Recent studies have revealed that PFAS levels in pregnant women can affect the structural and functional development of children’s brains.
The study, led by researchers at the University of Turku in Finland and carried out in collaboration with Turku University Hospital and Örebro University in Sweden, suggests that chemicals known as PFAS, commonly referred to as “forever chemicals”, may affect brain development in children before birth.
This study, conducted within the Finnbrain Birth Cohort Study in Finland, provides new insights into the potential long-term effects of these wide range of environmental chemicals.
PFAS dangers
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals used in everyday products that withstand water, oil, heat, and electricity.
These are found in a variety of items, from nonstick cookware and clothing to food packaging, flooring, and firefighting foam.
Often referred to as forever chemicals, PFAS are non-biodegradable and can persist in the environment for centuries, seeping into soil, water, and air.
Humans are primarily exposed to PFAS through drinking water, food, and sometimes occupational contact. Once these compounds enter the bloodstream, they accumulate because the human body cannot efficiently break them down.
Over the past decade, rising levels of PFAS in the blood have been associated with hormonal, metabolic, and immune system disruptions, raising public and regulatory concerns.
Association between maternal PFAS and brain development
The study looked at 51 mother-child pairs from the FinnBrain Birth Cohort, a longitudinal study started in 2011.
Blood samples from mothers during pregnancy were analyzed to determine PFAS levels, and the children underwent multimodal MRI scans at age 5 to assess brain structure and function.
The findings showed a clear relationship between maternal PFAS levels and changes in key areas of the child’s brain.
These include the corpus callosum, which connects the two hemispheres. The posterior gray matter of the occipital lobe is important for visual processing. and the hypothalamus, which regulates hormonal and metabolic functions.
Interestingly, no differences were observed between boys and girls, suggesting that PFAS exposure can affect brain development regardless of gender.
Different PFAS have different impacts
The study also emphasized that not all PFAS have the same effects. Seven different compounds were measured, some associated with structural changes and others that appeared to affect functional connectivity in the brain. Certain PFAS had opposite associations with the same brain regions.
PFAS were classified into two chemical groups based on their functional structure: carboxylic acids and sulfonic acids. Most of the associations with brain outcomes were stronger for carboxylic acid-containing PFAS, except for the hypothalamus.
Health effects unknown
PFAS can cross the placenta and accumulate in the developing brain, but researchers cautioned that it remains unclear whether the observed changes are harmful, neutral, or potentially beneficial.
Further research is needed to clarify the functional effects of prenatal PFAS exposure on children’s neurodevelopment.
Growing social and regulatory concerns
PFAS are now ubiquitous in both the environment and human blood, leading to increased scientific and policy interest in regulating these chemicals.
Evidence linking maternal PFAS levels and possible effects on brain development highlights the urgency of monitoring exposure, especially during pregnancy, and exploring safer alternatives in consumer products.
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