Household chemicals linked to cholesterol levels

(HealthScout) UPDATED 2009-11-02

Boston University researchers have found that chemicals found in food packaging, textile coating, and paper may affect people's cholesterol levels. For the study, scientists analyzed the link between cholesterol levels and four chemicals: perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS). All of these compounds are polyfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFCs), which are present in the bodies of most people. The researchers found that people with levels of PFOS, PFOA, and PFNA in the top 25 percent had higher total and harmful cholesterol than those with levels in the lowest 25 percent. Read full story >

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