Can PFAS exposure during pregnancy cause low birth weight?

What's actually in it

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of man-made chemicals often called forever chemicals because they do not break down in the environment or the human body. They are used in countless consumer products to repel water, grease, and stains.

When you are exposed to PFAS, these chemicals can build up in your blood and tissues. A systematic review published in Environ Res confirms that these substances are present in the body during pregnancy and can be transferred to infants through human milk.

What the research says

The science on how these chemicals affect early development is evolving. While research into specific birth weight outcomes continues, studies show that exposure during critical windows of development has lasting consequences.

A 2026 study in Front Toxicol found that exposure to short-chain PFAS during gestation and breastfeeding can alter learning and memory in adulthood. This suggests that these chemicals interfere with essential brain development processes long before a child is born.

Because PFAS are known to accumulate in the body, minimizing contact with these substances during pregnancy is a proactive step to reduce the total chemical burden on a developing fetus.