New research aimed at identifying which US neighborhoods face increased exposure to toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” found those living near “superfund” sites and other major industrial polluters, or in areas with limited access to fresh food, generally have higher levels of the dangerous compounds in their blood.
The study looked at hundreds of people living in southern California and found those who do not live within a half mile of a grocery store have 14% higher levels of PFOA and PFOS – two common PFAS compounds – in their blood than those who do.
Meanwhile, those who live within three miles of a superfund site – a location contaminated with hazardous substances – have up to 107% higher levels of some compounds, and people who live near a facility known to use PFAS showed significantly higher blood levels.
The findings highlight how the built environment in low-income neighborhoods presents multiple PFAS exposure routes, said Sherlock Li, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Southern California. The solutions are not easy, he added.
“It’s a difficult question because you can’t tell people to just move or to buy air filters and water filters and eat healthy food,” Li said. “We’re hoping the government will see the analysis and take action … because it’s more cost effective to reduce pollution at the source.”
PFAS are a class of about 15,000 compounds typically used to make products that resist water, stains and heat. They are called “forever chemicals” because they do not naturally break down and accumulate, and are linked to cancer, kidney disease, liver problems, immune disorders, birth defects and other serious health problems.
The study also found people who live in neighborhoods with water contaminated with PFAS have 70% higher blood levels of PFOS and PFOA, though there was no correlation among some other compounds.
Researchers say diet is likely a contributing factor to the higher levels in neighborhoods with limited fresh food access. Previous research has found processed and fast foods that are more accessible in these neighborhoods generally contain higher levels of PFAS – the chemicals are commonly added to resist moisture and grease in fast food wrappers and carryout containers. Conversely, eating a diet with more fresh foods may help lower PFAS blood levels.
Though the Food and Drug Administration announced last year that PFAS compounds were no longer approved for use in paper food packaging produced in the US, the chemicals could be on imported wrappers, or in plastic containers.
Packaging is among the “key sources” of elevated levels in the neighborhoods, Li said, but the solution is in part structural – improving access to fresh foods with more grocery stores or community gardens will also have a benefit of lowering PFAS levels.
Some study participants lived near several former Air Force bases and a metal plating facility that are now superfund sites contaminated with PFAS.
The link between groundwater at the site and drinking water was weak, and the authors hypothesize that the higher PFAS blood levels around superfund sites and industrial facilities that use the chemicals largely stems from air pollution. PFAS can be volatile, meaning it lifts into the air from a polluted area, or can get on dust, then is breathed in or ingested.
“We need to be more holistic to reduce water, food, soil air exposure – all of them,” Li said.
