A chemical found in everyday household items and clothing could disrupt facial development in unborn babies, a new study warns.
Even tiny amounts of perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), a type of ‘forever chemical’, were shown to increase the risk of small eyes, jaw problems and other facial abnormalities by around 10 per cent.
Scientists at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in the US carried out the research.
The team tested 139 different PFAS chemicals, commonly used in products from non-stick pans to cosmetics, and identified PFDA as the most harmful to foetal facial development.
Published in Chemical Research in Toxicology, the study provides the first clear explanation of how PFDA affects developing babies’ faces.
Valentina Milanova, a gynaecological expert and founder of Daye, said the findings are significant because they show how the damage happens, not just that it does.
‘PFDA delivers a double hit to the body,’ she said. ‘It blocks a key enzyme that clears excess retinoic acid, then suppresses the genes that produce that same enzyme, meaning the body loses two lines of defence at once.’
Dr Deborah Lee, a sexual and reproductive health specialist at Dr Fox Online Pharmacy, said PFDA belongs to a wider family of chemicals called perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), found in plastic food packaging, storage containers and non-stick cookware.
PFDA – a type of ‘forever chemical’ interferes with retinoic acid, a natural chemical that shapes a baby’s face in early pregnancy
‘They are called “forever chemicals” because they are highly resistant to breakdown and can remain in water, soil and the human body for decades,’ she said.
PFDA disrupts retinoic acid, also known as vitamin A, which is essential for shaping a baby’s face in early pregnancy. It blocks an enzyme called CYP26A1, which normally keeps retinoic acid under control, and reduces its production.
‘High levels of retinoic acid can lead to craniofacial abnormalities,’ Dr Lee said. The most common effects include underdeveloped eyes and abnormal jaw formation.
Ms Milanova said retinoic acid controls hundreds of genes involved in forming the baby’s face, eyes and nervous system. ‘Too much of it is just as harmful as too little,’ she said.
Craniofacial development begins in the first trimester and continues throughout pregnancy. This means care must be taken from planning a pregnancy right up until delivery.
‘What women eat and drink in pregnancy affects the growth and development of their baby,’ Dr Lee said. ‘Exposure to enzyme-disrupting chemicals such as PFDA can even affect fertility before conception.’
Ms Milanova warned that the highest-risk window is between weeks four and ten of pregnancy. This is when the face, jaw and eyes are forming.
She added that because a baby cannot regulate retinoic acid on its own, it relies entirely on the mother’s body. This makes chemical disruption during this period especially dangerous.
PFDA and other PFAS are found in a wide range of products, including non-stick cookware, water- and stain-resistant clothing, carpets, food packaging, ski wax and some cosmetics.
They can escape from products, build up in household dust and create low-level exposure through breathing or swallowing, particularly for children.
PFDA can also remain in the body for years. ‘Its biological half-life is around 12 years, meaning exposure can build up long before pregnancy even begins,’ Ms Milanova said.
Dr Lee recommends practical steps to reduce exposure, including eating fresh food instead of processed, avoiding plastic packaging and storage containers, limiting new household items and filtering tap water.
‘Never microwave food in plastic, wash food thoroughly to remove pesticides and minimise exposure to cleaning products or disinfectants containing PFAS,’ she said.
The above graphic shows how exposure to PFDA, a common PFAS chemical, can lead to abnormalities in newborns by disrupting Vitamin A (retinoid) metabolism
Ms Milanova said exposure can also come from less obvious sources. These include grease-resistant food packaging, stain-resistant furniture, waterproof cosmetics and some menstrual products.
‘This is under-discussed,’ she said. ‘Studies have found PFAS in a significant number of tampons, pads and period underwear, including some labelled organic or natural.’
While smoking, alcohol and certain medications remain far more harmful, Dr Lee said avoiding PFAS is an important additional precaution.
Following guidance from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, she encouraged women to take folic acid, avoid unnecessary chemicals and be cautious with household products during pregnancy.
Annice Mukherjee, Professor of Endocrinology, adds: ‘The potential for forever chemicals to result in human harm is being increasingly studied in scientific models.
‘This in vitro study raises significant concerns. Whether the findings can be extrapolated to humans is not confirmed but definitely requires further study.’
The study’s findings could help regulators and manufacturers identify the most dangerous PFAS, develop safer alternatives and reduce exposure for high-risk groups. This could make everyday products safer for families and children.
