Young military veterans have higher 'forever chemical' levels than non-veterans
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often called forever chemicals because of their long-lasting presence in humans and the environment, are commonly found in consumer and industrial products. When Brown University researchers examined PFAS levels in the blood serum of U.S. military veterans, they found that younger veterans had higher PFAS concentrations and a higher prevalence of…
A recent study has found that younger U.S. military veterans have significantly higher levels of "forever chemicals" in their blood serum compared to non-veterans of the same age. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as "forever chemicals" due to their long-lasting presence, were examined in a Brown University research study.
Researchers discovered that male veterans aged 20 to 39 had 13% to 24% higher PFAS concentrations than non-veteran men of the same age, with younger veterans being 18% more likely to exceed the threshold of 20 ng/mL, which is associated with potential health risks. PFAS exposure could be associated with exposure to firefighting foams, munitions, and contaminated groundwater, among other sources.
The study emphasizes that younger veterans should consider discussing PFAS testing with their physicians, as potential health risks may warrant clinical monitoring.
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