Norwegian research reveals link between PFAS and delayed puberty

26 Sep 2023 --- New research presented at the 61st Annual European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology Meeting in The Hague, the Netherlands, has shed light on a connection between synthetic chemicals found in everyday products, such as water-resistant clothing, umbrellas and food packaging, and delayed puberty in children. 

The study focuses on PFAS, commonly known as “forever chemicals,” recognized as endocrine-disrupting chemicals, meaning they can interfere with the body’s hormonal systems, potentially affecting puberty and childhood development. PFAS exposure has also been linked to reduced fertility, thyroid disease and obesity.

The latest study, led by Dr. Ingvild Halsør Forthun and a team of researchers in Norway, examined 19 different PFAS chemicals in 420 boys and 618 girls aged six to 16 as part of the Bergen Growth Study 2. Using ultrasound, they also measured breast development in girls and testicular size in boys. The findings revealed that boys exposed to higher levels of several PFAS chemicals had smaller testicles, while girls had less advanced breast development.

“This is the first study exploring the link between PFAS exposure and pubertal development using ultrasound as a novel and more objective method,” says lead author Forthun, a PhD candidate at the Haukeland University Hospital in Bergen, Norway. “Our findings could contribute to the national and international regulatory decisions authorities make about these chemicals.”The study establishes a connection between synthetic chemicals found in everyday products and delayed puberty in children.

Effect on pubertal onset
The researchers highlight previous studies showing a similar association between PFAS chemicals and delayed puberty often relied on self-reported data. The team’s future research aims to investigate the relationship between PFAS levels and hormones associated with puberty and body composition in the Norwegian child population. 

“Our findings provide further evidence for the harmful effects of PFAS on childhood development, but it is still unclear how these chemicals impact puberty-related hormones and body composition in children. This could shed light on reproductive issues and contribute to better regulation-making,” says Forthun.

This research underscores the need for continued scrutiny and action regarding the use of PFAS in everyday products and the potential health consequences for children exposed to these chemicals.

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononaoic acid (PFNA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) were included in the analyzes as all had more than 90% of the samples above the limit of quantification. 

The research results indicate that boys with higher levels of PFNA and PFOS were more likely to mature late. In contrast, higher levels of PFOA were associated with reduced odds of being early compared to average and late maturing in girls. Additionally, higher levels of PFNA were associated with increased odds of being late compared to early and average maturing.

“Higher levels of PFAS were associated with late maturing in both sexes based on age-adjusted ultrasound puberty scores,” the researchers conclude.The findings reveal that boys exposed to higher levels of several PFAS chemicals had smaller testicles, while girls had less advanced breast development.

PFAS crackdown
In March, the EU began discussions on the upcoming ban of the “forever chemicals” and, in April, announced that the Commission is waiting for the European Chemicals Agency committees to submit their evaluations of the proposed restriction of the PFAS.  

The Washington State Department of Ecology, US, also implemented a regulatory program to reduce toxic chemicals in consumer products and increase product ingredient transparency. 

“As some legacy PFAS are withdrawn from the market or regulated, alternative compounds are introduced as replacements. The idea behind this process, sometimes called ‘whack-a-mole,’ is that the alternative is safer than the compound it replaces,” Marta Venier, co-author and professor at Indiana University, US, told Packaging Insights.

“In reality, the result is a regretful substitution since the newly introduced compound has similar properties to the compound it replaces. The replacement is considered ‘safer’ because less is known about that specific chemical.”

The researchers provided the first evidence that polymeric PFAS used in food packaging breaks down into smaller molecules that are still dangerous and can leach into food and the environment.

Edited by Radhika Sikaria

This feature is provided by Nutrition Insight’s sister website, Packaging Insights.

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