Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often dubbed as “forever chemicals”, have become a growing concern due to their widespread presence in the environment and potential health implications.
While analyzing your tap water for PFAS is a crucial step in understanding your current and future exposure, a more comprehensive approach involves understanding your past exposure as well. Capillary analysis offers a non-invasive and reliable method to assess your body’s burden of PFAS.
Worth pulling your hair out?
PFAS are known to accumulate in hair follicles, providing a long-term record of an individual’s exposure. Unlike blood or urine tests, which reflect recent exposure, capillary analysis offers a more comprehensive picture of your PFAS levels over time. This makes it particularly valuable for people who have been exposed to PFAS through various sources, such as drinking water, food, or other pollution sources related to certain professional environments (e.g., firefighters exposed to PFAS in their fire hose water; see this insightful article from Le Monde).
Rather Worrying Studies
A study conducted in Italy examined the population’s exposure to PFAS through capillary analysis of 86 subjects from four regions. The results showed that 66.4% of participants had detectable traces of at least one PFAS, with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) being the most common. The study revealed geographical variations in the presence and concentration of PFAS, although no significant differences were observed based on gender or age. However, these results confirm that hair can be a useful tool for assessing PFAS exposure on a regional scale.
These somewhat alarming results are reminiscent of blood tests conducted on members of the European Parliament, suggesting that the majority of tested individuals had been exposed to PFAS.
Getting Tested in France
Several French laboratories offer capillary analysis to detect PFAS contamination. One of these providers is KUDZU Science, whose services revolve around measuring exposure to environmental contaminants. Their capillary analysis service provides a detailed report on levels of various PFAS, including PFOA and PFOS.
The process is simple. Upon ordering an analysis, you will receive a kit containing, among other things, a small container in which you will place a hair strand. You will send this kit back to the laboratory, which will analyze your strand to confirm (or refute, we hope) the presence of 12 “plasticizers,” including phthalates, bisphenols, and, obviously, PFAS. Wait a few weeks at most, and voilà, you’ll receive a detailed analysis report, comparing your results to those of the rest of the population.
Measuring to Take Action
As we’ve gathered, the results of capillary analysis can provide valuable insights into your overall PFAS exposure. By understanding your PFAS levels, you can make informed decisions to reduce your exposure and protect your health. This may involve switching to filtered water sources, avoiding certain food packaging, using PFAS-free cookware, or consulting healthcare professionals for personalized advice.
In this regard, we highly recommend reading the section of this blog titled “Solutions Exist!”, where you’ll find a non-exhaustive list of filters that reduce PFAS concentration in your water by over 95%. A simple and effective way to address the problem at its source (pun intended), as most PFAS contamination occurs through the water we drink daily.
Remember, knowledge is power. By understanding your PFAS exposure, you can take proactive measures to protect your health and that of those around you.
Want to take your evaluation of PFAS exposure further? Here are three ways to dig deeper, from the simplest to the most demanding:
