Forever Chemicals - What Are They and What Is Their Impact?
Forever Chemicals, or PFAS, have been a hot button issue lately - and rightfully so.
Graphic: Clearwater Systems
We’ve heard quite a bit about “Forever Chemicals” over the years. Most notably, Robert F. Kennedy Jr (President Trumps pick for HHS Secretary) has been outspoken about this topic.
So, what are “Forever Chemicals”?
Forever Chemicals, or by their technical name “Per-and polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), are a group of synthetic compounds renowned for their resistance to water, oil and heat. This makes them valuable in various industrial and consumer applications such as non-stick cookware, firefighting foams and yes - food packaging. While practical for these uses, it has serious potential health risks.
According to a study done in 2024 by the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology, there are over 14,000 known FCC’s(food contact chemicals), and of those 25% (3,601) were found present in humans.
What potential health risk are we looking at here?
Health Risks with Forever Chemicals are vast and pretty scary .
Here are some PFAS adverse effects:
Reproductive Issues: Studies suggest associations between PFAS exposure and decreased fertility, as well as increased blood pressure in pregnant women.
Developmental Effects: Exposure during pregnancy may lead to developmental delays in children, including low birth weight and accelerated puberty.
Cancer Risks: Elevated risks of certain cancers, notably prostate, kidney, and testicular cancers, have been observed in populations with significant PFAS exposure.
Immune System Impairment: PFAS can reduce the body's ability to fight infections, including diminishing vaccine efficacy.
Hormonal Interference: These chemicals can disrupt endocrine function, leading to hormonal imbalances.
Cholesterol Levels: Some studies have found associations between PFAS exposure and increased cholesterol levels.
There are not only risks to humans, but also environmental impact to think about as well. PFAS are characterized by their strong carbon-fluorine bonds, making them resistant to environmental degradation. Consequently, they accumulate in soil, water bodies, and living organisms. Recent studies have detected PFAS in various environmental samples, including rainwater and soil, raising concerns about widespread contamination. Given rain and soil are big components of growing crops, it’s not a surprise PFAS are found in our food outside of packaging alone.
So, what are our regulatory bodies doing about this?
The alarm is sounding. In response to the growing evidence of PFAS-related health risks, regulatory agencies have initiated measures to limit exposure:
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): The EPA has issued health advisories for specific PFAS compounds, significantly lowering the acceptable levels in drinking water. The agency is also working on establishing enforceable drinking water standards and has proposed designating certain PFAS as hazardous substances under the Superfund law.
State-Level Actions: Some U.S. states have enacted their own regulations to address PFAS contamination, including setting stricter drinking water standards and pursuing legal action against manufacturers responsible for pollution.
What can you do to lessen your risk?
There’s several steps to reduce your PFAS exposure:
Water Filtration: Using water filters certified to remove PFAS can reduce ingestion through drinking water.
Product Choices: Opting for PFAS-free products, such as certain non-stick cookware and water-repellent clothing, can minimize contact.
Dietary Adjustments: Reducing consumption of processed and fast foods, which may be packaged in PFAS-containing materials, can lower exposure. These are items like burger wrappers, bagged vegetables and fruits, plastic cups and more.
The research is ongoing, and aims to better understand the full extent of PFAS's health impacts and to develop effective strategies for remediation and exposure reduction.