Swedish researchers, after analyzing blood samples from hundreds of participants, concluded that people with high concentrations of the chemicals perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) – found in many everyday products – are twice as likely to be diagnosed with this autoimmune neurological disease compared to those with the lowest concentrations.
These findings add a new disease to the list of illnesses associated with these industrial compounds, which are designed to resist water and fat, and which accumulate in both the environment and humans without breaking down for many years.
The study also reveals an additional layer of complexity, as researchers found an unexpected interaction between genetic factors and chemical pollutants, which could change our understanding of the causes of autoimmune diseases.
At a time when tests reveal the presence of these substances in the blood of most of the population in many countries, this study stands out as a stark reminder of the repercussions of the chemical revolution that has changed our daily lives, and opens the door to urgent questions about how to protect public health in a world where toxins have permeated everything from drinking water to food packaging.
The study, led by researcher Kim Kultema, was based on analyzing blood samples from 900 patients newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and comparing them to healthy individuals.
This chronic autoimmune disease attacks the central nervous system and leads to symptoms ranging from numbness and walking problems to extreme fatigue.
The results showed a strong association between cumulative exposure to these chemicals and an increased likelihood of disease, even after accounting for known genetic and lifestyle risk factors. Most strikingly, the research uncovered a complex gene-environment interaction, finding that individuals carrying a gene variant previously thought to reduce risk were actually more susceptible to the disease if exposed to high levels of PFOS.
These findings are not surprising in a broader context, as previous research has shown how these “eternal chemicals” can tamper with the balance of the immune system, either by weakening it or by overstimulating it, opening the door to various autoimmune diseases such as lupus and arthritis.
The deeper problem lies in the nature of these materials, which do not decompose easily. They remain in the environment – and in our bodies – for many years, which explains why PCBs, banned since 1979, still have an effect today.
The real challenge lies in the near-universal spread of these substances, with studies showing that most of the US population – including newborns – carry measurable amounts in their blood.
Faced with this reality, experts offer practical advice to reduce exposure, starting with filtering drinking water, avoiding non-stick cookware, limiting consumption of foods packaged in grease-resistant wrappers, and looking for products labeled "PFAS-free".
While the growing list of health risks underscores the urgent need for stricter global regulation of these substances, this study serves as yet another wake-up call, reminding us that the health consequences of the industrial chemical revolution may be deeper and more far-reaching than we imagined, and that understanding the complex interaction between environmental toxins and our bodies’ genetic code is key to safeguarding health in the 21st century
