Human Gut Bacteria Can Gather Up PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’
Lurking in our nonstick pans, our rain jackets, and even our drinking water are toxic compounds known as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also called “forever chemicals.” These chemicals can take hundreds of years to break down in the environment and are increasingly being detected in human blood and bodily tissues, where they can lead to several health issues, including cancers, reproductive disorders, thyroid disease, and a weakened immune system. Scientists have been working tirelessly to find ways to remove PFAS from our surroundings before they enter our bodies. However, a recent study suggests that human gut bacteria could potentially help in tackling these harmful chemicals.
Researchers have discovered that certain bacterial strains commonly found in the human gut have the ability to accumulate PFAS effectively. In a study published in Nature Microbiology, scientists found that when exposed to PFAS, nine bacterial strains from the human gut were able to absorb anywhere from 25 to 74 percent of the chemicals within just 24 hours. This suggests that these bacteria could potentially bind to PFAS in the body and eliminate them as waste.
Previous studies had shown that bacteria from contaminated soils could bind to PFAS, but the capacity of gut bacteria to sequester these chemicals was not well understood. The recent research revealed that these bacteria were able to gather more PFAS than initially expected, indicating that the chemicals had entered the organisms. By using advanced imaging techniques, the researchers were able to detect fluorine molecules, a signature of PFAS, emanating from the bacteria.
To further investigate the potential of gut bacteria in eliminating PFAS, the researchers conducted experiments on mice. By colonizing the animals’ gut with human microbiome bacteria that were known to absorb PFAS, they observed that the mice excreted more of the toxic chemicals when compared to those without the bacteria.
Environmental epidemiologist Jesse Goodrich, who was not involved in the study, emphasized the significance of these findings in understanding the impact of PFAS on human health. While the results are promising, more research is needed to apply these findings to humans effectively. The research team is planning a clinical trial to test whether probiotics containing these bacteria can reduce PFAS levels in the human gut. However, the researchers acknowledge the challenges of conducting such a trial due to the variability in the composition of the human microbiome.
Further studies could explore the natural occurrence of these bacterial strains in human populations and their impact on PFAS levels in the body. While supplementing the body’s natural bacteria to manage PFAS absorption shows potential, Goodrich suggests that preventing exposure to these chemicals remains the best way to protect human health.
In conclusion, the research on human gut bacteria’s ability to gather PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ offers hope in addressing the PFAS contamination issue. By harnessing the power of our microbiome, we may find a natural solution to combat these toxic substances and safeguard human health.
