28 January, 2022
Latest advancements in science have enabled the creation of synthetic compounds and chemicals that have proven useful for everyday life. The creation of these compounds has been especially useful in the manufacturing industry because it paved the way in creating new models for different types of products such as household items, electronics, clothing, automobile parts, and so much more. With the increase in production of these products, there were also environmental concerns that started to bloom. A class of compounds, named perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), was being produced more and more due to its usefulness in making fluoropolymer products.
Forever Chemicals in Our Daily Lives
PFAS is a dangerous toxic chemical that builds up in our bodies and never breaks down in the environment. PFAS has been known as ‘forever chemicals’ since they are extremely persistent and can last for thousands of years in the environment. There are products we encounter every day that are made with highly toxic fluorinated chemicals of PFAS, such as grease-resistant food packaging, nonstick cookware, water-resistant clothing, cleaning products, and cosmetic products.
PFAS is used by different industries to improve resistance to grease, oil, water, and heat and to increase product durability. A popular example of a product created using PFAS is Teflon. Teflon is a brand name for the chemical compound that is widely used in coating cookware and non-stick pans. Due to its waterproof properties and its ability to reduce friction on surfaces., it is an ideal material for creating protective coats in automobiles, fabric, flooring material, lamp bulbs, and pharmaceutical products. Still, recent studies have linked PFAS to health and environmental problems and due to its toxic properties and environmental effects, the use of this substance has been recently banned in manufacturing, unless it was critically needed for production.
PFAS Exposure
People can be exposed to PFAS in different ways. According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, exposure to PFAS can come from drinking contaminated water from municipal and private water sources, eating food enclosed in packaging that has PFAS content, accidentally swallowing contaminated soil or dust, and using consumer care products that have PFAS, such as nonstick cookware, cleaning products, cosmetic products, water-resistant clothing, and stain-repellent carpeting.
Health and Legal Concerns on PFAS
PFAS has been linked to cancer and other terminal illnesses. Since PFAS is chemically inert, the molecules of the compound cannot be easily broken down by organisms or any environmental factors. Such compounds are expected to cause adverse health effects inside an organism’s body since these are toxic and stay indefinitely within the body. Several studies have also determined that prolonged exposure to PFAS has caused an extreme increase in cholesterol levels or hypercholesterolemia. This condition usually leads to heart failure and other terminal illnesses involving the circulatory system. PFAS can also cause damage to the liver and immune system and can interfere with reproductive functions. Another study has determined the link between PFAS and complications in the human reproductive system such as testicular cancer, pre-eclampsia, and pregnancy-induced hypertension.
Products manufactured with the use of PFAS are easily distributed in the market and there is always a risk of exposing consumers to this toxic compound. Most companies that make use of PFAS ensure that their products will cause no harm to their consumers but sub-standard practices and quality control allow some defective products to make it into the grocery shelves. Since the FDA does not very closely regulate the toxic chemical contents of personal care products, some manufacturers get away by not indicating the PFAS content in the ingredients displayed on their product labels. People who will be exposed to PFAS contaminants are the victims in these situations and this can lead to health problems and complications.
Health problems caused by PFAS contaminants can lead to medical claims and lawsuits. Manufacturers of products with high levels of PFAS that cause harmful effects to consumers can be sued for diseases and damages brought by PFAS contamination. According to Schmidt and Clark, a lawsuit was filed by the State of Minnesota against 3M in 2010 due to the PFAS chemicals in the products produced by the company which damaged drinking water and tap water in the Twin Cities metro region. The said lawsuit resulted in an $850 million settlement. Other consumers have also learned to file toxic exposure claims for similar circumstances. For more references on lawsuits about PFAS, see more on this page.
Since PFAS is a strong industrial chemical that is very difficult to break down, alternatives to PFAS can be used in place of PFAS-containing products. This can help eliminate PFAS contamination on consumer products and the environment.
