PFAS and Microplastics Make for Toxic Combination: Study

Researchers warn that PFAS are often found in microplastics, and the two toxic substances appear to have a synergistic effect when combined.

Amid growing concerns over the health risks of both “forever chemicals” and microplastics, a new study warns that their adverse side effects may be amplified when the two toxic substances are combined.

In a study published in the December issue of Environmental Pollution, researchers exposed water fleas to a combination of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and microplastics, finding that the combined exposure significantly increased the risk of severe health effects, including reduced birth rates, stunted growth and delayed sexual maturity.

Microplastic and PFAS Health Concerns

Microplastics (MPs) are tiny plastic particles measuring 5 mm or less that originate from food wrappers, water bottles and everyday household items. These particles can enter the body through water and food sources and have been shown to transfer from the digestive tract into the bloodstream.

Recent studies have warned that an increasing amount of health issues may be caused by microplastic build-up in the body, including antibiotic resistance, infertility and other reproductive problems, as well as diabetes, obesity and sexual dysfunction.

Previous research has noted that PFAS are often found in microplastics. These forever chemicals include more than 9,000 synthetic compounds that have been used widely in numerous products over the past few decades to help resist grease, oil and water.

While they are commonly found in non-stick pans, food packaging and other consumer products, the chemicals have also caused widespread water contamination in communities throughout the U.S., due to high levels of PFAS in aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), which have been used by civilian and military firefighters to combat petroleum fires.

The chemicals are known to persist in the environment and build up in the human body. As a result, researchers have linked PFAS exposure to an increasing number of serious health consequences in recent years, including kidney cancer, testicular cancer, ulcerative colitis and other serious diseases.

For this latest study, a team of researchers from the University of Birmingham in the U.K. compared groups of water fleas exposed to microplastics and PFAS to those that had not been exposed to the pollutants. When they tested water fleas that had been exposed to both, the researchers found that the toxic effects were amplified.

Water fleas are highly sensitive to chemicals and are often used for such research. In addition, the researchers indicated the conditions under which the tests were taken represent common polluted water conditions worldwide.

According to the findings, the water fleas exposed to both microplastics and PFAS saw a drop in birth rates, had delayed sexual maturity and were smaller than their peers once they had grown to full maturity. Researchers concluded that 40% of those effects were due to the synergy between PFAS and microplastics alone.

“Our study provides critical insights into the chronic toxicity of PFAS and MP on the ecological endpoints of the sentinel species Daphnia. In addition, we quantify the combine effect of these chemicals on ecological endpoints, revealing synergistic and additive effects,” the researchers concluded. “This research significantly advances the understanding of the toxicity of these chemicals of high concern for environmental and human health.”

PFAS Exposure Lawsuits

The findings come as chemical manufacturers like 3M Company, DuPont and BASF face thousands of PFAS water contamination lawsuits filed by water providers and individuals diagnosed with various types of cancer, including firefighter PFAS injury lawsuits brought by individuals who came into direct contact with the chemicals.

Given common questions of fact and law raised in PFAS injury and exposure lawsuits brought throughout the federal court system, the litigation has been consolidated under U.S. District Judge Richard M. Gergel in South Carolina, for coordinated pretrial proceedings as part of an MDL, or multidistrict litigation.

As part of the coordinated management of the claims, a small group of early PFAS exposure lawsuits are being prepared for trial dates starting in 2025, involving claims that individuals developed injuries after drinking water known to be contaminated with high levels of the chemicals.

While the outcome of these early trial dates will not have any binding impact on other claims being pursued throughout the federal court system, they are designed to help gauge how juries may respond to certain evidence and testimony that will be repeated throughout the litigation.