Per- and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances (PFAS) are a diverse class of synthetic fluorinated compounds widely used in products such as stain and water-resistant fabrics, firefighting foams, and non-stick cookware. These chemicals interact with various biological receptors, impacting pathways related to metabolic disorders, endocrine disruption, immune function, and cancer.

Significant sex-based differences have been observed in PFAS metabolism, excretion, and health effects across species, including humans. These differences influence adiposity, body mass, bone density, immune responses, and metabolic health. Factors such as adolescence, pregnancy, lactation, and post-reproductive life stages contribute to these variations by affecting renal transporters, binding proteins, and hormone levels. Pregnant and lactating women are particularly vulnerable due to physiological changes and increased fluid intake.

Understanding specific vulnerabilities to PFAS exposure among women and girls is crucial. This Research Topic seeks to explore how PFAS impacts females uniquely across different life stages: pre-conception, prenatal, neonatal, infancy, childhood, reproductive years, and post-menopausal periods.

Key areas of focus include:

o Exposure factors (diet, personal care products, occupational/residential environments)
o Physiological differences influencing PFAS behavior (hormonal changes, renal transporters, serum binding proteins)
o Sex-specific outcomes (osteoporosis, breast cancer, autoimmunity, menstruation, breastfeeding, birth outcomes)
o Variations in excretion, transplacental transfer, endocrine responses, gene expression

We welcome diverse contributions, including experimental studies, observational research, clinical trials, epidemiological investigations, computational models, reviews, policy analyses, and opinion pieces.

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Conflict of interest statement:

Alan Ducatman has been both a volunteer and paid consultant to communities seeking medical monitoring benefits following PFAS pollution of drinking water supplies.

All other Topic Editors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Frontiers in Global Women's Health

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