Bloodletting recommended for Jersey residents after PFAS contamination
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The island’s private drinking water supplies were polluted by use of firefighting foams containing ‘forever chemicals’. Residents of Jersey have been recommended bloodletting to reduce high concentrations of “forever chemicals” in their blood after tests showed some islanders have levels that can lead to health problems.
![[Jeremy Snowdon]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/adda406cfaa3251ec8c79f27f2a258938d08af32/1084_289_1163_1455/master/1163.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
Private drinking water supplies in Jersey were polluted by the use of firefighting foams containing PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) at the island’s airport, which were manufactured by the US multinational 3M. PFAS, a family of more than 10,000 chemicals, can build up in the body and are linked to conditions such as kidney and bladder cancer, thyroid disease and immune deficiency.
![[Graeme Farmer]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/a4be15e688d66426fa5c36f62f4d8ae982ab32f8/199_531_734_917/master/734.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
Bloodletting draws blood from a vein in measured amounts. It is safe and the body replenishes the blood naturally, but it must be repeated until clean. “I just want this out of my body. I don’t want to end up with bladder cancer,” said Sarah Simon, a resident from the polluted area who has high levels in her blood.
In response to the blood results, the government established an independent PFAS scientific advisory panel to advise public policy. The panel’s first report recommended that the government should look at offering bloodletting to affected residents. “Studies show that bloodletting is an effective way to lower levels of PFAS in blood,” said Ian Cousins, one of the panel members, though he added that there were no guarantees the process would prevent or cure diseases associated with the chemicals.
