Study reveals Teflon danger to immune system, liver, thyroid

A chemical used to make Teflon, food wrappers and dozens of other products may harm the immune system, liver and thyroid and cause higher cholesterol in children, according to the initial findings of a study of 69,000 people in West Virginia and Ohio who live near a DuPont manufacturing plant. The health effects observed in the study population are strong indicators of health problems that might be caused by PFOA in average Americans. Toxic effects from PFOA were observed in study participants with blood levels of the chemical equal to those found in the more highly exposed individuals in the US population. PFOA (also called C8) is one of a class of perfluorinated chemicals, or PFCs, used to make Teflon and other nonstick products, oil-resistant paper packaging and stain-resistant fabrics. A team from West Virginia University is leading the multi-year PFOA study, which is funded by a portion of a $107.5 million settlement paid by DuPont to settle a lawsuit over dumping PFOA in the region's drinking water supplies. Last week, in the first public presentation of the C8 Health Project data, WVU scientists reported: * In animal studies, PFOA exposure has previously been linked with death of immune cells and weakening of the body's ability to protect itself from infection. The WVU study indicates higher levels of PFOA in people correlate with lower levels of a protein that helps the body fight bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. * Higher PFOA levels in West Virginia and Ohio residents are associated with higher levels of two enzymes that can indicate liver damage, and with lower levels of a liver protein that is an important part of the body's defense against infection. * Elevated PFOA levels in children are associated with high cholesterol levels, predisposing children to future weight problems and accompanying risk of heart disease. * Thyroid function was clearly affected in PFOA-exposed people, with the effect strongest at moderate levels of exposure, rather than the highest exposures. "These findings may be preliminary, but they are very worrisome, because PFCs never break down," said Olga Naidenko, PhD, senior scientist at nonprofit research organization Environmental Working Group (EWG). "Every molecule that is produced today will be around forever, continually cycling throughout the environment, food chain and people. So long as PFCs are used in industrial production and in consumer products, our health remains at risk." There are no federal safety standards for PFCs in consumer products. DuPont and other manufacturers have pledged to phase out PFOA, but not until 2015. On Monday, the California State Senate approved legislation by Sen. Ellen Corbett (D-San Leandro), to ban PFCs from food packaging. "We're one step closer to getting these toxic chemicals out of food packaging," said Bill Walker, West Coast vice president of EWG, which is sponsoring the legislation. "Alternatives are available now, so there's no reason to wait another 7 years."