Welcome back to episode 464! (0:28)
Science has shown, pretty unequivocally, how harmful these chemicals are for decades. It's not recent science. And what we see in modern days is regulatory agencies not being able to keep up with capitalism demands.
This topic is difficult to see in something other than a "conspiracy" lens. But that is why it's important to Stacy and Sarah now, more than ever, to make sure they stick to scientific research as much as possible.
There are specific areas known to have high levels of PFAS. If you know you're in one of those areas, it's possible to test your blood for your exposure levels.
Stacy reminds the audience that she and Sarah are not medical professionals. So, if you have any health concerns around this topic, be sure to see a doctor.
What Are Forever Chemicals?
PFAS are a class of man-made chemicals used to make products greaseproof, waterproof, and stain-resistant. (7:30)
They are "forever chemicals" because they and their breakdown products are extremely persistent, lasting thousands of years or more. But, unfortunately, we have no way to speed up the breakdown, so they end up bioaccumulating in the environment and our bodies.
Of the more than 9,000 known PFAS compounds, the U.S. uses 600 alone!
Countless products, including firefighting foam, cookware, cosmetics, carpet treatments, and even dental floss, contain PFAS compounds.
PFAS stands for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances- chemicals with at least one aliphatic perfluorocarbon moiety (e.g., -CnF2n-).
PFAS includes multiple subclasses of chemicals:
The most consistent feature within the class of PFAS is that their perfluorocarbon moieties do not break down or do so very slowly under natural conditions. This is why PFAS have often termed "forever chemicals."
Because PFAS are persistent, they accumulate or concentrate in the environment, including water, air, sediment, soil, and plants.
Elevated levels of PFAS and their widespread presence in environmental media and drinking water stem from industrial sites that produce or use PFAS, airports, military bases (fire-training and response areas), landfills, wastewater treatment plants, and the spreading of PFAS-contaminated biosolids.
Some PFAS are highly mobile in either air or water. This allows them to travel long distances from their sources.
It's important to note that we don't metabolize PFAS molecules.
Sarah recommends this great article and this review for more information.
How Do They Harm Health?
A better question might be how do they not harm health because their detriment is incredibly pervasive. (10:50)
Data from toxicokinetic studies of PFAA indicate that they are generally well-absorbed after ingestion.
After absorption, they distribute blood to organs and tissues that receive high blood flow, such as the liver, kidney, lung, heart, skin, testis, brain, bone, and spleen.
Because PFAA can occupy sites on multiple receptors, proteins, and cell interfaces in the body, they can produce physiological effects across various tissues.
Nine nuclear receptors are activated (controls gene expression), including PPAR-alpha, which controls fatty acid beta-oxidation and is a major regulator of energy homeostasis.
They also bind to a variety of serum proteins, including steroid hormones and albumins, which are transport proteins (e.g., vitamin D-binding protein)
Scientists have found direct links (with mechanisms identified) between PFAS exposure and kidney and testicular cancer, thyroid disease, liver damage, developmental toxicity, ulcerative colitis, high cholesterol, decreased fertility, pregnancy-induced preeclampsia and hypertension, and changes in hormone functioning.
Immune dysfunction, such as Asthma, Osteoarthritis, Crohn's & U.C., R.A., Type 1 diabetes, Lupus, and M.S, are also linked to PFAS.
PFAA and the Immune SystemEffects on the immune system are some of the most well-studied health effects of PFAA. (14:51)
Multiple lines of evidence support PFAA as immunotoxicants and, more specifically, immunosuppressants at small administered doses in rodents and measured serum concentrations in humans.
Findings of suppressed vaccine response in humans and T cell-dependent antibody response in experimental animals led the U.S. National Toxicology Program (NTP) to classify PFOA and PFOS as presumed immune hazards to humans.
In a recent draft toxicological profile, the U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) extended this finding to PFHxS and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDeA), identifying all four compounds as suppressants of antibody response in humans.
They are also unregulated greenhouse gasses!
