According to a recent study published in Environmental Research, exposure to toxic Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) is associated with impacts to the maternal gut microbiome, which plays an important role in regulating a healthy pregnancy.
In short:
- Prenatal PFAS exposure was strongly linked to changes in the amount of certain types of bacteria present in the gut microbiome.
- In particular, higher PFAS exposure was associated with a significant decrease in some beneficial bacteria that otherwise typically increase during pregnancy and play a positive role in placenta development.
- The study also found that PFAS levels in the blood increased over the length of the pregnancy, supporting similar findings from other researchers.
Key quote:
“Studying associations between PFAS and microbiome composition in diverse cohorts is important as exposures to environmental chemicals as well as toxicological effects can vary due to geographical, structural racism, or lifestyle differences.”
Why this matters:
PFAS, which are used in many everyday products, are associated with health effects including an increased risk of cancer, liver and kidney damage, and developmental issues in babies and children. There are nearly 15,000 PFAS, but the U.S. currently only regulates a small number of these toxic chemicals in drinking water and consumer products, and the Trump administration is rolling back some of those regulations. While the authors of this study call for additional research to better understand how PFAS impact pregnancy, scientists also point to the need for a broad regulatory approach in order to reduce exposure and address PFAS’ overall harm to human health.
Related EHN coverage:
- PFAS exposure linked to changes in children’s brain matter
- PFAS may reduce the nutritional quality of breast milk
More resources:
- Defend Our Health: Upcoming webinar connecting environmental health concerns and systems change with the PFAS crisis, featuring author and Environmental Health News Senior Editor Kristina Marusic (7/15/2025).
- Brown University: Using personal care products during and after pregnancy can increase exposure to toxic chemicals
- Collaborative for Health and Environment: Health Impacts of PFAS Exposure During Pregnancy
Morgan, Stephanie et al. for Environmental Research vol. 279. April 29, 2025
- Where do 'forever chemicals' in drinking water come from? ›
- A Spreading Problem: How PFAS got into soils and food systems ›
- PFAS: The ‘forever chemicals’ you couldn't escape if you tried ›
- What are PFAS? ›
