Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS or ‘forever chemicals,’ have long captured the attention of environmental scientists and health experts for their persistent nature and wide-ranging applications. These synthetic compounds are integral to products designed to repel water, grease, and stains, including non-stick cookware, water-resistant textiles, firefighting foams, food packaging, cleaning agents, and plastics. Their molecular structure, characterized by extraordinarily strong carbon-fluorine bonds, renders them exceptionally resistant to degradation. This resilience poses significant challenges for environmental health, as PFAS accumulate over time in ecosystems, seeping into water, soil, and biological tissues, leading to widespread contamination and raising serious concerns about their implications for human health.
While the spotlight has traditionally focused on a group of well-known ‘legacy’ PFAS such as perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHS), which are already regulated under the 2001 Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, the chemical landscape continues to evolve. New generations of PFAS have emerged in the market, often touted as safer alternatives. However, recent cutting-edge research underscores that these newer compounds may not be as benign as initially hoped. In a groundbreaking study published in the journal Frontiers in Aging, scientists have unveiled the concerning biological effects of two such compounds, perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluorooctanesulfonamide (PFOSA), which appear to accelerate the aging process at a cellular level.
Dr. Xiangwei Li, a professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and the principal investigator of the study, emphasized the significance of these findings. “Our research demonstrates that specific forever chemicals, namely PFNA and PFOSA, expedite biological aging, especially in men aged between 50 and 64,” Li stated. He further cautioned that the assumption of newer PFAS as low-risk replacements is misguided, suggesting a pressing need to reevaluate regulatory frameworks to encompass these evolving contaminants. The study offers a lucid perspective on how these substances can insidiously disrupt biological systems, leading to accelerated aging and potential health complications.
The research team leveraged a robust data source—the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)—which provides a comprehensive, nationally representative cohort of older adults enrolled around the turn of the century. Blood samples from 326 participants were analyzed for concentrations of 11 different PFAS compounds. Notably, the team employed DNA methylome profiling, a sophisticated epigenetic technique that quantifies DNA methylation patterns controlling gene expression. By integrating these epigenetic markers into state-of-the-art algorithms known as ‘epigenetic clocks,’ they estimated the biological age of each individual, revealing a nuanced relationship between PFAS exposure and the pace of biological aging.
Intriguingly, the researchers discovered that PFNA and PFOSA were present in the blood of an overwhelming 95% of participants, signaling their pervasive nature. More critically, elevated levels of these chemicals correlated strongly with accelerated epigenetic aging in middle-aged men but not in women. This sexual dimorphism in response raises compelling questions about underlying mechanisms, possibly related to differences in metabolism, hormone regulation, or lifestyle factors that may amplify vulnerability. PFNA and PFOSA, synthesized originally between the 1950s and 1960s, find extensive application in consumer and industrial products due to their exceptional durability against heat, corrosion, and various forms of contamination.
Other PFAS compounds, including two acetic acid derivatives—2-(N-ethyl-perfluorooctane sulfonamido) acetic acid (EPAH) and 2-(N-methyl-perfluorooctane sulfonamido) acetic acid (MPAH)—as well as PFOS, PFOA, and PFHS, were also highly prevalent, detected in at least 85% of the subjects. However, the study interestingly found no significant association between these compounds and biological age, nor any gender or age-related variations in their concentrations. These findings imply compound-specific differences in biological impact, underscoring the complexity of PFAS chemistry and toxicology.
The team concluded that the effects of PFAS on epigenetic aging are not uniform across all compounds, pointing to the inadequacy of current regulations that primarily target legacy PFAS. Most notably, they argued for urgent regulatory attention to include compounds like PFNA and PFOSA, which remain largely overlooked in policy discussions despite emerging evidence of their harmful effects. As the landscape of chemical manufacturing continues to evolve, the need for dynamic, evidence-based oversight mechanisms that consider newer contaminants becomes paramount.
A particularly compelling aspect of the study is the age and gender-specific vulnerability highlighted. Middle-aged men, it seems, represent a uniquely sensitive demographic in the context of PFAS-induced aging. Dr. Ya-Qian Xu, the first author of the study, elucidated this pattern by pointing to midlife as a critical biological window. During this period, physiological systems become increasingly susceptible to various stressors—including chemical exposures—which may exacerbate aging processes. Dr. Li supplemented this view, hypothesizing that lifestyle factors more prevalent in men, such as smoking, might synergize with PFAS effects to accelerate biological wear and tear.
Globally, the regulatory environment is beginning to address PFAS concerns more proactively. France has already enacted a nationwide ban on PFAS usage in clothing and cosmetics, while the European Union considers imposing similar restrictions on select applications. These proactive measures reflect a growing recognition of the urgent need to mitigate exposure risks through legislative means. Experts advocate for further initiatives, urging manufacturers, policymakers, and consumers alike to prioritize reducing PFAS dissemination via industrial processes and product formulations.
In the interim, individuals can adopt practical strategies to reduce their PFAS exposure. The study’s authors recommend minimizing consumption of packaged foods, which often involve PFAS-laden materials, and avoiding practices like microwaving food in fast-food containers, which can increase chemical leaching. These measures, albeit small, contribute to limiting cumulative toxicity over time. Looking forward, the research team aims to expand investigations into how PFAS interact with other prevalent environmental pollutants to better elucidate the complex, cumulative health implications of these chemical mixtures.
This research not only deepens the understanding of PFAS toxicity but also exemplifies the power of epigenetics as a tool to measure and interpret the biological consequences of environmental exposures. By linking chemical pollutants with accelerated aging signatures, the study provides compelling evidence that could reshape public health policies and environmental standards. The pressing challenge remains: how to balance industrial and consumer benefits of these durable chemicals against their insidious and far-reaching biological costs. As this body of evidence grows, it becomes increasingly clear that the covert legacy of forever chemicals demands sustained scientific and regulatory vigilance.
Subject of Research: People
Article Title: Not specified in the provided content
News Publication Date: Not specified, but article publication date: 26-Feb-2026
Web References: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/aging/articles/10.3389/fragi.2025.1722675/full
References: Not provided
Image Credits: Not provided
Keywords: PFAS, perfluorononanoic acid, PFNA, perfluorooctanesulfonamide, PFOSA, biological aging, epigenetic clock, DNA methylome, environmental toxicology, gender differences, middle-aged men, persistent organic pollutants
Tags: accelerated aging in middle-aged menforever chemicals health impactlong-term health effects of PFASmolecular stability of PFASnew generation PFAS safety concernsperfluoroalkyl substances toxicitypersistent organic pollutants regulationPFAS bioaccumulation effectsPFAS contamination in ecosystemsPFAS environmental contaminationPFAS in consumer productssynthetic chemical exposure risks
