Scientists have detected a significantly broader range of “forever chemicals” in umbilical cord blood than previously understood, according to a recent study affiliated with Brown University. The research, utilizing more comprehensive testing methods, identified 42 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in cord blood samples, exceeding the number detected by traditional analysis.
The study builds on analysis of samples originally collected between 2003 and 2006 from 120 babies participating in the HOME Study, based in Cincinnati. Researchers re-examined archived samples, creating a new analytical tool to assess PFAS exposure. This tool will be used to link prenatal chemical exposure to health outcomes in the study participants, now entering adolescence, with future research planned to explore these connections.
PFAS, known for their persistence in the environment and the human body, have been linked to a variety of health concerns. The new research suggests that prenatal exposure may be substantially higher than earlier estimates indicated. The Brown-affiliated team used umbilical cord blood to construct a more detailed picture of PFAS exposure, revealing a wider spectrum of these compounds present at birth.
Researchers intend to investigate whether increased PFAS exposure early in life correlates with adverse health effects as children mature. They also plan to study the potential health impacts of newly identified and less-studied PFAS compounds found in the cord blood samples. Further refinement of the analytical tools used in the study is also a priority, with the goal of improving primary disease prevention efforts.
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