Forever Chemicals Linked to Multiple Sclerosis in Concerning New Study : ScienceAlert

Forever Chemicals Linked to Increased Multiple Sclerosis Risk: Swedish Study Raises Alarming Health Concerns

A groundbreaking new study from Sweden has uncovered a troubling connection between exposure to “forever chemicals” and an increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS), potentially shedding light on the mysterious 26% global rise in MS cases over the past three decades.

The research, conducted by scientists at Uppsala University and published in Environment International, analyzed blood samples from 907 recently diagnosed MS patients and 907 healthy controls. The team measured concentrations of 24 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—the technical term for forever chemicals—along with seven byproducts from related compounds called polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

The findings were striking: individuals with higher levels of these persistent chemicals in their bloodstream showed significantly elevated odds of developing MS. Some of the strongest associations emerged from combinations of PFAS compounds rather than single chemicals acting alone, highlighting the complex “toxic synergy” that occurs when multiple environmental contaminants interact in the human body.

“People with the highest concentrations of PFOS and PCBs had approximately twice as high odds of being diagnosed with MS, compared with those with the lowest concentrations,” explained lead author Kim Kultima, a clinical chemist at Uppsala University.

The study identified particularly concerning links with PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate), a PFAS compound that was widely used in firefighting foams, stain-resistant fabrics, and non-stick cookware before being phased out in many countries. Additionally, two PCB byproducts—4-OH-CB187 and 3-OH-CB153—showed strong associations with increased MS risk.

What makes these findings especially alarming is that both PFOS and these OH-PCBs can cross the blood-brain barrier, potentially infiltrating immune cells in the central nervous system. If these chemicals induce oxidative stress, they could impair the brain’s antioxidant defenses, possibly contributing to the muscle weakness, numbness, and vision impairment characteristic of MS.

The research revealed an unexpected twist: participants carrying a gene variant typically associated with lower MS risk actually showed more than fourfold higher risk when exposed to elevated PFOS levels. “This indicates that there is a complex interaction between inheritance and environmental exposure linked to the odds of MS,” Kultima noted. “We think it is important to understand how environmental contaminants interact with hereditary factors, as this can provide new knowledge about the genesis of MS and could also be relevant for other diseases.”

Forever chemicals have become ubiquitous in modern life since their introduction in the mid-20th century. These persistent compounds are now found in water supplies, beverages, food, human blood, even human brains, and can penetrate human skin through cosmetic products. With over 12,000 PFAS chemicals produced globally, only two—PFOA and PFOS—have established clear links to cancer and birth defects, yet they persist in the environment for decades after production has ceased.

The Swedish study’s implications extend beyond MS, suggesting that environmental chemical exposures may play a more significant role in autoimmune diseases than previously understood. As MS cases have more than doubled in some nations since 1990, this research provides a potential explanation for the mysterious increase in prevalence.

Tags: forever chemicals, PFAS, multiple sclerosis, MS, environmental toxins, autoimmune disease, Sweden research, PFOS, PCBs, blood-brain barrier, oxidative stress, gene-environment interaction, toxic synergy, environmental health, medical breakthrough

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