A new study has found that chemical substances commonly found in everyday paper cups and food packaging may interfere with bone development in growing children. The findings warn that these substances, which are extremely difficult to eliminate once they enter the body, could erode bone density during adolescence and threaten lifelong bone health.
'Forever Chemicals' PFAS: Widespread Exposure in Daily Life
According to a study published on the 27th in the Journal of the Endocrine Society, adolescents exposed to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) during childhood were found to have lower bone density.
PFAS are synthetic chemicals widely used in food packaging, frying pan coatings, waterproof clothing and surface treatments for household products due to their ability to repel water and oil. They have earned the nickname "forever chemicals" because they do not break down easily in the body and accumulate over time. Some PFAS are known to take nearly six years for their concentration to drop by half once they enter the body.
The research team conducted a longitudinal study tracking 218 adolescents enrolled in a long-term pregnancy and birth cohort. Blood PFAS levels were measured repeatedly from birth through ages three, eight and 12, and bone density was assessed at age 12.
The results showed that adolescents with higher levels of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a representative PFAS compound, tended to have lower forearm bone density. The researchers suggested that PFAS may have obstructed bone formation during adolescence, a critical period when bone mass increases rapidly.
Growth-Stage Impact and Gender Differences Raise Need for Action
Varying patterns of impact depending on the timing of exposure were also observed for other PFAS compounds. This suggests that children may be more sensitive to these chemicals during specific developmental stages, including early growth periods.
The association between PFAS exposure and reduced bone density was notably more pronounced in girls than in boys. The researchers explained that gender-related differences in hormonal changes and growth rates may have played a role.
Adolescence is a critical window for building bone mass that will last a lifetime. Failure to achieve sufficient bone density during this period increases the risk of fractures and osteoporosis later in life.
"Reducing environmental exposure during the growth period could determine lifelong bone health," the researchers emphasized.
They added, "There is a growing need to manage PFAS exposure through drinking water, food packaging and household products, and environmental safety standards targeting children and adolescents in particular need to be strengthened."
