Children exposed to synthetic compounds called 'forever chemicals' before birth exhibited higher blood pressure during their teenage years, according to recent research. The study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, underscores the long-term cardiovascular risks associated with prenatal exposure to these chemicals, especially among boys and children born to Black mothers.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), dubbed 'forever chemicals' due to their persistence in the environment and the human body, are found in a wide range of consumer products. The research highlights a significant association between prenatal PFAS exposure and elevated blood pressure in adolescence, suggesting that these chemicals may have lasting health effects that emerge years after birth.
The findings are based on an analysis of over 13,000 blood pressure readings from 1,094 children in the Boston Birth Cohort. The study points to the necessity of reducing PFAS exposure during pregnancy to safeguard children's cardiovascular health and calls for stronger environmental protections to limit these chemicals in consumer products and water systems.
This research adds to the growing body of evidence on the harmful effects of environmental pollutants on children's health, emphasizing the importance of addressing these risks through both individual actions and policy changes to protect future generations.
