Chemicals known as PFAS, often called “forever chemicals,” are now found almost everywhere in the modern world.
They are used to make many everyday products such as non‑stick cookware, waterproof clothing, food packaging, stain‑resistant fabrics, firefighting foam, cleaning products, and some plastics.
These chemicals have been used since the middle of the twentieth century because they are very stable and can resist heat, oil, grease, and water.
However, the same quality that makes PFAS useful in industry also makes them dangerous for the environment and human health.
The chemical bonds inside PFAS molecules are extremely strong, which means they do not break down easily.
Because of this, they can remain in the environment for many years. Scientists have detected PFAS in rivers, soil, wildlife, and even in the blood of people around the world.
Over the past two decades, research has raised growing concerns about these substances. Some PFAS have been linked to serious health problems, including certain cancers, fertility problems, hormone disruption, obesity, and immune system changes. Because they stay in the body for long periods of time, scientists worry that their effects may build up slowly over many years.
Several well‑known PFAS compounds, including PFOS, PFOA, and PFHS, have already been targeted for global restrictions. These chemicals were listed for phase‑out under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, an international treaty adopted in 2001 to control dangerous environmental chemicals.
Despite these efforts, many newer PFAS compounds are still being produced and used in industry. Some of them are even linked to newer technologies such as electronic equipment and large computer data centers that support artificial intelligence systems.
A new scientific study now suggests that certain PFAS chemicals may also speed up the aging process inside the human body. The research was led by scientists at Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine in China and was published in the journal Frontiers in Aging.
The researchers focused on two specific PFAS compounds called perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluorooctanesulfonamide (PFOSA). According to the study, these chemicals may accelerate biological aging, particularly in middle‑aged men.
Biological aging is different from chronological aging. Chronological age simply counts how many years a person has lived. Biological age, however, reflects how old the body appears at the cellular level. Some people may have bodies that age faster or slower than their actual age, depending on genetics, lifestyle, and environmental exposures.
To explore this issue, the research team analyzed data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, commonly known as NHANES. This large health survey collects medical information from a nationally representative group of Americans.
The scientists studied data from 326 adults who participated in the survey between 1999 and 2000. Blood samples from these participants had previously been tested for 11 different PFAS chemicals. The researchers also examined changes in DNA patterns inside blood cells.
These DNA changes are known as methylation patterns. They help control how genes are turned on or off inside the body. Scientists have developed several tools called epigenetic clocks that use these methylation patterns to estimate a person’s biological age.
Using twelve different epigenetic clocks, the researchers estimated how quickly each participant’s body was aging. They then compared these biological age estimates with the PFAS levels measured in the participants’ blood.
The results showed a clear pattern for two chemicals in particular. PFNA and PFOSA were detected in about 95 percent of the people in the study. Higher levels of these chemicals were strongly linked to faster biological aging in men between the ages of 50 and 64.
Interestingly, the same effect was not seen in women. The researchers believe this difference may be related to lifestyle or biological factors. For example, some of the aging markers used in the study are influenced by habits such as smoking, which is more common among men in many populations.
PFNA and PFOSA were first developed many decades ago, during the 1950s and 1960s. They are still used today because they help materials resist water, grease, stains, and corrosion. Like other PFAS chemicals, they remain in the environment and can slowly accumulate in the human body over time.
The researchers also measured several other PFAS chemicals that were present in at least 85 percent of participants. These included PFOS, PFOA, PFHS, EPAH, and MPAH. However, these substances were not linked to changes in biological aging in this particular study.
This finding suggests that different PFAS chemicals may affect the body in different ways. Some may have stronger effects on aging processes than others.
The scientists also discussed why middle age may be an especially sensitive period for environmental exposure. During midlife, the body begins to experience more stress from aging processes. Exposure to harmful chemicals during this time may therefore have a stronger impact on health.
The study’s authors argue that environmental regulations may need to expand beyond the older PFAS chemicals that have already been restricted. Newer compounds such as PFNA and PFOSA may also need careful monitoring and possible regulation.
Some governments have already started taking action. For example, France has banned PFAS from certain clothing and cosmetic products, and the European Union is currently considering broader restrictions on their use.
At the same time, researchers say individuals can take some simple steps to reduce their exposure. Limiting packaged foods, avoiding microwaving food in fast‑food containers, and choosing PFAS‑free products when possible may help lower contact with these chemicals.
When reviewing the findings carefully, the study provides an important warning about the long‑term effects of environmental chemicals. Although the research involved a relatively small group of participants, the results suggest that certain PFAS compounds may influence the biological processes that control aging.
More research will be needed to confirm these results and to understand how these chemicals interact with other pollutants and lifestyle factors. Still, the study highlights a growing concern that modern industrial chemicals may have subtle but significant effects on human health over time.
As scientists continue to investigate PFAS and other environmental pollutants, understanding how these substances affect aging and disease risk will be crucial for protecting public health in the future.
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