European study finds high PFAS levels in blood of volunteers

An exploratory study involving 110 volunteers across several European countries has revealed significant levels of PFAS, often called ‘forever chemicals’, in human blood samples. The research, commissioned by the Greens in the European Parliament and analyzed by the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, found that approximately 25% of participants exceeded the health reference values set by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for four long-chain PFAS: PFOS, PFOA, PFNA, and PFHxS.

Notably, trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), an ultra-short-chain PFAS, was detected in 100% of the participants. The study reported that TFA concentrations in these samples represent some of the highest levels ever recorded in human biomonitoring studies. TFA is a highly persistent pollutant resulting from the degradation of other PFAS and has been classified by EU agencies as toxic to reproduction.

The study included residents from various nations, including Italy, Belgium, France, Croatia, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain, Denmark, and Finland. Some participants, such as firefighters, showed higher exposure risks due to occupational contact with firefighting foams.