Superfund Research Program

Puerto Rico has one of the highest rates of preterm birth and infant mortality in the U.S. (Photo courtesy of Northeastern University PROTECT Center)

Researchers from the Puerto Rico Testsite for Exploring Contamination Threats (PROTECT) SRP Center linked PFAS exposure to biomarkers of oxidative stress in pregnant Puerto Rican women.

According to the authors, PFAS levels in PROTECT participants were generally lower than those found in the U.S. population. However, the researchers found that even lower exposure to some PFAS was still associated with biomarkers of oxidative stress that may be linked to pregnancy complications like preterm birth, maternal high blood pressure, and miscarriage. This may be the result of the unique geology of the island or from a historical lack of industrial activities that use PFAS, the scientists say.

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