
Unborn babies were exposed to significantly higher levels of “forever chemicals” than researchers previously thought—and the full implications are only now starting to come into focus.
A new study published today (February 18) in Environmental Science & Technology reports that babies born between 2003 and 2006 were exposed in the womb to far higher levels of “forever chemicals” than scientists previously believed.
Known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), these chemicals encompass thousands of compounds that remain widely used. Researchers still do not fully understand their effects on human health, making it especially critical to assess how much exposure occurs before birth.
The study was led by Shelley H. Liu, PhD, Associate Professor of Population Health Science and Policy at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Her team developed a method to estimate newborn PFAS exposure using advanced cord blood analysis.
PFAS are man-made chemicals used in common products like nonstick pans, stain-resistant clothing, food packaging, and firefighting foam. They’re called “forever chemicals” because they break down slowly and build up in the body and environment.
Advanced Testing Reveals Wider PFAS Exposure
Scientists analyzed stored cord blood from 120 infants (2003–2006) in the Cincinnati-based HOME Study to assess prenatal exposure. Now teenagers, these participants allow researchers to study links between early chemical exposure and later health.
Instead of testing a few known chemicals, the team used a non-targeted method to screen hundreds or thousands of substances at once. This wider approach detected far more PFAS in cord blood, including newer, less-studied compounds.
Overall, the researchers identified 42 confirmed or suspected PFAS in the samples. Many of these chemicals are not routinely included in standard screenings, and their possible health effects remain largely unknown. The results indicate that babies are exposed before birth to a diverse range of PFAS, including perfluorinated chemicals, polyfluorinated chemicals, and fluorotelomers.
A New Method for Assessing Overall PFAS Exposure
To better assess overall exposure, the researchers created what they termed PFAS-omics burden scores using item response theory. These scores offer a snapshot of an infant’s combined PFAS exposure at a specific point in time.
Using this more comprehensive measure, the team found no differences in PFAS exposure between babies born to first-time mothers and those whose mothers had prior pregnancies—contradicting earlier studies that relied on narrower PFAS panels.
“Our findings show that the way we measure PFAS makes a significant difference,” said Shelley H. Liu, the study’s first and co-corresponding author. “A broader approach shows babies are exposed to far more PFAS before birth than we thought, and some assumptions may need revising.”
The Importance of PFAS Exposure Before Birth
Pregnancy is a crucial stage of development, and earlier research has connected prenatal PFAS exposure to outcomes like reduced birth weight, preterm delivery, altered immune responses to vaccines, metabolic changes, and other developmental concerns.
“Our study demonstrates that prenatal PFAS exposure is more extensive and complicated than previously thought,” said Shelley H. Liu. “Gaining a complete understanding is key to safeguarding children’s health and minimizing preventable environmental risks.”
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has emphasized that reducing exposure to environmental toxins like PFAS is a “critical area of intervention.”
Implications for Healthcare Providers and Families
Although research increasingly shows that PFAS can affect various aspects of health, these chemicals are not regularly monitored in medical practice.
The new approach provides a more complete way to estimate overall PFAS exposure. In the future, methods like this could assist healthcare providers in:
- Detect people with elevated PFAS exposure
- Closely track populations at greater risk
- Inform strategies for preventive health
“For the moment, this research establishes a scientific foundation,” said Shelley H. Liu. “Our aim is to advance toward earlier detection and prevention, particularly during critical periods such as pregnancy.”
Future Directions for PFAS Studies
The research team aims to investigate whether greater early-life PFAS exposure is associated with adverse health outcomes as children develop. They also aim to study new, less-known PFAS in cord blood and improve tools for disease prevention.
Read the original article on: SciTechDaily
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