“Forever Chemicals” May Speed Aging

1 min

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as “forever chemicals,” are widely used in consumer and industrial products because their strong molecular bonds make them resistant to heat, water, grease, and breakdown. As a result, they persist in the environment and accumulate in human bodies. Some have been linked to cancer, infertility, obesity, and hormone disruption.

While use of older “legacy” PFAS such as perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHS) are being phased out globally, newer PFAS continue to be used.

A recent report by researchers at the Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine in China analyzed U.S. health data and found that two specific PFAS — perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluorooctanesulfonamide (PFOSA) — were associated with accelerated biological aging, particularly in men ages 50 to 64. These chemicals were detected in 95 percent of participants and were linked to faster cellular aging only in middle-aged men, not women.

Other commonly detected PFAS, including PFOS, PFOA, and PFHS, were not associated with changes in biological age in this study. Researchers suggest that midlife may be a sensitive period for chemical exposure and that lifestyle factors like smoking could amplify risks in men. The findings indicate that not all PFAS have the same health effects and that newer or less-regulated compounds like PFNA and PFOSA may also pose significant risks.