By Amelia Wieland
Illustration by Junyue Ma
Picture this: it is a typical rainy November afternoon. As you get ready for the day, you reach for your favorite raincoat, a comfy sweater, a bottle of water, and a snack. What you might not realize is that each of these items in your mass produced tote bag have something in common: they may all be laced with a toxin that is now being referred to as a “forever chemical”. As our society becomes more technologically developed and interconnected, we have access to more convenient products, sometimes at lower prices. We might assume that if a product has made it to the market, it would have already undergone extensive testing, perhaps by the FDA.1 According to the New York Times, “…industrial chemicals do not have to be tested before they are put on the market… producers are only rarely required to provide the federal government with the information necessary to assess safety”.1 Studies about the byproducts of factory production, often in the context of environmental concerns and the toxicity of microplastics, are becoming more mainstream. However, you may not have heard of the dangers of per- and poly-flouroalkyl substances (PFAS), otherwise known as “forever chemicals”.2
PFAS are synthetic compounds used in many factory-made products characterized by their strong carbon-fluorine bond. Due to the chemistry of this bond, the molecule does not break down over time, allowing it to collect in the environment and inside our bodies. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has already estimated that PFAS have contaminated the blood of 97 percent of Americans.3 Alarmingly, the CDC has provided evidence to show that increased exposures to certain forever chemicals may lead to changes in liver enzymes, increased risk of high blood pressure, pre-eclampsia in pregnant women, increased risk of kidney or testicular cancer, small decreases in infant birth weights, and increased cholesterol levels.2 The CDC has also found that high exposure to PFAS may impact our immune system after observing that PFOA and PFOS, two types of forever chemicals, suppressed antibody responses from animals.4
So where are these chemicals most present in our daily lives and how did they get there? One of the most common ways PFAS have entered our environment is through the clothing industry.5 The Environmental Working Group recently found that PFAS may be released from over 1,500 textile mills in the United States, along with 29,900 industrial sites that may be using PFAS in production.5 This contamination finds its way into our environment, accumulating in our drinking water and food through bioaccumulation in the food chain.2 Forever chemicals have also been detected in a large number of consumer and institutional products, commonly used to make products water repellent, grease repellent, or heat tolerant.2 They’re often found in non-stick cookware, stain-resistant carpeting and furniture, compost food service ware, firefighting foam, refrigerants, artificial turf, building materials, and many other products.2
Despite the presence of these chemicals in the environment, there are ways to reduce our exposure through careful consideration of the products we use. When looking for PFAS-free products, there are a few certifications one may find that guarantee their safety.2 The next time you shop for cleaning supplies and hand soaps, buy products that have been certified by Green Seal and the US EPA’s Safer Choice Program.2 If you are renovating your home, look for construction materials that are Cradle to Cradle Certified or Declare Red List-Free.2 If you cook at home or use tupperware to store food, look for products that have been certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute, Compost Manufacturing Alliance, or GreenScreen for Safer Chemicals.2 Try to avoid buying teflon cookware and instead consider switching to ceramic, stainless steel, or cast iron.2 When it comes to clothing, look for the Oeko-Tex 100 Standard certification.2 Mainstream brands that have pledged to be PFAS-free include H&M, Levi Strauss & Co., Theory, Zara, and Uniqlo.6
The best way to protect yourself is by simply being aware of PFAS contamination and the ways that it may enter your bloodstream at the highest rates. While legislation is being passed to create limits on PFAS contamination in areas like drinking water, many consumer brands have not acknowledged their responsibility in phasing out “forever chemicals” in production. The next time you grab a rain coat for a cloudy day, consider what chemicals may have been used to weather-proof it.
References
- Urbina, Ian. “Think Those Chemicals Have Been Tested?” The New York Times, The New York Times, 13 Apr. 2013, www.nytimes.com/2013/04/14/sunday-review/think-those-chemicals-have-been-tested.html#:~:text=MANY%20Americans%20assume%20that%20the,are%20put%20on%20the%20market.
- A slick new guide to avoiding PFAS (forever chemicals) in products … Accessed October 9, 2023. https://www.mass.gov/doc/pfas-free-buying-guide/download#:~:text=The%20class%20includes%20thousands%20of,readily%20break%20down%3B%20%E2%80%A2%20Bioaccumulate.
- “Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS).” National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/pfc/index.cfm#:~:text=One%20report%20by%20the%20Centers,blood%20of%2097%25%20of%20Americans. Accessed 9 Nov. 2023.
- Potential health effects of Pfas Chemicals. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. November 1, 2022. Accessed October 9, 2023. https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/health-effects/index.html.
- EWG: At least 1,500 U.S. textile mills likely dischargers of “forever chemicals.” Environmental Working Group. October 3, 2023. Accessed October 9, 2023. https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news-release/2022/01/ewg-least-1500-us-textile-mills-likely-dischargers-forever.
- PFAS-Free Products. PFASCENTRAL. Accessed October 9, 2023. https://pfascentral.org/pfas-free-products/.