Gut Microbes Offer Hope Against “Forever Chemicals”
Cambridge Research Uncovers Natural Pathway for PFAS Removal
New research from the University of Cambridge reveals a groundbreaking discovery: specific gut microbes can actively absorb and help expel toxic PFAS, commonly known as “forever chemicals,” from the body. This offers a potentially gentler alternative to current, more invasive methods of reducing these persistent pollutants.
Microbial Action Targets Persistent Pollutants
The study demonstrated that certain beneficial bacteria can remove up to 75% of some PFAS compounds from the gut of mice. This finding is significant as the primary existing methods for lowering PFAS levels in humans involve bloodletting or using cholesterol-reducing drugs with undesirable side effects.
Exciting new #research from @Cambridge_Uni shows gut microbes can help expel #PFAS, or “forever chemicals”! A potential breakthrough for human health. #publichealth #science
— World News Today (@WorldNewsToday) August 1, 2025
This pioneering work has led several authors to plan the development of probiotic supplements aimed at increasing the population of these helpful microbes in the human gut, potentially lowering PFAS concentrations.
“If this could be used in humans to create probiotics that can help remove Pfas from the body then this would be a nicer solution in that it wouldn’t have so many side effects.”
— Anna Lindell, Cambridge doctoral student and co-author of the study
PFAS, a group of approximately 15,000 chemicals, are widely used for their water, stain, and grease-resistant properties in many consumer products. Their persistence in the environment and the body, earning them the “forever chemicals” moniker, has been linked to serious health issues including cancer, birth defects, and kidney disease. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has stated that no level of exposure to certain common PFAS, like Pfoa and Pfos, in drinking water is considered safe.
Mechanism of Action and Future Prospects
While this marks the first instance of gut bacteria being identified for PFAS removal, similar microbes have shown efficacy in mitigating the impact of other contaminants, such as microplastics. The researchers initially investigated a range of 42 common food contaminants when they identified specific microbes excelling at expelling PFAS.
The study introduced nine bacterial species into the gut microbiome of mice. These microbes rapidly accumulated, absorbed ingested PFAS, and facilitated their excretion through feces. The authors believe the bacteria utilize a “pump” mechanism to transport and expel toxins from their cells. Further research is needed to fully understand how these chemicals are drawn into the cells, but scientists suspect a similar pump system is at play, mirroring mechanisms microbes use to expel other substances.
The bacteria appear particularly effective against “long-chain” PFAS, which are more harmful and longer-lasting in the body than their shorter-chain counterparts. For instance, Pfoa and Pfna were expelled by the microbes at rates of up to 58% and 74%, respectively.
The lead researchers have founded a company, Cambiotics, to create a probiotic based on these findings, with plans for human trials. However, Anna Lindell emphasized that this probiotic is not a panacea.
“This should not be used as an excuse to downplay other sustainable solutions or to not address the bigger Pfas problem,” she cautioned.
Globally, concerns about PFAS contamination continue to grow. In some regions, like parts of California, PFAS have been found in public water systems, leading to advisories and remediation efforts. The U.S. has proposed limits for PFAS in drinking water, aiming to address widespread contamination.
