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Developmental Exposures to Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs): An Update of Associated Health Outcomes

  • Susceptibility Factors in Environmental Health (B Ritz and Z Liew, Section Editors)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

We reviewed and summarized the epidemiological evidence for the influence that pre- and postnatal exposures to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) may have on health outcomes in offspring, with a particular focus on birth outcomes and postnatal growth, immunomodulatory effects and neurodevelopment.

Recent Findings

PFASs are persistent organic pollutants that have been widely produced and used in a range of commercial products since the 1950s. Human exposures to PFASs are nearly ubiquitous globally, but studies that addressed potential health effects of PFASs have only begun to accumulate in recent years. Animal studies suggest adverse effects resulting from developmental encompasses prenatal exposures to PFASs. In humans, the developing fetus is exposed to PFASs via active or passive placenta transfer, while newborns might be exposed via breastfeeding or PFAS in the home environment.

Summary

Overall, epidemiological findings are consistent and suggest possible associations with fetal and postnatal growth and immune function, while the findings on neurodevelopmental endpoints to date are rather inconclusive. Methodological challenges and future directions for PFASs-focused research are discussed.

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Acknowledgments

ZL was supported by the NIH/NIEHS Pathway to Independence Award (K99ES026729).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), 650 Charles E. Young Dr. South, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA

    Zeyan Liew

  2. First Department of Medicine, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan

    Houman Goudarzi

  3. Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, North 12 West 7 Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-0812, Japan

    Houman Goudarzi

  4. Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Landmark Center, 401, Park Drive, Boston, MA, 02215, USA

    Youssef Oulhote

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  1. Zeyan Liew
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  2. Houman Goudarzi
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Correspondence to Houman Goudarzi.

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Zeyan Liew, Houman Goudarzi, and Youssef Oulhote declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Susceptibility Factors in Environmental Health

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Liew, Z., Goudarzi, H. & Oulhote, Y. Developmental Exposures to Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs): An Update of Associated Health Outcomes. Curr Envir Health Rpt 5, 1–19 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-018-0173-4

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