In this episode, we find out about Polymer Fume Fever, and how the hell scientists study the toxicity of a chemical when almost all of the human population is contaminated with it! Shelly dives into how PFAS end up in our bodies—from yoga pants and tampons to tap water and food—and what this might mean for our health.

Sources:

• Correia, M.S., & Horowitz, B.Z. (2025) Polymer Fume Fever. StatPearls [Internet]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK594276/
• Occupations most at risk of PFAS toxicity: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/pfas/about/index.html
• Australian Story: Fire Fight - Mick Tisbury: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/australian-story/series/2022/video/NC2202Q021S00
• https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/enhealth-guidance-statement-per-and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas
• Exposure to PFAS Can Make it Harder to Keep Weight Off With Diet: https://tools.niehs.nih.gov/srp/news/view.cfm?newsitem_ID=3961
• Hormone-disruption and Reproductive Issues: Rickard et. al., (2022). Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and female reproductive outcomes: PFAS elimination, endocrine-mediated effects, and disease. Toxicology, 465, 153031. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tox.2021.153031
• PFAS and Cancers: Steenland, K., & Winquist, A. (2021). PFAS and cancer, a scoping review of the epidemiologic evidence. Environmental Research, https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2020.110690
• PFAS and High Cholesterol: Andersen et. al, (2021). Why is elevation of serum cholesterol associated with exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in humans? A workshop report on potential mechanisms. Toxicology, https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tox.2021.152845
• PFAS Immunological Impacts: von Holst et. al., (2021). Perfluoroalkyl substances exposure and immunity, allergic response, infection, and asthma in children: review of epidemiologic studies. Heliyon, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e08160
• Picture Illustration by Bennet Geis: https://themainemonitor.org/testing-the-waters-tracing-the-movement-of-pfas-into-waterways-and-wildlife

This episode was recorded live at Radio Adelaide on the 8th of February 2024