PFAS: a silent threat to adolescent bone health

By Elodie Vaz | Published on March 26, 2026 | 4 min read

Adolescence is a critical period for building bone mass. It is during this window that optimal bone mineral density is established, shaping future risk of fractures and osteoporosis. Any disruption to this process may therefore have long-term consequences. Among suspected environmental factors, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often referred to as “forever chemicals,” are raising increasing concern due to their persistence in the body and widespread presence in the environment.  

A study published on March 17 in the Journal of the Endocrine Society examined the impact of early-life exposure to PFAS on bone health during adolescence. The objective was to determine whether these compounds, known to disrupt various biological processes, could also influence bone density at a key stage of development. As Professor Jessie P. Buckley stated in a press release: “Adolescence is a critical period for building a strong skeleton, and achieving optimal bone mass during this time can reduce the risk of fractures and osteoporosis throughout life.”  

From birth to adolescence

Results showed an association between higher concentrations of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and lower bone density at the forearm in adolescents. For other PFAS, observed relationships varied depending on the timing of exposure.  

Another notable finding concerns sex differences. Associations between PFAS exposure and lower bone density were more pronounced in girls than in boys, suggesting possible increased vulnerability

A growing body of concerning evidence

These findings add to a growing body of research highlighting the long-term health effects of PFAS. “Our findings suggest that reducing PFAS exposure during key developmental periods may support better lifelong bone health,” emphasized Jessie P. Buckley.  

“They also add to increasing evidence that PFAS exposure in early childhood can have long-term health consequences, underscoring the importance of efforts to reduce contamination in drinking water and consumer products,” she added.  

Toward targeted environmental prevention

Although this study does not establish a definitive causal relationship, it strengthens the hypothesis that early environmental exposures can influence bone health trajectories. It also highlights the importance of identifying critical windows of vulnerability to better guide prevention strategies.  

In the longer term, this work supports a more integrated approach to bone health—one that includes not only nutritional and hormonal factors but also chemical exposures. Given the widespread presence of PFAS, the issue now extends beyond individual risk to a broader public health concern.  




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About the Author – Elodie Vaz
Health journalist, CFPJ graduate (2023).
Élodie explores the marks diseases leave on bodies and, more broadly, on human life. A registered nurse since 2010, she spent twelve years at patients’ bedsides before exchanging her stethoscope for a notebook. She now investigates the links between environment and health, convinced that the vitality of life cannot be reduced to that of humans alone.