A groundbreaking 2023 study by researchers at the National Cancer Institute (NIH) sheds light on the potential health risks of exposure among U.S. Air Force service members. While scientific research has linked PFAS to various health issues, including cancer, much of the research has historically focused on public drinking water exposure. Researchers refer to this study as the Purdue study, named after its lead researcher, Dr. Purdue of the NIH. This recent study takes a closer look at another source of concern: PFAS exposure through firefighting foams used on military bases.
Study Objectives
The Purdue study examined the connection between serum PFAS concentrations and the incidence of testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT) among U.S. Air Force servicemen. Civilian populations with high PFAS exposure have shown a link to cancer, but its impact on military personnel has been less clear until now. Accordingly, the Purdue study sought to fill this gap by focusing on the Air Force, where the use of PFAS-containing firefighting foams is widespread.
Methods of Study
Researchers conducted a detailed examination of active-duty Air Force servicemen, utilizing blood serum samples from the Department of Defense Serum Repository. The study included:
- 530 cases and 530 controls, each matched based on birth date, race, ethnicity, year entered the service, and year of sample collection.
- A second sample collection taken a median of four years later for 187 case-control pairs.
- Serum samples collected between 1988 and 2017.
- Researchers quantified seven PFAS compounds in this study, which Dr. Purdue designed with a 95% confidence interval to ensure robust results.
PFAS Exposure Increases the Risk of Testicular Cancer
The study’s findings revealed that Air Force service members, particularly military firefighters and those stationed at bases with high PFAS concentrations in drinking water, exhibited elevated levels of certain PFAS in their blood. Furthermore, the research showed a positive association between elevated PFOS concentrations and an increased risk of testicular cancer. These findings underscore the need for further investigation into PFAS exposure and cancer risks across other military branches.
What Should Military Personnel Do?
Military members exposed to PFAS can take action to protect themselves and their families. First, exposed individuals can have their blood serum levels checked with a home test kit. We recommend the Eurofins Laboratory blood testing for our clients because it provides quality results at an affordable cost. Second, regular health checkups can provide monitoring of potential PFAS related health conditions. Early detection of cancer can save lives. Finally, if you have kidney, testicular, thyroid, or liver cancer, then you should consult an attorney who can file a legal claim to recover damages for your injuries. Military personnel are filing claims for recovery of money damages against 3M, DuPont, and other companies who manufactured these chemicals. These companies have already settled legal claims for billions of dollars and legal experts expect them to pay many billions more to settle injury claims by military members.
