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From non-stick frying pans to stain-resistant sofas, some of the most innovative everyday products Are made using chemicals called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
in “forever chemicals” – so called because they do not degrade – have been used in a variety of consumer and commercial applications since the 1950s. They can repel water and oil, resist high temperatures and act as “surfactants”, helping to mix different types of liquids.
There are about 15,000 different pfas chemicalsThe chemical structure of each varies slightly, but they all contain at least two carbon-fluorine bonds, These extremely strong bonds mean that PFAS do not break down easily, So the same bond that gives PFAS some of its unique characteristics also causes them to build up and persist in our bodies and the environment for decades,
In 2020 alone, sales of fluoropolymers (a sub-group of PFAS) in Europe alone exceeded 39,000 metric tons. With massive amounts of PFAS constantly entering the world, these highly persistent chemicals don’t get a chance to degrade before more is added. It’s no surprise that it gets everywhere from rain and snow to soil and groundwater. As a result, PFAS have built up in the food chain and in humans.
It is impossible to completely avoid PFAS exposure – they are present almost everywhere. But you can significantly reduce your risk by avoiding non-essential contact with items directly treated with PFAS and choosing PFAS-free alternatives wherever possible. There are four types of products worth looking at.
1. Stain resistant clothing
Carpets, sofas, cars – these are all places we spend a lot of time, and if the fabric we’re in contact with has been treated with PFAS, it represents an opportunity for exposure. People can be exposed to PFAS through dust that comes in contact with these products, as well as through direct contact and absorption through the skin.
Traditionally, anti-stain products have contained at least one PFAS, including the now banned perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) or perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), or other similarly structured PFAS. When purchasing carpet and sofas, save money and skip the extra stain-resistant options unless there is a guaranteed PFAS-free option.
2. Food Packaging and Cookware
PFAS are used to make takeaway boxes, greaseproof paper, plastic containers and even disposable plates and bowls. Avoiding takeaway and disposable packaging will likely reduce your exposure to PFAS. If you like to batch cook or make packed lunches for your kids, try using reusable containers that are stated as PFAS-free on the label.
PFAS are also found in many non-stick cookware. As they heat, get scratched, or the surface begins to rub, PFAS can leach from the pan and transfer to the food being prepared. There’s no point in disposing of all your pots and pans right away, but once the non-stick coating starts to flake off, replace them with PFAS-free options like ceramic, stainless steel or cast iron.
3. Outerwear
PFAS have been used to provide waterproofing properties to outdoor clothing such as coats, gloves, and trousers. But studies have shown that they do not persist in treated products and gradually move out over time.
Many brands, including Patagonia, The North Face, and Columbia, now offer PFAS-free options (check labels for more details). If you’re re-treating an old item that has lost its waterproofing properties, make sure you check that it’s PFAS-free. Nikwax TX and Granger’s Performance Repel Plus both say they are PFAS-free.
4. Cosmetics
PFAS are regularly used in cosmetics, including foundations, concealers, blemish balms, lip liners as well as cleansers, hair and shaving products. This is worrying because a recent study shows that cosmetics can sometimes increase the ability of PFAS to enter the human body through the human skin barrier.
Some brands offer PFAS-free products, including H&M and Sephora, but many major brands are still producing cosmetics containing PFAS.
proceed with caution
Much is still unknown about the toxic effects of PFAS. There are many variations, some possibly causing very little harm and not particularly permanent. Others are the opposite.
Some PFAS are potentially toxic to humans with some links to cancer, brain development and reproductive problems, hormone disruption, diabetes and obesity.
Animals are susceptible to the toxic effects of PFAS. Their presence in the oceans can interfere with the ocean carbon cycle by interfering with various processes, including reducing photosynthesis. This could result in increased greenhouse gas emissions and consequently contribute to climate change.
Far more caution should be taken with PFAS as a class than has been done thus far. The most well-studied PFAS (PFOS, PFHxS and another called perfluorooctanoic acid or PFOA) are now banned globally under the UN Stockholm Convention, while several other PFAS are being considered for ban.
The PFAS-contaminated waste management industry is estimated to be worth US$2 billion (£1.57 billion), but remediation is not an easy option. PFAS are most likely to break down during energy recovery incineration due to extremely high temperatures, but this is not ideal as it prevents recycling and reuse of valuable materials.
America has recently implemented it nationwide drinking water limitWhereas the UK has no statutory limit. In 2022, the Drinking Water Inspectorate – the water quality regulator in England and Wales – issued guidance on safe PFAS levels.
These are good first steps but more drastic action is needed to develop chemicals with a better understanding of their safety before mass production. The best way to reduce people’s exposure would be to remove PFAS from the market completely, but this will take time.