Do PFAS affect brain structure and development in teenagers?

What's actually in it

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are in nonstick cookware, food wrappers, stain-resistant furniture, and waterproof clothing. They accumulate in blood and organs over years, and children's levels often reflect ongoing household exposure.

The brain is still developing through adolescence. Hormones and chemical signals guide how the brain wires itself during puberty. PFAS interfere with hormone signaling, which is why researchers have started looking at whether that disruption shows up in brain structure.

What the research says

A 2026 study in the HOME Study cohort measured serum PFAS concentrations in adolescents and used brain imaging to assess neuromorphometry. Higher PFAS levels were associated with differences in brain structure, including in regions involved in cognition and emotional regulation. The effects differed between boys and girls.

This builds on earlier research showing PFAS affect IQ and behavior in younger children. The 2026 findings suggest the effect continues into the teenage brain development window.

Reducing household PFAS sources, including nonstick cookware, PFAS-treated food packaging, and stain-resistant fabrics, is the most direct way to lower children's ongoing exposure.