% higher risk of hyperlipidemia.

The researchers call for “stricter management” of products containing PFAS.

The study was published online in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.