Over the last few decades vaccines have revolutionized the way we are
able to prevent diseases. As Philippe
Grandjean, the lead author of this study, explains, “Routine childhood
immunizations are a mainstay of modern disease prevention. The negative impact on childhood vaccinations
from PFCs should be viewed as a potential threat to public health.” This is all the more worrisome because PFCs
are so widely used in a variety of products used on a daily basis.
PFCs are compounds with unique properties that make them stain, oil,
and water resistant. As a result, these
compounds are used in thousands of products. We are exposed to PFCs through our mothers
before we are born through our environment the rest of our lives. Due to its prevalence, most Americans have at
least some levels of PFCs in their bodies.
The researchers determined the connection between PFCs and vaccines by
first administering blood tests to women just before they gave birth and
recording the levels of PFCs in their blood.
Then, once those children reached the ages of 5 to 7, the researchers tested
their immune responses to tetanus and diphtheria and measured the levels of
PFCs in their blood. With this data, the
researchers could then determine the correlation between immune responses to
vaccines and levels of PFCs in children during the prenatal and postnatal
stages.
The results showed that levels of PFCs during prenatal and postnatal
stages were correlated to lower antibody responses to immunizations. Without a sufficient number of antibodies,
there is an increased risk that vaccines will not be able to provide the
long-term protection they would otherwise be able to provide. In some way, PFCs are preventing vaccines
from doing their job.
There are several things you can do to avoid PFCs.
1. Instead of using some non-stick cookware, which
contains PFCs, opt for cast iron or stainless steel cookware.
2. Fast food wrappers often contain PFCs, so
avoiding fast food would be a good idea.
3. Popping popcorn the old-fashioned way will help
you avoid PFCs because microwave popcorn bags are often coated with them.
~ Jessica
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