‘Forever chemicals’ exposure can lead to low birth weight and obesity in later life

By Tom Perkins | The Guardian | June 8, 2023

Read the full article by Tom Perkins (The Guardian) 

"Children whose mothers are exposed to toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” during pregnancy run an increased risk of low birth weight as well as obesity and high body mass index later in life, an effect similar to prenatal exposure to tobacco, new research finds.

The low birth rate effects of some PFAS have been previously established, but the study tracked 1,400 kids and found higher BMIs and more incidences of obesity in those ages two to five. The “low birth weight-high obesity risk paradox” was previously associated with tobacco smoke exposure during fetal development.

“Something similar is going on with PFAS,” said Joe Braun, a Brown University researcher and study co-author."

Topics:

• ChemicalsPFAS
• Affected community
• Health
• Measurement Techniques
• Monitoring Data
• PFAS Uses