Source
Brake HD, Wilkins MJ, Kaneene JB. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances: using comparative medicine to understand exposure and adverse health outcomes in people and their pets. Am J Vet Res. 2023;1-11. doi:10.2460/ajvr.22.12.0221
Research Note
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are desirable in manufacturing and industry as protective coatings and lubricants; however, PFAS have been linked to adverse health effects in humans, including developmental delays, immune suppression, endocrine and reproductive system disruption, and cancer. Dogs and cats are exposed to PFAS-treated floors and carpets, as well as other potential sources (eg, drinking water) in the home, and may thus serve as sentinels for human PFAS exposure. According to recent studies, serum PFAS levels in dogs and cats are analogous to those in humans in a shared environment, and dogs and cats experience similar adverse health effects following exposure. Although further research is needed to determine primary routes of exposure, biomarkers of exposure, biological effects, and half-life of PFAS in dogs and cats, the authors of the current study suggest dogs and cats may help identify risks for humans.
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