Cambridge scientists have spotted gut bacteria that greedily soak up PFAS “forever chemicals,” then ferry them safely out of the body in animal tests, removing up to three-quarters of the toxins within minutes. Their findings hint at probiotic pills that could shield people from PFAS-linked cancers, fertility issues, and heart disease while lawmakers scramble to rein in 4,700 widespread compounds.
    • Rivalarrival@lemmy.todayEnglish
      10·
      2 days ago

      Regular plasma donation is the most effective treatment. Blood donation works, too, but you can only donate blood every two months, versus plasma donations up to twice a week.

      • DaPorkchop_@lemmy.mlEnglish
        3·
        1 day ago

        Isn’t that just passing the PFAS on to whoever ends up getting injected with your donation?

        • Rivalarrival@lemmy.todayEnglish
          4·
          1 day ago

          Yes and no.

          If you regularly donate, your PFAS levels will be well below average, so your blood/plasma will actually lower the recipient’s concentrations. Not quite as low as it brings down your concentrations, but still lower than average.

          Further, with plasma, they extract the proteins to produce various medications. That process leaves the PFAS with the remaining, depleted plasma, which is then discarded.

          But, even if your concentrations are significantly above average, and the recipient receives whole blood/plasma from you, they are only receiving 1 unit from you, adding to 8 or 9 units of their own. Their net blood concentration rises only 1/8th above average as your own concentration.

          The lifesaving value of your PFAS-contaminated blood is infinitely higher than the risks posed by your PFAS.

          Tl;dr: Don’t discard your blood.

    • SheeEttin@lemmy.zipEnglish
      19·
      2 days ago

      That’s actually a valid treatment! Although really they’d probably just take a pint here and there. When you do, the body produces new, pure blood.