Exposure to PFAS – also known as "forever chemicals" – can increase the risk of disease in unborn children.
New research from Örebro University and the University of Aberdeen now suggests that these chemicals affect people as early as the fetal stage of development.
Researchers published a unique study involving 78 fetuses in the prestigious journal, The Lancet Planetary Health – the first study of its kind in which researchers have conducted extensive metabolic profiling and measured PFAS in human fetuses.
“We found PFAS in the livers of the fetuses, and unfortunately, the results provide strong evidence that exposure to these forever chemicals in the womb affects the unborn child," Professor Paul Fowler said. "Those exposed to higher levels of PFAS have altered metabolism and liver function long before birth."
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of thousands of man-made chemicals used in a wide range of everyday products worldwide. Often called "forever chemicals," they take a very long time to break down naturally and can remain in the bodies of humans and animals for many years.
Long-lasting consequences
Since the 1950s, PFAS chemicals have been used in a wide variety of products, such as non-stick frying pans, ski boots, water-repellent clothing, food packaging, makeup and skin creams, among others. They can have harmful effects on people's health and have been linked to cancer, increased cholesterol, diabetes and reproductive defects.
"We were surprised by these chemicals’ strong association with changes to the fetal metabolism. It is similar to certain metabolic changes occurring in adults," said Professor Tuulia Hyötyläinen from Örebro University. "Specifically, we found that PFAS exposure is linked with modified bile acid and lipid metabolism in the fetuses."
The researchers underlined that the liver plays a significant role in human well-being, and added that changes in this central metabolism can profoundly affect the whole body. "In particular, changes during fetal development can have long-lasting consequences for future health."
The likely impact of PFAS is similar to the changes that occur as a result of metabolic diseases like diabetes and fatty liver.
The 78 fetuses analysed by the researchers were voluntarily aborted between weeks 12 and 19, and were considered essentially healthy.
In Belgium, very high PFAS levels were found in particular in the region around Zwijndrecht (due to pollution by chemical giant 3M) in Flanders, but also in the Brussels-Capital Region and Wallonia.
In Brussels, high concentrations of PFAS pollution were found in the tap water for half of the Capital Region's residents, but the authorities stated that they are still within the limit of 100 nanograms per litre of water.
