What are PFAS and Why Should I Know What They Are?
What are PFAS and Why Should I Know What They Are?
You may have heard on the Internet or from your friends about a new term, “PFAS.” While this term has been around for many years period, it has recently gained more attention and traction as a social shift to focus more on personal health and wellness has been on the rise. According to the EPA1, PFAS are “a group of manufactured chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products since the 1940s because of their useful properties. There are thousands of different PFAS, some of which have been more widely used and studied than others.” Basically, they are chemicals that are very helpful in various manufacturing processes. However, the issue with them as we have now found out is that “one common characteristic of concern of PFAS is that many break down very slowly and can build up in people, animals, and the environment over time.”
Think of the use of asbestos in housing in the mid 20th century. At the time of its use, it was not commonly known that asbestos was a cancer-causing agent. However, there have been many new rules and regulations to remove the use of asbestos in housing. PFAS is a similar phenomenon that we are now currently uncovering.
Where can I find these chemicals? Unfortunately, they are all around us. Drinking water, food and its packaging, non-stick cookware, paints and cosmetics are just a few of the examples of where PFAS are used.
PFAS are no good news- they can potentially lead to reproductive effects, increased risk of cancers, interference with hormones, and cholesterol and obesity issues. While this may seem like intimidating information, it is important to educate yourself about the risks and realities of the chemicals you interact with. It is important to be a well-informed individual so that you can be empowered to make the right decisions for you and your family. The more you know!
Works Cited
1United States Environmental Protection Agency. “Our Current Understanding of the Human Health and Environmental Risks of PFAS.” www.epa.gov, 7 June 2023, www.epa.gov/pfas/our-current-understanding-human-health-and-environmental-risks-pfas.
