Forever chemicals could influence sleep outcomes

Certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known colloquially as forever chemicals, could negatively impact sleep.

In a study published in Environmental Advances, researchers examined the sleep outcomes of 136 individuals with a mean age of 19 years between 2014 and 2018. A subset of 76 participants were reassessed between 2020 and 2022. They then measured the participants’ plasma concentrations of forever chemicals.

The participants’ average sleep durations declined from about eight hours to less than seven hours at follow-up. The researchers found that certain forever chemicals were associated with less nightly sleep, more sleep disturbances and greater sleep insufficiency.

Further studies are needed to validate the findings and identify strategies to improve sleep outcomes in those with exposure to certain forever chemicals.

Read more: Environmental Advances

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