Emory University launches clinical trial to test PFAS removal medication

Researchers at Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health have launched a five-year clinical trial to determine if cholesterol-lowering medications can help remove per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from the human body. Known as ‘forever chemicals’ due to their inability to break down easily, PFAS can accumulate in the bloodstream and have been linked to increased risks of certain cancers, fertility issues, and hormone interference.

The study focuses on residents of Floyd and Gordon counties in Northwest Georgia, specifically the Rome and Calhoun areas. These communities have faced widespread contamination linked to the region’s carpet industry. A previous Emory study found that nearly all of the 200 residents tested had blood PFAS levels high enough to warrant prioritized medical screening under National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine guidelines.

The trial aims to enroll approximately 300 participants to evaluate how effectively drugs such as cholestyramine or colesevelam can pull and expel PFAS from the bloodstream over periods of one to four months. While no treatment is currently proven to lower PFAS levels, lead researcher Dana Barr stated the project offers an opportunity to move beyond documenting exposure toward active intervention.