One of a series of articles posted in response to the recent testing of water in the vicinity of Heyford Park and adjacent villages
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a large group of human-made chemicals used in products such as fire-fighting foams, non-stick coatings, stain-resistant fabrics, food packaging, and some industrial processes. They matter in public health because many PFAS resist breakdown in soil, water, animals, and the human body. This is why they are often called “forever chemicals”. Once they enter ground water or soil, they can persist for years, move through water systems, and enter food chains (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry [ATSDR], 2021). (ATSDR)
High concentrations in soil and water create several exposure routes. People may drink contaminated water, eat food grown in polluted soil, consume fish or livestock exposed through water or feed, inhale contaminated dust, or absorb small amounts through skin contact. Drinking water tends to be the main route of concern because it creates repeated exposure over long periods. Children, pregnant people, and those with long residence in the affected area may carry higher risks because exposure can occur during key stages of growth and development (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine [NASEM], 2022). (NCBI)
The health evidence varies across different PFAS compounds, but several harms now have strong support. The US National Academies found links between PFAS exposure and reduced antibody response, abnormal blood lipids, reduced infant and foetal growth, and higher risk of kidney cancer. It also advised blood testing and clinical follow-up for people with a history of raised exposure (NASEM, 2022). (nationalacademies.org) The ATSDR clinical overview also lists health concerns linked with PFAS exposure, including effects on cholesterol, liver enzymes, immune response, thyroid function, pregnancy outcomes, and some cancers (ATSDR, 2024). (ATSDR)
Cancer risk needs careful wording. Not all PFAS have the same evidence base. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classed PFOA as carcinogenic to humans and PFOS as possibly carcinogenic to humans. This does not mean that every exposed person will develop cancer. It means that the evidence justifies serious concern, strict exposure control, and public health action where contamination is high (International Agency for Research on Cancer [IARC], 2023). (IARC)
The social health impact also matters. Contaminated land does not only create chemical risk. It can create fear, loss of trust, conflict over evidence, stigma, financial harm, and a sense of being trapped in a home that may be unsafe or unsaleable. These harms can worsen stress and reduce well-being, even before clear illness appears. Public bodies and developers therefore need to act with care, openness, and speed. Communities need clear sampling data, plain risk statements, independent review, and routes to medical advice. Where PFAS levels are high, the ethical task is not to reassure by habit, but to reduce exposure, test the site, protect residents, and place the burden on those who caused or allowed the contamination.
References
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. (2021). Toxicological profile for perfluoroalkyls. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp200.pdf
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. (2024). Health effects: PFAS information for clinicians. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/hcp/clinical-overview/health-effects.html
International Agency for Research on Cancer. (2023). IARC monographs evaluate the carcinogenicity of perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid. World Health Organization. https://www.iarc.who.int/news-events/iarc-monographs-evaluate-the-carcinogenicity-of-perfluorooctanoic-acid-pfoa-and-perfluorooctanesulfonic-acid-pfos/
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2022). Guidance on PFAS exposure, testing, and clinical follow-up. The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/26156
