The Guardian: Some types of PFAS may cause sleep disorders in young adults, study finds
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"Some of the most common types of PFAS may cause sleep disorders in young adults, new research finds, and the study’s authors for the first time identified how the chemicals probably impact the brain to cause disruptions.
The peer-reviewed University of Southern California (USC) study looked at PFAS levels in the blood of adults between 19 and 24 years old, and found those in the highest one-third slept an average of about 80 fewer minutes nightly than those in the lowest third.
For PFOS, a common compound, high blood concentrations were linked strongest to problems falling asleep, staying asleep, waking up or feeling tired during waking hours.
“Because the body needs sleep every day, if PFAS might be interfering with your sleep, that may affect you more immediately than other chronic health issues,” said Shiwen Li, the study’s lead author and a postdoctoral researcher at USC.
PFAS are a class of about 15,000 chemicals typically used to make products that resist water, stains and heat. They are called “forever chemicals” because they do not naturally break down, and they accumulate in humans and the environment. The chemicals are linked to cancer, kidney disease, liver problems, immune disorders, birth defects and other serious health problems.
PFAS are also increasingly linked to neurological diseases, including Alzheimer’s, anxiety disorders and ADHD, though the study’s authors say epidemiological studies are needed to provide a clearer picture of brain impacts."
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