Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of thousands of synthetically produced chemicals used in a wide range of everyday products around the world. They are often called “forever chemicals” because it takes a long time for these substances to break down naturally and can remain in the bodies of humans and animals for many years.
A team of researchers from Örebro University and the University of Aberdeen published a study involving 78 fetuses. It is the first study of its kind in which researchers conducted extensive metabolic profiling and measured PFAS in human fetuses.
The results of research were published in the journal The Lancet Planetary Health.
PFAS: because they are dangerous for the fetus
There is strong evidence that PFAS can affect both the immune system and metabolism, and exposure to certain levels of PFAS is associated with cancer, diabetes and a variety of other diseases. These chemicals have been used since the 1950s in a wide variety of products, such as nonstick pans, ski boots, water-repellent clothing, and food packaging. They are also common in makeup and skin creams.
Professor Paul Fowler from the University of Aberdeen said: “We found PFAS in the livers of fetuses and, unfortunately, the findings provide clear evidence that exposure to these chemicals forever in the womb affects the foetus. Those exposed to higher levels of PFAS had altered metabolism and liver function long before birth.”
The researchers believe it is likely that at least some of these effects will be persistent and likely increase the risk of metabolic diseases in adulthood.
“We were surprised by the strong association of these chemicals with changes in fetal metabolism. It is similar to some metabolic changes that occur in adults. In particular, we found that PFAS exposure is linked to changed bile acid and lipid metabolism in fetuses,” says Tuulia. Hyötyläinen, professor of chemistry at Örebro University. The liver plays a significant role in human well-being.
“Changes in central metabolism can profoundly affect the entire body. In particular, changes during fetal development can have long-term consequences for future health,” added Professor Orešič.
The likely impact of PFAS is similar to changes that occur as a result of metabolic diseases such as diabetes and fatty liver. The 78 fetuses analyzed by the researchers were voluntarily aborted between the 12th and 19th week and considered essentially healthy.
Several types of PFAS are banned by the EU, where regulations are stricter than, for example, China. Diseases such as childhood obesity and diabetes have soared in China in recent years. Researchers believe these and other environmental chemicals may be one cause of this increase.
Professor Orešič continued: “A connection is very likely. And it may turn out that exposure to harmful chemicals has a comparable or even greater impact than lifestyle when it comes to some diseases.”
A new study from Project Viva demonstrates the impact of prenatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on children. The study observed a strong link between increased prenatal exposure to PFAS and increased rates of obesity and body fat in adolescent offspring, further defining and adding depth to their colloquial name: “forever chemicals.”
The study, “Associations of Prenatal Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance (PFAS) Exposures with Offspring Adiposity and Body Composition at 16–20 Years of Age: Project Viva,” was conducted by researchers at the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute.
PFAS are commonly found in drinking water and consumer products such as non-stick cookware, food packaging and waterproof clothing and are known for their persistent nature in the environment. While it is well documented that exposure to PFAS can cause various health problems such as cardiovascular problems, little is known about how prenatal exposure may impact offspring and how long such impacts may follow them into adolescence and beyond.
The researchers studied 545 mother-child pairs from Project Viva, a Boston-based group that is entering its 25th year. Using chemical measurements in the mothers' blood samples collected during pregnancy and measurements of the weight and body composition of their offspring (now aged 16-20), the team used new statistical methods to examine how the chemicals interacted with each other and how the chemicals in combination increased the risk of obesity and affected children's body composition.
“Using data collection from Project Viva, one of the largest and longest-running pediatric cohorts in the United States, we were able to include a longer follow-up time than previous studies on this topic and also measure body composition of adolescent offspring,” said senior author Marie-France Hivert, Harvard Medical School associate professor of population medicine at the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute. “We also analyzed mixtures of PFAS, adding to the clear associations found in individual pollutant models from other studies.”
The study team found that higher levels of certain PFAS in maternal blood significantly increased the risk of obesity in children, by 13% to 59%. Children with higher prenatal PFAS exposures demonstrated faster increases in BMI starting around age 9-11, during puberty. This link, the authors say, filled a critical gap in illustrating the long-term consequences of PFAS for developmental health, especially in the area of the obesity epidemic.
“Preventing and treating childhood obesity is notoriously difficult; identifying and addressing the new environmental factors that can cause it in the first years of life is particularly important. PFAS are called “forever chemicals” because they are “forever” persistent in the environment. Our study showed that
their effects on prenatal health can also have a lasting impact,” says Mingyu Zhang, former researcher at the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute and lead author of the study.
Dr. Zhang, now a Harvard Medical School faculty member at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, adds: “Our findings have significant public health implications and highlight the need for stricter regulations on the use of PFAS and further research on best practices to mitigate its impact. especially on vulnerable populations.”
Scientists worry that PFAS could build up in some people exposed to the chemicals over long periods of time. Because they do not break down easily, they can accumulate in the food chain. The main way people are exposed is through consuming contaminated food and water. According to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, they are detected in the blood of 98% of Americans.
Studies have linked higher levels of PFAS exposure to a number of health problems, including cancer, liver and kidney damage, cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes, and immune system dysfunction in adults.
Exposed pregnant women have an increased risk of gestational hypertension and diabetes. Babies in the womb and newborns are also vulnerable, as they can enter the placenta and be present in breast milk. Exposure to infants and children can lead to developmental dysfunction and increase the risk of disease later in life.
Our researchers are dedicated to studying the effects of environmental factors on reproductive and pregnancy health, the development of the immune system, metabolism, blood pressure and kidney function. Research is underway to see whether even low doses can be harmful. Work is currently underway to develop technology that could eliminate or reduce PFAS in water. These combined efforts aim not only to provide new information on health impacts, but also to develop methods to reduce the harmful effects of chemicals on the environment.
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