Pregnant women who have high levels of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) during pregnancy have an increased risk of long-term weight gain and heart problems later in life.
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- Women who have high levels of PFAS during pregnancy have an increased risk of long-term weight gain.
- They are also more likely to develop heart disease later in life.
- For researchers, it is important to try to limit exposure to PFAS.
PFAS – also known as eternal pollutants – pose real health problems. These chemicals, present in many everyday products, are suspected of interfering with hormones and being responsible for several disorders such as obesity, sterility and cancer.
A new study, led by Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health and the Endocrine Society, shows that pregnancy is a particularly sensitive period for exposure to PFAS.
Pregnancy: Exposure to PFAS increases the risk of obesity
For this research published in the journal Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolismthe scientists gathered 547 pregnant women in their early 30s. Their PFAS levels during pregnancy were recorded. The team then followed the volunteers until they were 50 years old.
Analyses showed that participants with high levels of PFAS in their blood early in pregnancy weighed more and had more body fat at age 50 than those with lower levels. Both of these factors potentially make them more vulnerable to obesity and heart health problems later in life, the researchers said in a press release.
Faced with this discovery, the first author of the study, Jordan Burdeau, believes that it is “It is important to try to limit your exposure to PFAS, as this may reduce your risk of health problems later in life”.
Better understanding the health effects of PFAS
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances have been present in many products since the 1950s. They are found in food packaging, clothing, kitchen utensils, fire-fighting foams, refrigerants, non-stick coatings, cosmetics, and even medical devices. This very significant use leads to pollution of all environments (water, air, soil, etc.) as well as living organisms, and by domino effect of the food chain.
Given their high prevalence, it is essential to understand the health effects of these pollutants through research such as that carried out by the team at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health.
“Our findings could improve understanding of the effects of PFAS on cardiometabolic health during pregnancy, which in turn could improve prevention or early detection of adverse cardiometabolic health effects in women.”concludes Jordan Burdeau.
