The funding comes through the prestigious Revolutionizing Innovative, Visionary Environmental Health Research (RIVER) initiative from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
The project will be led by Vaia Lida Chatzi, a physician-scientist and professor of population and public health science and paediatrics.
Her team will study how PFAS exposure contributes to chronic diseases, including obesity, type 2 diabetes and metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease, while also developing strategies to reduce exposure in affected communities.
Researchers hope the work will yield stronger scientific evidence to guide future public health regulations, improve early detection of PFAS-related illnesses, and create practical tools to reduce long-term health risks associated with these chemicals.
Chatzi commented: “This funding allows us to take a broad, action-focused approach. Our goal is not only to uncover how PFAS impact the body, but to use that knowledge to develop tools and strategies to prevent disease and protect communities.”
Why PFAS exposure remains a major public health concern
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are widely used in consumer goods and industrial manufacturing because they resist heat, water and oil.
They are found in products ranging from non-stick cookware to food packaging and firefighting foam. Their durability has also created a major environmental problem.
Often referred to as forever chemicals, PFAS accumulate in soil, drinking water and the human body over time. Studies show that nearly all Americans now have measurable PFAS levels in their blood, intensifying concerns over the long-term health effects of PFAS exposure.
Previous research has linked PFAS to a growing list of medical conditions, including hormone disruption, immune system changes, liver damage and metabolic disorders.
However, scientists still lack a full understanding of how these chemicals trigger disease at the cellular level and why some individuals appear more vulnerable than others.
New research will track PFAS risks across 50,000 people
Chatzi’s research aims to close those knowledge gaps using a large-scale “precision environmental health” approach.
The team will analyse data from more than 50,000 participants across 18 separate studies to identify how PFAS exposure affects metabolic health throughout different stages of life.
Scientists will examine biological markers, including genes, proteins, and metabolic indicators, linked to body weight, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels. The goal is to identify clear biological patterns associated with PFAS exposure and disease development.
Researchers will also conduct laboratory testing on human tissue samples using advanced 3D tissue models that replicate organs such as the liver and pancreas.
These models are expected to provide deeper insight into how PFAS interfere with metabolic processes inside the body.
Advanced multi-omics technology to identify early warning signs
Another major focus of the project involves the use of multi-omics analysis, which combines complex biological datasets to identify early molecular changes tied to chemical exposure.
The researchers hope this work will uncover unique biological signatures connected to PFAS exposure. Those findings could eventually help doctors identify high-risk patients earlier and support more targeted prevention strategies.
Community partnerships will help reduce PFAS exposure
The initiative also includes direct collaboration with affected communities, particularly areas in Southern California where PFAS contamination has been detected in public water systems.
Working alongside the Silent Spring Institute, researchers will help develop culturally tailored interventions aimed at lowering exposure risks and improving public health outcomes.
Beyond advancing scientific understanding, the project is expected to strengthen the evidence base for future environmental policy decisions and contribute to national discussions about regulating the health effects of PFAS.