Men in Their 50s May Be Aging Faster Due to Toxic ‘Forever Chemicals,’ Study Finds
Men in their 50s and early 60s may be experiencing accelerated biological aging due to long-term exposure to toxic “forever chemicals,” according to new research that adds to growing concerns about the widespread health effects of these persistent pollutants.
The chemicals, known as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are often called “forever chemicals” because they can take decades — or longer — to break down in the environment or the human body. They are found in the blood of an estimated 98% of Americans, according to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
The new study suggests that PFAS exposure may be linked to faster epigenetic aging — a measure of biological age rather than chronological age — with the strongest effects seen in men aged 50 to 65.
Strongest Effects Seen in Middle-Aged Men
“The associations between PFAS exposure and accelerated epigenetic aging were strongest in men aged 50–65,” said senior study author Xiangwei Li, a professor of epidemiology at Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine.
“In younger men and those over 65, the associations were weaker and generally not statistically significant,” Li explained. “We observed some associations in women, but they were generally smaller and less consistent than those seen in middle-aged men.”
Epigenetic aging refers to chemical changes that affect how genes are turned on or off over time. Scientists increasingly view it as a more accurate indicator of health and disease risk than the number of years a person has lived.
Why Men May Be More Affected
Experts say the findings point to a sex-specific biological effect, which is not unexpected given that PFAS are known endocrine disruptors — chemicals that interfere with hormones.
“These findings are biologically plausible,” said Jane Muncke, managing director and chief scientific officer of the Food Packaging Forum, who was not involved in the research.
The endocrine system regulates essential functions such as growth, metabolism, mood and reproduction. In men, PFAS accumulation has been linked in earlier studies to:
Reduced testosterone levels
Poorer sperm quality
Higher risks of testicular and kidney cancers
Women, by contrast, appear to eliminate certain PFAS faster due to pregnancy, breastfeeding and menstrual blood loss. Research has shown that the gap in PFAS levels between men and women narrows after menopause.
Still, Muncke cautioned that the new findings do not prove causation.
“These results cannot be interpreted as cause-and-effect,” she said. “They are puzzle pieces that help establish biological plausibility.”
How the Study Was Conducted
The research, published Thursday in the journal Frontiers in Aging, analyzed public health data from 326 older adults who participated in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 1999 and 2000.
Researchers examined:
Blood samples for 11 different PFAS compounds
DNA methylation patterns — chemical markers that regulate gene expression
The DNA data were then processed through 12 different epigenetic clocks, also known as biological clocks, which estimate how fast tissues and cells are aging.
Higher levels of certain PFAS corresponded with faster biological aging — particularly in men aged 50 to 64.
Not Just the “Legacy” Chemicals
PFAS have been used since the 1950s in products designed to resist heat, oil, stains and water, including nonstick cookware, food packaging, firefighting foams, carpets and clothing.
Some so-called “legacy PFAS,” such as:
Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS)
are so dangerous they are targeted for global elimination under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. The United States has signed the treaty but has not ratified it.
However, the new study found that less-studied PFAS may also pose serious risks.
“Our results suggest that PFAS such as perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluorooctanesulfonamide (PFOSA) may have biologically meaningful associations,” Li said.
These chemicals were strong predictors of accelerated epigenetic aging in men — but not in women — reinforcing concerns that newer PFAS alternatives may not be safer than older compounds.
Industry Pushback and Regulatory Debate
The American Chemistry Council, which represents chemical manufacturers, said the study was exploratory and based on a relatively small sample using data more than two decades old.
“This paper does not provide evidence that PFAS exposure causes aging,” said Tom Flanagin, the council’s senior director of communications. “Nor does it change the extensive body of scientific and regulatory work already underway.”
Under Joe Biden, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency moved to impose stricter PFAS regulations, including designating some compounds as hazardous substances under Superfund law. Many of those initiatives have since been delayed or rolled back under Donald Trump.
What This Means for the Public
Despite the concerning findings, researchers stress that individuals should not panic.
“Our study shows associations, not proof of causation,” Li said. “PFAS exposure is widespread, and complete avoidance is unrealistic.”
Still, experts say people can reduce exposure where possible by:
Using certified water filters
Following local water advisories
Limiting use of stain- and grease-resistant products
Ultimately, scientists agree that the most effective solutions require regulatory action, environmental cleanup and stronger oversight, since many PFAS exposures occur at the community level rather than through individual choices.
As evidence continues to mount, the study adds to a growing body of research suggesting that long-term exposure to forever chemicals may quietly shape how the body ages — particularly for men entering midlife.