Study Links ‘Forever Chemicals’ to Faster Biological Aging
A recent investigation has revealed that exposure to two specific types of ‘forever chemicals’ might speed up biological aging, particularly in middle-aged men. These substances, known as PFNA (perfluorononanoic acid) and PFOSA (perfluorooctanesulfonamide), are part of a larger group referred to as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances).
PFAS have been in widespread use since the 1940s and 1950s, appearing in products like raincoats, upholstery, non-stick cookware, food packaging, and firefighting foams. They were designed for durability—able to resist water, grease, fire, heat, and corrosion. Yet this durability comes at a cost; their carbon-fluorine chemical structure means they can take up to a thousand years to decompose.
This persistence raises health concerns, as research consistently associates PFAS exposure with negative health outcomes, which is troubling since these chemicals are present in many aspects of daily life.
International policies have aimed to limit the production of certain ‘legacy’ PFAS, and while two have been definitely linked to serious health issues like cancer and cardiovascular problems, industries can often circumvent these restrictions by creating new variants of PFAS with slight chemical adjustments. At present, over 12,000 of these alternatives continue to be used, and we generally lack understanding of their specific health implications.
A study conducted by researchers from Shanghai Jiao Tong University has identified a notable correlation between accelerated biological aging and exposure to PFNA and PFOSA in middle-aged men. “These findings suggest that some newer PFAS alternatives are not necessarily low-risk replacements and warrant serious attention regarding their environmental impact,” remarked epidemiologist Xiangwei Li.
The researchers utilized data from a public dataset featuring 326 older participants who took part in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 1999 and 2000, providing blood samples that were assessed for levels of various PFAS.
The estimated biological age of participants was calculated using advanced ‘epigenetic clocks’—which measure DNA methylation—not the more traditional method of assessing telomere length.
Interestingly, PFNA and PFOSA were detected in about 95 percent of the blood samples. Among men aged 50 to 64, higher levels of PFNA were strongly linked to faster biological aging in some instances, while the same was not observed in women, a discrepancy that raises questions about gender differences in response to these chemicals.
“We suspect that lifestyle factors, such as smoking, may amplify the negative effects of these pollutants on aging in men,” Li hypothesized.
Similarly, exposure to PFOSA corresponded with various aging biomarkers. Epidemiologist Ya-Qian Xu noted that midlife is a crucial biological period where the body may be more vulnerable to age-related stressors, leading to a heightened response to chemical exposure.
While the study identifies a relationship between PFAS and accelerated aging, it does not establish direct causation. Other underlying factors affecting both exposure and biological aging could also be at play.
Notably, PFAS concentrations were relatively similar across sexes and age groups, and no strong connections were found with other types of PFAS analyzed, indicating that something unique may be happening with PFNA and PFOSA in middle-aged men.
As more studies are needed to clarify these findings, individuals might consider reducing their intake of packaged foods and avoid heating fast-food containers in microwaves, according to Li.
Looking ahead, the research team aims to explore how PFAS combine with other common pollutants, as understanding these interactions is vital for assessing overall health risks.
The findings were published in Frontiers in Aging.
