Newborn exposure to 'forever chemicals' linked to higher childhood leukaemia risk
A study published in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology found a link between early exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and an increased risk of lymphoblastic leukaemia in children. Researchers analyzed newborn blood samples, detecting 17 PFAS compounds, with higher levels of PFOA and PFOS correlating with increased odds of the cancer. While not establishing causation, the findings strengthen concerns about environmental toxins affecting early childhood health and highlight the need for policy intervention.
New research, published in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology, suggests that infants with higher levels of specific PFAS compounds at birth may face elevated odds of developing lymphoblastic leukaemia. The study utilized newborn dried blood samples collected in Los Angeles County between 2000 and 2015, comparing 125 children later diagnosed with the cancer against 219 without it, offering a direct measure of early chemical exposure. Researchers detected 17 PFAS compounds, with PFOA and PFOS found at the highest concentrations, and children with elevated levels of these chemicals showed increased odds of leukaemia. The analysis also identified 26 additional PFAS compounds with similar patterns, noting that risk appeared to increase further when multiple PFAS exposures were combined, suggesting a cumulative effect. This work builds on prior research by the same team that linked PFAS contamination to other childhood cancers. While the study, supported by NIH funding, does not establish a causal relationship, it significantly strengthens the emerging evidence base suggesting early PFAS exposure is a contributing factor. Lead researcher Veronica Vieira emphasized that this approach clarifies how environmental risks might impact health from life's earliest stages. The findings raise broader concerns about widespread PFAS contamination in water systems and consumer products, underscoring the urgent need for further research to confirm the link, identify safe exposure thresholds, and implement policies to reduce PFAS exposure, particularly during pregnancy and early childhood.
