The risks identified include:
- Low birth weight
- Preterm birth
- Infant mortality
More concerningly, a team of economic researchers and hydrologists found that PFAS exposure significantly raises the probability of extremely low-weight and extremely preterm births, outcomes strongly linked to lifelong health challenges.
A Natural Experiment: Wells Reveal PFAS Risks
PFAS are man-made compounds that have drawn public and regulatory scrutiny because they persist in the environment, accumulate in the human body, and may cause harm even at very low concentrations.
While most existing knowledge comes from animal studies or correlations in human blood, this study sought to mimic a randomized experiment using a "natural experiment" approach in New Hampshire.
Study Design
The researchers focused on 11,539 births from 2010 to 2019 that occurred within 3.1 miles (5 kilometers) of a known PFAS-contaminated site (from industry, landfills, or firefighting).
- They compared birth outcomes for mothers receiving water from wells downstream (in groundwater flow terms) of the contamination source versus those receiving water from upstream wells.
- The study confirmed that downstream wells had greater PFAS levels.
- Because well locations are sensitive data, and testing was inconsistent until 2016, the women likely did not know they were exposed.
Key Findings: High-Risk Births
The study found what the researchers consider clear evidence of harm:
| Outcome Compared to Upstream Wells | Increased Chance (Downstream) | Equivalent Per 100,000 Births |
| Low Birth Weight (under 5.5 lbs/2,500 g) | 43% greater | 2,639 additional cases |
| Preterm Birth (before 37 weeks) | 20% greater | 1,475 additional cases |
| Infant Mortality (not surviving first year) | 191% greater | 611 additional deaths |
| Extremely Low Weight (under 2.2 lbs/1,000 g) | 180% greater | 607 additional cases |
| Extremely Preterm (before 28 weeks) | 168% greater | 466 additional cases |
The Monetary Cost of Contamination
To inform regulation, the researchers monetized the costs of these adverse birth outcomes:
- Low-weight births due to PFAS exposure cost society an estimated $7.8 billion annually over the lifetimes of those babies (due to higher medical bills, lower health, and decreased lifetime earnings).
- The combined effects of PFAS on preterm births and infant mortality cost the U.S. about $5.6 billion over the lifetimes of those babies born each year.
The study concludes that the reproductive health benefits alone of protecting water systems from PFAS contamination could justify the EPA's rule regarding PFAS limits, which an analysis estimated would cost utilities $3.8 billion annually for removal.
Recommendations for Pregnant Women
The study focused on PFOA and PFOS, two "long-chain" PFAS no longer produced in the U.S. but still present in groundwater. They can be removed from water using activated carbon filters.
Given these findings, the authors recommend that:
Pregnant women who suspect their drinking water may contain long-chain PFAS should strongly consider installing water filters capable of removing PFAS and replacing those filters on a regular schedule.
Disclaimer: This content is published only for health awareness and informational purposes. It's not a substitute for your professional medical advice. You must consult a doctor/healthcare professional regarding your specific health concerns.
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