Scientists Find Surprising Health Impact of Forever Chemicals

Ongoing research into forever chemicals (also known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS) has looked into the substances’ potential health impacts on type 2 diabetes risk, nervous system cell death, and more. Now, scientists are investigating how exposure to two particular forever chemicals may speed up biological aging in certain groups. At least, that’s the main takeaway of a study published in Frontiers in Aging.

Meet the Experts: Ann Shippy, M.D., a board-certified internal medicine physician and functional medicine doctor; and Chris DeArmitt, Ph.D., a plastics scientist and founder of Plastics Research Council.

PFAS are long-lasting chemicals used in commercial, industrial, and consumer products, components of which break down very slowly over time, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Because of that slow degradation, the environment is essentially full of these chemicals, and they’re found in the blood of animals and people worldwide, as well as in some food products, the EPA notes.

There are thousands of PFAS, and this study examined two, in particular, known as perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), which is used largely in the textiles, printing, dying, and finishing industries, as well as perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA), which is used in electrochemical engineering and fuel production, among other processes.

The study found an association between elevated blood levels of PFNA and PFSA and markers for accelerated epigenetic aging in middle-aged people (between 50 and 64) and men. Epigenetic age is a scale scientists use to measure “how quickly our cells appear to age compared to our chronological age,” explains Ann Shippy, M.D., a board-certified internal medicine physician and functional medicine doctor.

“In particular, PFNA exposure was linked to markers associated with mortality-related aging pathways, suggesting that these chemicals may influence the biological processes that affect lifespan,” Dr. Shippy adds. In other words, researchers found that people exposed to PFNA exhibited signs of sped-up epigenetic aging and shorter lifespan.

For the study, researchers looked at previously collected blood levels of PFAS in 326 U.S. adults aged 50 or older between 1999 and 2000, and then fed that information into computer DNA epigenetic clocks, or programs that compared the results to a baseline that represented “normal” aging. Researchers also accounted for factors like participants’ inflammation, body weight, and socioeconomic status.

What the findings mean

The findings aren’t proof that PFAS speed up aging; rather, they are associations between the two factors. And the study looked at middle-aged adults and beyond. So, the authors think the patterns that surfaced did so because “middle age is a vulnerable time when the body changes and becomes more susceptible to toxins,” says Dr. Shippy.

She adds another theory to chew on: “Men often accumulate higher PFAS levels over time because they do not eliminate these chemicals through menstruation or pregnancy the way that women do. Hormonal differences may also influence how the body metabolizes environmental toxins.”

Lastly, middle age is “a time when subtle metabolic changes begin to emerge,” Dr. Shippy notes. “Environmental exposures that may have accumulated earlier in life can start to influence inflammation, lipid metabolism, and mitochondrial function. When these processes are disrupted, it may accelerate the biological aging signals that these epigenetic tests detect.”

The impact of forever chemicals

Once PFAS enter the human bloodstream, they may remain for years, explains Dr. Shippy. They are known to interfere with “several biological systems involved in aging and longevity,” she adds, including hormone signaling, immune regulation, lipid metabolism, cell function, and inflammation control.

“When these systems are disrupted, the body experiences increased oxidative stress and metabolic dysfunction, both of which are key drivers of accelerated aging,” she notes.

The two PFAS looked at in this study are now regulated to prevent exposure, says Chris DeArmitt, Ph.D., a plastics scientist and founder of Plastics Research Council. “Other types of PFAS have low or no toxicity, so it is a mistake to worry about all PFAS as though they are the same,” he adds.

What this means for you

The EPA enforces drinking water maximum contaminant levels for many forever chemicals, and designates some as hazardous substances, says DeArmitt. There are also efforts to place restrictions on manufacturing and phase out the use of certain PFAS altogether, such as those used in grease-resistant fast food packaging.

Even so: “Completely eliminating PFAS exposure is difficult because these chemicals are now pervasive,” notes Dr. Shippy. But there are some steps you can take to attempt to limit your exposure, such as avoiding nonstick cookware, which is often coated with PFAS. You can also filter drinking water and choose to use natural fabrics or fibers that are less likely to have been treated with PFAS-containing plastics to be waterproof or stain-resistant, she adds.

Most importantly, Dr. Shippy recommends prioritizing a nutrient-dense diet with antioxidants and hydration, which act as the body’s natural filtration and support systems and contribute to strong metabolic and overall health.

The bottom line

Your personal exposure to forever chemicals isn’t fully in your control, and not all of the chemicals have the same impact. You can do your best to limit your exposure through lifestyle choices, but maintaining your health through nutrition, exercise, and regular visits with your trusted primary care provider remains the most effective way to stay healthy.