Sign in Subscribe
Youth

Prenatal Exposure to "Forever Chemicals" Linked to Teen High Blood Pressure

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A new study has found that prenatal exposure to a class of widely used chemicals, called perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), could be linked to high blood pressure in teenagers. The study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, analyzed data from 1,094 children over an average of 12 years and found that those exposed to higher levels of PFAS chemicals in utero were more likely to have higher blood pressure in childhood and adolescence.

The connection between PFAS exposure and high blood pressure was particularly strong in adolescents, male children, and Black children. While the study is observational and cannot prove causation, the results are significant because they suggest that PFAS exposure may be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in the United States.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found a strong link between prenatal exposure to PFAS chemicals and high blood pressure in teenagers, with the largest effects shown in adolescents exposed to a mixture of different PFAS chemicals during pregnancy.
  • The study suggests that some PFAS chemicals may have a long latency period, taking a long time to show their impacts, which means that interventions are needed not only to reduce exposures but also to prevent health outcomes in people who were exposed earlier.
  • Researchers believe that PFAS exposure is a major public health concern, as it is found in nearly every person in the United States, according to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
  • To reduce exposure to PFAS, individuals can take steps such as drinking filtered water, using non-stick cookware, and avoiding certain types of plastics.
  • Healthy lifestyle choices, such as maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, and encouraging physical activity, can also reduce the risk of high blood pressure in children who have been exposed to PFAS.
  • Ultimately, policy-level actions are needed to limit and phase out PFAS use in products and industry, and to strengthen monitoring and regulation of PFAS in water systems.

Statistics:

  • 1,094 children were analyzed in the study over an average of 12 years.
  • 15,000 human-made chemicals are included in the class of PFAS, which are linked to cancers, endocrine-related conditions, and developmental problems in children.
  • 8 types of PFAS chemicals were measured in maternal plasma samples and in the children's blood.
  • Adolescents who were exposed to a mixture of different PFAS chemicals during pregnancy had higher blood pressure.
  • High blood pressure in teenagers is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death in the United States.

Sources:

  • Study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association
  • Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
  • CNN story on reducing exposure to PFAS
  • Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University
  • Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
  • Harvard Medical School

Read more