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Show HN: PFAS.report – Measure the forever chemicals in your blood via Quest

pfas.report

11–20 of 155 posts

Re: Show HN: PFAS.report – Measure the forever chemicals in your blood via Quest

#11

am currently deciding what to do next. That's what I was wondering, what do you do with this information? How do you narrow down where your exposure came from?

Honestly it's super hard. And weird.

It reminds me of leaded gasoline in the 50s. It's everywhere. Everyone has it in their bodies. What now.

New regulations in California are banning this stuff in food packaging. And EPA just has new limits for tap water that are really aggressive.

So I think it's moving in a good direction.

Since my tap water isn't the issue, and I don't have any obvious other source of exposure, I'm currently focused on how to get out what's already in there.

Re: Show HN: PFAS.report – Measure the forever chemicals in your blood via Quest

#12

am currently deciding what to do next. That's what I was wondering, what do you do with this information? How do you narrow down where your exposure came from?

Maybe start donating blood regularly? https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle...

Re: Show HN: PFAS.report – Measure the forever chemicals in your blood via Quest

#14
post #10

I've previously been advised by my doctor that PFAS tests are of limited utility due to the lack of process controls which could introduce contamination. Given how novel this area of testing is and the prevalence of PFAS in all types of materials, you can't know whether any detection of PFAS in your blood sample is due to presence in your body or presence in the lab + testing equipment. How does your solution through…

I would say it could be an issue, but is controlled for. The Quest Interface has a special cautionary statement for phlebotomists collecting samples for this test that says; "Note: Sample collection devices coated with PTFE/Teflon® and PVDF should be avoided because of potential specimen contamination."

Edit: grammer

Re: Show HN: PFAS.report – Measure the forever chemicals in your blood via Quest

#15
post #8

>There's some research out of Australia indicating blood donation is effective at removing it from the body. Great. Another reason to regularly donate blood. And you don't even have to pay 399$!

Blood letting is back!

Re: Show HN: PFAS.report – Measure the forever chemicals in your blood via Quest

#17

This is awesome. Looking forward to your expansion beyond California and efforts to have insurance cover this diagnostic test. Would also be cool to have an opt-in for folks to share their report, location, etc for research purposes.

In regards to the data collection, we thought about that but don't want to scare people off. Maybe zipcode is enough? We already added a small option dropdown for occupation.

Re: Show HN: PFAS.report – Measure the forever chemicals in your blood via Quest

#18
post #8

>There's some research out of Australia indicating blood donation is effective at removing it from the body. Great. Another reason to regularly donate blood. And you don't even have to pay 399$!

Blood letting is back!

lol totally

Re: Show HN: PFAS.report – Measure the forever chemicals in your blood via Quest

#19
This is interesting, and I suppose has a use of "data over time" but I fail to see how this testing is of any actionable value for the average person. So you're exposed, and PFAS is in EVERYTHING.... so ... what should I do? Nothing realistically. Unless I find an obvious source like my water, there isn't much I can do besides replacing my cooking pans. I can replace my pans without this test.

It's a little like those ads to sell you a full body MRI. Most doctors recommend against them because you're likely to do more harm to yourself than they actually fix something.

If you're concerned about PFAS, live a healthy life and skip spending money on the testing. Live somewhere with PFAS in the water? Get a reverse osmosis filter. Replace your cookware with something that doesn't contain PFAS. Don't use storage containers for food with PFAS. Check your water bottles.

Then live your life, because until we change as a society, there is only so much you can do.

Re: Show HN: PFAS.report – Measure the forever chemicals in your blood via Quest

#20

This is a great idea and I hope one day you can expand to the east coast so I can take the test myself. However, the price tag of $399 is pretty steep for something that just feeds my curiosity and can't be covered by insurance.

We're working on a way users can submit their lab req for reimbursement but it's complicated because America
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