New resources available on health impacts of ‘forever chemicals’ PFAS
New resources have been made available to raise awareness with the public on the harmful effects that PFAS can have on human health, wildlife, and the environment. The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) and the University of California in San Francisco (UCSF) have joined forces to call for immediate action against these “forever chemicals”, to protect reproductive health, fertility, and human development.
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), also known as the ‘forever chemicals’, are a large chemical family of over 4,700 highly persistent synthetic chemicals, which hardly degrade in the natural environment. Scientific studies have associated exposure to several PFAS with severe adverse health effects, including cancer, reduced response to vaccinations, and impacts on the immune, reproductive and hormone systems.
FIGO, HEAL and UCSF have developed joint materials to help health professionals take action and contribute to advocacy and awareness-raising on PFAS. This includes:
- An infographic on the problems with PFAS, including health impacts, that is available in English, Dutch, French, Spanish and German.
- A fact sheet, outlining exactly how PFAS chemicals affect women, pregnancy and human development, also in collaboration with the Natural Resources Defence Council (NRDC).