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Study Shows Dangers of ‘Forever Chemicals’ on Babies
Mothers in New Hampshire who were downstream of sites contaminated with “forever chemicals” experienced triple the rate of infant deaths and had more premature births or babies with low birth weights, according to a new study released Monday. The analysis by a team of economists, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, sampled data from more than 11,000 births between 2010 and 2019.
Researchers looked at how per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS, affected fetal health after these chemicals contaminated the drinking water supply. While some experts cautioned that the study focused on a small subset of the overall U.S. population, the findings underscore the potential risks of a class of over 10,000 compounds that have been widely used in nonstick cookware, food packaging and waterproof clothing.
These chemicals, which make products resistant against oil, water and stains, have been linked to several kinds of cancer, birth defects and damage to the liver and immune system, among other health problems. They have been detected in nearly half of the nation’s drinking water and in the blood of nearly every American.
Forever Chemicals Disrupt Placenta, May Add Risk to Pregnancies
Six common “forever chemicals” — may disrupt early placental development and endanger pregnancy health before most women are even aware they are pregnant, according to a new study. Properly known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), forever chemicals are commonly found in contaminated drinking water, food packaging, non-stick cookware and textiles.
During the first 90 days of pregnancy, the fetus begins forming its organs, and the placenta establishes itself as the lifeline between mother and baby, regulating nutrients, oxygen and metabolic waste.
Although the placenta has its own protective barriers, PFAS are uniquely persistent: they accumulate in the body over time, can cross placental tissue and have been associated with complications ranging from impaired fetal growth to, in severe cases, miscarriage.
Florida Attorney General Uthmeier Sues Roblox, Claiming ‘Serious Failures’ to Protect Children From Sexual Predators
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that his office is suing gaming site Roblox for misrepresenting the platform’s safety measures to protect children from sexual predators. In a video shared on social media Thursday, Uthmeier said that his office has taken several steps to investigate the online platform, including launching a criminal investigation back in October.
In the post’s caption, the Florida attorney general claimed that Roblox is “hiding behind press releases and superficial safety measures while predators are openly grooming and targeting children on its platform.”
While the investigation continues, he said his office is using “all tools in the toolbox to hold this dangerous platform accountable.” “That’s why today I’m announcing that my office is filing a lawsuit against Roblox for what we believe are serious failures to protect our kids,” Uthmeier said. “We reviewed the information demanded in our subpoenas and what we found is unacceptable.”
Following Australia’s Lead, Denmark Plans to Ban Social Media for Children Under 15
As Australia began enforcing a world-first social media ban for children under 16 years old this week, Denmark is planning to follow its lead and severely restrict social media access for young people. The Danish government announced last month that it had secured an agreement by three governing coalition and two opposition parties in parliament to ban access to social media for anyone under the age of 15.
Such a measure would be the most sweeping step yet by a European Union nation to limit use of social media among teens and children. The Danish government’s plans could become law as soon as mid-2026. The proposed measure would give some parents the right to let their children access social media from age 13, local media reported, but the ministry has not yet fully shared the plans.
Many social media platforms already ban children younger than 13 from signing up, and a EU law requires Big Tech to put measures in place to protect young people from online risks and inappropriate content. But officials and experts say such restrictions don’t always work.
