Study finds link between certain ‘forever chemicals’ and preeclampsia

 

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/933316

 

 News Release 1-Nov-2021
Association between prenatal perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure and late-onset preeclampsia in pregnant women shows impact may occur outside of placental development
Peer-Reviewed Publication
Brigham and Women's Hospital

 

Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), sometimes referred to as "forever chemicals," are long-lasting, man-made substances known to pollute the drinking water supplies of many communities. The Biden administration recently announced that it will require manufacturers to publicly report on PFAS levels found in household items. While scientists recognize their potential toxicity, they have yet to understand how exactly these substances impact human health. A new study by investigators from Brigham and Women's Hospital suggests an association between PFAS exposure and late-onset preeclampsia, a condition characterized by hypertension and kidney dysfunction that affects anywhere between 2 and 8 percent of pregnancies in the United States. Results are published in Environmental Health Perspectives.

“PFAS are ubiquitous in the environment and are commonly detected in humans,” said David Cantonwine, PhD, MPH, Perinatal Environmental Epidemiologist in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine at the Brigham. “Exposure to PFAS has been linked to a wide array of adverse health outcomes, including reproductive ones. 

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