PFAS – a term that has come up more and more frequently in recent years. This abbreviation stands for perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, a group of chemicals that is causing debate in Germany and around the world. They are extremely persistent, can be found everywhere in our environment and can even enter our bodies.

What are PFAS and where do they come from in Germany?

PFAS are man-made chemicals that have been used in many products for decades. They are water-repellent, grease-resistant and heat-resistant – properties that make them particularly useful. In Germany, for example, they can be found in coated pans, waterproof jackets, food packaging such as pizza boxes or in fire extinguishing foam. However, this versatility is also the problem: because PFAS are so stable, they hardly decompose in nature. They are therefore often referred to as “eternal chemicals”.

In Germany, PFAS enter the environment in various ways. A large proportion comes from industry, for example from factories that produce or process these substances. They enter soils, rivers and groundwater via wastewater or waste. The problem became particularly well known in Bavaria, where high PFAS levels were measured in the Altötting region due to contaminated drinking water. Agricultural land is also affected when contaminated sewage sludge is used as fertilizer. The chemicals end up in plants, animals and ultimately in our food – for example in meat, milk or vegetables.

The Germans have the issue on their radar. The German government and environmental authorities are trying to reduce exposure, but PFAS are already widespread. Studies show: They are measurable in German rivers such as the Rhine or in soils, and they also appear again and again in drinking water.

How do PFAS get into the body?

PFAS enter our bodies in several ways. The most common route is through food: when we eat food that is contaminated with PFAS – whether through packaging or contaminated soil – we ingest the substances. Drinking water is another source, especially in regions with proven contamination. Less common, but possible, is contact via the skin, for example through cosmetics, or inhalation of dust containing PFAS.

Once in the body, PFAS do not simply disappear again. They accumulate, especially in the liver, kidneys and blood. Some PFAS, such as PFOA or PFOS, can remain in the body for years because they are so difficult to break down. Researchers are concerned that they could damage health – such as the liver, the immune system or even the ability to reproduce. However, in order to know exactly how much PFAS is in our bodies, we first need to find out.

Detection by laboratory medicine: how is it done?

Laboratory medicine is the key to making PFAS visible in the body. This is a challenging task, because it is not just a matter of finding the substances, but also determining their quantity and type. There are special procedures for this that are used in laboratories.

First, a sample is taken. Blood is most often analyzed because PFAS can be easily detected there. Sometimes urine, tissue or even breast milk are also analyzed, depending on what exactly is to be examined. The sample is prepared in the laboratory, often by filtering or chemical extraction to separate the PFAS from other substances.

This is where precise measurement methods come into play. The most important is liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (LC-MS). This involves separating the substances in a liquid and then analyzing them using a mass spectrometer. This device can identify and measure the tiny PFAS molecules, even if they are only present in minute traces. It not only shows that PFAS are present, but also exactly which ones – such as PFOA, PFOS or other variants. This method is so sensitive that it can detect concentrations in the nanogram range.

In Germany, studies have already shown that PFAS are detectable in the blood of many people. A study by the Federal Environment Agency found traces of these chemicals in almost all of the people tested – an indication of how widespread they are. Laboratory medicine provides important data to understand the exposure of the population.

What does that mean for us?

PFAS are an insidious problem. In Germany, attempts are being made to restrict their use – for example through EU-wide bans on certain PFAS such as PFOA. But because they are so persistent, they remain in the environment and in our bodies for a long time to come. Laboratory medicine helps to monitor the effects and identify potential risks. Much is still unclear: how dangerous are PFAS really, and at what level does it become critical? Researchers are working to find out.

Matching:

PFAS detected in bottled and tap water worldwide – MedLabPortal

PFAS damage the brain – MedLabPortal

PFAS: “Eternal chemicals” are transferred from mothers to newborns – MedLabPortal

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