Health Impacts + PFAS in Ottawa County

The full impacts of PFAS exposure and contamination are still being studied, and will be for years to come. These invisible chemicals are a problem for humans of any age and for all living creatures. This is because PFAS collects in our bodies over time and can take years to leave.

Because we are often exposed to different types of PFAS, they continuously add up in our bodies and in our bloodstreams. This is a real concern because PFAS can negatively affect our health. PFAS have been linked to:

• elevated cholesterol
• thyroid disease
• immuno-suppression
• damage to the liver and kidneys
• various fertility issues
• different types of cancers (testicular and kidney cancers)

Studies show that some of the potential and common health impacts associated with PFAS exposure are liver damage, thyroid disease, decreased fertility, high cholesterol, obesity, reduced vaccination and immunity effectiveness, hormone suppression, testicular and kidney cancer.

The initial studies that Dupont and 3M did on the effects of PFAS found that in both humans and animals exposure to PFAS caused immune issues, developmental effects to fetuses during pregnancy and infants including low birth weight, altered puberty, and skeletal variations.

CHILDREN/PREGNANCY

People who might be pregnant should be cautious of PFAS exposure. During pregnancy, these toxic chemicals can disrupt the metabolism and immunity of a mother, which can cause immediate and lasting effects on mother and child.

Women can have higher risks of gestational diabetes and preeclampsia, and babies are more likely to have abnormal growth before birth which leads to low birth weight and can later face increased risk of childhood obesity and infections.

It has also been found that mothers that are breastfeeding can give PFAS to their baby through breastmilk. There are still many studies that need to be done, so it’s recommended that anyone who is pregnant stays in open communication with their doctor to monitor health.