 | Author: Megha Pratapwar, 2nd year Nutritional Sciences and Human Biology undergraduate |
| Faculty Mentor: Sarah Comstock, Food Science and Human Nutrition Faculty member |
Abstract:
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of chemicals that are widely used in consumer products that can lead to adverse effects on health in exposed humans. Exposure usually occurs through dust, drinking water, and food. These chemicals break down very slowly and therefore can cause long-term contamination in both humans and the environment . Some possible health effects PFAS can have are decreased fertility, developmental delays in children, increased risk of some cancers, reduced immunity, and interference with hormones. PFAS levels in human milk have been positively associated with decreased diversity in the gut microbiome of 1 month old infants. A literature review identified the levels of various PFAS in human milk in countries around the world. Levels ranged from 0.0073 ng/mL to 24 ng/mL, with milk samples from Faroe Islands having the highest and milk samples from Sweden having the lowest levels of PFAS. This is part of a continuum of research that will eventually analyze the impact of PFAS exposure on the infant gut microbiota at 3 months of age. Since the infant gut microbiota membership is established early in life, understanding the exposures which can alter the composition of this microbiota will enable a clearer understanding of the mechanisms by which compounds, such as PFAS, impact health.