Beijing: A new study has revealed how “permanent chemicals” that cause cancer are transferred from mothers to their children during pregnancy.

Scientists at China’s Fudan University analyzed blood samples from 1,076 people and found that 65% contained polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

The research team found that persistent chemicals in the blood during and after pregnancy can enter the uterus and breast milk, contaminating the fetus.

PFAS (microscopic compounds that take thousands of years to degrade) attach themselves to proteins in the body, allowing them to cross the placenta through the mother’s bloodstream and reach the fetus.

Researchers have also noted that exposure to PFAS during pregnancy has been linked to an increased risk of epilepsy, autism and ADHD in children.

PFAS are commonly found in food, air, water, soil and cleaning products, allowing them to enter a person’s bloodstream through the skin.

New research has found that the presence of these chemicals in babies is related to the mother’s diet, body mass index (BMI), child’s age at birth and level of education.

During pregnancy, compounds from the mother’s blood cross the placenta (the organ that provides oxygen and nutrients to the fetus) to reach the temporary organ that connects the uterus and the umbilical cord.