New research indicates that prenatal and early childhood exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often referred to as "forever chemicals," may be linked to increased intestinal inflammation in children. This inflammation is associated with risks of developing inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and colorectal cancer later in life.
The study, conducted by researchers at Mount Sinai in New York, is the first to examine the impact of PFAS exposure on children during critical developmental stages. It followed 107 mother-child pairs from the prenatal period or shortly after birth up to the age of 11, assessing PFAS concentrations and markers of gut inflammation.
Researchers measured PFAS compounds in maternal blood collected during pregnancy, umbilical cord blood, or newborn dried blood spots. They identified as many as 955 different PFAS metabolites but focused on 46 compounds most commonly detected. These included well-known chemicals such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), which have been widely used but partially phased out due to health concerns. The study also detected newer, smaller PFAS compounds, for which there is limited public health data and which industry has often claimed to be safer alternatives.
Rather than analyzing individual compounds in isolation, the researchers evaluated mixtures of PFAS, reflecting real-world exposure more accurately. They then looked for levels of fecal calprotectin in the children as an indicator of intestinal inflammation. Fecal calprotectin is a biomarker frequently used in clinical settings to monitor inflammatory bowel conditions, though elevated levels alone do not confirm a diagnosis of such diseases.
The findings revealed a significant correlation between higher prenatal or early life PFAS exposure and increased markers of intestinal inflammation in childhood. According to Vishal Midya, a co-author and researcher at Mount Sinai’s Icahn School of Medicine, the study highlights the importance of early life exposure to toxic chemicals in the development of gut diseases, an area where knowledge has been limited.
The researchers acknowledge the study’s limitation due to its relatively small sample size but emphasize its contribution as the largest to date investigating early PFAS exposure and intestinal inflammation in children. Manasi Agrawal, another co-author, noted that while individual protective measures, such as using water filtration systems that remove PFAS, choosing organic products, and avoiding stain-resistant materials, are advisable, broader policy actions are necessary to reduce exposure risks for mothers and children.
The study underscores growing concerns about the persistence of PFAS in the environment and their potential long-term effects on health, particularly in vulnerable populations during early development.