PFAS, or Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, have stealthily entered various aspects of our lives. These synthetic chemicals, are making a significant impact on our health and the environment. In this exploration of PFAS, we delve into the pervasive nature of these substances, their origins, and the crucial need for awareness and action in mitigating their potential risks. Join us in understanding the story behind PFAS and the steps we can take to minimize their impact on our well-being.
PFAS, or "forever chemicals," are like the unsolicited guests that just won't leave our environment. These synthetic substances, including PFOA and PFOS, were born out of the Manhattan Project's quest for bomb-related materials back in the 1940s.
Many are unaware that it all started during research on the atomic bomb. Marko Filipovic, Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES) at Stockholm University, explained that in the early 1940s, during World War II, the Manhattan Project required new inert materials for the separation of uranium isotopes from their corrosive hexafluoride by gas diffusion. Fluorinated materials were particularly suitable for the task. The Manhattan Project significantly boosted the development of new fluorine-based chemical products. Since then, the fluorine industry has grown exponentially, and a wide variety of poly- or per-fluorinated organo-chemical substances have become ingredients in everyday products. However, only now are researchers beginning to study the toxic effects these substances may have on our bodies.
PFAS infiltrate groundwater and thus reach fields and agricultural products, entering the food chain and persisting in the body for many years.
Research by scientists at the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has revealed that consuming a single serving of freshwater fish per year is equivalent to a month of drinking water contaminated with PFOS, a type of PFAS.
Known as "forever chemicals" because of their extreme persistence in the environment, PFAS are common contaminants not only in freshwater fish but also in other foods, food packaging, and personal care products. Health effects are under examination, with PFAS believed to affect the endocrine system, compromising growth and fertility, and being considered carcinogenic. Even at very low doses, drinking water contaminated with PFAS has been linked to immune system suppression. Researchers suggest a connection between these substances and the onset of kidney and testicular tumors, the development of thyroid diseases, preeclampsia, and ulcerative colitis, and there are hypotheses regarding fetal pathologies.
How to avoid these PFAS? Avoid using containers for transporting food that are generally treated, clothing advertised as breathable, products treated with flame retardants, microwave popcorn (PFAS may be present in the bag and contaminate the oil during heating), non-stick cookware (prefer ceramic and cast iron pots) and personal care products such as fluorinated dental floss. It is useful to filter tap water with activated carbon filters that remove 90% of PFAS.
Fast forward to today, and PFAS have infiltrated our lives through water-resistant fabrics, non-stick cookware, and even that supposedly breathable workout gear. It turns out, these chemicals not only resist stains but also stick around in our bodies for years, potentially causing health issues.
Researchers are raising red flags about PFAS seeping into our groundwater, making their way into our food chain, and messing with our immune systems. Imagine this: eating a yearly serving of freshwater fish could be like sipping on PFAS-infused water for a whole month!
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So, how do we kick these unwanted guests to the curb? Skip treated food containers, reconsider that non-stick pan and maybe swap out your dental floss for a fluorine-free option. Oh, and filter your tap water with some activated carbon magic – it can bid farewell to 90% of those persistent PFAS.
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