A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers at Brown University reveals a concerning link between the use of personal care products during pregnancy or breastfeeding and elevated levels of harmful synthetic chemicals in the body. These chemicals, known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS, have been associated with detrimental health effects, highlighting significant risks for both mothers and their babies.
The research, which has been published in the reputable journal Environment International, specifically identified that frequent use of various personal care products—including nail polish, makeup, and hair dye—during pregnancy or lactation results in notably higher concentrations of PFAS found in both blood plasma and breast milk. This alarming trend signals a need for greater awareness among expecting and nursing mothers regarding their product consumption.
Study author Amber Hall, a postdoctoral research associate in epidemiology at the Brown University School of Public Health, emphasized the importance of the findings: “While PFAS are ubiquitous in the environment, our study indicates that personal care products are a modifiable source of PFAS.” Hall suggests that individuals who are particularly concerned about their exposure to these chemicals during such sensitive times may find it beneficial to reduce their usage of personal care items.
The study sheds light on the extensive history of PFAS, synthetic chemicals that have been prevalent in consumer goods and industrial applications since the 1950s due to their exceptional resistance to oil, water, and heat. Alarmingly, PFAS exposure has been linked to a variety of adverse health issues, among them liver disease, cardiometabolic and cardiovascular complications, and an increased risk of multiple cancers.
While prior studies have identified the presence of these harmful chemicals in personal care items, only a few have explored how the use of these products influences internal PFAS levels, underscoring a gap in existing research. Hall pointed out that this information is crucial, as exposure to PFAS during pregnancy may lead to adverse birth outcomes, including decreased birth weight, preterm delivery, and a range of neurodevelopmental disorders in children, as well as weakened vaccine responses.
Leading the research team, Hall analyzed data from the Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals Study, which involved 2,001 pregnant individuals hailing from 10 cities across Canada between 2008 and 2011. The research team closely studied how the use of personal care products affected PFAS concentrations in prenatal plasma (at six to 13 weeks gestation) and in human milk (from two to 10 weeks postpartum). Participants provided their usage frequency across eight different product categories during critical periods of their pregnancies and postpartum stages.
The findings were particularly striking: first-trimester participants who regularly wore makeup reported 14% higher PFAS levels in their plasma, whereas those who applied makeup daily in the third trimester had a 17% increase in breast-milk PFAS concentrations. Similar patterns were observed for individuals using colored-permanent dye shortly after giving birth, which correlated with a 16% to 18% uptick in PFAS levels in their milk compared with those who did not use such products.
Hall made it clear that the analysis considered only four types of PFAS out of the thousands utilized in various industries, suggesting a likely underestimation of actual PFAS exposure through personal care products during pregnancy. She highlighted the need for further investigation.
Working alongside Joseph Braun, a seasoned professor of epidemiology and an advocate for children’s environmental health at Brown University, Hall’s research emphasizes the potential implications for public health policy and consumer safety. Braun urged future studies to delve deeper into the specifics of how personal care products contribute to PFAS exposure, taking into account variations in product types and timing of use. He remarked, “Not only do studies like these help people assess how their product choices may affect their personal risk, but they can also help us show how these products could have population-level effects.” This evidence lays a strong foundation for advocating for stricter regulations and governmental action to alleviate the exposure burden on individuals.
The Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals Study, which played a crucial role in this important research, received substantial support from Health Canada’s Chemicals Management Plan, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (MOP-81285), and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, illustrating a collaborative effort to address this pressing public health issue.
**Interview with Amber Hall, Postdoctoral Research Associate at Brown University School of Public Health**
**Editor**: Thank you for joining us today, Amber. Your recent study highlights a concerning link between personal care product usage and PFAS exposure during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Can you elaborate on your findings?
**Amber Hall**: Absolutely, and thank you for having me. Our research indicates that frequent use of personal care products like nail polish, makeup, and hair dye during pregnancy or breastfeeding is associated with increased levels of PFAS in both blood plasma and breast milk. This is particularly alarming because of the health risks linked to PFAS exposure.
**Editor**: What prompted this research, and why do you believe it is so crucial at this moment?
**Amber Hall**: PFAS have been widely recognized in the environment for their persistence and their association with various health issues, including liver disease and certain cancers. While previous studies noted PFAS in personal care products, not much has been done to understand how their use translates to elevated internal levels in pregnant individuals and their infants. Given the profound implications for both maternal and infant health, bridging this knowledge gap was imperative.
**Editor**: Could you share some specific results from your study?
**Amber Hall**: Certainly. From our analysis of data involving over 2,000 pregnant participants across Canada, we found that those who wore makeup regularly in their first trimester had 14% higher PFAS levels in their plasma. In the third trimester, daily makeup users saw their PFAS levels increase by 17%. We also discovered that these elevated levels of PFAS can persist in breast milk, continuing the exposure risk for infants.
**Editor**: That’s quite significant. What reactions do you hope to see from this research?
**Amber Hall**: My hope is to raise awareness among expecting and nursing mothers about the potential risks of the personal care products they use. While PFAS are pervasive, our findings suggest that individuals can make choices to reduce their exposure, particularly during such critical periods.
**Editor**: What recommendations do you have for those who are concerned about PFAS in personal care products?
**Amber Hall**: I advise pregnant or breastfeeding individuals to consider cutting back on personal care products that are likely to contain PFAS. It’s wise to check product labels and seek out brands that provide information on harmful ingredients. Awareness and informed choices can significantly mitigate potential risks.
**Editor**: That’s a very practical suggestion. In closing, what are the next steps for your research team?
**Amber Hall**: We plan to delve deeper into understanding the broader impacts of PFAS on health outcomes, especially among pregnant individuals and their children. Our goal is to contribute to the body of evidence needed to guide safer product formulations and better regulations around PFAS usage in consumer goods.
**Editor**: Thank you, Amber, for sharing these important insights with us today. It’s vital that we keep this discussion going to protect both current and future generations.