Middle-Aged Men Most Susceptible to Aging Effects of Emerging PFAS: Study
Everyday products-from non-stick pans to food wrappers-may be quietly speeding up our biological clock. A new study suggests that certain "forever chemicals" in our blood are linked to faster biological aging, especially in middle-aged men.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of synthetic chemicals widely used for their resistance to heat, water, and stains. Because they contain extremely strong chemical bonds, they do not easily break down in the environment or the body. Over time, PFAS have been detected in water, soil, wildlife, and human tissues, raising concerns about links to cancer, infertility, obesity, and hormone disruption.
In the new study, published in Frontiers in Aging, researchers analyzed data from 326 older adults who participated in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999–2000). Blood samples were tested for 11 PFAS compounds, and DNA methylation patterns—chemical markers that regulate gene activity—were examined. These data were then processed using 12 established “epigenetic clocks,” algorithms that estimate biological age based on DNA changes.
The team found that two compounds—per-fluoro-nonanoic acid (PFNA) and per-fluoro-octane-sulfonamide (PFOSA)—were present in 95% of participants. Higher levels of these chemicals strongly predicted faster epigenetic aging in men aged 50 to 64, but not in women. Other commonly detected PFAS, including PFOS and PFOA, showed no clear link to biological age in this analysis.
Researchers suggest that midlife may be a particularly vulnerable window, when the body becomes more sensitive to stressors. Lifestyle factors such as smoking could further amplify the impact in men. The findings highlight that newer or less-regulated PFAS may also carry risks, underscoring the need for broader chemical safety regulations and greater awareness of cumulative environmental exposures.
REFERENCE: Xu, Y.-Q., et al. (2026). Emerging PFAS contaminants PFNA and PFSA amplify epigenetic aging: sex- and age-stratified risks in an aging population. Frontiers in Aging. DOI: 10.3389/fragi.2025.1722675. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/aging/articles/10.3389/fragi.2025.1722675/full
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