PFAs Exposure Linked to a Nearly 200% Increase in Infant Mortality, Study Finds

The infants of New Hampshire mothers whose water sources flowed through sites contaminated by PFAS experienced significantly higher rates of adverse health outcomes, and even death, according to a recent study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

In short:

• Mothers exposed to PFAS-contaminated water had 191% higher risk of their newborns dying within the first year of life, compared to mothers whose water sources were not downstream from contaminated sites.
• Exposed mothers were also 168% more likely to give birth extremely prematurely (before 28 weeks of gestation) and 180% more likely to have babies with extremely low birth weights (less than 2.2 lbs).
• Based on these results, the study authors estimate that PFAS cost the U.S. approximately $8 billion annually due to impacts to infant health.