Researchers identify link between PFAS exposure and asthma risk in children

EnvironmentHealth & Fitness
10 Apr 2026 • 5:43 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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  • A Swedish study has found very high prenatal exposure to "forever chemicals" (PFAS) may increase the risk of asthma in children.
  • Researchers analysed data from more than 11,000 children born in southern Sweden, including areas with extremely high PFAS exposure from contaminated water supplies.
  • The study found that children whose mothers experienced exceptionally high PFAS levels during pregnancy had a substantially higher incidence of clinically diagnosed asthma.
  • This extreme exposure was observed in towns such as Ronneby, where drinking water was heavily contaminated by firefighting foam, resulting in levels "hundreds of times higher than the general population".
  • Independent experts highlighted that the increased risk was only evident in the highest exposure group, advising against extrapolating these findings to the wider population.

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