Can PFAS from nonstick cookware increase the risk of preterm birth?
Yes. Higher PFAS levels in umbilical cord blood were linked to greater odds of delivering early, with metabolic changes that may explain why.
What's actually in it
Nonstick cookware, food packaging, and stain-resistant textiles all release PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) into your body through food, water, and skin contact. During pregnancy, these chemicals cross the placenta and reach the baby. They show up in umbilical cord blood, meaning the baby is bathing in them from early development.
What the research says
A 2026 multicenter study in Environ Sci Technol measured PFAS levels in umbilical cord blood and compared them between babies born on time and babies born preterm. The researchers also looked at metabolic markers to understand what PFAS were doing inside the body.
Babies born preterm had higher PFAS concentrations in their cord blood. The study identified specific metabolic pathways that PFAS disrupted, including changes in amino acids and lipids that are critical for healthy fetal growth. These metabolic shifts appeared to be the bridge between PFAS exposure and early delivery.
Preterm birth is one of the biggest risks to a newborn's health. Babies born before 37 weeks face higher rates of breathing problems, feeding difficulties, and developmental delays. Even a few extra days in the womb makes a difference.
Pregnant women can lower their PFAS exposure by cooking with stainless steel or cast iron instead of nonstick pans, avoiding microwave popcorn bags and greasy fast-food wrappers, and using a water filter certified to remove PFAS.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Umbilical Cord Serum and Key Intermediate Metabolites in Relation to Preterm Birth: A Multicenter Case-Control Study | Environ Sci Technol | 2026 |
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