Mount Sinai Study Links Early-Life Exposure to PFAS ("Forever Chemicals") With Childhood Intestinal Inflammation

Researchers have found that exposure to PFAS, commonly known as "forever chemicals," during pregnancy and early life is associated with increased intestinal inflammation during childhood. 

"By studying PFAS as mixtures rather than individual chemicals, we were able to better reflect how people are exposed in everyday life," said Vishal Midya, PhD, MStat, first author of the study and Assistant Professor of Environmental Medicine and Public Health at the Icahn School of Medicine. "The consistency of our findings across multiple biological samples and three independent birth cohorts strengthens the evidence that early-life PFAS exposure may have lasting effects on intestinal health." 

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Recap of the Bordeaux Symposium: Mapping the Exposome to Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias

More than 140 scientists, clinicians, trainees, and public health leaders from 20 countries gathered in Bordeaux, France, June 17–19, 2026, for the 2026 Global Exposome Symposium for Brain Health. This premier international meeting focused on advancing research into how environmental exposures across the lifespan shape the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD). Learn more

To extend the impact of the symposium beyond Bordeaux, presentations were livestreamed with more than 300 viewers. Recordings are available through the symposium YouTube playlist, and the complete symposium booklet—including the scientific agenda and all 50 poster abstracts—is available online.

In the News

Female First - July 08, 2026

Early exposure to air pollution may cause childhood obesity

Jamil Lane, PhD, MPH, discusses his research finding that exposure to common air pollution may contribute to childhood obesity by affecting children's ability to control impulses.

Nurse Rosa’s INsights Podcast – July 07, 2026

Can a Hair Test Detect Autism? with Dr. Manish Arora

Manish Arora, PhD, is in conversation with Nurse Rosa Hart, to discuss his career in environmental medicine and recent developments at LinusBio, a company founded by Dr. Arora.

Collaborative for Health and Environment – July 07, 2026

Artificial Turf Science Snippet

Sarah Evans, PhD, MPH, discusses the health concerns of artificial turf, especially for children. CHE posted it across their social media channels.

The Guardian - July 06, 2026

Air pollution may cause childhood obesity by disrupting impulse control, study finds

Jamil Lane, PhD, MPH, and Robert Wright, MD, MPH, discuss their research finding that exposure to common air pollution may contribute to childhood obesity by affecting children's ability to control impulses.

Contemporary OB/GYN – June 30, 2026

Air pollution drives greater bone loss in postmenopausal women living in lower-income neighborhoods

Diddier Prada, MD, PhD, discusses his research finding that neighborhood socioeconomic conditions dramatically influence how air pollution affects bone health among postmenopausal women.

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National Desk – June 29, 2026

Baby teeth reveal toxic metal risks to developing brains; Federal limits still don't exist

Manish Arora, PhD, discusses his research combining naturally shed baby teeth with advanced brain imaging to pinpoint specific weeks during pregnancy and infancy when the developing brain appears most vulnerable to environmental exposures.

Mount Sinai Press Release – June 29, 2026

Study Finds Social Determinants of Health Can Match or Exceed Genetic Risk in Predicting Common Diseases

A new study from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai shows that social determinants of health—including environmental conditions, health behaviors, access to resources, and social well-being—can play an equally important or even greater role than genetics in predicting a person’s risk of developing common diseases. 

Dr. Bob Wright on Substack: Exposome Perspectives

In the latest Substack post, Dr. Wright highlights how a lack of incentives has driven a scientific replication crisis. To rebuild public trust, he advocates for establishing a dedicated discipline of “replication science” to standardize how research is understood. Read the latest post on Substack. Subscribe Today

Institute for Exposomic Research

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai