Makeup, a ‘forever chemical’ in cookware, can trigger liver cancer.

A new study published in JHEP Reports discovered a link between liver cancer and exposure to “forever chemicals,” which are molecules that do not degrade naturally.

The study, undertaken by specialists from the University of Southern California’s (USC) Keck School of Medicine, discusses a class of compounds known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

These compounds can be found in a variety of industrial and consumer products, including takeout containers, nonstick cookware, fabrics, and even makeup.

The researchers discovered that PFAS exposure elevated the risk of liver cancer by 4.5 times.

According to the researchers, the chemical has the potential to impair liver functioning and induce non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

“This is the first human study to establish that PFAS are associated to liver cancer,” co-author Jesse Goodrich stated.

According to the study, the chemicals are primarily connected to the most frequent type of liver cancer, non-viral hepatocellular carcinoma.

Human samples from the University of Hawaii’s Multiethnic Cohort Study were used by the experts. A total of 50 patients with liver cancer were picked from their sample.

Blood samples collected before to cancer diagnosis were compared to those of 50 patients who did not get cancer.