In this episode of Paul Talks Science, I sat down with Dr. Hailey Hampson, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of South Carolina and the University of Washington, to discuss a growing but often overlooked public health threat—PFAS chemicals. Known as “forever chemicals” due to their persistence in the environment and human body, PFAS have been linked to a range of health issues, including chronic kidney disease.

Hailey, the lead author of a recent study published in Science of The Total Environment, shared groundbreaking findings on how PFAS exposure disrupts the gut microbiome, which in turn may contribute to declining kidney function. By analyzing long-term data, her team discovered that individuals with higher PFAS levels had lower kidney function, as well as reduced numbers of beneficial gut bacteria.

Beyond the science, we explored the policy challenges surrounding PFAS regulation, socioeconomic disparities in exposure risk, and potential interventions—including dietary changes and filtration technologies—to mitigate PFAS-related health risks. With these chemicals found in water, food, and consumer products, tackling this issue requires urgent action from governments, researchers, and the public.

🎧 Listen now to gain a deeper understanding of this pressing environmental health issue and what we can do about it.

🔗 Explore More:
📄 Read Hailey’s study: ScienceDirect
📖 The Revelator – PFAS Deregulation: The Revelator

#PFAS #PublicHealth #SciencePodcast #KidneyHealth #EnvironmentalScience