Newborn Blood Analysis Links Forever Chemical Exposure to Increased Risk of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Researchers find higher levels of PFAS chemicals in newborn blood are associated with an increased risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 28, 2026, 6:17 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from EurekAlert!

Direct Detection of Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances at Birth

In a significant shift from water-based exposure estimates, researchers at the University of California, Irvine, have utilized newborn dried blood spots to measure "forever chemicals" directly at the moment of birth. This approach has provided a clearer picture of how per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, enter the human system during the most vulnerable stages of development. The study specifically focused on children born in Los Angeles County between 2000 and 2015, uncovering that those with the highest concentrations of these persistent chemicals faced a elevated risk of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

The Prevalence and Persistence of PFOA and PFOS

Of the 17 distinct PFAS compounds detected in the newborn samples, PFOA and PFOS were identified at the highest levels across the study group. These chemicals are notorious for their inability to break down in the environment or the human body, hence the moniker "forever chemicals." Found in everyday products ranging from nonstick cookware to stain-resistant fabrics and food containers, these compounds accumulate over time. The researchers noted that the risk of leukemia appeared to rise even further when children were exposed to a combination of these two primary chemicals simultaneously.

Expanding the Scope of Environmental Carcinogens

While PFOA and PFOS remain the most heavily scrutinized, the UC Irvine team also identified 26 additional PFAS compounds in the blood samples, some of which have rarely been studied in a clinical or environmental health context. This broader chemical screening suggests that the risk profile for childhood cancer may be influenced by a much wider array of synthetic substances than previously understood. According to Veronica Vieira, chair of environmental and occupational health at the Wen School of Population and Public Health, capturing these exposures during a critical developmental window is essential for understanding the environmental contributors to childhood cancer.