Study: “Hard-to-Degrade Chemicals” Found in Human Brain for the First Time

A new study has revealed the presence of “hard-to-degrade chemicals” in human brain tissues – per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

PFAS are widely used in food packaging, cookware, firefighting foam, and furniture, and have been detected in human blood, but their accumulation in brain tissues has not been extensively studied.

Moreover, the Australian Department of Defence is facing large-scale compensation lawsuits, with the focus being on the chemical substance PFAS, used in firefighting foam at Australian military bases, leading to environmental contamination.

Dr. Claire Shepherd, Director of the Sydney Brain Bank at NeuRA, stated, “Humans are exposed to PFAS through water, contaminated food, indoor dust, and consumer products.”

“In developed countries, it is difficult to find individuals without PFAS in their blood,” she emphasized in a statement, noting that the carbon atom count in PFAS is a key factor in its accumulation in the brain.

The study was conducted jointly by the Sydney Brain Bank, the Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences, and the School of Biomedical Sciences at UNSW.

The study has also raised concerns about the pathogenicity of PFAS, such as leading to thyroid disease, liver damage, testicular cancer, and cognitive impairments.

Researchers found that the distribution of PFAS in the brain depends on its carbon atom structure through autopsies of brain tissues and analysis of serum samples.

“Understanding the mechanisms of action of different categories of PFAS in the brain is crucial for evaluating their potential health hazards, such as neurodegenerative diseases,” Dr. Shepherd said.

While the scientific community continues to work towards clarifying the relationship between PFAS and various diseases, some studies suggest that exposure to PFAS may increase the risk of testicular, kidney, and breast cancers, as well as affecting cholesterol levels, immune function, and hormone regulation.

However, Associate Professor Nicholas Osborne from the University of Queensland told a parliamentary committee in January that confirming a direct link between PFAS exposure and diseases is challenging, especially in cases of low-dose exposure.

“With many of these diseases or symptoms, such as high cholesterol, they could be caused by multiple factors, making it difficult to attribute them solely to PFAS,” he said.

As concerns about PFAS contamination continue to escalate, the Australian government announced the establishment of a national coordinating body in December 2024 to address PFAS pollution issues.

The agency will be responsible for overseeing and controlling several major contamination sites, including Williamtown Air Force Base in New South Wales, Army Aviation Centre Oakey in Queensland, and Tindal Air Force Base in the Northern Territory. These areas have suffered severe environmental pollution due to the use of PFAS-containing firefighting foam, impacting local communities.

Meanwhile, residents of Wreck Bay in New South Wales, affected by PFAS contamination, are urging the government to take stronger measures.

In January, the parliamentary PFAS committee heard from local residents and experts to understand the complex relationship between PFAS exposure and chronic diseases.

However, researchers emphasize that further studies are still needed to understand the impact of PFAS on brain function and overall health.