‘Forever Chemical’ Linked to Fetal Facial Abnormalities–Scientists Now Know Why

For the first time, researchers identified the precise biological mechanism behind the damage.

Illustration by The Epoch Times, Shutterstock

A widely used industrial chemical found in nonstick pans, raincoats, and fast-food wrappers may be subtly distorting the faces of fetuses in ways that scientists are only now beginning to unravel.

Researchers have identified perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA)—a type of PFAS “forever chemical”—as a probable disruptor of early facial formation in developing embryos. Notably, the study identifies the precise biological pathway responsible, transforming a previously suspected link into a more direct cause-and-effect relationship.

What Are PFAS?

“Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of over 9,000 synthetic chemicals defined by their extreme durability and resistance to heat, water, and oil,” Amelia Tan Suet May, an environmental microbiotechnologist specializing in microplastics and bioplastics and postdoctoral researcher at Chang Gung University in Taiwan who was not involved in the study, told The Epoch Times.

“Because of the stability of their carbon-fluorine bonds, they break down very slowly, earning them the nickname ‘forever chemicals.’”

They are used to make everyday products water-resistant, heat-resistant, and stain-resistant, and they are found in everything from nonstick cookware and raincoats to fast food packaging, stain-resistant carpets, long-wear cosmetics, and dental floss. Industrial applications, including paints, sealants, and firefighting foam, are also major sources of environmental contamination.

Most people encounter small amounts of PFAS in daily life. Higher exposure can occur through contaminated drinking water, proximity to manufacturing plants, and certain occupations such as firefighting and ski wax application.

PFDA Increases Fetal Risk by 10 Percent

The study, published in Chemical Research in Toxicology, screened 139 PFAS chemicals commonly found in consumer and industrial products and identified PFDA as the most toxic during fetal facial development.

The findings offer a clear explanation of how PFDA could affect fetal development.

Researchers tested these PFAS chemicals in human liver cells and found that PFAS chemicals made liver cells unable to metabolize compounds involved in the development of facial structures.

PFAS disrupted the metabolism of a vital molecule called retinoic acid, which is derived from vitamin A and helps shape the face and head during early pregnancy. Retinoic acid controls hundreds of genes, and its levels need to be carefully balanced—too much or too little can disrupt normal development.

Because a fetus cannot produce or safely eliminate excess retinoic acid on its own, it depends on the mother’s body to maintain this balance. That regulation normally happens in the liver, where liver enzymes break down surplus retinoic acid before it can reach the fetus.

When the mother’s liver cells are disrupted by PFAS, the chemicals can interfere with the liver’s cleanup process, allowing retinoic acid to accumulate, which can then lead to facial changes.

Animal studies in zebrafish found that even tiny amounts of PFDA increased the risk of facial abnormalities by 10 percent above baseline rates.

Previous studies have linked PFAS to facial changes in humans and laboratory animals.

Why It Matters

Understanding which PFAS compounds are most harmful—and precisely how they cause damage—is critical for designing safer alternatives and informing regulation, according to the study’s senior author, Jed Lampe, an associate professor at the University of Colorado–Anschutz Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

The researchers have said they hope their findings will accelerate the development of laboratory tests and computational models capable of quickly assessing the risk profiles of different PFAS chemicals, helping regulators and manufacturers identify dangerous compounds before they reach consumers.

The findings may also lead to practical strategies for reducing PFDA exposure among high-risk workers and for exploring ways to lower PFDA levels during pregnancy.

“The new PFDA research is significant because it moves the conversation from association to mechanism,” Dr. Joseph Mercola, a board-certified family physician and the author of the upcoming book “Microplastics Cure: Total Body Cleanse,” who was not involved in the study, told The Epoch Times.

However, he said, people need to understand that PFAS are part of a much larger problem Mercola calls “the toxic soup.” This includes forever chemicals, microplastics, heavy metals, and pesticides.

“Addressing one without acknowledging the others gives people a false sense of security,” he said.

What You Can Do

Public awareness can generate the political will necessary for governments to implement stricter regulations and mitigation strategies, May said.

There are also practical steps everyone can take right now to reduce their exposure to PFAS.

“Stop using nonstick cookware, avoid food packaged in grease-resistant wrappers and containers,” Mercola said. “Filter your drinking water with a system rated for PFAS removal. Choose clothing and furnishings that are not marketed as stain-resistant or water-resistant.”