Overview
- UC Irvine researchers analyzed archived newborn dried blood spots from Los Angeles County and found that higher PFAS levels were associated with greater odds of acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
- PFOA and PFOS showed the highest concentrations among 17 detected PFAS, risk appeared to rise with combined exposure to both chemicals, and 26 additional PFAS were identified in newborn blood.
- The study included 125 children with leukemia and 219 controls born between 2000 and 2015, and subgroup signals in non-Hispanic children were described as preliminary due to small samples.
- Authors said the observational results do not prove causation and the estimates were imprecise, calling for larger studies that track exposures and health over time.
- In parallel, an Irish MEP urged the European Parliament to restrict certain PFAS in cosmetics, and separate U.S. state data showed PFAS in 78% of tested Montana fish, prompting tighter consumption advice.