British Heart Week 2025

British Heart Week in 2025 is being held from June 7th to June 15th. This week-long event aims to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease and evaluate some of the latest research into to maintaining a healthy heart.

In this article we discuss PFAS and the implications of these ‘forever chemicals’ on cardiovascular health. Studies have indicated that PFAS chemicals can accumulate in the human body over time, leading to potential adverse health effects. We discuss the routes of exposure, health impacts and how Arvia is helping to tackle the PFAS problem.

British Heart Week 2025

British Heart Week 2025 is an annual event dedicated to raising awareness about cardiovascular health and promoting preventive measures to reduce heart disease in the UK. Founded by the British Heart Foundation (BHF), the week encourages individuals to learn about heart conditions, access treatment, and support research efforts.

The BHF has identified air pollution as a contributing factor of heart and circulatory diseases and has called upon the UK government to set health-based limits to ensure stricter air quality limits.

Equally as important is emerging role of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and the risks from long-term exposure from these forever chemicals and their effects on cardiovascular health.

Understanding PFAS in the Environment

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals that have been used in various industrial applications and consumer products since the 1940s.

Referred to as ‘forever chemicals’ because of their resilience and resistance to heat, water, and oil, these substances are commonly used in items such as non-stick cookware, water-repellent clothing, and firefighting foams. The extensive prevalence and enduring nature of PFAS pose considerable challenges to environmental integrity and public health on a global scale.

Implications of PFAS on Heart Health

Studies have shown that long-term exposure to PFAS can have significant implications for cardiovascular health. Here are some of the potential effects:

• Increased Cholesterol Levels: PFAS exposure (especially PFOA and PFOS) have been linked to higher levels of cholesterol, which is a major risk factor for heart disease.
• Hypertension: Research suggests that PFAS may contribute to elevated blood pressure, further increasing the risk of heart-related issues.
• Cardiovascular Disease: There is growing concern that PFAS may play a direct role in the development of cardiovascular diseases, although more research is needed to fully understand this relationship.

Routes of PFAS Exposure

The primary routes of human exposure to PFAS include:

• Inhalation Exposure: PFAS exposure can occur from breathing dust or airborne PFAS.
• Contaminated Drinking Water: PFAS can leach into groundwater sources, making drinking water a significant pathway for human exposure.
• Contaminated Food: PFAS can enter the food chain through contaminated soil and water, affecting crops and animal products.
• Dermal Exposure: Skin contact with PFAS-containing products.

Once PFAS enter the human body, they can remain there for an extended period, even after exposure has ceased.

Bioaccumulation and Long-Term Exposure

PFAS are known for their ability to persist in the environment and accumulate in the human body over time. This bioaccumulation can lead to higher concentrations of PFAS in individuals, especially those living in areas with significant environmental contamination. Long-term exposure can have compounding effects, exacerbating the potential health risks associated with these substances.

How Arvia is dealing with the PFAS Challenge

Arvia has pioneered a unique technological solution to tackle our planet’s PFAS challenge head-on. Using advanced electrochemical oxidation, our PFAS wastewater treatment system ensures complete destruction of “Forever Chemicals” including AFFFs without harmful secondary waste. Scalable and sustainable, it helps industries meet regulations while safeguarding water and public health.

Nyex Florenox™ Reactors represent the next generation of Arvia’s electrochemical oxidation technology, built to perform efficiently at low pressure and temperature. The EO process relies on the mass transfer of PFAS to the electrode surface, which is optimised by Florenox advanced 3-D anode. These innovations make Florenox highly efficient and eco-friendly solution for PFAS wastewater treatment.

To see how Arvia Technology could benefit many water treatment systems worldwide, check the Arvia website or make contact to set up a one-to-one consultation with a water science expert.

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