Pregnancy is a sensitive time when a mother must take the utmost care. Any negative influences can lead to serious health complications for the mother and developmental issues in the growing baby.
Speaking exclusively of autism, it cannot be considered a pregnancy complication. However, Verywell Health shares that certain risk factors may be present during pregnancy that could lead to an autism diagnosis later in life.
One risk may be exposure to a group of chemicals called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS. Are you unfamiliar with the term? It’s in an expectant mother’s best interest to educate herself about PFAS and their health risks.
In this article, we will discuss what PFAS are, their connection to autism, and ways to avoid exposure during pregnancy.
What Are PFAS?
As stated earlier, PFAS are a group of complex chemicals, not a singular chemical. Most that fall under this category are distinguished by their strong carbon-fluorine chemical bonds.
PFAS were formulated for the first time around the 1940s. A decade later, they were used in various commercial applications, including non-stick cookware, firefighting foam, and stain-resistant carpets.
Even today, PFAS can be found in hundreds of thousands of products. Their existence has been deemed ‘inescapable’ because of how ubiquitous they are.
PFAS Dangers and Connection to Autism
Did you know that we’re in the middle of a worldwide PFAS ban that is already underway? Such a ban was proposed due to the health and environmental risks associated with PFAS.
In general, these chemicals are capable of causing serious conditions like cancer. The brunt was first suffered by firefighters and military servicemen who were directly exposed through Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF).
According to TruLaw, PFAS manufacturers failed to warn about the risks despite being aware of them. As many as 10,000 personnel have sued PFAS manufacturing companies due to cancer of the kidney, bladder, and testicles.
Bellwether trials for the AFFF lawsuit are expected to be held in 2025. Indirect exposure to these chemicals can be equally dangerous. This includes threats to the mother and the baby’s health during pregnancy.
PFAS Risks During Pregnancy
Before we speak specifically about autism, let’s discuss how PFAS affects the mother or the baby’s health during pregnancy. Here are the most common risks –
- Preeclampsia, which may even lead to seizures
- Gestational diabetes due to excessive weight gain
- Poor placental health, where the organ’s ability to regulate lipid homeostasis is disrupted
- An abnormal rise in the mother’s blood pressure
As for autism, one specific PFAS chemical has shown clear links with the condition. Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) may cause autism-like symptoms later in life due to prenatal exposure.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) supports the credibility of the information with its research. However, further research is needed in order to establish how PFAS influences the genetic blueprint to trigger autism. For now, it’s best for mothers to avoid prenatal exposure as much as possible.
Tips to Avoid Prenatal PFAS Exposure
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over one-third of mothers experience long-term health complications after childbirth. That makes nearly 40 million women annually.
Many mothers are terrified to discover later in life about developmental issues in their child, including autism. While there is no guaranteed way to prevent this condition during pregnancy, mothers can take steps to reduce the risk.
This would include eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and managing stress. Above all, avoiding prenatal PFAS exposure is crucial, which can be done in the following ways.
Avoid Takeout
In an average week, how many times are you likely to order food from outside? It’s best to limit takeout even on ordinary days. However, we recommend completely avoiding this practice during pregnancy.
Most of the takeout or fast food packages are still lined with grease-resistant coatings made of PFAS. The chemicals can easily leach into your food from its packaging.
It doesn’t matter if your order consists of healthy food made using organic ingredients. The chemicals, if used in the packaging, will defeat the purpose of eating healthy. It’s much better to prepare food at home from fresh ingredients.
Use PFAS-Free Cookware
If you’ve decided to eat homemade during your pregnancy, ensure they’re all cooked in non-toxic cookware. PFAS are used to create the grease-resistant coating of non-stick cookware.
Many people prefer non-stick cookware because it doesn’t require much oil and is easier to cook in. However, the food comes at a great price for your health. Oil in itself is not bad; you can cook with cold-pressed oils that have a high smoke point.
In any case, do not use cookware lined with PFAS. Choose safer alternatives like earthen pots, cast iron pans, or stainless steel cookware.
Do Not Wear Stain-Resistant Clothing
Are your clothes made of stain-resistant fabrics? Such garments are manufactured using advanced production technologies that make the fabric resistant to dust, liquids, and other impurities.
Do you own any modern stain-resistant garments? If yes, it’s time to bid them adieu. The PFAS lining these clothes will easily get absorbed through the skin.
Instead, invest in natural breathable fabrics like cotton, linen, or silk. For winters, wool is a much better option than acrylics. Keep in mind that even natural fabrics can have PFAS used to make them wrinkle-resistant. Ensure you ask about the fabric’s features before buying.
Drink Filtered Water
Does your local municipal water contain PFAS? It’s highly likely that it does because studies have found that at least 45% of US tap water contains these chemicals.
To be on the safe side, consume only filtered water. Make sure you have a reverse osmosis water filter system at home because not all standard filters remove PFAS.
If you’re purchasing a new filter, read through the manufacturer’s specifications for PFAS removal. For a thorough cleansing, reverse osmosis filters are your best choice.
On a final note, we would like to point out that autism is not always a direct result of complications during pregnancy. The UCLA Medical School states that around 80% of cases may be linked to inherent genetic mutations.
However, the instructions of a genetic code can be influenced based on external factors. This includes PFAS exposure. That way, a mother’s basic efforts to avoid prenatal PFAS exposure can protect her baby from developmental issues.
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