On July 28, 2022, WBUR’s Barbara Moran reported on a new National Academies of Science study that recommends blood tests and medical monitoring for people likely to have high exposure to the toxic chemicals known as PFAS.

The report describes the link between blood levels of PFAS and certain illnesses. According to Moran,  

It concludes there is now “sufficient evidence” of association between PFAS exposure and kidney cancer in adults, decreased infant and fetal growth, decreased immune response, and high cholesterol in adults and children.

She also notes that the chair of the report’s study committee commented specifically on “the strength  surprised by the strength of the evidence linking PFAS to disease.”

As a result, the National Academies  recommends blood testing for anyone known to be in a community with water contamination or to live or work on or near airports, military facilities, industries that make or use PFAS, wastewater treatment plants, landfills and incinerators.  In addition, the report recommends blood testing for people who live near farms where sludge has been spread.

Read WBUR’s article on the National Academies report: “Report recommends blood testing, medical monitoring for people exposed to PFAS”