Environmental and Human Health Effects Challenges of addressing contamination of any sort 8
Environmental and Human Health Effects ! NO DATA NO PROBLEM 9
Environmental and Human Health Effects The classic four line defence 10
Environmental and Human Health Effects The classic four line defence 1. Our activities do not pollute 11
Environmental and Human Health Effects The classic four line defence 1. Our activities do not pollute 2. Our activities cause pollution, but they do not affect you 12
Environmental and Human Health Effects The classic four line defence 1. Our activities do not pollute 2. Our activities cause pollution, but they do not affect you 3. Our activities pollute the environment. But it did not hurt you 13
Environmental and Human Health Effects The classic four line defence 1. Our activities do not pollute 2. Our activities cause pollution, but they do not affect you 3. Our activities pollute the environment. But it did not hurt you 4. Our activities pollute and it hurt you. But it was not our fault 14
Environmental and Human Health Effects The classic four line defence 1. Our activities do not pollute. 2. Our activities cause pollution, but they do not affect you. 3. Our activities pollute the environment. But it did not hurt you. 4. Our activities pollute and it hurt you. But it was not our fault. And if all else fails: 5. You worked at the company and caused the pollution 15
Environmental and Human Health Effects Emerging PFAS research Pubmed search results for 'PFOS' Number of publications per year 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 Year Pubmed search results for 'PFOA' Number of publications per year 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 Year 16
Environmental and Human Health Effects Global health / environment agencies agree PFASs are toxic, bioaccumulative and persistent 17
Environmental and Human Health Effects Global health / environment agencies agree PFASs are toxic, bioaccumulative and persistent Emerging evidence for toxic effects includes: • affect growth, learning, behaviour of infants and children • lower a woman’s chance of getting pregnant • interferes with the body’s natural hormones (thyroid and cholesterol) • increase cholesterol levels • affect the immune system • increase the risk of cancer (kidney and testicular) 18
Environmental and Human Health Effects Establishing the evidence Minimizers 19
Environmental and Human Health Effects Establishing the evidence Precautionary Principle Minimizers 20
Environmental and Human Health Effects The Minimizers Human studies show that increased exposure to PFOA might increase for some health effect but those studies have scientific limitations. Human studies are difficult to interpret, and we cannot be sure that PFOA caused the observed health effects. 21 Source: https://www.nysenate.gov/sites/default/files/alb_freed_testimony.pdf
Environmental and Human Health Effects The Precautionary approach Studies both in people and in animals have shown a link between PFOA exposure and testicular and kidney cancer. There is a distinct probability that such an association exists. 22 Source: https://www.nysenate.gov/sites/default/files/alb_freed_testimony.pdf
Environmental and Human Health Effects Working through the muddle of interpretation § Both of those statements are true But § History of toxic chemical research provides a clear message 23
Environmental and Human Health Effects Absence of evidence should not be taken as evidence of absence 24
Environmental and Human Health Effects PFAS exposure levels – no clear consensus on this issue Acceptable values for exposure subject to constant lowering over last decade — with new values only just emerging for Australia 25
Environmental and Human Health Effects 26 http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/ohp-pfas-hbgv.htm#final
Environmental and Human Health Effects European Food Safety Authority, 13 Dec 2018 1.8 0.8 https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2903/j.efsa.2018.5194 27 http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/ohp-pfas-hbgv.htm#final
Environmental and Human Health Effects 2016 2018 20 ng/kg/day 20 ng/kg/day 3 ng/kg/day 2 ng/kg/day 28 https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/mrls/mrllist.asp
Environmental and Human Health Effects
Environmental and Human Health Effects German (2016) HBM I value no risk for adverse health effects
Environmental and Human Health Effects Key point – significant uncertainty around “safe” levels
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