Long-term exposure to PFAS chemicals used in cosmetics and food packaging has been linked to lower bone mineral density among young people, according to researchers from the University of California. The findings appear in Environmental Studies and highlight potential health consequences that warrant close attention.
Besides bone health, several studies point to broader risks associated with PFAS, a large family of fluorinated substances. These compounds are not a single chemical; they form a diverse group that can give products greater durability and slower breakdown. PFAS are used in a wide range of items, including tableware and takeout containers, textiles, cosmetics packaging, and household cleaners. Their persistence in the environment and in the human body has raised concerns among health officials and researchers alike.
Bone mineral density typically rises through adolescence, reaches a peak in early adulthood, and gradually declines with age. In a study involving 441 young Latino participants, researchers measured PFAS exposure through blood samples and assessed bone density with a dual energy X-ray absorptiometry scan. The aim was to understand how these chemicals might affect skeletal development during a critical growth window.
In follow-up assessments, scientists reexamined the volunteers at intervals after the initial measurements. When the baseline amount of a PFAS compound called PFOS was doubled, the average bone density dropped by about 0.003 grams per square centimeter. In a second group examined four years later, doubling baseline PFOS levels corresponded to a larger decrease in density, averaging 0.032 grams per square centimeter. These changes, while small on an individual level, could have meaningful implications for bone health at the population level over time.
The authors of the study stressed the need for strict government controls on PFAS use to shield the public from potential harms. They also called for greater public awareness about the risks associated with nonstick cookware and certain personal care products that may contain PFAS residues.
In the broader context, researchers continue to investigate how continuous, low-level exposure to PFAS may influence growth, metabolism, and disease risk later in life. The current evidence supports precautionary measures and ongoing monitoring to protect vulnerable groups, including adolescents and young adults, as policy makers weigh regulatory responses and industry practices.