Research Links Prenatal Exposure to PFAS with PMOS Development in Teenage Daughters
A new study has established, for the first time, a connection between prenatal exposure to PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals,” and the later development of polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) in daughters. This condition, which was previously known as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), is thought to affect around 13% of women, many of whom remain undiagnosed, leaving the causes largely unclear.
Conducted by researchers at Harvard University, the peer-reviewed analysis involved about 325 mother-daughter pairs. The results indicated that mothers with elevated PFAS levels in their blood during pregnancy were significantly more likely to have daughters who developed PMOS, as well as moderate to severe acne, by their late teens.
The authors noted that these findings imply chemical exposure could play a significant role in the disease’s onset, although further research is necessary. This paper builds on earlier research that connected PFAS to PMOS and various hormonal and developmental issues. However, it is the first to specifically assess the effects of prenatal exposure on the future development of PMOS, providing important evidence to public health advocates.
Tasha Stoiber, a senior scientist at the Environmental Working Group, expressed that the study adds to the growing body of evidence regarding specific harms associated with chemicals like PFAS, particularly their potential to disrupt hormonal balance.
PFAS compounds, numbering at least 16,000, are commonly used in products that need to resist water, stains, and grease. They’ve been associated with several serious health issues, including cancer, birth defects, and various other conditions. Dubbed “forever chemicals,” they are notable for their persistence in the environment and their intended indestructibility.
Symptoms associated with PMOS include irregular menstrual cycles, excess hair growth, acne, and infertility. Notably, the condition isn’t solely linked with issues in the ovaries but rather represents a broader response to hormonal dysregulation and miscommunication within the endocrine system. Recently, PCOS was renamed PMOS to more accurately depict its broader systemic impacts.
The mothers and daughters in this research were part of Project Viva, initiated in 1999 to investigate how early life experiences influence mothers and their offspring over time.
Interestingly, the teens whose mothers had higher PFAS concentrations in their blood at birth were found to be 2.3 to 2.7 times more likely to encounter PMOS or acne later in life. However, while the findings are significant, the authors cautioned about the study’s small sample size and its overrepresentation of white and college-educated women.
The study identified a correlation between PMOS and increased levels of the N-EtFOSAA compound, widely found in stain guards, pesticides, textiles, and paper coatings. Once in the ecosystem, this compound may degrade into PFOS, one of the more toxic PFAS variants. Additionally, PFNA, another compound used in similar applications, appeared linked to a higher likelihood of moderate to severe acne.
“It’s not just PFOA and PFOS we need to be concerned about; the precursors and associated chemicals warrant attention too,” Stoiber commented.
Given the pervasive use of PFAS, avoiding exposure can be challenging. Mothers are encouraged to steer clear of stain guards and reach out to textile or clothing manufacturers to confirm their waterproof products are PFAS-free. Stoiber also suggested focusing on organic, whole foods cooked at home, which tend to have less PFAS from packaging and processing methods.
