'Forever Chemicals' May Be Stunting Bone Growth in Kids, New Study Finds

A new study is raising concerns about a class of chemicals found in everyday household products and their effect on children's developing bones.

Published Tuesday in the Journal of the Endocrine Society, the research tracked more than 200 children from birth, measuring levels of PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, over time and testing bone density when the kids reached age 12. Researchers found that children with higher concentrations of certain PFAS tended to have lower bone strength in their early teens.

PFAS are sometimes called "forever chemicals" because they don't break down in the environment. They show up in a wide range of common products, from nonstick cookware to food packaging to water-resistant clothing.

Experts say the findings suggest some children may not be reaching their full bone-building potential during a critical window of development, which could raise their risk of fractures and even osteoporosis as they get older.

Researchers stress that more studies are needed before drawing firm conclusions. However, they say families can take steps now to reduce exposure, including filtering drinking water and swapping out nonstick cookware for alternatives like stainless steel or cast iron.