PFAS

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of more than 4,700 synthetic chemicals widely used in consumer products and industrial processes since the 1940s. Valued for their resistance to heat, oil, water, and stains, PFAS are commonly found in non-stick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, and waterproof clothing. However, these same chemical properties that make PFAS useful also contribute to their persistence in the environment and in the human body, earning them the nickname “forever chemicals.” Nearly everyone has detectable levels of PFAS in their blood, and increasing scientific evidence has linked these compounds to serious health risks, including developmental issues, liver damage, immunotoxicity, certain cancers, and miscarriages.

Featured YSPH Involvement

Researchers at the Yale School of Public Health are at the forefront of investigating the health impacts of PFAS, with recent studies analyzing their role in promoting cancer cell migration and contributing to liver damage and pregnancy loss. Dr. Zeyan Liew, associate professor of epidemiology (Environmental Health Sciences), and a YSPH team has secured funding from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to explore the potential link between PFAS exposure and cerebral palsy in children. These projects, funded through 2029, will study whether exposure to neurotoxic chemicals like PFAS and pesticides during pregnancy and early childhood can increase the risk of developing cerebral palsy.

Dr. Liew and his team aim to fill a gap in scientific literature by examining how complex environmental exposures, rather than solely obstetric or lifestyle factors, may contribute to the risk of cerebral palsy. They will evaluate not just individual chemicals, but mixtures of pollutants that more realistically reflect real-world exposures. As public concern over PFAS grows across Connecticut and the nation, this research could have far-reaching implications for public health policy, environmental regulations, and preventative healthcare, particularly for vulnerable populations such as pregnant women and children.