Study: Babies are exposed to more "forever chemicals” before birth than previously believed

Babies may be exposed in the womb to a much larger number of "forever chemicals” than previous research had indicated, according to a study conducted by researchers in the United States and Canada and published in the scientific journal Environmental Science & Technology. The analysis shows that newborns are exposed before birth to numerous substances from the PFAS category (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), chemical compounds that are extremely persistent in the environment and in the human body.

PFAS are often referred to as "forever chemicals” because they break down very slowly and can remain in the natural environment or in the human body for long periods of time. These substances have been widely used in industry for decades and can be found in a variety of consumer products, such as grease-resistant food packaging, textiles and upholstery, waterproof or stain-resistant products, and certain industrial materials. Over time, PFAS have entered water, soil and the food chain and have even been detected in human blood.

Prenatal exposure analyzed in umbilical cord blood

The study was coordinated by researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and other institutes in the United States and Canada. To assess prenatal exposure, the research team analyzed umbilical cord blood samples from 120 newborns, collected between 2003 and 2006. Umbilical cord blood is considered an important indicator of fetal exposure to environmental chemicals.

Researchers started from a previous observation suggesting that the placenta associated with a mother's first child may contain more PFAS substances than the placenta of children born later.

New chemical analysis methods

Initial results confirmed this difference. However, when researchers used a more advanced chemical analysis method capable of detecting a broader spectrum of PFAS compounds, the conclusions changed.

The new method identified 42 PFAS substances in the analyzed samples, compared with only eight substances detected by previously used methods. Of these, only four substances were identified by both methods, suggesting that traditional testing techniques may underestimate the real level of exposure to these chemicals.

The study's authors emphasize that the way samples are analyzed significantly influences conclusions regarding prenatal exposure.

Possible health risks

The study did not directly assess the health effects on children. However, previous research has linked PFAS exposure to several medical problems, including reduced kidney function, an increased risk of cancer, changes in fetal development, and possible differences in children's brain structure.

Researchers warn that some of the PFAS substances detected in the analysis are not yet well studied or even fully identified, which makes it difficult to accurately assess the risks.

A more complex exposure than previously thought

The authors of the study believe that the findings suggest prenatal exposure is far more complex and widespread than earlier research had indicated. In the future, the team intends to use these analytical methods to more accurately estimate the real level of PFAS exposure and to monitor how these substances might affect long-term health.