TU Dresden study suggests apheresis reduces PFAS and microplastics

A study conducted by TU Dresden and the Uniklinik Carl Gustav Carus suggests that apheresis, a blood purification procedure, may reduce levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and microplastics in the body.

Researchers observed significant reductions in specific PFAS compounds following treatment. In one subset of patients, PFOS levels dropped by 48.9 percent, PFOA by 43.5 percent, PFNA by 55.0 percent, and PFDoDA by 75.8 percent. The study hypothesizes that these substances circulate bound to lipoproteins, allowing them to be removed via double filtration or adsorption processes.

In addition to chemical pollutants, the procedure showed effects on cardiovascular risk markers. Among a larger group of 34 patients, levels of CRP, fibrinogen, LDL cholesterol, and lipoprotein(a) decreased. Preliminary observations also indicated a reduction in polyethylene and PVC microplastics in some patients. Due to small sample sizes and a lack of randomization, the researchers note that these findings remain exploratory.