By Jan Axelson
Northside News
This is the first in a 3-part series that focuses on PFAs, a class of human-made chemicals found in our water and in many everyday items. You will learn where PFAs are found, how they can be harmful to human health, and how to protect your health by reducing your exposure to PFAs.
The term PFAS refers to a large group of human-made chemicals that resist heat, water, grease and oil. First developed in the 1940s, PFAs became popular for adding waterproofing, stain resistance and non-stick properties to products. PFAs are now in cookware, cosmetics, carpets, rain gear, fire-fighting foam and more, as well as in our lakes, streams and drinking water.
Your body can absorb PFAs through eating, drinking, breathing, and absorption through the skin. Research shows that exposure to PFAs can contribute to health issues such as cancers, high cholesterol, high blood pressure in pregnant women, low infant birth weight, decreased fertility for women, interference with hormones, and reduced response to vaccines.
PFAs, whose full name is perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, have strong chemical bonds that resist breaking down. With continued exposure over time, PFAs levels can accumulate in the human body and in the environment. Another term for PFAs is “forever chemicals.”
Much still needs to be studied about PFAs, including the level of risk from different forms of exposure and the relative harm of the thousands of different PFAs chemicals in use. But the risks documented for PFAs that have been studied justify concerns about the chemicals as a group.
Even if a product containing PFAs doesn’t harm you directly, PFAs manufacturing can harm the factory workers who made the product. When discarded, a product’s PFAs enter the landfill.
Because PFAs are in so many products, avoiding PFAs can seem hopeless. But with some knowledge, you can lessen your exposure. When making choices about buying and using everyday items, the first step is to be aware of what to look for to find out if a product contains PFAs.
A product described as stain resistant, grease resistant, heat resistant or water resistant may contain PFAs. Avoid products that contain PTFE, PAP or ingredients with perfluor or poly-fluoro in their names.
Don’t assume that products advertised as PFOA-free and PFOS-free are safe to use, as they may contain other PFAs chemicals. Ingredient lists may be incomplete, so seeking out verified PFAs-free products is a more reliable way to go. The federal government doesn’t require labeling of products containing PFAS, but some organizations have lists of PFAs-free products. (See Resources at the end of this article.)
Here are some tips on avoiding PFAs in some everyday items.
Pots and pans have used nonstick coatings containing PFAs for many years. Teflon is a well-known trade name. With use over time, nonstick coatings can wear off and end up in your food.
Cookware is now available with PFAS-free, ceramic nonstick surfaces. Other options are cast iron and stainless steel. If you use nonstick cookware, help preserve the coating by avoiding high heat, metal utensils and abrasive cleaners. Don’t use nonstick aerosol cooking sprays on nonstick cookware as the soy lecithin in these sprays can build up, causing food to stick.
Cosmetics and sunscreens that are described as waterproof or long-lasting may contain PFAs. Shampoos may use PFAs for hair-conditioning benefits.
Some dental flosses have high levels of organic fluorine, an indicator of PFAs. The PFAs improve the floss’s ability to glide between teeth. Use PFAs-free floss or a water flosser.
In menstrual products such as liners, pads, tampons, cups and underwear, look for organic products or products labeled as PFAS-free and fluorinated free.
Carpets and furniture upholstery may contain PFAs for stain resistance. In recent years, most carpet manufacturers have stopped using PFAS, but existing carpets can present a risk, especially to infants and young children who may play on the floor. Replace older carpets to remove the risk.
Rain jackets and other rain clothing may contain PFAs with trade names such as GORE-TEX and Scotchgard. PFAs-free rain gear is becoming more available.
Food packaging should be of less concern going forward. In 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that grease-proofing substances containing PFAS were no longer being sold by manufacturers for food contact in the United States.
Existing products containing PFAs, including paper bags, boxes, microwave popcorn bags and other containers for takeout and other prepared foods, may remain in use through much of 2025. If unsure of PFAs content, bring your own food container or transfer the food to your own container as soon as possible.
Other items
The long list of other everyday items that may contain PFAs includes exercise clothing, toilet paper, cell phone screens, mattress pads, wall paint, adhesives, fertilizers and car seats. Because PFAs are often present in household dust, frequent cleaning can reduce exposure.
Resources
PFAs Central (pfascentral.org) lists products that have been independently tested and shown to be PFAs-free including rain gear, cosmetics, baby products, food packaging, cookware, carpets and more.
The Clearya phone app (clearya.com) lists ingredients of concern in many cosmetics.
The Environmental Working Group (ewg.org) has consumer guides to cosmetics and sunscreens.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (epa.gov/pfas) has information about PFAs and government actions.
