Study Links Pfas Contaminated Water to Increase in Infant Mortality

A recent peer-reviewed study involving 11,000 births in New Hampshire suggests that consuming water contaminated with Pfas chemicals is likely to raise the risk of infant mortality, along with other serious risks for newborns.

This University of Arizona research, which appears to be a first in its field, discovered that well water located downstream from Pfas-contaminated sites correlated with a staggering 191% increase in infant mortality rates, a 20% rise in premature births, and a 43% increase in low-weight births.

Additionally, extremely premature births and cases involving extremely low birth weights were found to increase by 168% and 180%, respectively. The researchers were somewhat taken aback by these findings. Derek Lemoine, a co-author and economics professor, highlighted their unexpected nature given that incidents of infant mortality and low-weight births are relatively infrequent.

“I don’t know if we anticipated effects this significant,” Lemoine remarked. “But it was clearly present in the data.”

The study also considered the societal costs associated with drinking contaminated water versus the initial expenses of cleanup. It concluded that tackling Pfas pollution would be a far more economical choice. When extrapolated to the entire U.S. population, the findings indicate a yearly economic impact of nearly $8 billion, primarily through increased healthcare costs and lost productivity. In contrast, the cost to adhere to current Pfas removal regulations is approximately $3.8 billion.

“It’s crucial to quantify these costs,” Lemoine added, “because cleaning up and regulating Pfas involves real expenses.”

Pfas encompasses at least 16,000 compounds, widely used to enhance products’ resistance to water, stains, and heat. Often referred to as “forever chemicals,” these substances do not decompose naturally and accumulate in the environment, posing serious health concerns such as cancer, kidney issues, liver complications, immune disorders, and birth defects.

The chemicals are prevalent in various industries, and sites that use them excessively often contaminate nearby groundwater. Major sources of Pfas pollution include military bases and airports, primarily due to the use of firefighting foam. The federal government estimates that about 95 million Americans consume drinking water contaminated with Pfas from either public or private wells.

Prior research has raised alarms regarding the effects of Pfas exposure on fetuses and newborns, with studies focusing on animal models and correlating Pfas levels in umbilical cord blood with health issues in infants. However, there is still uncertainty about whether these findings translate to humans. Lemoine noted that such studies often lack conclusive results since numerous factors can influence reproductive health.

This new natural study stands out because it approaches the situation by isolating the effects of Pfas, away from other variables. The researchers identified 41 contaminated sites in New Hampshire, focusing on two common Pfas compounds, Pfoa and Pfos. They utilized topographical data to track groundwater flow, examining reproductive outcomes of residents living downstream from these sites.

New Hampshire was selected for its unique availability of Pfas and reproductive data. Since well locations remain confidential, mothers were unaware of whether they were consuming water from contaminated sources, which introduced a random element that aids in establishing causation.

Experts praise the study’s rigorous methodology. Sydney Evans, a senior science analyst at the Environmental Working Group, emphasized its importance in demonstrating the toxicity of Pfas at minimal concentrations. The randomization created by mothers not knowing their exposure levels also adds weight to the findings. Evans urges state authorities to consider similar analyses and notify potentially affected mothers.

Despite some limitations—such as uncertainty in mothers’ exact exposure levels and not accounting for other contaminants—Lemoine believes the study effectively illustrates Pfas’s detrimental effects.

To tackle Pfas contamination, granular activated carbon or reverse osmosis systems can be employed by water treatment facilities and homeowners, also eliminating various other pollutants.

The Biden administration has imposed drinking water limits on six types of Pfas, allowing water utilities ample time for system installations. However, the previous administration is taking steps to revoke these limits, which could create greater long-term costs for the public. Lemoine noted that while utility customers bear the cleanup expenses, the broader community ultimately pays a higher price for drinking contaminated water.