What In The World Is A PFAS?

Personally, I never stopped to consider what was going into making the boxes of my delivery pizza or why my hiking boots were more resistant to water. 

Because why would I have? I (innocently) assumed neither had anything directly to do with me. And I certainly didn’t know they were already affecting my health. 

Nobody told me what PFAS were. 

So there was no warning.

PFAS are what we would call a “forever chemical”. There are approximately 4,700 compounds of this chemical - this includes PFOA, PFOS & GenX. This chemical and it’s variations are man-made chemicals (introduced in the 1940’s) for things that need resistance to water, oil and heat. 

The most common products that we see PFAS in include non-stick cookware, water-repellent clothing, stain resistant fabric & carpets, cosmetics, firefighting foam, food wrappers, Oral-B dental floss umbrellas, plastic & rubber installation for wiring, etc. 

As a forever chemical, PFAS don’t break down. So during production these chemicals are traveling into our water, soil and the air and not going anywhere. They stay there. 

So not only are the chemicals found in our food products, but they are also found in the blood of people and animals. 

Due to their persistent nature, the chemicals (once in our body) can accumulate over time. It was studied to take anywhere from three to 9 years for the body to metabolize. 

There has been no “safe” level limit set yet due to lack of data & studies. 

The biggest issue with PFAS is their links to an increased risk of cancer, hindered growth and learning development in children, and lowered chance of pregnancy. 

To extend on their effects, PFAS have been studied to cause: 

• Reproductive issues

• Developmental issues

• Liver and kidney effects

• Immunological effects

• Tumors

• Low infant birth weight

• Cancer

• Thyroid hormone disruption 

So where are our biggest exposures? 

• Contaminated soil & water used to grow food

• Food packaging

• Equipment used during food processing

• Normal release in consumer products

• Drinking water

What can you do as a consumer? 

• Replace stain-resistant upholstery and carpet 

• Cook with glass, stainless steel, or cast iron

• Use a carbon water filter

• Avoid grease proof packaging (like fast food containers, pizza boxes & microwave popcorn bags) 

• Watch for the ingredients: teflon, scotch guard, stainmaster, polartec, & gore-tex)

• Choose seafood that is lower on the food chain - organic seafood can still be affected

The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has created a nationwide action plan to study PFAS in pursuit of creating a safety limit. 

Some states and cities have taken protective measures into their own hands. 

Washington state has banned PFAS in food packaging and firefighting foam.
San Francisco has banned PFAS in food packaging.

New Jersey, Minneosta and Michigan have set drinking water standards to protect from PFAS. 

As consumers we need to keep pushing for protective measures like this.

The more we know, the better we can do! 

Slay on, sis.