Caitlin Beale, MS, RDN
Why Are PFAS Dangerous? If you’ve ever heard of non-stick pans or stain-resistant furniture, then you are familiar with PFAS. PFAS (short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a large group of synthetic chemicals known as “forever chemicals” because they don’t naturally break down over time. As a result of poor manufacturing regulation and oversight, PFAS are pervasive in the environment and our bodies. One study showed that PFAS are present in 98% of people’s bodies, including newborn babies[1].
PFAS are dangerous to our health, and it is only in recent years that the EPA and other regulatory bodies have started paying attention to the risks.
This article examines PFAS and your health – what you need to know and how you can protect yourself from excessive exposure.
Why Are PFAS Dangerous? What are PFA’S?
PFAS are a group of human-made chemicals, including the most commonly studied known as PFOS, PFOA, and a newer version known as GenX[2]. The chemical composition of PFAS is characterized by strong bonds, which is why they don’t break down easily over time.
PFAS were introduced in the US in the 1940s by DuPont chemical company and became popular quickly due to their water and oil repelling capabilities[3]. By the 1950s, PFAS were found in nearly every home in non-stick cookware, stain-resistant fabric (known as Scotchgard), and water-repellent clothing.
PFAS are now present in many products in our homes. Based on lawsuits it is now known that the chemical manufacturing companies DuPont and 3M were aware that PFAS were dangerous and contaminating the environment, but did not disclose the information to its own workers, as well as local communities that were directly affected[4].
Over time, PFAS have polluted the soil, water, and air through production processes as well as everyday use. Certain PFAS that have been well studied have been phased out of use in the US due to health concerns. Replacements have been introduced with little research, and they still fall into the PFAS category. These replacements may be just as bad for our health and the environment as their predecessors[5].
Where are PFAS found?
The short answer? PFAS are unfortunately found everywhere.
In early 2020, the EWG released an updated report on an extensive look into the contamination of PFAS in the drinking water in US cities. The startling conclusion found that the contamination in our drinking water has been “dramatically underestimated” by previous studies conducted by the EPA and EWG themselves. High levels of PFAS were found in nearly all tested sites, including many metropolitan areas such as Miami, Philadelphia, and New Orleans[6].
Earlier research conducted by the EWG found PFAS contamination in the public drinking water of nearly 19 million people in 49 states[7].
PFAS are also found in rainwater[8]. A study examining rainwater samples from 30 different locations, primarily on the East Coast, found at least one PFA compound in every single sample tested.
PFAS can pass through the breastmilk of a mother to her baby[9], although the benefits of breastfeeding outweigh any risks of exposure[10].
Aside from the environmental contamination of our drinking water and soil, PFAS are found in many household items and consumer products, including[11]:
- Food packed in material that contains PFAS or processed with equipment that uses PFAS.
- Fast food containers and other grease-resistant paper, candy wrappers, or microwave popcorn all are possible exposures[12].
- Food can also be exposed via contaminated soil or water.
- Fish can also be contaminated with PFAS from the contamination in water.
- Furniture that has been treated to be stain resistant.
- Stain-resistant carpets.
- Water and stain proof clothing.
- Non-stick pots and pans.
- Cleaning products.
- Fire fighting foams, especially at military bases.
- Cosmetics and personal care items such as nail polish, shampoo, and dental floss.
Why are PFAS dangerous for human health?
As PFAS accumulate in the body and do not breakdown, exposure becomes extremely concerning. There are thousands of types of PFAS, making it difficult to study each chemical individually. The well studied PFAs, PFOA (used in Teflon pans), PFOS (used in Scotchguard), PFHxS, and PFNA have been linked to[13]:
- Decreases in fertility[14], [15]
- Hormone disruption, including thyroid
- Liver and kidney damage[16]
- Weakened immune response, including the effectiveness of vaccines[17]
- Increased cancer risk[18], [19]
- Increased cholesterol
- Low birth weight
- Weight gain[20]
More studies are needed on exposure to mixtures of the PFAS. Still, animal studies show exposure leads to changes in liver, thyroid, pancreatic, and hormone levels[21].
As mentioned, some of the original PFAS have been phased out of manufacturing in the US (although they can still be imported), but those are only two of the thousands of types of PFAS. The newest replacement, GenX, was supposed to be “safer,” according to the manufacturer. Instead, this chemical has also shown to cause tumor growth in animals[22], as well as adverse gestational and developmental effects in rats[23]. More recent research suggests that it also may be even more dangerous to human health than the original PFAS[24],[25].
How are PFAS regulated?
