The relationship between ``eternal chemical substance'' PFAS and testicular cancer common to soldiers revealed

by Kenneth Wright

Military personnel and firefighters are more likely to be diagnosed with testicular cancer than other occupations, but `` Forever Chemical '' contained in fire extinguishing foam PFAS (organic fluorine compound) For the first time, research has shown that there is a relationship between

Pioneering Study Links Testicular Cancer Among Military Personnel to 'Forever Chemicals' | KFF Health News

Previous studies have shown that exposure to high concentrations of PFAS is associated with cancer risk, but the impact on military personnel was unknown.

A research team from members of the National Cancer Institute and others examined the association between serum PFAS levels and testicular germ cell tumors using serum samples from Air Force personnel collected between 1988 and 2017. .

A Nested Case–Control Study of Serum Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Testicular Germ Cell Tumors among US Air Force Servicemen | Environmental Health Perspectives | Vol. 131, No. 7

The study found that those who served on bases with high levels of PFAS in their drinking water and those who were on firefighting missions had elevated levels of PFAS in their bloodstream and those who had testicular cancer. It was found that the level of PFOS (perfluoroalkyl compound), a type of PFAS, was higher in serum than those who were not diagnosed with cancer.

'To my knowledge, this study is the first to measure PFAS levels in US military personnel and examine their association with cancer endpoints in the population, providing new evidence,' said study co-author Mark Burdew. has been brought,” he said.

A 1974 Pentagon study found PFAS to be deadly to fish, and a 1983 Air Force study found it to be deadly to rats. .

However, the Pentagon continued to use it because it was effective against extremely hot fires, such as aircraft crashes and ship fires.

In fact, photos of people using foam extinguishing agents at Travis Air Force Base do not look like they are dealing with something dangerous.

DVIDS - Images - Flurry of foam released at Travis [Image 4 of 15]

In 2000, at the age of 45, Gary Frook, a 37-year Air Force firefighter, was informed that cancer would require a testicular removal and chemotherapy. Frook, along with hundreds of others, is suing companies that manufacture fire extinguishing agents and the chemicals used in fire extinguishing agents.

Like Frook, former Air Force firefighter Kevin Ferrara testified that the Air Force had given little, if any, warning of the danger. Although Ferrara himself does not have testicular cancer, he does have other health concerns due to PFAS.

'The federal government needs to address the threat posed by PFAS exposure,' said Rep. Dan Kildee, who served on Congress' PFAS Select Committee and passed legislation requiring disability benefits to be provided to those affected by PFAS. It was too late. This situation is unacceptable.'