Study links PFAS-contaminated water to infant mortality, preterm birth risks
A University of Arizona study links PFAS-contaminated well water to higher risks of low birth weight, preterm birth and infant mortality, underscoring long-term health and economic impacts in the US and beyond.
A peer-reviewed study led by the University of Arizona has found that pregnant women who consume water from wells contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often dubbed “forever chemicals”, face significantly higher risks of adverse birth outcomes.
PFAS, which are found in products such as non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, food packaging, and firefighting foam, can seep into groundwater and drinking water, posing long-term public health hazards.
The study analysed real-world data from 11,000 births, comparing outcomes among mothers whose homes received water from wells downstream of known PFAS-contaminated sites with those whose wells were upstream and unlikely to be exposed.
Results showed that babies born to mothers drinking downstream well water had a 43 per cent higher chance of being low birth weight (under 2,500 grams) and a 20 per cent higher risk of preterm birth (before 37 weeks of gestation). Most strikingly, infant mortality increased by 191 per cent among babies whose mothers consumed contaminated water.
Extreme cases also showed a 180 per cent higher likelihood of very low birth weight (under 1,000 grams) and a 168 per cent increase in extremely preterm births (before 28 weeks). Scaled to larger populations, this exposure could result in an estimated 2,639 additional low-weight births, 1,475 additional preterm births, and 611 extra infant deaths per 100,000 births.
The study also highlighted the broader societal impact, estimating that PFAS contamination in drinking water could impose at least $8 billion annually in social costs in the United States (US), including medical care, long-term health consequences, and reduced lifetime earnings. Even though chemicals like PFOA and PFOS are no longer widely manufactured, they persist in soil and groundwater, meaning contamination can continue for decades.
PFAS contamination is not limited to the US. In Kenya, these substances have been detected in rivers, sediments, and plants, particularly in urban and industrial areas.
A 2022 study of the Nairobi River basin identified 30 different PFAS compounds in river water and 28 in sediments and vegetation, with some levels exceeding thresholds considered safe for human and ecological health.
Additional reports have found PFAS in wastewater-treatment plants feeding the Lake Victoria region, highlighting potential exposure through untreated water used for drinking, irrigation, or other purposes.
The country's preterm birth rate, for infants born before 37 weeks, is approximately 12 per cent, equivalent to around 193,000 babies annually, though some hospital studies report rates as high as 18.3 per cent.
Low birth weight affects approximately 8 per cent of all births, with some surveys indicating up to 11 per cent. Stillbirths are estimated at 23 per 1,000 total births (about 2.3 per cent), with more recent reports suggesting around 15 per 1,000 pregnancies at 28 weeks or later (1.5 per cent).
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), PFAS are a major public health concern due to their persistence, bioaccumulation, and potential to enter the human body through drinking water, food, and consumer products.
Once in the body, PFAS can accumulate in the blood, liver, and other organs, leading to chronic effects over time.
Developmental and reproductive effects are among the most concerning, including an increased risk of low birth weight, preterm birth, and infant mortality, as well as reduced fertility and hormonal disruptions that can affect growth and development in children.
PFAS can also impact the immune system, potentially reducing vaccine response in children and increasing susceptibility to infections. Hormonal and metabolic effects have been observed, such as altered thyroid hormone levels, elevated cholesterol, and potential links to obesity and insulin resistance.
Long-term exposure has also been associated with an increased risk of certain cancers, including kidney and testicular cancer, and can affect liver and kidney function, altering liver enzymes and potentially causing organ damage.
Unlike infectious agents, PFAS do not cause immediate illness; their effects are typically chronic and may take years to manifest. Pregnant women, infants, and children are particularly vulnerable, as PFAS exposure during fetal development or early childhood can have lasting impacts.
Since exposure is generally low-level but continuous, minimising contact with contaminated water, food, and products is essential to reduce the long-term health risks associated with PFAS.
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