Why Are PFAS Dangerous? PFAS were allowed into production with little testing before human exposure. Now that the effects are known, we are scrambling to catch up.
Only after pressure and lawsuits in the last several decades have the government stepped up to take the PFA issue more seriously. PFOS and PFAS were no longer manufactured in the US as of 2015. But it’s taken lawsuits and pressure from the EPA to get this far. The EPA has stated it is currently investigating multiple criminal cases related to PFAS and pollution[26].
In 1998 PFOS was removed from the market after the manufacturing company (3M) submitted studies linking it to problems with human health. The health advisory level for PFAS set by the EPA is 70 times higher than what is recommended in independent reviews [27].
In 2006 the EPA enacted the PFOA Stewardship Program, including eight chemical manufactures that have agreed to remove PFOA and related chemicals from their facilities[28]. The commitment was to work towards the elimination of emission of PFOA chemicals by 2015.
The EPA also initiated a plan in 2019 to create action-oriented tasks to help clean up water contamination. The program lists steps for a collaborative effort with agencies and manufacturers to remove PFAS from the environment and monitor the development of new PFAS[29]. However, many agree that PFAS of any kind should be removed from manufacturing as they all pose a risk to human health.
PFAS in our food are not well regulated by the FDA, and although PFAs were found in food[30], they concluded that the presence in food was not a concern to consumers. And despite a recommendation of a lower threshold of safety from a federal agency report, the US government has not responded. President Trump has also threatened to veto senate and house bills that would work to monitor, report, and clean up PFAS pollution[31], [32].
As a result, several state governments have created their own regulatory plans to limit PFAS exposure in drinking water, food, and firefighting foam[33].
What can we do to avoid PFAS?
It’s clear that despite newer plans to regulate PFAS, more oversight and stricter laws are needed. PFAS are in our environment, so reducing exposure is essential to decrease our overall toxic burden.
There are several ways you can reduce your daily exposure to PFAS:
- Avoid contaminated drinking water. If you don’t know if your water is safe to drink, contact your local health department for information. Installation of a water filtration system may be necessary[34].
- Avoid all non-stick pots and pans. Choose stainless steel or cast iron.
- Avoid all stain-resistant furniture and household goods.
- Avoid personal care items with ingredients such as “PTFE.”
- Avoid fast food, microwaved popcorn, or any grease-resistant products.
Why Are PFAS Dangerous? It can feel overwhelming to navigate the news of persistent contamination in our environment. Still, it’s important to remember that you can reduce your exposure so that the toxic burden on your body is lessened. Use the above tips to minimize exposure and keep up to date with current water data in your area. Taking care of your body through movement, diet, and stress reduction can also help make you more resilient.
Also, remember that consumers drive demand in the marketplace. Share information about PFAS with friends and family and encourage everyone to avoid purchasing products that contain these chemicals. It will take consumer pressure alongside regulatory guidelines for any real change to occur.
References:
- Calafat, Antonia M, et al. “Polyfluoroalkyl Chemicals in the U.S. Population: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2004 and Comparisons with NHANES 1999-2000.” Environmental Health Perspectives, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Nov. 2007, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2072821/.
- “Overview.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 10 Jan. 2018, www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/overview.html.
- “Basic Information on PFAS.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 6 Dec. 2018, www.epa.gov/pfas/basic-information-pfas.
- “The Devil We Know.” Thedevilweknow.com/.
- “Overview.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 10 Jan. 2018, www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/overview.html.
- Environmental Working Group. “PFAS Contamination of Drinking Water Far More Prevalent Than Previously Reported.” EWG, www.ewg.org/research/national-pfas-testing/.
- Ewg. “Interactive Map: PFAS Contamination Crisis: New Data Show 1,477 Sites in 49 States.” Interactive Map: PFAS Contamination Crisis: New Data Show 1,477 Sites in 49 States, www.ewg.org/interactive-maps/2019_pfas_contamination/.
- Ross, Daniel. “Rainwater in Parts of US Contains High Levels of PFAS Chemical, Says Study.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 17 Dec. 2019, www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/17/rainwater-pfas-us-potentially-toxic-levels-study.
- “PFAS Exposure.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 25 Apr. 2019, www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/pfas-exposure.html.
- “Environmental Exposures/Toxicants.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 22 Dec. 2019, www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-special-circumstances/environmental-exposures/index.html.
- “Basic Information on PFAS.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 6 Dec. 2018, www.epa.gov/pfas/basic-information-pfas.
- “PFAS Exposure.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 25 Apr. 2019, www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/pfas-exposure.html.
