It's yet another reason to be mindful of potential exposure to "forever chemicals," according to breaking research.
Found in everything from food packaging to stain-resistant clothing, synthetic compounds known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances—but commonly referred to as PFAS—have become nearly impossible to avoid in our everyday lives. These chemicals are nicknamed “forever chemicals” because they persist in the environment and accumulate in the human body—and new research suggests that when exposure occurs during adolescence, that persistence may come with a measurable cost to liver health.
In a January 2026 study of nearly 300 young people, researchers found that teenagers with higher blood levels of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)—a type of “forever chemical” commonly used to make products resistant to stains, grease, soil, and water—had sharply higher odds of developing fatty liver disease. For every doubling of perfluorooctanoic acid in the bloodstream, the likelihood of liver disease increased by 169%. The same pattern did not appear in young adults, suggesting that adolescence is a uniquely sensitive window.
While use of PFOA is broadly restricted in the U.S., Americans may still come into contact with these chemicals through imported goods or products manufactured before restrictions became effective, notes the Environmental and Energy Study Institute. There’s no simple way to completely avoid these chemicals, but the American Cancer Society suggests limiting your exposure to PFOA by avoiding nonstick cookware, avoiding high-risk foods such as canned seafood, and monitoring your drinking water.
To uncover the changes in the study’s subjects, scientists used MRIs to directly measure fat stored in the liver, a method capable of detecting damage long before symptoms appear. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease often develops silently in teens, even in those who feel well, making early detection difficult without advanced imaging. Experts from Columbia University estimate that one in 10 children and adolescents have the condition.
And age appeared to play a critical role in the findings—older adolescents showed stronger links between chemical exposure and liver fat than younger teens, suggesting that risk may rise as exposure accumulates during key developmental years. However, genetics also mattered, the researchers note. Teens with a gene variant that promotes liver fat storage were more vulnerable to the effects of chemical exposure. In young adults, smoking appeared to increase susceptibility, even though overall chemical levels were not linked to liver disease in that group.
The researchers emphasized that the findings show association, not proof that the chemicals directly cause liver disease. The study also focused on youth already at higher metabolic risk, which limits how widely the results can be applied.
However, it’s safe to assume that these chemicals are best avoided whenever possible. According to the American Cancer Society, there’s good reason to believe that PFOA could also cause cancer: “Studies in lab animals have found exposure to PFOA increases the risk of certain tumors of the liver, testicles, mammary glands (breasts), and pancreas.” The Society continues: “While not always the case, well-conducted studies in animals generally do a good job of predicting which exposures might cause cancer in people, too.”
For daily wellness updates, subscribe to The Healthy newsletter and follow The Healthy on Facebook and Instagram. Keep reading:
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