Can PFAS exposure during pregnancy affect birth outcomes?

What's actually in it

PFAS are absorbed during pregnancy from the same sources as always: nonstick cookware, grease-resistant food packaging, stain-treated fabrics, and tap water. But during pregnancy, PFAS exposure takes on extra urgency because these chemicals cross the placenta and directly affect fetal development.

Japan's PFAS exposure comes primarily from food packaging, seafood, and contaminated water sources near industrial areas.

What the research says

A 2026 study from the Japan Environment and Children's Study in Environ Int examined PFAS blood levels in thousands of pregnant women and tracked their pregnancy outcomes.

Women with higher levels of PFOS and PFOA had a greater risk of several obstetric complications, including gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes. Their babies were more likely to be born smaller for gestational age, with lower birth weights and shorter lengths.

The study's large sample size gave it strong statistical power to detect these associations. Even after adjusting for maternal age, BMI, diet, and other risk factors, the PFAS associations held.

The mechanism likely involves PFAS disrupting placental hormone production and blood vessel development in the placenta, reducing nutrient delivery to the growing baby.

During pregnancy, minimize PFAS exposure by using ceramic or stainless steel cookware, avoiding takeout in grease-resistant containers, and filtering your tap water with a system rated for PFAS removal.