In an article published on March 16, 2025, in the journal Environment International, Alexandra Jaus from the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology, Bern, Switzerland, and co-authors show that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely present across the Swiss population. Analyzing serum samples from 630 participants of the Swiss Health Study pilot phase for 30 PFAS they found no sample to be PFAS-free.
The scientists compared legacy and emerging PFAS. Legacy PFAS were predominant while emerging PFAS were only present in few samples. Of 30 measured PFAS, three were detected in all serum samples and contributed to 88% of the median sum of determined PFAS (10.3 ng/mL): perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS, CAS 1763-23-1), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA, CAS 335-67-1) and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS, CAS 355-46-4).
Some substances exceeded specific health limits, e.g., for 5% of the participants, PFOS levels exceeded health-related guidance values in plasma as derived by the German Human Biomonitoring (HBM) Commission. Overall, serum PFAS levels were like those reported for other parts of the world (FPF reported and here). The researchers also assessed if certain factors are associated with higher PFAS exposure and reported that the concentration of certain PFAS changed with age, gender, fish consumption, and duration of breastfeeding.
To manage PFAS and their risks, the authors called for an effective regulatory framework and worldwide non-fluorinated substitutions. It is crucial to avoid regrettable substitutions, where a known hazardous chemical is replaced with a less tested but structurally similar compound that likely has related toxicity.
The goal of the study by Jaus and co-authors was to establish a sensitive method to reliably quantify PFAS in serum as well as to analyze if and which factors influence PFAS levels. Study participants aged between 20 and 69 years provided blood samples between 2020 and 2021 and filled out a questionnaire about their lifestyle habits, medical history, and socio-demographic characteristics. Targeted PFAS analysis was performed using high-performance liquid chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrometer.
PFAS exposure has been linked to several health outcomes (FPF reported and here). For instance, they can disturb human fat metabolism and potentially lead to the development of metabolic diseases, like obesity (FPF reported).
Reference
Jaus, A. et al. (2025). “Serum biomonitoring of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in the adult population of Switzerland: Results from the pilot phase of the Swiss health study.” Environment International. DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2025.109382
