In a study investigating how per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposures affected pregnant mothers and their babies, ECHO researchers Amy Padula, PhD, MSc, and Tracey Woodruff, PhD, MPH, from the University of California, San Francisco found that higher levels of prenatal exposure to PFAS are associated with lower birthweights. The PFAS were detected in all participating mothers, suggesting some level of PFAS exposure from the environment. PFAS are widely used, long lasting chemicals that break down very slowly over time and are found in drinking water, food, household products, personal care products, manufacturing facilities, and other sources.
This research, titled “Birth Outcomes in Relation to Prenatal Exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Stress in the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program,” is published in Environmental Health Perspectives.
For this study, the researchers collected blood samples and pregnancy data from more than 3,000 pregnant women in 11 different ECHO cohorts. They then measured PFAS levels in the mothers’ blood samples and asked them about their stress levels during pregnancy. The team found that mothers who had higher levels of PFAS chemicals in their bodies were more likely to give birth to a baby of low birth weight than mothers with lower levels of PFAS. Additionally, previous studies have found that psychosocial stress may affect PFAS exposures and birthweight. However, the team did not find that stress played a role in the relationships between low birthweight and PFAS exposure.
This research suggests that PFAS exposures during pregnancy can affect infant birth weight, demonstrating the importance of efforts to reduce sources of environmental PFAS exposure. “Outside of research studies, pregnant women are not tested for PFAS and are uncertain of the potential harms PFAS cause,” said Dr. Padula. “We need to better understand where people are most likely to be exposed to these substances given the number of sources, from drinking water to consumer products.”
The next steps for this research include examining potential sources of PFAS exposure. Additional studies may examine how factors like body mass index and other health conditions in pregnancy might additionally affect the relationship between PFAS exposure and infant birthweight.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has created a Roadmap to address PFAS as part of the Biden Administration plan to accelerate efforts to better protect Americans from PFAS exposure.