‘Forever Chemicals’ May Increase Liver Disease Risk in Adolescents by As Much As 3-Fold

A new study co-led by the Southern California Superfund Research and Training Program for PFAS Assessment, Remediation and Prevention (ShARP) Center and the University of Hawai‘i has linked certain common “forever chemicals” to a higher risk of liver disease in adolescents. These synthetic compounds, known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), may as much as triple the chances that adolescents develop a liver condition called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) — formerly known as fatty liver disease.

The findings were published in the journal Environmental Research.

MASLD affects about 10% of children and up to 40% of children with obesity. It is a chronic condition that doesn’t always have telltale symptoms, although some patients experience fatigue, discomfort and abdominal pain. The disease increases long-term risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, advanced liver injury, cirrhosis and even liver cancer.