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Forever Chemicals Linked to Childhood Cancer Risk
28 Apr
Summary
- New research suggests early exposure to forever chemicals may increase childhood leukaemia risk.
- Study analyzed newborn blood spots in Los Angeles County over 15 years.
- Higher levels of PFAS, particularly PFOA and PFOS, linked to increased leukaemia odds.
New research from the University of California suggests that early exposure to fluorine-based chemicals, known as PFAS or "forever chemicals," may increase the risk of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in children. These chemicals, widely used for decades in products like non-stick cookware and food packaging, are known for their durability but do not degrade easily, leading to contamination of drinking water and accumulation in the body.
The study analyzed dried blood spots from newborns in Los Angeles County between 2000 and 2015. Researchers found that children with higher levels of detected PFAS, specifically PFOA and PFOS, in their blood showed increased odds of developing leukaemia. This research helps understand exposures during critical developmental periods.
While not proving direct cause and effect, the findings contribute to a growing body of evidence linking early-life PFAS exposure to childhood cancer risk. Growing awareness of these risks has led to restrictions on PFAS use, with bans on certain PFAS in Teflon cookware implemented in Europe and the US. Further controls are being considered in the UK.
