For people who are pregnant or nursing, more use of personal care products is associated with higher detectable levels of synthetic chemicals known to have adverse health effects, a new study by Brown University researchers has found. The study, published in Environment International , found that using personal care products like nail polish, makeup and hair dye while pregnant or lactating is associated with significantly higher levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS, in blood plasma and breast milk. "While PFAS are ubiquitous in the environment, our study indicates that personal care products are a modifiable source of PFAS," said study author Amber Hall, a postdoctoral research associate in epidemiology at the Brown University School of Public Health.
"People who are concerned about their level of exposure to these chemicals during pregnancy or while breastfeeding may benefit from cutting back on personal care products during those times." PFAS are synthetic chemicals that have been used in consumer products and industrial settings since the 1950s due to their ability to resist oil, water and heat. The study notes that PFAS have been associated with a range of adverse health effects , including liver disease, cardiometabolic and cardiovascular issues, and various cancers.
While several studies have detected these chemicals in personal care products directly, few have evaluated whether using these products impacts internal PFAS concentrations, Hall said.