A recent study examining the long-term presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in human blood following long-term exposure to the chemicals after a paper mill was linked to local drinking water contamination found that women in the low-exposure study group were more successful at eliminating the PFAS from their bodies than men in the same group.

PFAS encompass thousands of man-made chemicals found in everyday items such as nonstick cookware, firefighting foams, grease-resistant food wrappers and water-resistant clothing. PFAS, known as
"forever chemicals" because of the long time it takes them to break down, can cause harm in high exposure amounts.

The chemicals can stay in the bloodstream years after intervention has occurred, the study found. However, for those in the low-exposure group, men had a higher chance of retaining the PFAS in their blood long term.