Could PFAS Undermine COVID Vaccination?
The presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water throughout the U.S. has been the source of much public outrage, drinking water treatment effort, and legislation.
And now, in addition to the acute health effects that have been traced to consumption of PFAS, some researchers fear that a new consequence can result from consuming water laced with the contaminants: decreased efficacy of a COVID-19 vaccine.
“High levels of PFAS exposure is known to be linked to a ‘plethora of adverse health effects,’ including immune system disorders,” per Michigan Advance. “That means people with high levels of PFAS in their blood could have a weaker response to the COVID-19 vaccine, and build up fewer antibodies to the vaccine.”
PFAS have been linked to health issues like thyroid disease, cancer, and brain development disorders. Rendering COVID-19 vaccines less effective would be yet another negative consequence of consuming these compounds, but experts still recommend that those who are able to get the vaccine do so, even if PFAS might be present in their systems.
“People who are exposed to PFAS would still get some benefit from the vaccines … just one that may be less significant than someone with lower levels of PFAS in their system,” The News & Observer explained. “A potential workaround could be to provide additional vaccine to places where there is known exposure to PFAS.”
Though the negative health impacts of PFAS consumption have been known for some time, it’s possible that this latest revelation could spur additional regulation or other measures to keep the substances out of drinking water. In any case, the forthcoming change of executive leadership in the U.S. appears poised to bring substantive change to this regulation.
“Under the Trump administration, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) leadership has delayed any meaningful regulations on these compounds,” per Michigan Advance. “The Biden administration has included PFAS in its environmental justice plan… This includes regulating PFAS under Superfund law, which would label the compounds as hazardous substances.”
To read more about the rules that govern drinking water contaminants, visit Water Online’s Regulations And Legislation Solutions Center.