Early exposure to ‘forever chemicals’ may impact economic success in adulthood – study
Early life exposure to toxic PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ could impact economic success in adulthood, new first study of its kind suggests.
The working paper from Iowa State University and the U.S. Census Bureau compared the earnings, graduation rates and birth weight of two groups of children: those who grew up around military installations with fire training areas, and those who lived near bases without fire training areas .
The military began using PFAS-laden firefighting foam in the early 1970s, which often contaminated drinking water supplies in and around bases.
Those who lived in regions with fire training areas earned about 1.7% less on average later in life, and showed a graduation rate that was about 1% lower. Those born between 1981 and 1988 earned about $1 billion less in current income, or an average of about $1,000 per person, compared to those who did not live near fire training sites.
The data also shows that birth weight among the population is lower – a factor linked to less economic success later in life.
The findings “underscore the importance of carefully examining new chemicals,” said Irene Jacz, a co-author of the study and an Iowa State economist.
“We think there is a causal effect of PFAS, but it’s very difficult to say, ‘Oh, it’s all brain chemistry or health effects,’ so there is a need for more research,” Jacz said. The article has not yet been peer-reviewed, but will go through the process soon.
Jacz also emphasized that the article does not reflect the position of the US Census or the federal US government.
PFAS are a class of about 15,000 compounds typically used to make products that resist water, stains and heat. They are called “forever chemicals” because they do not break down naturally and build up, and are linked to cancer, kidney disease, liver problems, immune disorders, birth defects and other serious health problems.
The chemicals have been used as the main ingredient in firefighting foam because the formulas are effective at extinguishing jet fuel fires or other difficult-to-control fires. The Defense Department is still trying to get a handle on the extent of pollution around bases.
The study looked at children born between 1969 and 1989. A stronger correlation was found in lower incomes among those born later in that period, likely because it can take several years for the chemicals to contaminate groundwater , and the level of pollution probably grew.
The data also showed that birth weight fell in the late 1970s, with an average birth weight drop of almost eight grams in the 1980s.
PFAS have been linked to a range of developmental disorders, including lower birth weight. It is believed that many of the chemicals are neurotoxic agentswhile early exposure is also linked to mental health problems later in life, such as ADHD.
The study does not attempt to explain the findings or suggest why the chemicals are associated with economic success later in life, Jacz noted. But the authors wrote that it highlights a broader problem: Health risks are unknown for the vast majority of chemicals approved for commercial use in the US.
“This study can be seen as a cautionary tale – the use of chemicals with unknown health risks may have reverberating impacts that have not been fully observed for decades,” the authors wrote.