Regular blood donations are shown to be good for your health



Blood transfusions required for illness treatment and surgery are made possible by blood donations, in which healthy people donate blood free of charge. Blood donation is a volunteer that greatly contributes to society, but by donating blood regularly, it is possible to reduce the content of chemical substances that have an adverse effect on the body, which may not only contribute to society but also contribute to one's own health. It has been reported.

Effect of Plasma and Blood Donations on Levels of Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Firefighters in Australia: A Randomized Clinical Trial | Occupational Health | JAMA Network Open | JAMA Network
https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.6257

Regular blood and plasma donation reduces firefighters' PFAS levels --Scimex
https://www.scimex.org/newsfeed/world-first-trial-finds-regular-blood-donation-reduces-firefighters-pfas-levels

A research team at Macquarie University in Australia conducted an experiment with 285 firefighters working at the Victorian Fire Department in Australia. Of the 285 firefighters, 95 firefighters donated blood every 12 weeks and 95 firefighters donated plasma. The remaining 95 did not provide blood or plasma as a control group.

It is said that firefighters tend to accumulate substances called PFAS (perfluoroalkyl substances or polyfluoroalkyl compounds) in their bodies due to the effects of fire extinguishing agents that they use on a daily basis. PFAS is used in various products such as water repellent, coatings, and fire extinguishing agents, but it takes a long time to decompose and remains in the natural world semi-permanently, so it is called 'Forever Chemicals'. Sometimes called.



Since PFAS is contained not only in fire extinguishing agents but also in everything from paints to frying pans, it is said that it gradually accumulates in the body as we continue our daily lives. PFAS includes obesity, diabetes, cancer, etc. It has been pointed out that it may be related to health problems. Therefore, companies have declared that they will abolish the use of PFAS, and in October 2021, President Biden of the United States announced the regulation of PFAS.

Since PFAS binds to serum proteins in the blood, it was thought that reducing the amount of blood components could reduce blood PFAS levels over time. Therefore, as a result of the research team measuring the transition of the blood PFAS concentration of the subjects, no change was observed in the blood PFAS concentration in the control group, while the blood PFAS concentration was significant in the group provided with blood or plasma. It is said that a decrease was seen.



Robin Gashirovsky, a member of the research team, said, 'Both blood and plasma donations have reduced blood PFAS levels. Also, plasma donations are more effective, reducing concentrations by as much as 30%. I did. '

This result supports the claim that 'actually reducing the amount of blood components can lower the blood PFAS concentration.' However, research on the elimination of PFAS is just beginning, and the research team states that further research is worth doing.

Mick Tisbury, Deputy Chief of the Victorian Fire Department, who participated in the experiment, said, 'Firefighters often prioritize the health and safety of others over their own health, and firefighters whose blood PFAS levels are increasing through community activities. We are pleased that it can be used to improve our health, and the results of this study will also be beneficial to those in occupations at high risk of exposure to PFAS. '

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in Science, Posted by log1i_yk