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Forever Chemicals, Lasting Effects: Prenatal PFAS Exposure Shapes Baby Immunity

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

New research reveals that tiny amounts of PFAS—widely known as “forever chemicals”—cross the placenta and breast milk to alter infants’ developing immune systems, potentially leaving lasting imprints on their ability to fight disease.

University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) researchers tracked 200 local healthy mother–baby pairs, measuring common PFAS compounds in maternal blood during pregnancy and then profiling infants’ key T‑cell populations at birth, six months, and one year. By age 12 months, babies whose mothers had higher prenatal PFAS exposure exhibited significantly fewer T follicular helper (Tfh) cells—vital coaches that help B cells produce strong, long‑lasting antibodies—and disproportionately more Th2, Th1, and regulatory T cells (Tregs), each linked to allergies, autoimmunity, or immune suppression when out of balance.

“This is the first study to identify changes in specific immune cells that are in the process of developing at the time of PFAS exposure,” said Kristin Scheible, MD, an associate professor of Pediatrics and Microbiology & Immunology at URMC and lead author of the study, which appears in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives. “Identification of these particular cells and pathways opens up the potential for early monitoring or mitigation strategies for the effects of PFAS exposure, in order to prevent lifelong diseases.”

Eric Merrell Publishes Editorial in Chest

Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Pulmonary post-doctoral fellow and Pulmonary T32 Trainee Eric Merrell, M.D. was 1st author on an editorial in Chest titled “Is tissue the issue when it comes to severe asthma?”. The editorial highlights the importance of accurate patient characterization when it comes defining endotypes of severe asthma. Congratulations Eric!

Imran Rahir Receives Shock Society Presidential Travel Award

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

Biology graduate student and Pulmonary T32 Trainee Imran Rahir was awarded a Shock Society Presidential Travel Award to attend the 48th Annual Conference on Shock in Boston and present his cutting-edge research on regulation of lung capillary permeability by mTOR proteins. Congratulations Imran!

10 small things neurologists wish you’d do for your brain

Thursday, April 3, 2025

There’s growing research linking air pollution exposure to cognitive decline; scientists think very fine, inhalable particles in the air could trigger chemical changes once they reach the brain, says Deborah Cory-Slechta, a professor of environmental medicine and of neuroscience. She adds that wearing an N95 or surgical mask and using indoor air filters on days when air quality is worse (including because of wildfire smoke) can minimize your exposure.

Dr. Elder featured in Nature: "Your brain is full of microplastics: are they harming you?"

Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Plastics might affect each organ or cell type differently. The dose matters, too, as well as the route of ingestion, says Alison Elder, an associate professor of environmental medicine. “The inhalation route is a major concern because if inhaled plastics can get into the deep lung and cause an inflammatory reaction, they don’t need to go anywhere to cause health outcomes.”

70 countries have banned this pesticide. It’s still for sale in the US

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

The Washington Post, January 22

“The data is the data,” says Deborah Cory-Slechta, a professor of environmental medicine and of neuroscience. She says paraquat exposure is associated with the loss of dopamine neurons, which can cause slow and uncoordinated movements, tremors, and difficulty communicating, all of which are consistent with Parkinson’s disease.

“The evidence is very strong, both based on animal studies and on epidemiological evidence the fact that it kills dopamine neurons,” she said.