Medline Plus writes that osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. Osteoarthritis causes pain, swelling, and reduced motion in your joints. This disorder can occur in any joint, but usually it affects your hands, knees, hips or spine. The cartilage in your joints
is broken down with osteoarthritis. On Feb. 14, 2013, Science Daily reported, Common Chemicals Linked to Osteoarthritis.
Exposure to two common perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) has been linked with osteoarthritis in a new study. PFCs are used in more than 200 industrial processes and consumer products which include certain stain- and water-resistant fabrics, grease-proof paper food containers, personal care products, and other items. Due to their persistence, PFCs have become ubiquitous contaminants of humans and wildlife.
This study is the first to examine the associations between perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), and osteoarthritis, in a population which is representative of the United States. Sarah Uhl, who authored the study, has said, "We found that PFOA and PFOS exposures are associated with higher prevalence of osteoarthritis, particularly in women, a group that is disproportionately impacted by this chronic disease." In the study women in the highest 25% of exposure to PFOA had about two times the odds of having osteoarthritis in comparison with those in the lowest 25% of exposure.
