Why Are PFAS So Common and How Can We Limit Our Exposure?

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are permeating all aspects of human health and the environment. Since they are so pervasive, experts refer to them as forever chemicals. Due to PFAS’s societal spread, exposure is risky yet inevitable. How did the situation become so dire? Learn how to avoid PFAS exposure to preserve the health of humans and the world.

Why Are PFAS Everywhere?

PFAS’s chemical properties do not degrade easily. Their structure contains tight carbon-fluorine chains, making them highly resistant to external pressures. Neither human bodies nor the natural world are equipped to break them down — that’s what has allowed them to persist so forcefully.

Historical and corporate reliance on PFAS is the more prominent culprit in their spread. The list of products with PFAS is extensive, including but not limited to:

● Water-resistant clothing
● Firefighting equipment
● Food takeout containers
● Toilet paper
● Nonstick cookware

The quality making forever chemicals hard to eliminate is why manufacturers love them so much — they are durable. It is a sought-after spec in consumer goods, but the effects are long- lasting. PFAS comes from products in various ways, getting into soil, waterways, food and human bodies.

The epidemic has led to extensive regulatory action. Regulatory bodies like the Environmental Protection Agency do not test or oversee PFAS. Companies are also not held accountable and do not have to disclose if they use them.

Monitoring and controlling it is nearly impossible, given its size and widespread applications. It is time to draft new standards and find alternatives to these toxic materials to prevent further contamination and health concerns.

Health Risks Associated With PFAS Exposure

PFAS accumulate in habitats and bodies gradually. Consumers use products with PFAS in them, throw them away and they get into the earth. This cycle has happened for years without awareness of the consequences. Unfortunately, it does not require much PFAS bioaccumulation to begin harming health.

Medical experts have started digging deeper into how this negligence is part of a larger health crisis. High concentrations of PFAS in the body are linked with cancer, autoimmune diseases, reproductive issues and developmental problems. Respiratory, kidney and cardiovascular disease are also being explored.

Researchers tested citizens and at-risk individuals. For example, emergency responders using water-resistant clothing and firefighting equipment were discovered to have notable traces of PFAS and health concerns.

How to Avoid PFAS Exposure

Reducing PFAS interactivity requires lifestyle changes while considering the workplace. Many individuals might have to encounter PFAS-laden products in their work. This demographic may desire to move to a work environment with decreased risk. Additionally, staff may advocate for internal and systemic changes. Replacements are available depending on the product’s application.

1. Go PFAS-Free

First, choose PFAS-free items. The list of products with PFAS is longer than most understand, so review packages and labels. If ingredients have anything listed prefaced with “perfluoro” or “polyfluoro,” shoppers know to steer clear. For example, perfluorooctanoic acid is a type of PFAS in cosmetics and electronics, showing its diversity in name and application. They could be on home goods, cleaning solutions and personal care products.

Concerned shoppers may also review what companies have sworn off PFAS to discover alternatives. Transparent manufacturers will clarify the safety of their new ingredients.

2. Watch Out for Fabrics

Certain fabrics are full of PFAS, primarily water- and stain-resistant varieties. Be careful when shopping for clothes, carpets, linens and furniture. Manufacturers may have treated the items with PFAS to increase their value and shelf life, but consumers should practice more responsible product care and maintenance. Natural fibers like wool and cotton are less likely to contain PFAS.

3. Eat Smarter

Commit to bringing to-go containers from home, like glass or metal. They allow people who are eating out to dismiss PFAS-coated containers that spoil their meals. Other sneaky places where PFAS exists in high concentrations are microwaveable popcorn bags, fast food wrappers and pizza boxes.

4. Drink Pure Water

PFAS spreads quickly through water, and treatment plants are trying to find novel ways to remove it from consumer streams. However, the process needs work, though some efforts include activated carbon filtration and reverse osmosis methods. As of February 2024, research listed 1,245 public water sites with detectable PFAS in all 50 states. Drinking from filtered sources is the best way to combat contamination for now.

Phasing Out PFAS

PFAS is so common because corporations did not realize or acknowledge the risks of employing it on a mass scale. Everyone must learn how to avoid PFAS from now on. The correlation between health risks is too great to ignore, and its presence in nature is adding to mounting climate concerns. Start by looking at a list of products with PFAS. Then, find alternatives, continue learning and advocate for regulatory action. They are all essential steps to cleaning up the planet and its people.