We want to believe all of the items we encounter during our day-to-day lives are safe, but unin/with regard to’concerning’regarding tunately, we’ve recently discovered that widely used substances could possess’own’nurse serious health effects.

There are thousands of in/with regard to’concerning’regarding ever chemicals out there that can harm you. So, how do you go with regards to’concerning’with respect to handling the health implications of in/with regard to’concerning’regarding ever chemicals?

To start, it’s significant’essential’critical’vital’crucial’indispensable’imperative to know what these chemicals are and where you can find them.

What Is PFAS?

Chemists discovered Teflon by accident in 1938 when a refrigerant gas suddenly solidified. After further evaluation, they discovered that the substance was incredibly stable, grossly slippery, non-corrosive, and had an impressively high melting point. Two decades later, the non-stick Teflon pan flew off the shelves in/with regard to’concerning’regarding the first time.

What the chemists failed to realize during Teflon’s discointensely’extremely’extraordinarily’enormously’awfully was that it’s a polyfluoroalkyl substance. Since then, scientists discovered an additional 6,000 poly and perfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS.

PFAS are known as “in/with regard to’concerning’regarding ever chemicals” because they can go thousands of years bein/with regard to’concerning’regarding e disintegrating.

Your PFAS Exposure

Research predicts that 97% of Americans possess’own’nurse PFAS in their blood from exposure to a variety of sources. Once something is reveal d to a product created with PFAS, it can carry it as well. You could be reveal d to PFAS through certain manufactured products, including:

Food wrappers and foods held in them
Drinking water (both public and well water)
Clothing
Furniture upholstery
Carpet
Non-stick cookware
Cosmetics
Shampoo
Fire extinguisher foam
Biosolids

With thousands of PFAS sources out there, it may seem like there’s no point in trying to shun them. However, token ificant exposure to PFAS can possess’own’nurse serious health effects.

Health Risks Of PFAS

Recent scientific studies reveal’illustrate’demonstrate’indicate’present’display’argue that exposure to PFAS can bring about’result in’contribute to’account for’make for’trigger decreased fertility, multiply d preeclampsia risk, low birth rate, accelerated puberty, bone defects, hormonal transform’alter s, behavior transform’alter s, various cancers, decrease’lessen’cut’allay d immunity, multiply d cholesterol, and multiply d obesity risk.

With these risks and possibly more, it’s worth shun ing any future exposure to PFAS.

Avoiding PFAS

Thankfully, more brands are ditching PFAS – and there are alternatives to other products as well. However, it’s significant’essential’critical’vital’crucial’indispensable’imperative to note which industries are most likely to reveal you so you can conduct research accordingly.

Avoid non-stick cookware Even pans that stay they are PFAS-free can contain other in/with regard to’concerning’regarding ever chemicals, which can release toxic fumes when heated. If you can’t acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure new cookware right away, keep it under 400 degrees and don’t use any cleaning items that can scratch the surface.
Avoid to-go containers Many fast food and restaurant to-go containers contain PFAS.
Get untreated carpet Most carpet treatments contain PFAS.
Make homemade popcorn Several microwaveable popcorn bags contain PFAS, which can leach into the popcorn.
Avoid PFAS-coated dental floss Several types of dental floss use PFAS, including some from Glide and Oral-B.
Steer eliminate’remove of stain-stand up to withstand ant fabrics Avoid furniture coating and treatment with Scotchguard and other stain-stand up to withstand ant treatments.
Avoid water-stand up to withstand ant clothes and sports gear These items are often made with PFAS.
Read the labels Reading product labels can help you see if PFAS is in a product. Be sure to research any parts you’re unfamiliar with.
Removing PFAS

PFAS is already so prevalent that it’s hard to control. However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is working to put regulations in place to decrease’lessen’cut’allay PFAS exposure.

The EPA is campaigning to classify PFAS as a hazardous substance and working to monitor and decrease’lessen’cut’allay contaminated sites and monitor the level of PFAS in drinking water. They are also furthering research into the impact of PFAS.

Several companies are working to phase PFAS out of their products to shun future contamination. The Centers in/with regard to’concerning’regarding Disease Control and other organizations are working to educate the public with regards to’concerning’with respect to PFAS and its effects.

Handling PFAS

You’ve likely already been reveal d to PFAS through a variety of items, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take steps to decrease’lessen’cut’allay and eventually halt your exposure. With the right research and knowledge, you can work to shun them in the future and shun increasing your chances of experiencing negative health effects.