Exposure to some toxic Pfas “forever chemicals” may increase the risk of having multiple miscarriages, new peer-reviewed research has found.
The study, which tracked about 200 women in China, found those who had at least two miscarriages, or unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortions, showed higher levels of several types of Pfas in their blood. The study adds to a long list of reproductive harms associated with Pfas exposure.
“Prior studies have identified that Pfas were associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, but the potential influence of Pfas’s exposure on [recurrent miscarriages] remained uncertain,” the study’s authors, with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, wrote. “Our investigation identified significant associations between [some Pfas] and increased risks of unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortions.”
Pfas are a class of about 16,000 chemicals typically used to make products that resist water, stains and heat. They are called “forever chemicals” because they do not naturally break down and accumulate in humans and the environment. The chemicals are linked to cancer, kidney disease, liver problems, immune disorders, and other serious health problems.
Some Pfas compounds are linked to developmental issues like birth defects and low birth weight. In men, the chemicals are thought to lower sperm quality and cause DNA changes that can impact the offsprings’ health later in life.
About 5% of women experience recurrent miscarriages and half of those have no explanation, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Among the chemicals that showed the strongest association were PFHxS, which is a common Pfas water pollutant. Several of the compounds for which researchers found associations were “short chain” Pfas, meaning smaller chemicals that industry has said are generally safer and less toxic than older and larger Pfas.
However, there is little independent research on many short chains, but what does exist points to high toxicity, and the new research adds to increasing concerns over their safety.
The biological mechanism by which Pfas may cause miscarriages is unclear, the authors wrote, but they theorized that it had to do with the disruption of normal thyroid hormone metabolism, and other hormonal impacts. Pfas are strongly associated with endocrine system harm. The authors wrote that follow up research is needed to examine the question and find solutions and said a larger cohort size should be studied to confirm their findings.
The research adds to “an incredible body of evidence linking exposure to Pfas to developmental harm”, said David Andrews, senior scientist with the Environmental Working Group non-profit that tracks Pfas issues, but was not involved with the study.
“It’s a shocking health impact and it further indicates these compounds seem to wreak havoc throughout our body,” Andrews said.
Pfas are ubiquitous in consumer goods and the environment so they are difficult to avoid. But women can protect themselves by using filtration systems that remove Pfas from water, avoiding nonstick cookware, avoiding stain guards, buying organic food, and looking for Pfas-free cosmetics or personal care goods.
