Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of human-made chemicals that have been widely used since the 1940s for their resistance to heat, water, oil, and stains.
These substances are found in countless everyday items, including non-stick cookware, food packaging, waterproof clothing, and stain-resistant fabrics.
Their durability and persistence in the environment have earned them the nickname ‘forever chemicals,’ as they do not break down easily and can accumulate in soil, water, wildlife, and human bodies over time.
PFAS exposure has increasingly become a public health concern due to its potential links to various chronic illnesses, including liver damage, immune system disruption, and certain cancers.
A growing body of evidence now connects PFAS with metabolic disorders, most recently type 2 diabetes.
New Mount Sinai study uncovers diabetes connection
A newly published study led by researchers at Mount Sinai offers compelling evidence that PFAS exposure may significantly increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
This observational research was conducted within BioMe, a large and diverse health record-linked biobank that includes over 70,000 participants from The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.
The study focused on 180 individuals recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and compared them to a matched group of 180 individuals without diabetes.
Researchers carefully paired participants by age, sex, and ancestry to ensure comparable baselines. Blood samples from all participants were analysed for PFAS concentrations.
The results revealed a striking pattern: participants with higher levels of PFAS in their bloodstream faced a 31% increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes for each incremental rise in PFAS exposure. These findings remained consistent even after adjusting for known risk factors like age and ethnicity.
How PFAS may disrupt metabolism
The Mount Sinai team also explored potential biological mechanisms behind the observed link between PFAS and diabetes.
Their analysis suggested that PFAS may interfere with metabolic pathways related to amino acid biosynthesis and drug metabolism – two systems critical to maintaining healthy blood sugar regulation.
These metabolic disturbances could explain how PFAS disrupt insulin function and glucose homeostasis, paving the way for type 2 diabetes to develop, especially among genetically or environmentally vulnerable populations.
A call for broader environmental health research
This study adds to a growing recognition of PFAS as a risk factor for chronic conditions like obesity, liver disease, and now type 2 diabetes.
The research team emphasised the need for further studies using an ‘exposome’ approach – integrating environmental exposure data with genetic and clinical information to better understand how complex interactions contribute to disease.
They also stressed the importance of conducting longitudinal studies across the life span, from preconception to old age, to identify the most vulnerable windows of exposure and improve strategies for disease prevention.
With mounting evidence linking PFAS exposure to serious health risks, the study reinforces the urgency of reducing public exposure to these chemicals.
Regulatory bodies, manufacturers, and public health professionals must work together to minimise environmental contamination and explore safer alternatives in consumer products.
In the meantime, individuals can reduce their risk by avoiding products that contain PFAS, such as non-stick cookware and stain-resistant sprays, and by advocating for stronger environmental protections.
