Scientists have linked exposure to certain "forever chemicals" to bone density changes in Hispanic youth — a group already at a heightened risk of developing osteoporosis in adulthood.
Impacts on specific populations: Existing research has previously connected these compounds, known as PFAS, to lower bone mineral density, which can lead to a variety of bone diseases.
But most of those studies have centered on older, non-Hispanic white participants and have included data collected at a single point in time, authors of a new study noted.
Increased risk, dearth of data: The scientists, led by a University of Southern California team, therefore set out to explore a possible association within this specific group over an extended time period.
They published their findings, which corroborated that connection, on Wednesday in Environmental Research.
PFAS refresher: There are thousands of types of PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — many of which have known links to cancers and other illnesses.
- PFAS are found in certain kinds of firefighting foam and in a variety of household products, including many cosmetics, nonstick pans and waterproof apparel.
- These compounds are notorious for their tendency to linger in the human body and in the environment.
Avoiding osteoporosis: "PFAS are ubiquitous — we are all exposed to them," senior author Lida Chatzi, a professor of population and public health at USC's Keck School of Medicine, said in a statement.
"We need to eliminate that exposure to allow our youth to reach their full potential in terms of bone development to help them avoid osteoporosis later in life," she added.
A pivotal period for bone health: Bone mineral density surges during adolescence and peaks between the ages of 20 and 30, the authors noted.
Peak density, they explained, helps predict whether an individual will develop osteoporosis later in life.
Starting with adolescents: Chatzi and her colleagues first looked at a group of 304 Hispanic adolescents from the Study of Latino Adolescents at Risk of Type 2 Diabetes.
- The scientists collected blood samples to assess PFAS levels and used a special kind of x-ray technology to measure bone density.
- They followed up after a year-and-a-half to check for changes over time.
Moving to older teens: Using data from the Southern California Children's Health Study, the researchers evaluated 137 young adults, 58.4 percent of whom were Hispanic.
The scientists collected initial blood samples and bone density scans, then followed up four years later.
What did the authors determine? The scientists identified a link between one type of PFAS — called PFOS — and lower bone mineral density.
- For each doubling of PFOS exposure, adolescents endured average declines in bone density of 0.003 grams per square centimeter each year.
- When baseline levels of PFOS doubled in the older group, participants showed more substantial bone density decreases of 0.032 grams per square centimeter on average.
- Members of that second cluster, however, encountered no significant changes over the four years surveyed.
What do the results mean? "This association is already happening at a time when bones are supposed to be developing," lead author Emily Beglarian, doctoral student in the Keck School of Medicine, said in a statement.
The exposures impair development during adolescence, but the problems "persist into adulthood," according to the study.
Lifelong implications: The researchers therefore called for stricter PFAS regulations, with hopes of protecting high-risk communities that endure increased exposures to these toxins.
"We want to make sure we're not exposing ourselves to things that harm our bone development, because it has implications over the rest of our lives," Beglarian said.
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