Playing the Ball and the Man?

Per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is a family of circa 1600 'forever chemicals'. They are produced to make a variety of commercial products water and/or stain-resistent. PFASs are called 'forever chemicals' because they don't seem to break down in the environment. New evidence from Wayne State University School of Medicine, shows that even modest PFAS doses accumulate in the testes of laboratory rodents (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/jun/22/toxic-pfas-chemicals-testes). These 'forever chemicals' damage sperm, during a sensitive developmental period. PFASs alter sperm DNA methylation. The consequent changes can be inherited at fertilisation. This influences both early life development and later offspring health. Cholesterol values are increased, with potential influences on artheriosclerosis (blocking of blood vessels by plaque). This condition increases human risk of stroke and coronary heart disease. The suggestion that males might have to learn which products to avoid (e.g. non-stick frying pans, water-proof clothing and fast food containers), seems completely fatuous. PFASs are almost ubiquitous!