8 Horrifying Facts about PFAs

Polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS, are problematic, to say the least. They are bad for the environment, they are bad for our health, and they don’t go away. PFAs are long-lasting chemicals that break down very slowly, so slowly they won’t be disappearing in our lifetimes. They are referred to as “forever chemicals”.

Unfortunately, we have already filled the planet with thousands of PFAS. They are in the water, air, and soil, yes, but we are also finding them in food, particularly seafood, and/or food packaging. Consequently, tests are even showing the presence of PFAS in people’s blood, semen, and breast milk.

In other words, if PFAS weren’t something you were worried about it or aware of, now is the time to tune in to what’s happening, what it all means, and possibly how to improve the situation. Tragically, most of what we know is horrifying but better that we do know it.

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There are thousands of different PFAS.

PFAS are synthetic chemicals that break down very slowly and, thus, persist in the environment, our bodies, and commercial products for a long time. According to the CDC, there are over 9,000 PFAS that have been used worldwide. They have been in use for over 70 years now.

• Some PFAS have been linked to cancer, higher cholesterol levels, and immune system problems.

They are common in food packaging.

PFAS resist water, grease, and stains, so they are used a lot in food packaging such as coated paper products designed to hold hot, greasy foods such as French fries, popcorn, or pizza. Fast food packaging uses a lot of PFAS. Those who eat more food on the go, show higher levels of PFAS in their blood. Candy wrappers have them, too.

• Those who prepare food at home have shown less PFAS in the bloodstream.

Non-stick cookware uses PFAS to be non-stick.

In addition to food packaging, PFAS are infamously part of what makes non-stick cookware. Old Teflon-coated pans were the big culprit here, but other non-stick pans use PFAS as well. It’s safe, (as in unsafe), to assume any pan coated in non-stick stuff is using PFAS.

• Go for old-school cookware like cast iron pans, stainless steel, and ceramic.

They are in the water, just about all of it.

PFAS are official and ubiquitous in water from rivers and lakes to the sea and groundwater. Even municipal water sources for “clean” drinking water are contaminated. The EPA has not yet issued a limit to the amount of PFAS allowed in our drinking water.

• Filtering water is about the only way to get PFAS out of our drinking water.

PFAS are all over your house.

Prevalent in all sorts of household products, PFAS are very present in most American homes. They are found in stain-resistant fabrics like upholstery or carpet. They are in lots of different cosmetic products and personal care items. They are all over foodstuff, from packaging to cookware. They are in construction materials and paint. They are in dental floss.

• Though we’ve all been regularly exposed by now, certain workers, such as firefighters and chemical manufacturers, have much higher levels of exposure and risk.

Source: WMUR-TV/YouTube

The EPA has not established regulatory criteria.

Though PFAS have been identified as a serious health concern, worthy of a lifetime health advisory for drinking water exposure, the EPA has not established any enforceable regulation to protect the public. The best defense we have from the government is random state guidelines.

• Meanwhile, the EPA is doing studies to figure out exactly how severely PFAS are affecting our health.

Banned PFAS are bioaccumulating in our bodies.

The United States has banned certain very problematic PFAS. Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), used commonly by 3M and Dupont respectively, were eliminated in factories, though they are still present in nearly 100% of Americans.

• GenX, Dupont’s replacement for PFOA, caused tumors in rats, but the company deemed that “not relevant for human risk assessment”.

Studies find PFAS can have lots of negative effects on our health.

Referring to the CDC PFAS fact sheet, these chemicals have been linked to various health problems. They can create growth, learning, and behavior issues in children. They can interfere with human hormones and decrease the chances of pregnancy. And, as mentioned earlier, cancer, high cholesterol levels, and a compromised immune system are linked to PFAS.

• Scientists are now studying the effects of the constant chemical cocktail, rather than just individual PFAS, that we are exposed to.

Legislation and regulation on PFAS are being considered on election ballots each term, so it’s worth becoming aware and participating on that level. It’s also important to do our best to protect ourselves in the meantime. Be careful and minimize exposure to products and areas known to be problematic.

Related Content:

• New Lawsuit Targets Toxic PFAS, or Forever Chemicals, in Plastic Food Containers
• Study Finds PFAS in Dozens of Packaged Food Products Across Restaurants and Grocery Stores
• Finally, EPA to Regulate PFAs in Drinking Water!
• California is Suing 3M, DuPont, and other Companies Over Toxic Forever Chemicals
• New Technology Could Destroy ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Drinking Water

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