It is possible that “forever chemicals” – those man-made chemicals that do not break down readily such as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – may increase women’s risk for hypertension (high blood pressure) in middle age. That’s the finding of a new study published in the journal Hypertension. During the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation Multi-Pollutant Study, researchers at the University of Michigan analyzed health data from more than 1,000 women aged 45 to 56.
A variety of everyday products contain PFAS, including cosmetics, personal care products such as shampoo and shaving cream, nonstick cookware, and stain-resistant clothes and furnishings. These chemicals last in the environment for so long that it is impossible to measure their half-life, according to the National Institutes of Health. Ninety-seven percent of American adults have measurable levels of PFAS in their blood. PFAS are most commonly found in drinking water, according to experts.
