Cambridge scientists identify gut bacteria that may protect against PFAS chemical exposure

A research team at the University of Cambridge has discovered that certain species of gut bacteria may help protect the human body from harmful per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as “forever chemicals.” The findings raise the prospect of probiotic dietary supplements as a future method for reducing the health risks associated with these persistent industrial compounds.

PFAS are synthetic chemicals used for their water- and grease-resistant properties in products such as non-stick cookware, waterproof fabrics, cosmetics, and food packaging. However, due to their stability and resistance to degradation, PFAS accumulate in the environment and human body, where they have been linked to elevated cancer risks and other health issues.

According to the study, published by the Medical Research Council (MRC) Toxicology Unit, certain microbes within the human gut microbiome demonstrated a high capacity to absorb and sequester PFAS compounds. When introduced into mice with humanised gut bacteria, these microbes absorbed ingested PFAS, which were then eliminated through feces—offering a potential biological pathway to reduce toxic accumulation.

“PFAS were once considered safe, but it’s now clear they are not,” said Dr Anna Lindell, lead author of the study. “At low levels, they are not acutely toxic, but over time they behave like a slow poison.”

Co-author Dr Indra Roux added that although PFAS cannot yet be destroyed effectively, mitigating their biological impact is increasingly important: “We haven’t found a way to destroy PFAS, but our findings open the possibility of developing ways to get them out of our bodies where they do the most harm.”

Dr Kiran Patil, senior author of the study, noted that PFAS clustered within bacterial cells, shielding the microbes from toxic effects and enhancing their capacity to retain the chemicals.

Following these findings, the researchers have co-founded a startup, Cambiotics, with entrepreneur Peter Holme Jensen, aiming to develop a probiotic product that could augment the population of PFAS-absorbing bacteria in the human gut.

While the research has so far been limited to animal models, the team emphasized that further testing and regulatory review would be required before any probiotic intervention could be made available to the public. In the meantime, the scientists advise avoiding products known to contain PFAS where possible, such as coated cookware and treated fabrics.