POLLUTION AND HEALTH

  PFAS in Medicine: The Inescapable Dilemma — Global Perspectives on Innovation, Toxicity, and Health Equity Abstract Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic fluorinated compounds that have revolutionized modern medicine. Their unique chemical stability and resistance to heat, friction, and degradation make them vital in medical devices, implants, surgical equipment, and drug formulations. Yet, this same persistence has transformed PFAS into one of the most pressing global environmental and health concerns of the 21st century . This paper examines the paradoxical role of PFAS in the medical field—simultaneously life-saving and environmentally destructive—analyzing mechanisms of exposure, global inequities, regulatory frameworks, and emerging sustainable alternatives. It concludes with a call for international action toward PFAS-free medical innovation and ethical accountability in healthcare chemistry. 1. Introduction: The Paradox of Healing and Harm Modern...

  Rheumatic Heart Disease and PFAS: Mechanisms, Progression, and Impacts on Child Growth and Development Abstract Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) remains one of the most persistent cardiovascular diseases of poverty, disproportionately affecting children and young adults in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Traditionally regarded as a sequela of untreated Group A Streptococcus infections, RHD is now recognized as a multifactorial condition shaped by environmental, immunological, and socioeconomic factors . Among these, exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) —a class of persistent synthetic chemicals—represents an emerging and underappreciated threat. PFAS compounds, widely distributed in the environment, possess immune-modulating, endocrine-disrupting, and pro-inflammatory properties that can exacerbate autoimmune and fibrotic processes central to RHD. This paper explores the molecular and developmental intersections between PFAS exposure and RHD, emphasi...

  COPD, E-Waste, and PFAS: Global Implications for the Health of Women and Children Abstract The intersection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) , electronic waste (e-waste) , and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) represents a rapidly escalating global health crisis. As industrialization, digitalization, and consumption accelerate, the production of e-waste and release of persistent pollutants have outpaced safe management systems—especially in developing nations. Women and children, often at the forefront of informal recycling sectors and exposed to contaminated environments, face disproportionate health risks. This paper explores global exposure pathways linking PFAS and e-waste to COPD, emphasizing how global trade inequalities , chemical persistence , and weak international governance amplify vulnerabilities in the Global South. It concludes with multi-tiered recommendations for international policy reform, environmental justice, and public health pro...

  Epilepsy and PFAS: Understanding Exposures and Outcomes for Developing Children and Young Adults Abstract Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) represent one of the most persistent and pervasive groups of anthropogenic chemicals in the modern world. Their resistance to degradation, coupled with widespread industrial use, has resulted in their accumulation in soil, water, and biological systems across the globe. Recent evidence indicates that PFAS exposure may have profound implications for neurodevelopment, contributing to the onset and progression of neurological disorders such as epilepsy. This paper explores the intricate relationship between PFAS exposure and epilepsy in children and young adults, highlighting the neurobiological pathways, exposure dynamics, and emerging health risks in African contexts. It also outlines policy and governance interventions that can mitigate PFAS-related neurological risks and safeguard youth development across the continent. 1. Intro...