A new study has found that early exposure to "perennial chemicals" (PFAS) is linked to an increased risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common type of cancer in children.
Researchers from the University of California analyzed dried blood spots collected from newborns in Los Angeles County over a 15-year period. The study included 125 children with cancer and 219 children without, born between 2000 and 2015.
Fluorosurfactants (PFAS), popularly known as "eternal chemicals," have been widely used since their discovery in the mid-20th century. They are found in greaseproof food packaging, non-stick cookware, dental floss, mascara, fire extinguishing foam, synthetic clothing, and carpets.
Its popularity stems from its ability to repel water and oil, withstand high temperatures, and its remarkable durability. However, the downside of these materials is that they do not decompose easily, lasting for hundreds or thousands of years. They can leach into drinking water, contaminate food, and accumulate in the bodies of humans and animals. Previous studies have linked them to cancer, heart disease, dementia, and infertility.
In the new study, 17 types of fluorescent surfactants were discovered in the blood of newborns, with perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) being the most concentrated.
The main source of PFOA is drinking water, but it is also used in food packaging and waterproof fabrics, and PFOS is used for similar applications.
The researchers found that children with higher levels of these substances in their blood have a greater chance of developing leukemia, and that the risk increases when exposed to both types together.
However, the team cautioned that these estimates are not entirely accurate, and stressed that their study does not prove a direct causal relationship, but rather adds to the growing evidence that early exposure to persistent chemicals may contribute to the risk of childhood cancer.
For her part, co-author Veronica Vieira, a professor of environmental health at the University of California, said that this method gives us a clearer understanding of what children are exposed to from the moment of birth, by measuring these substances directly in the blood rather than estimating exposure through drinking water, revealing how environmental pollutants contribute to cancer risk during the critical window of child development.
It should be noted that increased awareness of the dangers of these substances has led to restrictions on their use worldwide.
The study was published in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology.
