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MAUREEN IN UTAH ASKS:
I’m hearing so much about PFAS chemicals and how they’re in everything—our bodies, the milk my kids drink, even microwave popcorn bags! Mostly everyone is talking about how there’s nothing anyone can do about it. I’m confused. Is this true? Please tell me there are ways to protect my kids from PFAS.
Tell President Biden and EPA: Protect People From Plastics Industry Pollution
MOM DETECTIVE ANSWERS:
Maureen, I feel and share your confusion, frustration, and concern. You may be hearing about PFAS chemicals more lately because in April 2024, the Biden-Harris administration finalized the first-ever national drinking water standards to protect people from PFAS in water. For those of us who weren’t yet aware that PFAS is even in drinking water, those regulations may have been a wake-up call. Still, there has been other PFAS legislation bandied about before these drinking water standards, all part of a messy and slow scramble, especially in individual states, to clean up and limit further contamination.
What is PFAS?
Let’s back up a minute. Not everyone knows what PFAS is and why it needs regulating. PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a group of thousands of human-made chemicals (i.e., they’re not found naturally in the environment). They’re known as “forever chemicals” because they linger in the environment, accumulate in our bodies, and have been linked to some very serious health impacts, like decreased fertility, cancer, liver damage, thyroid problems, adverse birth outcomes, and more. Children are especially vulnerable to all these health concerns.
Most people in the United States have been exposed to PFAS and have detectable levels in their blood. It seems unimaginable most everyone living here would have this body burden, but it’s because PFAS chemicals are so widely used. They repel oil, grease, water, and heat and became popular in household products and industrial settings as early as the 1940s. Today, it feels like they’re in everything: stain-resistant carpets and upholstery, nonstick cookware, food packaging, and even apparel. PFAS chemicals are also used as water repellents in sporting goods, camping gear, plus rain and winter gear. That’s how the contamination became so widespread.
People are still evaluating all the many consequences of PFAS chemicals, but clearly, we now know enough to take action. The way chemical legislation works in the U.S., chemicals are allowed on the market before proven safe, instead of the other way around—which would make more sense. This makes banning toxic chemicals as well as cleaning up widespread contamination difficult and seemingly disjointed. Since 2002, the production and use of two specific PFAS chemicals, PFOS and PFOA, in the U.S. has declined, but as these two of thousands have been phased out, they have also been replaced. That means currently people may be exposed to other PFAS chemicals.
What can families do to avoid forever chemicals?
It is difficult at this point to fully avoid PFAS chemicals since they are ubiquitous. That’s unfortunate but true. And while you can—and should!—take the simple steps below to minimize exposure to forever chemicals in consumer products, PFAS chemicals are also used industrially. There just isn’t a way for individuals to avoid contamination through firefighting foam (they quickly extinguish petroleum-based fires), aeronautics and aerospace materials, automotive manufacturing, farm fertilizer made from sewage, and so on. PFAS chemicals are also found in numerous common electronics. They’re everywhere.
Still it is good common sense to reduce your exposure by not buying items that tend to contain PFAS chemicals, including waterproof or water-repellant items. Here are some other ideas.
- Test and filter your drinking water—some filters may reduce PFAS.
- If you drink milk, contact your preferred brand manufacturer and find out if they do PFAS testing on their cows and land—if not, urge them to. Maine’s CDC created an Action Level for PFOS in milk, which can act as an example for other states too.
- When shopping for outdoor gear, like tents and other camping equipment, look for PFAS-free versions.
- Seek out PFAS-free dental floss, which may be less slippery but is a safer bet.
- Try to avoid grease-proof food wrappings, like those microwave popcorn bags as well as pizza boxes, take-out food containers, and even butter wrappers.
- Stain-repellant furniture and rugs can have PFAS chemicals. Choose PFAS-free options.
- Don’t cook or reheat food in or on nonstick cookware. Choose safer options, like stainless steel, cast iron, enameled cast iron, and glass.
- When eating takeout on the go, BYO plastic-free water bottle, utensils, and plates; even some compostable and “green” disposable items have been shown to contain PFAS.
Demand more legislation
Individual efforts are often insufficient when it comes to toxic chemicals, and PFAS is a glaring example. Governments and corporations must create broad systemic changes to safeguard people from PFAS chemicals. We need more and stronger regulations, better ways to clean PFAS up, and consumer education. You can get involved in the push for federal legislation and also find out what’s happening in your state too. Utah, where you live, is not somewhere that has ever had PFAS production, but many industries in your state likely use PFAS in their manufacturing processes. Utah’s government website also points out that historically, military installations and airports in the state are known to have used firefighting foam that contains PFAS.
There is really great work on PFAS happening on the state level across the U.S. Some are taking the lead on PFAS bans and phaseouts in apparel. Other states are actively working on getting PFAS out of carpets, rugs, or aftermarket treatments, cleaning products, cookware, dental floss, firefighting foam, food packaging, juvenile products, cosmetics, and even menstrual products (ack!). You can get in touch with all your elected officials and let them know you want a ban on all forever chemicals now. I can’t think of a more effective way to protect your kids—and all kids—from PFAS chemicals.
Tell President Biden and EPA: Protect People From Plastics Industry Pollution