Common household chemicals linked to increased risk of serious neurological condition

RFK Jr. to take action against microplastics, key ingredient in weed killer 'Crunchy mom' Mary Kate Kilfoy weighs in on HHS Secretary RFK Jr.'s push to take action against microplastics and a key weed killer ingredient believed to be dangerous. A study from Sweden’s Uppsala University discovered a link between microplastics and multiple sclerosis (MS) . The research, published in the journal Environmental International, discovered that exposure to two common environmental contaminants, PFAS and PCBs, could increase the risk of the autoimmune disease. PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as "forever chemicals," are used in some common household products, such as non-stick cookware, textiles and cleaning products. They have also been found in drinking water throughout the U.S., according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. COMMON CLEANING CHEMICAL TIED TO SPIKE IN LIVER DISEASE ACROSS US, RESEARCHERS SAY PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, are toxic industrial chemicals once widely used in electrical equipment before being banned decades ago, as stated by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. The new study findings were based on blood samples of 1,800 Swedish individuals, including about 900 who had recently been diagnosed with MS, according to a university press release. PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as "forever chemicals," are used in some common household products, including non-stick cookware. (iStock) The first phase of the trial studied 14 different PFAS contaminants and three substances that appear when PCBs are broken down in the body. These were then investigated for a link to the odds of diagnosis. 'FOREVER CHEMICALS' FOUND IN US DRINKING WATER, MAP SHOWS 'HOT SPOTS' OF HIGHEST LEVELS "We saw that several individual substances , such as PFOS and two hydroxylated PCBs, were linked to increased odds for MS," lead study author Kim Kultima said in a statement. "People with the highest concentrations of PFOS and PCBs had approximately twice the odds of being diagnosed with MS, compared to those with the lowest concentrations." The researchers then examined the combined effects of these substances and found that the mixture was also linked to increased risk. CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES Fellow researcher Aina Vaivade noted that risk assessments should consider chemical mixtures, not just individual exposures, because people are typically exposed to multiple substances at the same time. "We saw that several individual substances, such as PFOS and two hydroxylated PCBs, were linked to increased odds for MS," the lead study author said. (iStock) The final phase of the study investigated the relationship between inheritance, chemical exposure and the odds of MS diagnosis, revealing that those who carry a certain gene variant actually have a reduced MS risk. However, individuals who carried the gene and had higher exposure to PFOS - a singular type of chemical in the PFAS family - had an "unexpected" increased risk of MS. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP "This indicates that there is a complex interaction between inheritance and environmental exposure linked to the odds of MS," Kultima said. "We therefore...

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