New Study Links PFAS Contamination to Increased Infant Mortality Risk

Drinking water contaminated with PFAS chemicals probably increases the risk of infant mortality, according to a new peer-reviewed study of 11,000 births in New Hampshire. This research, conducted by the University of Arizona, found that drinking well water down gradient from a PFAS-contaminated site was tied to an increase in infant mortality of 191%, pre-term birth of 20%, and low-weight birth of 43%.

Additionally, there was a significant increase in extremely premature birth and extremely low-weight birth by 168% and 180%, respectively. Derek Lemoine, a study co-author and economics professor at the University of Arizona, stated that the findings were surprising due to the significant effects detected in the data.

The study also examined the societal costs of drinking contaminated water, estimating nearly $8 billion in negative annual economic impact from increased healthcare costs and lost productivity, compared to an estimated $3.8 billion for compliance with current regulations for removing PFAS in drinking water.

PFAS, a class of over 16,000 compounds, are known as forever chemicals because they do not naturally break down and are linked to serious health problems. Approximately 95 million people across the United States are estimated to drink water contaminated with PFAS.

Previous research raised concerns about PFAS exposure on fetuses and newborns, but the unique methodology of this study allowed for a clearer causal inference. Researchers identified 41 contaminated sites in New Hampshire and assessed reproductive outcomes among residents down gradient from these sites.

The study's rigorous methodology underscores the toxicity of PFAS at low concentrations. Sydney Evans, a senior science analyst with the Environmental Working Group, emphasized the need for tighter regulations.

The Biden administration has implemented limits on six types of PFAS, while the Trump administration is moving to undo some of those limits, which could result in higher public costs in the future.