New Study Links PFAS Exposure in Firefighters to Gene Activity Alterations and Potential Health Risks

Recent research conducted by scientists at the University of Arizona's Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health has shed light on the genetic impacts of persistent chemicals known as PFAS on firefighters. Published in the journal Environmental Research, this study explores how long-term exposure to PFAS may influence gene activity associated with various diseases.

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are widespread in products such as firefighting foam, textiles, electronics, and household and industrial goods. Firefighters are particularly at risk due to their occupational exposure to these chemicals, which have been linked to higher incidences of certain cancers.

The team analyzed blood samples from 303 firefighters across six U.S. locations, measuring nine different PFAS compounds and examining associated microRNA (miRNA) activity. MiRNAs are molecules that regulate gene expression, and their alterations can precede disease development, serving as early biomarkers for health risks.

Findings revealed that specific PFAS levels correlated with changes in miRNA activity tied to pathways involved in cancer, neurological disorders, and autoimmune conditions. For example, the PFAS compound PFOS was associated with decreased levels of miR-128-1-5p, a miRNA linked to cancer development. Variants of PFOS were also linked to alterations in five other miRNAs implicated in cancer regulation.

Moreover, the study identified connections between PFAS-induced miRNA changes and pathways involved in leukemia, bladder, liver, thyroid, and breast cancers. Neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's, as well as autoimmune illnesses like lupus and asthma, also showed associations. These biological changes could serve as early indicators or risk markers for subsequent health issues.

Melissa Furlong, Ph.D., the study’s lead author, emphasized the broad impact of PFAS on biological pathways, indicating possible widespread health effects. She explained that understanding how these chemicals affect gene regulation through epigenetic mechanisms like miRNA modifications could open pathways for early detection and intervention.

Senior author Jeff Burgess highlighted the importance of epigenetic markers as tools for assessing cancer risk and evaluating intervention strategies. Ongoing long-term studies aim to explore how these biological changes translate to actual disease development and how they might be mitigated.

While the findings do not establish direct causal links to disease, they underscore the potential for early biological signs that precede clinical conditions. As Furlong noted, identifying miRNA signatures could help predict higher risks for certain health outcomes, leading to improved protective measures for firefighters and others exposed to PFAS. This research underscores the necessity for continued monitoring and reduction of chemical exposures in high-risk occupational groups.