A study published in the journal Brain Health suggests that apheresis—a medical procedure used to lower cholesterol—may also remove perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as “forever chemicals,” from human blood. Researchers found that levels of specific toxic compounds dropped by up to 25 percent following double-filtration plasmapheresis sessions in a small group of patients.
How Apheresis Filters PFAS from the Bloodstream
Apheresis machines typically treat patients with severe high cholesterol by drawing blood from one arm, separating fat molecules from the plasma via a filter, and returning the cleaned blood to the other arm. The Technical University of Dresden in Germany operates the largest such facility globally, performing up to 10,000 treatments annually.
To investigate the removal of toxins, researchers analyzed discarded apheresis bags to identify what the filters captured alongside lipids. According to Stefan R.
Did you know? Forever chemicals are found in the blood of over 90 percent of the global population, primarily due to contamination in drinking water.
Quantifying the Reduction of Toxic Compounds
The study assessed 34 patients before and after two double-filtration plasmapheresis sessions. The data showed a concurrent drop in high-risk low-density cholesterol and four specific forever chemicals:
- Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
- Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS)
- Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)
- Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS)
While these chemicals decreased by up to 25 percent, the researchers noted a lack of “clean results” regarding the removal of microplastics. The study did not provide conclusive evidence via a controlled clinical trial that the method is a viable primary treatment for chemical toxicity.
Future Research and the Microplastic Challenge
Microplastics enter the body through environmental breakdown, with estimates suggesting the average person ingests between 39,000 and 52,000 plastic particles every year.
Dr. Bornstein stated the next phase of research involves exposing large animals to nanoplastics and microplastics labeled with iron or radiotracers. The team plans to use PET and MRI imaging to track these particles and determine if apheresis can effectively clear them from the system.
Expert Perspective: While blood filtration is a promising area of study, Dr. Bornstein emphasizes that preventing exposure remains the first priority, as cleaning the body after contamination is more expensive and difficult.
Comparison of Contaminants and Removal Potential
| Contaminant | Source of Exposure | Apheresis Result |
|---|---|---|
| PFAS (Forever Chemicals) | Non-stick coatings, firefighting foams | Up to 25% reduction |
| Microplastics | Plastic degradation, ingestion | No clean result/Inconclusive |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are forever chemicals?
PFAS are synthetic chemicals used in stain-resistant fabrics and non-stick cookware. They are called “forever chemicals” because they do not break down easily in the environment or the human body, increasing risks of cancer and hormone disruption.
Is apheresis available for detoxing blood?
The use of this technology for removing PFAS or microplastics is still in the research stage.
Can this process remove all microplastics?
The study published in Brain Health did not find evidence that the current apheresis filtration method successfully removes plastic particles from the blood.
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