Every person in the Netherlands has “forever chemicals” in their blood, according to the country’s first national study on the topic.
The study, published Thursday, indicates that having per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (known as PFAS) in levels above safety thresholds does not automatically lead to illness.
“However, it does mean that PFAS can have an effect on the body. For example, the immune system may function less effectively. The effects depend on the amount of PFAS, the duration of exposure, and a person’s individual health condition,” reads the study, conducted by the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, or RIVM.
Out of 28 types of PFAS analyzed, the study found that at least seven kinds are present in almost everyone tested. The levels of PFAS were the highest in the regions of Dordrecht and Western Scheldt, due to the nearby chemical plants.
