It’s tied to elevated blood pressure.
A recent study has found that children exposed to PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” while in the womb may have a higher likelihood of developing high blood pressure during their teenage years. The study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, followed nearly 1,100 participants from the Boston Birth Cohort. Researchers discovered that boys were especially affected, with those whose mothers had higher PFAS levels after giving birth showing a significantly increased risk of elevated systolic blood pressure during adolescence.
PFAS are synthetic chemicals widely used in consumer products like nonstick cookware, food packaging, water-resistant clothing, and cosmetics. They are extremely persistent in the environment and the human body due to their strong chemical structure, making them difficult to break down. These chemicals are found in the blood of the vast majority of Americans, absorbed through food, water, air, and skin contact.
The researchers analyzed over 13,000 blood pressure readings from the children as they aged, comparing them to the PFAS concentrations in the mothers’ blood. They found that as PFAS levels in mothers doubled, the likelihood of their sons developing elevated blood pressure increased, especially between the ages of 13 and 18. The study also revealed a heightened risk among Black children, suggesting that PFAS exposure may disproportionately affect certain communities.
Although the study shows a strong association, it does not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship. However, the findings raise concerns about the long-term health effects of PFAS exposure beginning in the womb. Experts suggest that PFAS may not only impact fetal development during pregnancy but could even influence future generations if they affect the reproductive systems of parents before conception.
Researchers and health experts emphasize that personal efforts to reduce PFAS exposure—like using water filters and avoiding products containing these chemicals—can help, but larger policy-level changes are necessary. They call for stricter regulations on PFAS use in consumer goods and better monitoring of water systems to protect public health, especially during pregnancy and early childhood.
Discussion about this post