Childhood Leukemia Linked to Common "Forever Chemicals"
A new study from the University of California, Irvine has identified a concerning association between early exposure to PFAS chemicals and the development of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children.
Combined exposure to both PFOA and PFOS appeared to raise the risk of developing the childhood cancer.
Study Details
The research analyzed dried blood spots from 125 children diagnosed with the leukemia and 219 healthy controls. All children were born in Los Angeles County between 2000 and 2015.
Key Findings
Among the 17 PFAS chemicals detected in the samples, two were most prominent:
- PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid)
- PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonic acid)
Higher levels of these chemicals were associated with increased odds of leukemia, though researchers note the estimates were not precise enough to draw definitive conclusions.
The study, published in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology, adds to growing concerns about the health impacts of PFAS—widely used industrial compounds that persist in the environment and human body for years.