By Sandee LaMotte, CNN

(CNN) — The “forever chemicals” known as PFAS appear to be aging men faster in their 50s and early 60s, a new study found.

Called forever chemicals due to the years it takes for them to break down, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances are present in the blood of an estimated 98% of Americans, according to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

Epigenetic aging — a measurement of one’s biological age instead of chronological age — was most advanced in men, according to the study.

“The associations between PFAS exposure and accelerated epigenetic aging were strongest in men aged 50 – 65,” said senior study author Xiangwei Li, a professor of epidemiology at China’s Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, in an email.

“In younger men and those over 65, the associations were weaker and generally not statistically significant,” Li said. “We observed some associations in women, but they were generally smaller and less consistent than those seen in middle-aged men.”

The findings indicate a “sex-specific effect” that can be expected for chemicals that disrupt the endocrine system, a vital network that regulates key bodily functions such as growth, metabolism, mood and reproduction, said Jane Muncke, managing director and chief scientific officer at the Food Packaging Forum, who was not involved in the study.

The forum is a nonprofit foundation based in Zurich, Switzerland, that focuses on science communication and research on plastics and other chemicals used in industry.

In men, the accumulation of PFAS may lower testosterone levels, impair sperm quality and increase risks of testicular and kidney cancers.

Earlier studies show women appear to eliminate certain PFAS faster than men due to pregnancy, breastfeeding and menstrual blood loss. Studies have also found the difference in PFAS accumulation between women and men narrows after menopause.

While the new study’s results are interesting, they “cannot be interpreted as cause-and-effect but rather are puzzle pieces, or building blocks, to establish biological plausibility,” Muncke said in an email.

The American Chemistry Council, which represents the industry, told CNN the “exploratory” study was based on a small sample of older adults using data collected more than 20 years ago.

“This paper does not provide evidence that PFAS exposure causes aging, nor does it change the extensive body of scientific and regulatory work already underway to understand and manage specific PFAS of potential concern,” Tom Flanagin, the council’s senior director of communications, said in an email.

Using a biological clock

The study, published Thursday in the journal Frontiers in Aging, used public data from a randomly chosen group of 326 older women and men enrolled in 1999 and 2000 in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Blood samples gathered at the time were examined for the presence of 11 types of PFAS chemicals. The DNA methylome — an epigenetic marker regulating gene expression — was also measured in the blo

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) Three of the six members of the Santa Barbara / Puerto Vallarta Sister City Committee including Gil Garcia and Marti Correa de Garcia arrived home to Santa Barbara on Wednesday.

They wouldn't be home without the help of firefighters who made sure their three and half hour journey to the airport was safe.

Committee member and former Santa Barbara City Council Member Gil Garcia said the Rotary Club and the International Firefighter Training Association work with their sister city programs.

That friendship made them act like family.

When they heard about six committee members stranded, following six days a the El Grullo Health Spa, they reached out to help.

"I want people to know there is a wonderful health spa to go to and we went to that and we were having a great time and then suddenly on Sunday the day we were going to leave violence exploded all over the highways, burning cars and destruction and there was a major battle between the Mexican government infantry and the cartel," said Garcia,"

Garcia said the Fire Chief in Tuxpan, Jalisco arranged for an ambulance from Tonya to give the 6 of them a ride to the city of San Gabriel and from their they took a van to a hotel in Guadalajara near the airport .

"Sister City helps a lot of with training and equipment for firefighters in that whole area so a lot of the firefighters knew we were there and they were look throughout the whole city at all the routes to get back to the airport and found one that was available very quickly," said Garcia.

They even brought a fire pick-up truck Sister City had donated.

"They put us in official looking cars, an ambulance, we went to one city and they got a civil protection van and another fire Suburban and they got us to Guadalajara," said Garcia.

It was a three and half hour journey and they refused to take money and said the government picked up the tab.

"When I tried to thank them as a matter of fact for doing this they said 'oh know we thank Sister City for all the equipment you have given us and all the training you have given us."

He joked to a friend that maybe they should do it all again.

"Happy to be back feeling relieved, happy to back and out of the center of violence right in that little town the whole region is kind of controlled by that cartel," said Garcia.

Marti de Garcia was in charge of the travel plans going to the spa where they both felt young.

She said her husband lost more than ten pounds by eating right.

"We are safe ,we are happy and tired, but that is not going to stop us from going back to Mexico it is where are roots are from, both Gil and I," said Correa de Garcia.

Space wasn't available on the plane for all of them on Wednesday.

Three remaining at a hotel by the airport will catch flights out on Thursday and Friday.

They hope to debrief together once they are all home.

Your News Channel will share their story tonight on the news.

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