Study links prenatal exposure to FOREVER CHEMICALS with teen hypertension

By avagrace // 2025-06-22

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A study found that prenatal exposure to forever chemicals (PFAS) is associated with elevated blood pressure in teenagers, with effects only emerging in adolescence.
PFAS – found in nonstick cookware, food packaging and drinking water – accumulate in the body over time. Long-chain PFAS compounds (e.g., PFDeA, PFUnA) showed the strongest links to later cardiovascular risks.
Boys faced a 17 percent higher risk of hypertension, while Black children were more affected likely due to systemic disparities in environmental exposure. Damage remained undetected for over a decade.
The EPA and current policies do not adequately address PFAS risks, excluding immune damage assessments and failing to mandate pre-market testing for cardiovascular effects.
Families can reduce exposure by filtering water, avoiding nonstick cookware and choosing PFAS-free products. Researchers urge policy changes and corporate accountability to safeguard future generations.

A groundbreaking study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association (JAHA) has uncovered a troubling connection between prenatal exposure to toxic "forever chemicals" and elevated blood pressure in teenagers. Researchers from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health tracked more than 1,000 children for 12 years, analyzing over 13,000 blood pressure readings. Their findings published Thursday, June 12, reveal a hidden health crisis. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – industrial chemicals found in everyday products – may be programming unborn children for cardiovascular problems that only emerge in adolescence. PFAS are often called "forever chemicals" because they persist in the environment and human bodies for decades. They are found in nonstick cookware, food packaging, waterproof fabrics and even drinking water. Unlike other toxins, these chemicals do not break down and accumulate in the body over time. The JAHA study found that children exposed to higher prenatal PFAS levels initially had normal blood pressure in early childhood—only for it to spike dangerously during their teenage years. The worst offenders were long-chain PFAS compounds like PFDeA and PFUnA, which remain in the body the longest. (Related: From womb to tomb: “Forever chemicals” can be passed on to babies during pregnancy.) Unlike previous research focusing on early childhood, this study followed participants until age 18, uncovering alarming trends. Boys faced a 17 percent higher risk of hypertension during adolescence, while Black children showed stronger associations likely due to systemic disparities in environmental exposures. Most concerning was the delayed onset of damage, remaining undetected for over a decade – making early intervention nearly impossible. Researchers suggest PFAS may disrupt developmental processes in ways that only manifest later, possibly through hormonal interference or oxidative stress.

Regulatory gaps leave children vulnerable to PFAS harms

Despite mounting evidence, U.S. regulators have been slow to act. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently excluded immune damage from its PFAS risk assessments, ignoring a critical health threat. Additionally, companies are not required to test new chemicals for cardiovascular risks before bringing them to market. This regulatory negligence has effectively turned America's children into unwitting test subjects in an uncontrolled chemical experiment. While systemic policy changes are essential, families can take immediate steps to reduce exposure. Experts recommend filtering drinking water with reverse osmosis or activated carbon systems, avoiding nonstick cookware and stain-resistant fabrics and limiting fast food packaging (a major PFAS source). Choosing PFAS-free personal care products can also help minimize risks. The study's lead researcher Zeyu Li warns that PFAS exposure today could harm future generations due to their persistence and epigenetic effects. With childhood hypertension rates rising since 2000, the stakes have never been higher. This study is more than a warning; it's a wake-up call. The unchecked spread of forever chemicals threatens the health of future generations, and regulatory inaction has left families to fend for themselves. Parents must demand accountability from policymakers and corporations while taking personal steps to protect their children from this invisible danger. Watch this video exhorting people to beware of forever chemicals. This video is from the HaloRock™ channel on Brighteon.com.

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Regulatory gaps leave children vulnerable to PFAS harms

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