Chemicals that don’t break down easily in the environment have made their way into most of our bodies (whether we know it or not) and are present in about 45% of the country’s water supply, according to a new study from the U.S. Geological Survey. The health effects of these chemicals, called PFAS or “forever chemicals,” aren’t yet well understood, but we understand if you want to lower your exposure. Here are some ways to do that.
What are forever chemicals?
“Forever chemicals” is a nickname for a family of chemicals that include fluorine and carbon. (“FC,” get it?) The name is appropriate, as the fluorine-carbon bond is so strong that most things in nature can’t break it down. Worms and germs will eat your body after you’re dead, but they can’t do much to break down PFOA, PFOS, or any of the other chemicals in this family.
The more precise name for this group of chemicals is PFAS, for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. It’s a family that includes thousands of different individual chemicals. These chemicals are wonders of modern innovation, except for that pesky thing about never fully breaking down. They can make breathable waterproof coatings for camping gear, nonstick coatings for pans (Teflon is a classic PFAS), and they often provide the “waterproof” in waterproof mascara. Greaseproof wrappers and containers like those used for fast food and other food packaging also often owe their properties to PFAS.
How dangerous are PFAS?
To be honest: the health implications of these chemicals aren’t fully understood. They seem to be harmless in the short term, in small doses, but we know that they’ll stick around for the long term. The CDC has an overview of the research here. We don’t have any studies saying for sure that this amount of PFAS causes that effect in humans, although we do have studies on animals that show a large amount of PFAS can cause damage to the liver and the immune system.
Because PFAS are so widespread and exist in such small quantities, it’s hard to design studies that compare people who are and aren’t exposed to them—because pretty much everybody is exposed. All of the health concerns that scientists cite are things that “may” be linked with PFAS.
The EPA has set “health advisories,” basically recommended limits for certain PFAS chemicals based on their possible health effects, and you can read about some of those here. The exact amount that is considered harmful may vary from one chemical to another, and the science on this still isn’t certain.
In short, we don’t have a lot of solid answers on the health effects or how to avoid them, but there seems to be good reason to be cautious. With that in mind, here are some steps you can take to reduce your exposure to PFAS.
Filter your water
The USGS found that, when you consider municipal water supplies as well as private water sources like wells, about 75% of urban water sources and 25% of rural ones are likely to contain PFAS. The water quality report you get from your water company (if you use municipal water) may tell you whether PFAS were detected.
The EPA reports that granular active carbon filters, ion-exchange filters, and reverse-osmosis filters can all remove PFAS from drinking water. PFAS are not thought to be absorbed in meaningful quantities through the skin, so the CDC reports that water used for bathing shouldn’t increase your exposure.
If you fish in rivers and lakes, maybe don’t eat the fish you catch
Fish that are caught in the ocean don’t tend to be contaminated with PFAS, but fish caught in rivers and lakes within the U.S. often are. The CDC points out that the fat in wild fish can be a source of PFAS if they have been swimming in PFAS-contaminated water (as many have). As we’ve previously explained, you probably don’t want to eat the fish you catch.
Avoid the water and soil around military bases and airports
If you live on or near a military base, or near an airport, you’re likely to be exposed to a lot more PFAS than people who live elsewhere. I wouldn’t encourage you to pick up and move just because of PFAS, but this may be something to consider next time you’re looking for a new place.
Fires at airports and military bases tend to be put out with aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF), which contain huge amounts of PFAS. Over the years, large quantities of the chemicals from these foams end up in soil and water in the surrounding areas. Again, you won’t be exposed to PFAS just by coming into contact with the soil, but if you accidentally eat any of it—if your kid is constantly putting dirty stuff into their mouth, say—that can increase your exposure.
Check ingredients labels on cosmetics
Many products that we use don’t come with a list of ingredients, so there’s no good way to find out on the spot whether your burger is wrapped with PFAS-containing paper. But cosmetics do need to list their ingredients, so you can check what they contain. Common PFAS in cosmetics include polytetrafluoroethylene, perfluorooctyl triethoxysilane, perfluorononyl dimethicone, perfluorodecalin, and perfluorohexane, according to the FDA.
Filter your air and clean up dust
PFAS tend to stick to dust particles, which you can breathe in. Using an air purifier can help to remove dust from the air. You can also wipe surfaces with a wet wipe to remove dust, or vacuum with a HEPA-filtered vacuum. That air purifier will also come in handy for reducing wildfire smoke and allergens, two things that are on the rise thanks to climate change, so it may be a good investment in your future either way.
