Overview

• In a peer-reviewed study, male mice exposed to PFHxA in utero and via lactation displayed persistent anxiety-like behaviors, memory impairments and reduced activity into adulthood.
• Identical exposure regimens produced no measurable behavioral changes in female mice, highlighting a male-specific vulnerability during brain development.
• PFHxA was previously considered a safer alternative to long-chain PFAS replacements, but its persistence and neurotoxic effects challenge this assumption.
• The European Union restricted PFHxA in 2024 and the U.S. EPA introduced national PFAS drinking water standards last year, yet researchers say further regulatory scrutiny is needed.
• Scientists call for detailed mechanistic studies to uncover how PFHxA interferes with neural pathways and to assess potential risks to human neurodevelopment.