You’re born tainted from chemicals, a study has confirmed. Scientists found six “forever chemicals” in high concentrations in placenta that can complicate pregnancy progression.
The “forever chemicals” are a group of nearly 10,000 chemical compounds made up of carbon and fluorine bonds, one of the strongest bonds in chemistry. They are resistant to heat, water, oil and grease, and they don’t degrade in the environment. Together they care called, Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances or PFAS.
The study was done by the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research—UFZ, Leipzig, Germany working with the Dessau Municipal Hospital, an academic hospital of the Brandenburg Medical School.
The researchers inspected the levels of forever chemicals in first-trimester placenta. There have been studies showing chemicals in placenta in the later stages of pregnancy. “This period (the first 90 days) is the most vulnerable period of pregnancy and we still do not have sufficient data on whether the placenta already harbours some PFAS (forever chemicals),” Dr. Violeta Stojanovska told Hot Rock.
An UFZ reproductive scientist, she is the study’s principal investigator. She said the placenta is important because it acts as a protective barrier for the foetus. The placenta regulates the exchange of nutrients, gases, and metabolic products between a pregnant woman and the foetus, thereby ensuring healthy development. The first 90 days of pregnancy are particularly important, because the baby’s organs begin to develop during this sensitive period. Although the placenta has barrier mechanisms designed to prevent the passage of dangerous substances to the foetus, PFAS can still accumulate in the body, interfere with foetal development, and, in severe cases, increase the risk of miscarriage.
“With this study we show that we are not exposed to single chemicals, but rather mixtures and that they jointly lead to functional hormonal and genetic changes in our 3D model of placenta e.g. trophoblast spheroids.” (Trophoblasts are placental cells that invade maternal tissue early in pregnancy and establish contact with the mother’s bloodstream.)
WW II catalysed the production of synthetic chemicals. When the U.S government ran short of natural materials for its weaponry, it massively funded synthetic material research. The synthetics soon found their way into consumer goods. In fact, they drove the creation of varieties of consumer goods.
The PFAS are ubiquitous in modern life. They are present in: nonstick cookware; microwavable popcorn bags; pizza boxes; paper and plastic food packaging; fast-food and candy wrappers; creams and lotions; shampoos and conditioners; makeup, especially waterproof cosmetics; dental floss; nail polish; waterproof shoes and clothing; outdoor gear and rainwear; stain-proof carpets and upholstery; cleaners and detergents; floor waxes and polish; paints, varnishes, and sealants.
They are in bears living at the poles; they are in fish; they are on top of the Mount Everest; they are in breast milk. And, they are in you.
They raise the risk of: ulcerative colitis; kidney and testicular cancer; thyroid disease; high cholesterol; preeclampsia; low birth weight; developmental problems in children; decreased vaccine response; liver damage; impaired immune function; decreased fertility; breast cancer and prostate cancer.
As a trained physician, Dr. Stojanovska has always been interested in how certain disorders occur. She said for many disorders the environment, such as lifestyle, nutrition and so on, has a huge part in propagating and shaping it. Environmental chemicals are often understudied in this regard and what shocked her was the ubiquitous presence of PFAS in blood samples.
“It is true that some studies showed that single PFAS can lead to changes in trophoblast development and functionality, but none really explored it as in placenta-relevant PFAS mixture and in a more relevant in vitro placenta model,” she said.
One of the strengths of the study is that it details the real exposure concentrations of PFAS to the foetus in the early pregnancy. Many studies have focused on PFAS and other chemicals presence in placenta, but usually this is based on readings in full-term placentas.
The research also provides insights into reproductive health by studying the effects of PFAS mixtures rather than single PFAS compounds.
“In that way we recapitulate as much as possible real-life scenarios to explore real-life consequences. Another important point is that to accomplish this we use a physiologically more relevant model of placenta e.g. 3D trophoblast spheroids than conventional 2D cell lines that have been demonstrated to overestimate the consequences,” Dr. Stojanovska told Hot Rock.
A lot of things have to go right for robust foetal growth, especially optimal placental function in early pregnancy. The placental cells invade and help in the growth of foetus by smooth transfer of nutrients from mother. PFAS, however, disrupt this process. Then there are two processes: cell death and cell growth. Both need to be in balance, but PFAS skews that balance.
“The two processes are kept in natural balance during the development of the placenta. However, this balance is disturbed when the placenta is exposed to high PFAS concentrations,” Dr Stojanovska explained.
PFAS also tamper with Beta-hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) production, which is the first hormone produced by the placenta and a key regulator of pregnancy. It helps in progesterone production, which creates healthy uterine lining, and helps prevent foetus rejection.
Reduced production of Beta-hCG could indicate hormone regulation disorders. “These minor changes haven’t received much attention so far, but taken collectively might cause significant impact on pregnancy progression,” Dr Stojanovska said.
The placenta is an ephemeral organ where the most important molecular processes take place and whose effects last through life. It is now also a place where a cocktail of “forever chemicals” reside.
