“Forever chemicals’ may Speed up Aging in Middle-aged Men

Study coauthor Xiangwei Li, an epidemiologist at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and colleagues analyzed NHANES data from 326 older adults representing the U.S. population. Participants provided blood samples and demographic and lifestyle information. Researchers measured levels of 11 PFAS chemicals in the blood and used DNA methylation data with 12 epigenetic clock models to estimate each person’s biological age.

Researchers detected the PFAS chemicals perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluorooctanesulfonamide (PFOSA) in 95% of participants. Developed in the mid‑20th century, both are still widely used in products designed to resist stains, grease, and water.

Each epigenetic clock included an “age acceleration” measure showing how much a person’s biological age exceeded their chronological age. In men aged 50–64, PFNA and PFOSA were associated with accelerated aging in several models, while no such link appeared in women. Although five other PFAS were found in high levels in at least 75% of participants, none were tied to accelerated aging, and men did not carry higher PFAS levels than women.

Researchers suggest middle‑aged men may be especially sensitive to PFAS because midlife is a biologically vulnerable period when age‑related stressors have stronger effects. Lifestyle factors—particularly smoking—may also amplify PFAS damage.

Although some older PFAS were targeted for global phase‑out under the 2001 Stockholm Convention, newer PFAS may also pose risks. Regulatory efforts are expanding in Europe; for example, France has banned PFAS in clothing and cosmetics, and the EU is considering broader restrictions.

To reduce exposure, researchers recommend limiting packaged foods and avoiding microwaving fast‑food containers. Future work will examine how PFAS interact with other pollutants to better understand their combined health effects.