(ORDO NEWS) — “Eternal chemicals” got their name because of the extreme stability. They are found in breast milk, in the oceans, in pet feces, and even in the air. Now, researchers have found a link between these substances and liver damage in humans.
“Eternal chemicals” are found everywhere: from the depths of the oceans and mountain tops to the air and breast milk
The “timeless chemicals” known as PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) are man-made substances that manufacturers use in all kinds of consumer and industrial products.
They got their name because they slowly decompose, seep into the environment and can contaminate human tissues. Researchers are still trying to figure out how these substances affect human health (and do they?).
Now, in a new study published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives , scientists analyzed data from more than 100 previous studies involving humans and rodents and found that exposure to the “everlasting chemicals” is associated with elevated levels of alanine aminotransferase, an enzyme that indicates liver damage.
High levels of alanine aminotransferase, in turn, are associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, a disease in which fat accumulates in liver cells. That is why, according to researchers, cases of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease have been on the rise in recent years.
The scientists say more research is needed to uncover the complex nature of the chemicals’ effects on the liver. However, according to them, it is already clear that PFAS pose a potential health threat and something needs to be done about them before it’s too late.
—
Online:
Contact us: [email protected]
Our Standards, Terms of Use: Standard Terms And Conditions.