Forever Chemicals’ May Be Weakening Your Child’s Bones

A recent study found that children with higher PFAS levels had lower bone density, especially in the forearms.
Forever Chemicals’ May Be Weakening Your Child’s Bones
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Forever chemicals have been found in tap water, food packaging, and even baby formula—and new research suggests they may influence how strong your child’s bones ultimately become.

A recent study published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society followed 218 children from birth through age 12 and found that greater exposure to PFAS, or polyfluoroalkyl substances—a large group of man-made chemicals found in thousands of everyday products—is linked to lower bone density in children. The findings add to a growing body of evidence that “forever chemicals” may interfere with development in ways that won’t become fully apparent until adulthood.

What the Research Shows

The study measured levels of four types of PFAS in children’s blood—first at birth, then again at ages 3, 8, and 12. Since PFAS stays in the body for a long time, blood levels give a good picture of a child’s overall exposure.
Fjolla Arifi
Fjolla Arifi
Author
Fjolla Arifi is a New York-based reporter covering mental health, culture, and social issues. She has written as a life fellow for the HuffPost and health fellow for BuzzFeed News. Recently, her work has appeared in National Geographic, GoodRx, NOCD, and PopSugar. Arifi is passionate about translating complex medical topics into clear, useful information for readers.