- “Basic Information on PFAS.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 6 Dec. 2018, www.epa.gov/pfas/basic-information-pfas.
- WD;, Vélez MP;Arbuckle TE;Fraser. “Maternal Exposure to Perfluorinated Chemicals and Reduced Fecundity: The MIREC Study.” Human Reproduction (Oxford, England), U.S. National Library of Medicine, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25567616/.
- Bach CC;Vested A;Jørgensen KT;Bonde JP;Henriksen TB;Toft G; “Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Measures of Human Fertility: A Systematic Review.” Critical Reviews in Toxicology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27268162/.
- Girardi, Paolo, and Enzo Merler. “A mortality study on male subjects exposed to polyfluoroalkyl acids with high internal dose of perfluorooctanoic acid.” Environmental research vol. 179,Pt A (2019): 108743. doi:10.1016/j.envres.2019.108743
- Grandjean P, Andersen EW, Budtz-Jørgensen E, et al. Serum Vaccine Antibody Concentrations in Children Exposed to Perfluorinated Compounds. JAMA. 2012;307(4):391–397. doi:10.1001/jama.2011.2034
- Vieira, Verónica M et al. “Perfluorooctanoic acid exposure and cancer outcomes in a contaminated community: a geographic analysis.” Environmental health perspectives vol. 121,3 (2013): 318-23. doi:10.1289/ehp.1205829
- Bonefeld-Jorgensen, Eva C et al. “Perfluorinated compounds are related to breast cancer risk in Greenlandic Inuit: a case control study.” Environmental health : a global access science source vol. 10 88. 6 Oct. 2011, doi:10.1186/1476-069X-10-88
- Braun, Joseph M. “Early-life exposure to EDCs: role in childhood obesity and neurodevelopment.” Nature reviews. Endocrinology vol. 13,3 (2017): 161-173. doi:10.1038/nrendo.2016.186
- “PFAS Health Effects.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 21 Jan. 2020, www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/health-effects.html.
- Lerner, Sharon. “New Teflon Toxin Causes Cancer in Lab Animals.” The Intercept, 3 Mar. 2016, theintercept.com/2016/03/03/new-teflon-toxin-causes-cancer-in-lab-animals/.
- Conley, Justin M et al. “Adverse Maternal, Fetal, and Postnatal Effects of Hexafluoropropylene Oxide Dimer Acid (GenX) from Oral Gestational Exposure in Sprague-Dawley Rats.” Environmental health perspectives vol. 127,3 (2019): 37008. doi:10.1289/EHP4372
- “Study: Newer PFAS Chemicals ‘May Pose More Risks’ Than Those They Replaced.” EWG, www.ewg.org/release/study-newer-pfas-chemicals-may-pose-more-risks-those-they-replaced.
- Environmental Working Group. “PFAS Contamination of Drinking Water Far More Prevalent Than Previously Reported.” EWG, www.ewg.org/research/national-pfas-testing/.
- “EPA Handling Multiple PFAS-Related Criminal Investigations (1).” Bloomberg BNA News, news.bloombergenvironment.com/environment-and-energy/epa-handling-multiple-pfas-related-criminal-investigations.
- “Teflon Chemical Harmful at Smallest Doses.” EWG, www.ewg.org/research/teflon-chemical-harmful-at-smallest-doses.
- “Risk Management for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) under TSCA.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 20 Feb. 2020, www.epa.gov/assessing-and-managing-chemicals-under-tsca/risk-management-and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas#tab-3.
- “EPA Acting Administrator Announces First-Ever Comprehensive Nationwide PFAS Action Plan.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 14 Feb. 2019, www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-acting-administrator-announces-first-ever-comprehensive-nationwide-pfas-action-1.
- “Trump FDA: Eating Foods with Toxic PFAS Chemicals ‘Not a Concern’.” EWG, www.ewg.org/release/trump-fda-eating-foods-toxic-pfas-chemicals-not-concern.
- Beitsch, Rebecca, and Miranda Green. “Trump Threatens Veto on Defense Bill That Targets ‘Forever Chemicals’.” TheHill, The Hill, 10 July 2019, thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/452507-trump-threatens-veto-on-defense-bill-that-targets-forever-chemicals.
- “Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 30 Mar. 2020, www.atsdr.cdc.gov/.
- Environmental Working Group. “What Are PFAS Chemicals, and Where Are They Found?” EWG, www.ewg.org/pfaschemicals/what-are-forever-chemicals.html.
- “Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in the U.S. Population.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 15 Nov. 2019, www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/pfas-in-population.html.
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