PFAS Levels in Babies Are Higher Than We Thought
NonToxCo Research
Science & Safety Team · 4/6/2026
Babies don't just inherit their mother's eye color. They inherit her PFAS burden. A new modeling study shows that PFAS transfers from mother to baby through the placenta and breast milk, and the baby's blood levels may be higher than expected.
What the Study Found
A 2026 study in Environment International built a mother-child toxicokinetic model to estimate how much PFAS ends up in a baby's blood during early life. The model paired environmental dose data with biological transfer rates across the placenta and through breastmilk.
The results showed that standard environmental doses lead to measurable PFAS accumulation in infants. Because babies are so small, even small absolute transfers create high concentrations per pound of body weight.
Why Babies Get a Double Dose
First, PFAS crosses the placenta during pregnancy. Then, after birth, PFAS passes through breast milk. Babies get exposed from both routes during the most vulnerable period of their development, when organs, immune systems, and brains are still forming.
What You Can Do
Reduce your own PFAS exposure before and during pregnancy. Filter your water. Avoid nonstick cookware and stain-resistant products. Skip microwave popcorn bags and fast food wrappers. The less PFAS in your body, the less that transfers to your baby.
Browse our non-toxic baby products for PFAS-free essentials.
Also see glass food storage for safer alternatives.