A recent pre-clinical study conducted by the University of Newcastle has uncovered concerning links between high exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and male reproductive health in mice. Over a 12-week period, researchers exposed mice to levels of PFAS in their drinking water that were deemed “environmentally relevant.” These levels mirrored those found in a 2019 groundwater sample from a contaminated site in Williamtown, near Newcastle.
The findings revealed a decrease in daily sperm production and a reduction in testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels among the mice. These hormones are crucial for sperm production and fetal development. Dr. Jacinta Martin, one of the study’s lead researchers, noted that while the sperm appeared normal and capable of fertilization, the underlying functionality was compromised. “When we really dug into how they were functioning, we saw that the little messages they delivered to an egg at fertilisation … differed to the animals that hadn’t been exposed,” Dr. Martin explained.
Potential Implications for Human Health
Researchers also observed changes in gene expression in embryos fertilized by PFAS-exposed males, suggesting potential impacts on pregnancy and birth outcomes. “The biggest change we saw was that the size of the body could be increased,” Dr. Martin added. However, the team cautioned that it is too early to directly link these findings to human health impacts.
PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals,” are a group of over 14,000 synthetic substances used in various industrial and domestic products, from firefighting foam to non-stick cookware. Their resistance to decay means they can take hundreds to thousands of years to break down naturally.
Expert Opinions and Challenges
Professor Ian Rae from the University of Melbourne highlighted the challenges in isolating the effects of PFAS. “Careful analysis of data and elimination of influences other than PFAS can be hard to rule out because the PFAS chemicals are only – when compared to many other toxins – rather mild and their effects can be hard to pin down,” he stated. Despite these challenges, Professor Rae praised the research as “good, solid experimental work” that contributes to the understanding of PFAS toxicity and identifies areas for further investigation.
Community Concerns and Ongoing Efforts
Residents in areas like Williamtown have long been concerned about PFAS contamination. Lindsay Clout, a former head of the Coalition Against PFAS, has been advocating for government action on the risks posed by these chemicals for nearly a decade. Despite a 2020 settlement that compensated Williamtown residents for land value loss due to PFAS, Clout emphasized that the issue persists. “We’ve got PFAS blood-levels on people in the area that are just through the roof,” he remarked, noting that while background levels might be 17 to 20 nanograms per millilitre, some residents have levels in the hundreds.
Between 2018 and 2022, the Department of Defence undertook remedial efforts to address soil, groundwater, and surface water contamination in Williamtown. Defence records indicate a decrease in PFAS levels at sites where water treatment plants were installed. Nonetheless, Clout expressed concerns about potential long-term and generational impacts. “It could be all very well to clean up the PFAS contamination … but it’s not over because we’ve got offspring that could have been affected in prenatal stages,” he warned.
Future Research Directions
Following these findings, researchers plan to investigate the trans-generational effects of PFAS exposure. The team intends to expose another group of mice to the same PFAS sample, breed them, and study the potential impacts on subsequent generations. The results of this study are anticipated within the next 12 months, potentially offering further insights into the long-term effects of PFAS exposure.
This development comes at a time when awareness of PFAS and their potential health risks is growing globally. As researchers continue to explore the implications of these findings, the study underscores the need for ongoing vigilance and investigation into the effects of these pervasive chemicals.
