UFZ study uncovers mechanism of action with new test method.
UFZ study uncovers mechanism of action with new test method.
Some per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are poorly degradable and are also known as "forever chemicals". They adversely affect health and can lead to liver damage, obesity, hormonal disorders, and cancer. A research team from the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) has investigated the effects of PFAS on the brain. Using a combination of modern molecular biology methods and the zebrafish model, the researchers revealed the mechanism of action and identified the genes involved. These genes are also present in humans. The test procedure developed at the UFZ could be used for the risk assessment of other neurotoxic chemicals. The study was recently published in Environmental Health Perspectives.
Because of their special properties - heat resistance, water and grease repellence, and high durability - PFAS are used in many everyday products (e.g. cosmetics, outdoor clothing, and coated cookware). But it is precisely these properties that make them so problematic. "Because some PFAS are chemically stable, they accumulate in the environment and enter our bodies via air, drinking water, and food", says UFZ toxicologist Prof Dr Tamara Tal. Even with careful consumption, it is nearly impossible to avoid this group of substances, which has been produced since the 1950s and now includes thousands of different compounds. "There is a great need for research, especially when it comes to developing fast, reliable, and cost-effective test systems for assessing the risks of PFAS exposure", says Tal. So far, the environmental and health consequences have been difficult to assess.
Read more at Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ
Image: Zebrafish larvae in experimental plate for swimming behavior assay. (Credit: Sebastian Gutsfeld / UFZ)