Sarah explains that these chemicals are in our environment, all around, which makes them impossible to avoid. Also, there is data showing they can, in fact, be absorbed through the skin, not just when ingested, as many company websites indicate.
Additional associations still need further study to identify mechanisms, but dose responses are very damning!
Even more worrisome, this study showed 100% of breastmilk tested contained PFAS.
An analysis of the available breast milk PFAS data from around the world showed that while the phased-out PFOS and PFOA levels have been declining, the detection frequencies of current-use short-chain PFAS have been increasing (with a doubling time of 4.1 years).
This is consistent with the idea that they are forever and build-up. So even with using less, we're still seeing a build-up over time.
There is a ton of current legislation pending to limit and/or ban PFAS in cosmetics.
For listeners who might not know, Stacy is a huge advocate for clean beauty and safer skincare. She works with Beauty Counter to help get safer products into consumer's hands and uses her background in government to lobby for safer beauty standards.
With all the safer skincare legislation Stacy has seen in recent years, she decided to research the history of PFAS to see if even more legislation is necessary. It turns out- it is.
Sarah has recently gotten into the "Dark History" YouTube series by Bailey Sarian. Episode 1 is on this very topic, "The DuPont Chemical Poisoning."
The film "Dark Waters" (which Sarah just watched with a free Showtime trial) is a not-quite-as-cool Erin Brokovich approach to going into detail.
History: Discovery to Litigation
Stacy runs through a quick timeline: (25:52)
[caption id="attachment_45315" align="aligncenter" width="740"]Source: https://www.ewg.org/pfaschemicals/what-are-forever-chemicals.html[/caption]
See this link for an even more detailed timeline of PFAS and toxic chemicals.
What Are PFAS In?
PFAS functions in many capacities, including surfactants, friction reducers, and water, dirt, and oil repellents. (50:01)
As such, they are used in a wide variety of consumer products to confer nonstick (waterproof, greaseproof, and stainproof) and low-friction properties.
Examples of products that contain or coated with PFAS include:
PFAS are also used directly or as technical aids (dispersants and emulsifiers) in many industrial applications like metal coatings, lubricants for machinery, membranes, and firefighting foams.
PFAS are used in the synthesis of or as adjuvants in pesticides, in medical procedures and products, and in many other applications.
PFAS in CosmeticsThe FDA has a voluntary registration program (VCRP) which shows an overall decrease in use (about half from 2019 to 2020).
But their site states- "because registration and product listing are voluntary, this data cannot draw definitive conclusions about the types and amounts of PFAS present in registered cosmetics or to determine which cosmetics may contain PFAS but have not been registered in the VCRP."
[caption id="attachment_45319" align="aligncenter" width="740"]Source: https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredients/and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas-cosmetics[/caption]
The Environment and Water SupplyBecause of their widespread use, release, and disposal over the decades, PFASs show up virtually everywhere: soil, surface water, the atmosphere, the deep ocean—and even the human body.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Web site says that the agency has found PFASs in the blood of nearly everyone it has tested for them, "indicating widespread exposure to these PFAS in the U.S. population."
Scientists estimated that more than 200 million people—most Americans—have tap water contaminated with a mixture of PFOA and PFOS. These are at concentrations of one part per trillion (ppt) or higher.
Problems with PFOA-Free (PFOS-free, PTFE-free)
The most well-studied of these substances, PFOA, and PFOS, have been linked to various health problems. (59:45)
Bad press and class-action lawsuits have put pressure on companies to discontinue the use of PFOA and PFOS, but not PFAS as a chemical class.
The regulatory bodies have not kept up with the chemical industry either!
When some major manufacturers phased out long-chain PFAS, most industries turned to structurally similar replacements. These include hundreds of homologues with fewer fluorinated carbons (short-chain PFAS) or other less well-known PFAS (e.g., per- and polyfluoroalkylether-based substances).
Producers marked these replacement PFAS as safer alternatives because of their presumed lower toxicity and lower level of bioaccumulation in human blood.
However, several lines of evidence suggest that short-chain PFAS are not safer alternatives.
Research demonstrated that short-chain PFAS can be equally environmentally persistent and are even more mobile in the environment and more difficult to remove from drinking water than long-chain PFAS.
