The Hidden Chemicals in Your Home May Be Damaging Your Teen's Liver

A groundbreaking study has found that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—synthetic chemicals lurking in common household items—may significantly increase the risk of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in teenagers. The research, led by University of Hawaii scientists, shows that adolescents with higher blood levels of certain PFAS chemicals were nearly three times more likely to develop this serious liver condition.

What Are PFAS and Where Do They Hide?

PFAS, nicknamed "forever chemicals" because they don't break down naturally, are synthetic substances used in countless everyday products. You'll find them in nonstick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, waterproof clothing, food packaging, and some cleaning products. These chemicals persist in the environment and accumulate in our bodies over time—more than 99% of people in the United States have measurable PFAS in their blood, and at least one PFAS is present in roughly half of U.S. drinking water supplies.

How Serious Is the Liver Disease Risk?

The study examined 284 adolescents and young adults in Southern California who were already at higher metabolic risk because their parents had type 2 diabetes or were overweight. Researchers measured PFAS levels through blood tests and assessed liver fat using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The results were striking: adolescents with twice as much perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in their blood were nearly three times more likely to have MASLD.

MASLD affects about 10% of children and up to 40% of children with obesity. This condition can increase long-term risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and liver cancer. "MASLD can progress silently for years before causing serious health problems," said Lida Chatzi, professor of population and public health sciences and pediatrics and director of the USC Superfund Center. "When liver fat starts accumulating in adolescence, it may set the stage for a lifetime of metabolic and liver health challenges."

The research also found that certain factors made the risk even higher:

• Genetic Vulnerability: Adolescents with a specific genetic variant (PNPLA3 GG) known to influence liver fat faced even greater risk when exposed to PFAS
• Smoking Impact: In young adults, smoking further amplified the liver-damaging effects of PFAS exposure
• Critical Development Period: Teenagers are particularly vulnerable because adolescence is a crucial time for growth and development

"Adolescents are particularly more vulnerable to the health effects of PFAS as it is a critical period of development and growth," explained assistant professor Shiwen "Sherlock" Li of UH Mānoa's Department of Public Health Sciences, who served as lead author. "In addition to liver disease, PFAS exposure has been associated with a range of adverse health outcomes, including several types of cancer."

What Can Families Do to Reduce Exposure?

This groundbreaking research represents the first study to examine PFAS and MASLD in children using gold-standard diagnostic criteria and to explore how genetic and lifestyle factors may interact with PFAS exposure. The findings have important implications for protecting young people's health.

Since PFAS exposure can vary significantly by location, Li recommends checking local Consumer Confidence Reports to see whether your water provider tests for PFAS. If PFAS are detected in your water supply, using a water filter can help reduce exposure. Families can also avoid products or packaging made with PFAS when possible.

Given the rising rates of MASLD in young people worldwide, the researchers emphasize the urgent need for continued investigation and policies that reduce PFAS use in consumer products. The study, published in Environmental Research, was a collaboration with multiple institutions including the University of California Irvine, West Virginia University, Johns Hopkins University, and Children's Hospital Los Angeles.