Exposure to PFAS causes ulcerative colitis
PFAS exposure disrupts the digestive system’s normal immune function, leading to ulcerative colitis. A study of 32,254 adults exposed to PFAS through contaminated drinking water found that those with the highest PFOA levels had 2.86 times the risk of developing ulcerative colitis compared to those with the lowest levels.
PFAS chemicals can cause ulcerative colitis by fundamentally altering the immune system’s ability to protect the gut. The toxic compounds cause the immune cells, known as macrophages, to become anti-inflammatory, thereby increasing the susceptibility of the digestive tract to harmful bacteria and infections. Furthermore, PFAS chemicals disrupt the critical balance between TH1 and TH2 immune responses, triggering dangerous hypersensitivity responses in colon tissues.
Most damaging effects of PFAS occur when they compromise the intestinal barrier, the lining that prevents bacteria and toxins from entering the gut. As soon as this barrier weakens, bacterial toxins can easily invade, resulting in a continuous inflammatory response from the immune system. It creates the painful symptoms and tissue damage characteristic of ulcerative colitis in the colon and rectum as a result of this chronic inflammation.
Get legal help filing your PFAS exposure claim for ulcerative colitis
You may be entitled to compensation if you developed ulcerative colitis after exposure to PFAS on a contaminated military base. We have more than 30 years of experience in toxic exposure cases and can assist you in filing PFAS-related claims. Veterans must provide their military records and medical records, and family members must provide proof of residence on a contaminated military base and documentation of diagnosis. You can get a free legal consultation with us to learn more about your options.