Bioaccumulation of some short-chain PFAS occurs in humans and animals. For example, fish research suggests they can do more than the long-chain compounds they aim to replace.
Short-chain PFAS also can be more effectively taken up by plants. However, a growing body of evidence suggests they are associated with similar adverse toxicological effects as long-chain PFAS.
The ongoing accumulation of persistent chemicals known or potentially hazardous increases human and environmental health risks over an indefinite period.
Look for PFAS-free specifically. It's not enough to be PFOA, PFOS, and PTFE-free.
What Can We Do About It?
The problem with these chemicals is that there unavoidable. However, we can take steps to protect ourselves. (1:05:01)
Make sure the makeup brands you're using test for safety! PFAS and toxic chemicals are the kind of thing someone wouldn't know about unless they checked and tested the product for them. If you shop Beautycounter, use code cleanforall20 for 20% off your purchase. Of course, you can always email Stacy for advice at stacy@realeverything.com!
Avoid plastics and coated papers for food storage whenever possible.
Also, avoid nonstick cookware or look for ceramic coatings that are PFAS-free, like Le Creuset or Greenpan or silicone liners.
Filter your water. Stacy and Sarah love AquaTru, which they talked about in Episode 406.
Also, be sure to think about other exposure areas, such as clothing, carpeting, etc.
Call Your Representatives! April 13, 2021, House representatives introduced the PFAS Action Act of 2021, a comprehensive 40-page piece of legislation that would require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to take several significant PFAS regulatory actions.
Keep Food Containers Safe from PFAS Act (H.R. 2727) is soon to be reintroduced by Michigan Rep. Debbie Dingell.
Call your representatives to support the proposed environmental justice plan that specifically calls out forever chemicals, tackles PFAS pollution by designating PFAS as a hazardous substance, setting enforceable limits for PFAS in the Safe Drinking Water Act, prioritizing substitutes through procurement, and accelerating toxicity studies and research on PFAS."
The new administration could carry out all of these goals unilaterally through executive action without Congress's cooperation.
Dan Kildee (MI) and Brian Fitzpatrick are heading the bipartisan PFAS Task Force. They have a LONG list of people in the task force with goals.
Also, Stacy encourages you to text Better Beauty to 52886, which will cover these bases.
Support advocacy groups like Environmental Working Group, Toxic-Free Future | Science, Advocacy, Results, Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families, Earthjustice: Environmental Law: Because the Earth Needs a Good Lawyer | Earthjustice other local groups.
EPA says reverse osmosis (but not filters, like Brita, unfortunately) removes PFAS.
Lastly, don't get suckered into PFAS detoxes! Currently, there is no established treatment for PFAS exposure. However, blood levels will decrease over time after a reduction in exposure to PFAS.
Episode 465: Too Many Food Restrictions?
Episode 463: Is There Science Behind Candida Cleanses?
Episode 462: ADHD Update: Natural Approaches and Medication
Episode 461: Oats-M-G, Are These Actually Healthy?
Episode 460: How to Break the Stress-Flare-Antibiotic Cycle
Episode 459: Gluten-Free Baking, Our Best Tips and Tricks.
Episode 458: Collective Trauma and Re-Entry Anxiety
Episode 457: The Problem with a Low-FODMAP Diet
Episode 456: Foster Care and Mental Health Awareness
Episode 455: Covid-19 Vaccines - Real World Data and Updated Vaccine Studies
Episode 454: J&J and AstraZeneca Covid-19 Vaccines
Episode 453: Should We Eat Breakfast Before 8:30am?
Episode 452: New Science on Soaking or Activating Nuts
Episode 451: ConspiraSEA: Is Sustainable Seafood Impossible?
Episode 450: Spices on the AIP? What’s In, What's Out, and Why.
Episode 449: Navigating Shift Work in a Healthy Way
Episode 448: Marijuana and Gut Health
Episode 447: Basic Needs Don’t Count as Self-Care
Episode 446: Nutrient Deficiencies Caused by Stress
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