Written by Nadine Westwood.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are known to cause various health issues – specifically cancer. These man-made chemicals are known for being resistant to water, oil, and heat.
What appeared to be a benefit at the outset has led to something more harmful for those that have consumed water in containers that had PFAS present. As such, the public health concern is continuing to grow at an alarming rate due to what’s being known as “forever chemicals”.
Healthcare professionals around the world have the opportunity to advocate for awareness regarding PFAs and the health issues that it can cause.
Understanding that they work with patients (including those who may be affected by PFAs), they have a first-hand look at how it can harm patients and have the information at their fingertips to generate awareness and present the evidence.
Let’s take a deeper look now as to why healthcare professionals should speak up about PFAS and more.
The Potential Health Risks That Are Linked To PFAs Exposure
There are known to be several studies that are linked to PFAs and how they can trigger various health issues.
From cancer caused by PFAS-contamination to other potential risks, it’s important for healthcare professionals to pay attention to see if there is an actual connection between PFAs and these certain health issues.
Here’s what we believe are those issues connected to the chemicals are:
- Increased risk of certain cancers: Cancers such as kidney, pancreatic, and testicular cancers may be connected to PFAS exposure according to some researchers and studies.
- Developmental issues in children: If a child is exposed to PFAS during pregnancy or early development, this can lead to adverse issues including low birth weight, immunity functions being impaired, and a delay in childhood development.
- Thyroid issues: Thyroid hormone production could be interfered due to PFAS exposure, which in turn could lead to issues regarding growth, development, and metabolism.
- Cholesterol issues: Increased levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) and decreased levels of its good cholesterol (HDL) counterparts can lead to various cardiovascular issues, which can lead to increased risk of heart disease, heart attack, stroke, and other related issues.
- Other health concerns: Health issues such as decreased fertility, suppressed immune systems, and high blood pressure have been linked to exposure in PFAS
In today’s healthcare sector, there may be various studies that could shed light on how PFAS can affect persons around the world. Such chemical exposure may have been contributors as to why certain health issues may be on the rise over the past several decades.
Meanwhile, healthcare professionals have the responsibility to sound the alarm about PFAs while encouraging patients to not only be aware of potential health issues but to also get tested as early as possible.
Where Are PFAs Founds?
Despite the fact that commercial products with PFOA and PFOS have already been phased out, they can still be found. Specifically, they can be present in the environment and even substances including foams used to extinguish fires. Nevertheless, there may be other products that contain other PFAs (despite being replacements for PFOA and PFOS).
Where else could PFAs be found? They may be found in the following products:
- Personal care products (i.e – Shampoo, cosmetics, dental care products, etc.)
- Cleaning products
- Cookware with non-stick features
- Stain-resistant products for carpets, upholstery, etc.
Whether we know it or not, there may be products that contain PFAS currently found in your home at the moment. Knowing what specific products they are will be one of the major steps in awareness. It may be a challenge to avoid products that may contain PFAS, especially if it’s things that we use on a regular basis.
How Are People Exposed to PFAS?
Many people may not be aware of the ways they have been exposed to PFAS. That’s why we are pointing out what may be considered the common situations where they might be exposed including the following:
- Contaminated water from municipal or private sources
- Food that was produced and raised in or around areas where PFAS are made or used
- Packaging materials derived from PFAS
- Consuming fish with high PFAS levels
- Swallowing soil or dust that is contaminated
- Using products like nonstick cookware, sprays with stain or water repellant properties, etc.
Again, many people may have already been exposed to PFAS in the past. Thus, it is always important to continue emphasizing that early detection for health conditions is critical. Especially when we’re doing our part to solidify the narrative that early detection does indeed save lives.
Healthcare professionals must also do their part to encourage their patients to get tested for such health issues like cancers, heart disease, and other conditions that may be connected to PFAS themselves – especially during regular checkups.
What Are Some Available Resources For Detection of PFAS Exposure?
Even though medical science is continuing its evolution (especially with PFAS and research connected to such chemicals and health issues), there are still resources for healthcare professionals and their patients that will be accessible.
Such resources include but are not limited to the following:
- PFAS Blood Testing: One way to approach testing is by making blood testing for PFAS more available. This will empower healthcare professionals to determine whether or not their patients have been exposed.
As such, the specific health implications from PFAS and the connection between them remain under continuous review. For now, it is important for healthcare professionals to help patients make the necessary decisions pertaining to their health and managing any potential risks that may arise due to PFAS exposure.
- Environmental Testing: This is where it can be more than possible to determine the environmental source of PFAS exposure. It also includes testing the environment in an area where there may be water sources along with the surrounding area where PFA exposure may have been recent due to the use of products or potential sources of contaminants in the area.
Needless to say, PFAS contamination can occur due to activities associated with various industries. Unfortunately, negligence can also play a role in causing such exposures to occur, not knowing persons in the affected area may be exposed themselves.
As such, those who may be dealing with health issues linked to PFAS may also seek potential legal action if such proof and evidence is linked to determine negligence on the part of an organization or party known to have created situations where PFAS contamination was present.
Strategies To Follow For Advocating PFAS Awareness
Healthcare professionals can implement several different strategies in an effort to generate more awareness regarding PFAS. It’s important to make sure that they do this effectively in order to be successful in their message. These strategies include but are not limited to the following:
Continuous Education and Training
It is paramount for healthcare professionals to remain in the loop regarding PFAS and the health effects surrounding it.
This includes staying up to date with the latest research, attending workshops and conferences specializing in environmental health, and collaborating with medical schools in their area to include education programs pertaining to PFAS and environmental health.
Even leadership programs can help create a new generation of health care professionals that will help continue driving more awareness for PFAS exposure and the health affects surrounding them.
Educating Patients and Recommended Screenings
By communicating with their patients about PFAS risks, healthcare professionals can discuss exposure during checkups, especially in areas where a high-risk for exposure exists. As such, healthcare professionals should also put together screening protocols to positively identify patients that are at risk for exposure as well.
Finally, creating educational materials for patients will help them become aware of the risks of PFAS and how they can prevent such exposure from happening.
Increasing Public Outreach
The public should be aware of PFAS in so many ways. That’s why healthcare professionals and advocates should consider creating articles to be published in online and offline publications while contributing their knowledge to community forums and town halls.
Even government entities such as the US Department of Defense have done their part at this point. In today’s digital age, spreading awareness beyond local communities is more than possible thanks to the power of social media platforms.
At the end of the day, getting the word out about PFAS should be the first step in reducing exposure and subsequent health issues that arise from them. Without generating the proper levels of awareness, the health concerns will still run rampant.
Awareness can lead to actions taken such as creating policies that are designed to protect the health and safety of the general public while curtailing future exposure of PFAS including policies designed to hold industries accountable.
Final Thoughts
As PFAS continues to become more evident in causing various health problems, healthcare professionals have a responsibility to make sure that patients and the community as a whole are aware of the dangers that may exist.
By implementing various strategies to generate awareness, healthcare professionals can lead the charge both in their local areas and around the world in preventing health issues linked to PFAS by taking the necessary actions.
In the meantime, they must also assist their patients in helping them get tested for any potential health issues that may arise. Especially if the patients reside or work in environments where PSAS exposure is high.
Author Bio:
Nadine Westwood is a health coach and writer who helps her clients achieve phenomenal and sustainable results by combining nutrition, fitness, education and fun!
Please also review AIHCP’s Certification programs and see if it meets your academic and professional goals. These programs are online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification