A groundbreaking study reveals a troubling trend at PFA levels among frontline workers, revealing that firefighters and medical professionals may be at a higher risk of exposure to these toxic “eternal chemicals” than previously thought.
The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Arizona School of Health, is the first to comprehensively examine PFA concentrations across a variety of important occupations. It also highlights not only the well-documented dangers firefighters face, but also raises new concerns about chemical exposure in the medical environment.
The findings provide important warnings about the invisible workplace dangers and call for urgent action to protect frontline people.
What is PFA and why are they concerned?
Single and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAs, are artificial chemicals respected for their resistance to heat, water and oil.
Generally, fire foam foam, non-stick cooking utensils, dirt-resistant fabrics, and even medical devices, PFA is durable. They do not easily break down in the environment or in the human body, and earn the nickname of eternal chemicals.
Almost all US adults have some degree of PFA in their blood, but long-term or high levels of exposure are associated with serious health problems.
These include certain types of cancer, elevated cholesterol, weakened immune responses to vaccines, and reproductive complications.
Firefighters: Best Risk Group
Of the 1,960 study participants, including 280 firefighters, this study confirmed that firefighters had the highest PFA concentration in the bloodstream.
Blood samples showed increased levels of PFHX, SM-PFO, N-PFOS, and PFHP. These results are consistent with previous research and reinforce the concern that fire equipment gear and fire-reducing foam are important causes of PFA exposure.
Despite growing changes in awareness and fire service practices, the study highlights that there continues to exist a pathway for explicitly occupational exposure to potential non-Arizona firefighters.
Healthcare workers: Emerging exposure group
Though less exposed than firefighters, healthcare workers showed PFAS levels, particularly moderately elevated PFHP and PFUNA.
Even more surprising, they had a significantly higher odds of having SB-PFOA and PFDOA in their blood compared to other essential workers.
This study was one of the first studies to investigate PFA exposure in a healthcare setting. Potential sources include disposable surgical gowns, masks, and even X-ray film.
These findings suggest that healthcare settings may pose a risk of previously unrecognized PFA exposure, and call for deeper studies of materials used in healthcare settings.
A wider occupational problem
Other important workers included in this study – a total of 734 participants – showed a decline in PFA levels during the study period from 2020 to 2023, with a reduction of 6% to 17% per year.
Nevertheless, researchers have discovered significant residual levels across the board, highlighting the widespread nature of PFAS contamination.
Given the established health risks associated with increased PFA levels, researchers emphasize the importance of understanding how different employment contributes to exposure.
Improving the identification of occupational sources could lead to safer practices and better health protection for frontline workers.
Reduced risk and advances in PFAS research
This study is part of the Arizona Healthcare, Emergency Response, and Other Key Worker Surveillance Research (AZ Heroes), which collected data over nearly three years.
The findings highlight the growing need to investigate and mitigate occupational PFA exposure, particularly in historically overlooked areas, such as healthcare.
As evidence is built, experts are calling for increased surveillance, safer product options, and stricter regulatory oversight to reduce PFA exposure and protect workers’ health.
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