Oct 27

Oct 27 Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

What are PFAS?

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of over 9,000 chemicals used in the manufacture of water-repellant personal care items and fabrics, non-stick cookware, polishes, paint, wax, cleaning products, firefighting foam, microwave popcorn bags, floss, and even some menstrual underwear.

Different types of PFAS include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or teflon, GenX, octafluoropentyl methacrylate (OFPMA), GenX, perfluorononyl dimethicone, perfluorooctyl triethoxysilane and many others.

In some cases, PFAS are found on ingredient labels but in other cases it is unclear. For example, in cosmetics certain ingredients may be treated with fluorinated compounds (precursors to PFAS), and therefore might not be shown on the ingredient label.

Harmful Effects of PFAS Exposure

PFAS are toxic to the cardiovascular system and linked to adverse health effects such as increased cholesterol, immune system effects, cancer, thyroid hormone disruption, and effects on infant birth weights. Animal studies indicate PFAS causes liver toxicity, disruption of immune and endocrine systems, neurobehavioral effects, neonatal toxicity and death, and tumors in multiple organ systems. PFAS exposure is associated with abnormal ovarian function, but more studies are needed to confirm this.

PFAS in Drinking Water

PFAS are persistent in the environment and in our bodies. Because of their persistent nature, PFAS have been found in drinking water and food. Consumer Reports tested drinking water in 120 locations and detected PFAS in 117 of the 120 locations. In 2021, a peer reviewed investigation of 32 types of PFAS in bottled water revealed PFAS were present in 39 of the 101 products tested. In addition, PFAS were found in 1400 communities in 49 states according to research by the PFAS Project at Northeastern University in Boston and the Environmental Working Group (EWG).

PFAS in Cosmetics

PFAS are found in cosmetics and are used to increase the water resistance.

Here are some of the PFAS found in beauty products that you might see on the ingredient label:

OFPMA (Living Proof hair products)
Pentafluoropropane (makeup)
Methyl perfluorobutyl ether (skincare)
PTFE (skincare and makeup)
C9-15 fluoroalcohol phosphate (skincare and makeup)
Perfluorononyl dimethicone (makeup)
Perfluorooctyl triethoxysilane (makeup)
Perfluorodecalin (skincare)
Perfluorohexane (skincare and makeup)

Certain cosmetic ingredients can be treated with fluorinated compounds but this is not evident on the ingredient label. It’s best to avoid cosmetics with water resistant claims to try to avoid exposure to PFAS. In this 2021 study, 231 US and Canadian cosmetics products were screened for fluorine (a precursor to PFAS). Foundations, mascaras, and lip products had the highest proportion of products with fluorine. Two other studies, one in Europe and one in Asia, also found PFAS in cosmetic and personal care products.

PFAS in Nonstick Cookware

PFAS are used to make nonstick coating for cookware. Different types of PFAS used in nonstick cookware include perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and GenX. In the US, PFOA was phased out by 2015, but PTFE and GenX are still allowed. Some cookware is labeled as “PFOA free”, but it still may contain other harmful PFAS.

PFAS in Menstrual Underwear

In 2020, Jessian Choy sent menstrual underwear to Professor Graham Peaslee, a nuclear physicist at Notre Dame University who discovered PFAS in food wrappers. Dr. Peaslee found high levels of PFAS in the crotch of Thinx underwear and offered to test more of their products, but Thinx declined. By 2021, a class action lawsuit was filed against Thinx. Leah Segedie of Mamavation tested 19 period underwear products for fluorine (a precursor to PFAS), and 5% of the products tested had detectable levels of fluorine present.

Read Mamavation’s article to find out which period products contained fluorine and which products did not.

PFAS Legislation

In August 2022, the EPA proposed designating perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). This would increase transparency and accountability regarding PFAS and those that use it. The EPA issued health advisories for GenX and perfluorobutanesulfonic acid, which are replacements for PFOA and PFOS, but the advisories are nonregulatory and noneforceable.

Some states have enacted legislation limiting PFAS in drinking water, fire fighting foam, packaging, and consumer products. States are also allocating funds for the remediation of PFAS in drinking water and contaminated sites.