Study suggests exposure to chemicals manufactured to resist water and heat likely to affect health of offspring

New research has found for the first time that PFAS “forever chemicals” accumulate in the testes, and the exposure probably affects children’s health.

The toxic chemicals can damage sperm during a sensitive developmental period, potentially leading to liver disease and higher cholesterol, especially in male offspring, the paper, which looked at the chemicals in mice, noted.

“We’ve always been concerned with maternal environmental health effects because women gestate the babies … but this research is really saying there is a paternal contribution to offspring health and development,” Pilsner added.

PFAS alters sperm DNA methylation, which is a process that turns genes on and off, Pilsner said. The methylation patterns can be inherited at fertilization and influence early-life development as well as offspring health later in life.

  • AutoTL;DR@lemmings.worldBEnglish
    41·
    6 months ago

    This is the best summary I could come up with:

    New research has found for the first time that PFAS “forever chemicals” accumulate in the testes, and the exposure probably affects children’s health.

    The research is part of a growing body of work that highlights how paternal exposure to toxic chemicals “can really impact the health, development and future diseases of the next generation”, said Richard Pilsner, a Wayne State University School of Medicine researcher who co-authored the study.

    The interference can alter genes in a way that affects how the liver produces cholesterol, which can lead to elevated levels.

    Researchers also found the chemicals affected genes associated with neuro-development, but the study did not check offspring for potential impacts.

    The study is among a growing body of research that shows the “safe” PFAS can also be measured in tissue or blood in mammals.

    Men can protect themselves by avoiding nonstick cookware and waterproof clothing, and by educating themselves on products in which PFAS are commonly used.

    The original article contains 437 words, the summary contains 157 words. Saved 64%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!