PFAS
Some chemicals, like BPA, are eliminated from our body in +/- 3 days after exposure
PFAS aren’t that easy to get rid off. They take a very long time to break down - if they break down. This is why they have earned the nickname of “forever chemicals”
LEt’s back up.
What are PFAS chemicals?
⚫️chemicals used for their stain/water/grease repellant properties.
⚫️There are thousands of chemicals that form part of the PFAS family of chemicals
⚫️some newer PFAS have shorter carbon chains & are sold as ‘better’ however research is showing these are just as harmful: another case of regrettable substitution
⚫️ PFAS not known to exist have recently been found in Cape Cod water: suggesting companies are using unknown PFAS chemicals w/out disclosing
⚫️Food is expected to be the primary source of exposure to PFAS for most
⚫️The greatest source for toddlers & children is hand-to-mouth activities from treated carpets.
why are they harmful?
❌linked to altered metabolism, fertility problems, inc risk of being overweight, reduced ability of immune system to fight infections, & cancer
❌PFAS can be found in every human’s blood, & at lower levels in urine, breast milk & umbilical cord blood.
How long, after exposure, do they remain in my body?
➡️Every PFAS is different.
➡️Half-life estimates for some are from +/- 4.4- 8.5 years
In theory if we were to stop all exposure to these PFAS it could take up to about 17 years to eliminate some of them from our body. However this is only true IF WE STOP BEING EXPOSED TO THEM, which is a challenge
😩Additionally, some PFAS family members never degrade in the environment… meaning that every one of these specific molecule created are here to stay- forever.
I know: this is a dark post today 🤦🏼♀️BUT:
✨𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼?✨
You 𝗰𝗮𝗻 significantly reduce your exposure to them: you JUST need to know how to id them!
Make sure these common items in your home are not exposing you to PFAS:
upholstered furniture
carpets
drapes
snow gear
strollers/car seats
water
paper straws that don’t disintegrate
pizza boxes
fast food paper:containers
Dust
microwave popcorn
dental floss
PFAS chemicals aren't just a danger to those occupationally exposed (see yesterday's post).
PFAS are a massive class of chemicals known as per or polyfluoroalkyl substances and are considered one of the most problematic classes of chemicals on the planet.
Why?
Because while they (the ones that have been studied extensively at least) have a half-life of about 4-5 years in the human body they last FOREVER in the environment 🤦🏼♀️
Exposure is linked to everything from asthma and thyroid disease to weight gain, metabolic disorders, fertility issues, immune system dysfunction, and cancer, and they can do this at extremely low levels of exposure.
And exposures are happening everywhere: carpets, water-proof clothing and textiles, microwave popcorn bags, food packaging, cookware, drinking water, and even dental floss!
On the individual level, we should be working towards reducing exposures to these materials, and in turn, PFAS chemicals as much as possible.
On the societal level, we should be working to ban this entire class due to their highly persistent and harmful nature.
The Green Science Policy Institute has been working on this for a few years now and even has a website - sixclasses.org - that highlights the 6 classes of chemicals they would like to see banned from use.
Regulating single chemicals, one at a time is not only tedious, but it's also ineffective; chlorinated tris, a flame retardant that was banned from use in children's pajamas in the 1970s found its way into furniture instead. BPA, banned from use in baby bottles, was replaced by BPS or BPF, nearly identical molecules that are just as bad if not worse.
When we identify similar health effects & issues present in an ENTIRE CLASS of chemicals, as is the case with PFAS, then maybe we should reconsider their use, no?
Are you actively talking to clients or patients about PFAS exposures and what they can do to minimize them?
(Article via @nytimes)
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