Is it realistic to hope that those obsessed with maximizing profits will stop to reflect on the environmental damage they will leave behind for future generations? Where profits alone count, there can be no thinking about the rhythms of nature, its phases of decay and regeneration, or the complexity of ecosystems which may be gravely upset by human intervention.
–– Pope Francis
Laudato Si’
PFAS Nation
What is PFAS? We keep hearing the term on the news or in the paper, but does anyone who is not a climate scientist or a climate organizer know what it is and why it is a problem? The long term for it is polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). What are polyfluoroalkyl substances? This substance is everywhere, absolutely everywhere. Anyone who has Scotchgarded furniture or shoes, has employed PFAS to do the work by repelling the water or liquid, heat, oil, stains or grease. The 3M Scotchgard website tells us to “Protect your adventure” with Scotchgard. Consider dental floss; PFAS is what coats the floss to make it slide right through teeth while at the same time delivering PFAS into the system.
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has identified the following effects as potential outcomes from exposure to PFAS:
- Changes in cholesterol
- Change in liver enzyme level
- Small changes in infant birth weight
- Changes in the immune system and
- Change in response to certain vaccines
In the last 25 years our culture has steadily pushed us to eat more seafood, particularly salmon, for its healthful properties. However, in 2022, the FDA ran a seafood survey and detected PFAS in 74% (60 out of 81) of the samples of clams, cod, crab, pollock, salmon, shrimp, tilapia and tuna. The foods discovered to contain the highest amounts of PFAS by the NHANES program (a program of the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), were tea, hot dogs and processed meats. Meanwhile, those who ate more home-prepared food were linked to lower PFAS levels.
A fool’s errand? Last week, the government proposed safe levels of PFAS for water systems throughout the country. I think the question is, do they have a way to remove this chemical from our water and how does this benefit society when everything in our world seems to have been touched by PFAS? Do we know what is a safe level of PFAS? If the amount of PFAS in the water is dcreased how do we stop eating it, breathing it and flossing it? The New York Times has shared their take on the prevalence of PFAS.
One way to limit exposure to PFAS is to stop using nonstick cookware. Teflon is nonstick because it is made with PFAS. Reach for Cast iron, glass, or ceramic alternatives for a better choice. For those who enjoy microwave popcorn, the coating inside the microwave bags contains PFAS. Opt instead to go old school; get out a panꟷnot Teflonꟷsome oil and cook the popcorn over the stove.
Did You Know?
The news is not good for those who enjoy sparking water. The list below are waters containing the highest quantity of PFAS, as reported on the delish.com website:
- Topo Chico Natural Mineral Water (9.76)
- Polar Natural Seltzer Water (6.41)
- Bubly Blackberry Sparkling Water (2.24)
- Poland Spring Zest Lime Sparkling Water (1.66)
- Canada Dry Lemon Lime Sparkling Water (1.24)
- LaCroix Natural Sparkling Water (1.16)
- Perrier Natural Sparkling Mineral Water (1.1)
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