# The Placenta as a Target Organ for Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs): Molecular Mechanisms of Toxicity

## TL;DR

This paper reviews how exposure to PFAS chemicals affects the placenta and may harm pregnancy and fetal development.

## Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive review of molecular mechanisms linking PFAS exposure to placental toxicity.

## Key findings

- PFAS exposure is associated with altered placental function and molecular pathways.
- Mixtures of PFASs complicate exposure analysis and health risk assessment.
- Current methodologies are being explored to evaluate PFAS mixtures in real-life scenarios.

## Abstract

Exposure to poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) has been a cause for concern for decades due to evidence linking exposure to these substances with adverse health effects. Its widespread use in industrial and consumer products combined with their persistence in the environment poses a toxicological and regulatory challenge. Due to its ubiquity, resistance to degradation, and accumulation in biological systems, humans are exposed to a mixture of multiple PFASs, which complicates the analysis of exposure effects. As PFASs pose a risk to human health, it is crucial to study their impact during vulnerable periods, such as pregnancy. In this regard, understanding the impact of PFASs on the placenta is essential, as they can affect both pregnancy and the well-being of the developing fetus. This article reviews the current evidence linking PFAS exposure with altered placental function, focusing on the affected molecular pathways. Furthermore, we examine current methodologies for analyzing the effects of exposure to complex mixtures and explore how these approaches could be employed to evaluate the potential impact of such mixtures on placental function in the context of real-life exposure to these chemicals.