PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of widely-used, man-made toxic chemicals. They are all around us because they’ve been used is so many products for so long and don’t go away. They're called "forever chemicals" because they don't degrade and bioaccumulate. They can accumulate in both the environment and the human body. Studies have found that PFAS can cause serious health problems, including cancer. They include more than 4,700 chemicals. They have been produced since the 1940s, but their health and environmental risks only gained widespread attention after the chemicals were found in drinking water in the US in 2001. Nearly everyone has come in contact with these chemicals through water, food, consumer products and even the air.

Sources of PFAS are everywhere: Public and private drinking water supplies, grease-resistant food packaging and wrappings, especially fast food containers, food, including fish caught in PFAS-contaminated water, personal care products like make-up, hair styling products and shampoo, non-stick cookware, coatings to make carpets, upholstering and clothing water and stain-repellant, paints, child car seats and much more. Those are just a few examples of how we're exposed to PFAS daily. Even extremely low levels of exposure can impact our health, according to Erik D. Olson of the Natural Resources Defense Council. Here is an informative article on this issue from ConsumerNotice.org.

According to the EPA and the European Environment Agency, health impacts of PFAS include:

  • Reproductive effects such as decreased fertility and increased high blood pressure in pregnant women.

  • Developmental effects or delays in children, including low birth weight, accelerated puberty, bone variations, or behavioral changes.

  • Birth defects

  • Increased risk of some cancers, including prostate, kidney, and testicular cancers.

  • Reduced ability of the body’s immune system to fight infections.

  • Interference with the body’s natural hormones.

  • Increased cholesterol levels and/or risk of obesity.

  • Liver damage, kidney disease and thyroid disease.

  • Obesity

A 2024 study done by the University of Notre Dame found that high levels of PFAS chemicals are in many smart watches and can be absorbed into the body through the skin. Of 22 brands tested, 15 were found to have the chemicals and not just a little bit -- but at levels even higher than that found in clothing, consumer goods and even firefighting gear. This is especially concerning since watches are usually worn for long periods of time and when users are working out the presence of sweat can accelerate the absorption of the chemicals into the skin. 

A 2024 Brown University study found that use of personal products by pregnant and lactating women increased the levels of PFAS in their blood and breast milk. The study found a correlation between the number of products used —such as nail care products, fragrances, makeup, hair dyes and hair sprays or gels—and higher plasma PFAS concentrations in the body.

They are just two of many studies adding to the growing body of evidence documenting the harmful effects of PFAS.

How to avoid PFAS as much as possible:

-Avoid non-stick cookware. Cook only with cast iron, stainless steel or copper.

-Read labels. Many brands, especially cosmetics, will state right on the box that their products are PFAS-free. Looks for ingredients that include the words fluoro or perfluoro or PTFE, all indicating they likely contain PFAS.

-Buy fresh food as much as possible and cook at home to avoid food packaging and take-out wrappers. New federal and state regulations are starting to outlaw PFAS in food packaging but we’re not there yet.

-Avoid fabrics that say they’re water-repellent or stain-resistant, including rain gear, outerwear, ski jackets, snow pants, and swim suits, tents, tablecloths, backpacks and outdoor cushions, to name just a few.

-Look for dental floss that is PFAS-free as well as plastic-free, such as that sold by the Zero Waste Store and EcoRoots. Most mass market flosses still use PFAS chemicals for smooth gliding but increasingly there are safer alternatives.

-Have your tap water tested for PFAS and install a water filtration system.

-Check out PfasCentral’s list of PFAS-free brands (keep in mind however many products may still be eco-unfriendly in other ways, such as being plastic).