A new study confirmed that PFAS skin asborption occurs in humans.
The study investigated 17 PFAS “forever chemicals,” finding that 15 of them demonstrated substantial amounts of absorption after dermal exposure.
It was previously thought that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances could not be absorbed through the skin barrier. Previously, people were mostly concerned about ingestion and inhalation of the harmful chemicals, especially in terms of ingestion of drinking water. The study highlights the need for further investigation of the effects of dermal absorption of PFAS chemicals after skin contact with the chemicals.
The Study: How PFAS Absorb Into Our Skin
The researchers investigated a total of 17 PFAS chemicals. The chemicals which were chosen were some of the most commonly used, as well as some of the most commonly studied regarding their toxic effects as well as additional ways humans could get exposed to them. The chemicals also corresponded to chemicals which the Drinking Water Directive of the EU regulate.
The experiments involved 3D models of normal human skin equivalent – multilayered laboratory-grown tissues which mimic human skin – so the study could be done without the usage of animals. Samples of every chemical were applied in order to measure the proportions of chemicals which were retained within, unabsorbed by or absorbed by the models.
PFAS Skin Absorption Rates
After subjecting the models to PFAS exposure, the team discovered that 15 of the chemicals were substantially absorbed – at least five percent of the dose of exposure. Regarding the exposure doses examined, 13.5 percent of PFOA, the most regulated chemical, was absorbed, with an additional 38 percent of the dose which was applied retained in the skin, which could lead to further uptake into blood circulation in the future.
Shorter-Chain Vs. Longer-Chain PFAS
The amount of chemicals absorbed seemingly correlated with the molecules’ carbon chain lengths. Chemicals possessing longer carbon chains were absorbed less, while chemicals with shorter carbon chains which have been introduced in order to replace PFAS chemicals with longer carbon chains such as PFOA were absorbed more easily. For example, perfluoro pentanoic acid saw 59 percent absorption, four times the absorpotion of PFOA.
The researchers warned that more needs to be known about risks involved regarding the industry’s shift to shorter chain PFAS chemicals.
Potential Dangers of PFAS
PFAS chemicals, which are used in many consumer products and can even be found in breast milk, have been linked with numerous health effects, including:
Cancer
Exposure to PFAS chemicals has been linked with numerous cancers, including testicular cancer, kidney cancer, thyroid cancer and liver cancer. The C8 Science Panel, in 2012, concluded that PFOA probably causes testicular and kidney cancer.
Ulcerative Colitis
A 2018 study found that patients with ulcerative colitis had 38 percent more PFOA in their blood than controls and Chron’s patients. The researchers determined that the association between ulcerative colitis and PFAS concentrations in blood warrants further investigation.
Thyroid Disease
A 2020 study found that numerous PFAS chemicals are considered to be thyroid disruptors. In addition, a 2018 study found that the toxic chemicals are associated with a lower amount of T4 thyroid hormones.
Impaired Liver Function
A 2022 study concluded that “consistent evidence” exists regarding the hepatotoxicity of PFAS chemicals. A 2023 study found a link between PFAS exposure and fatty liver disease.
Where PFAS are Found
PFAS chemicals can be found in numerous places, such as:
Drinking Water
The chemicals can be found in private wells and public drinking water.
Water and Soil Near or at Waste Sites
The chemicals can be found at disposal sites, landfills and sites with hazardous waste like those covered by the Superfund and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act programs.
AFFF Firefighting Foam
The chemicals can be found in foam which is used to extinguish petroleum-based fires. These foams are used in emergency response and training events at shipyards, airports, firefighting training facilities, military bases, refineries and chemical plants.
Chemical Production or Manufacturing Facilities Which Use or Produce PFAS
The chemicals can be found at paper manufacturers, textile manufacturers, electronics manufacturers and chrome plating manufacturers.
Food
PFAS chemicals can be found in candy wrappers, pizza boxes, microwave popcorn bags, fast food wrappers and containers, and grease-resistant paper.
Household Dust and Products
The chemicals can be found in sealants, varnishes, paints, non-stick cookware, cleaning products, and water and stain-repellent products used on fabrics such as clothing, upholstery and carpets.
Personal Care Products
The chemicals can be found in cosmetics, dental floss and shampoo.
Biosolids
PFAS chemicals can be found in biosolids such as fertilizer sourced from wastewater treatment plants which is used in agriculture and can affect surface and ground water as well as grazing animals.
Limits on PFAS Chemicals
The EPA just finalized new limits on PFAS chemicals in drinking water, including limits of 4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS and 10 ppt for PFNA, PFHxS and GenX chemicals.
However, the recent study regarding absorption of PFAS chemicals through skin may reflect a need to institute further restrictions on PFAS to protect our citizens.
Do I Qualify for a PFAS Lawsuit?
If you have developed any of the following conditions after exposure to PFAS chemicals, including PFAS chemicals in AFFF firefighting foam, call us today for a free consultation:
- Kidney cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Liver cancer
- Thyroid cancer
- Thyroid disease
- Ulcerative colitis
We have been handling hazardous exposure cases since 1990, including paraquat, Roundup and asbestos cases, so we have extensive experience in proving that our clients’ injuries were caused by exposure to toxic chemicals like PFAS chemicals.
We won’t charge any fee to handle your PFAS case until and unless we obtain a recovery – our only fee is a percentage of any compensation we recover for you. This means no upfront fees or out-of-pocket fees will be charged in your PFAS case.
If you have gotten ill because of PFAS exposure and can’t afford treatment, we’ll get you to doctors who will treat you without charging you until your case is over. Doctors do this for our hazardous exposure clients because they know we get our clients great results.
Contact us today for a free consultation if you or a loved one became ill or died due to exposure to PFAS chemicals. We can help you recover financial compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, wrongful death and more.
Jeffrey Nadrich
Jeffrey Nadrich is a nationally-recognized California plaintiff’s personal injury attorney. He is a graduate of UC Berkeley and UC Hastings College of the Law. He has successfully represented thousands of injury clients over the last 40 years.
