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PFAS detected in UK politician’s bodies
UK politicians tested for so called ‘Forever chemicals’ including PFAS and PFOA all had detectable levels of 5 chemicals on average from this vast group of chemicals. The tests found “worrying levels” of PFAS above established levels of concern, measured in hair and blood samples. Although a small sample, the study carried out on behalf of the Wildlife and Countryside Link highlights the scale of the problem of exposure to PFASs with more than half of the participants having a cocktail of four different types. PFOS was detected in some of the 17 people tested, despite being banned in the UK 15 years ago; evidence of its persistence in the environment and humans. Participants were also tested for 12 endocrine disrupting chemicals, including phthalates, where combined and individual levels were detected at above ‘normal’ levels.
The report, ‘The sleeping giant of pollution: why the UK must wake up to the impact of toxic chemicals‘ highlights concerns about the health impacts of exposures to PFAS substances and other chemicals, and the threat they pose to the health of humans and animals, and to the environment. It’s hoped that this report further raises the profile of chemical regulation in the UK who left the EU’s system 3 years ago. The UK has failed to adopt subsequent EU chemical substance bans since stepping out of the system, resulting in the UK having “weaker thresholds” and generally lagging behind chemical regulation, both in the EU and the US.
What are per- or poly-fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS)?
PFAS describes a large group of 15,000 synthetic chemicals which have carbon- fluorine bonds that are extremely hard to break. PFAS persist for a long time, so they are known as “forever chemicals.” PFAS are widely considered to be an endocrine disrupting group of chemicals because of their ability to mimic the actions of the hormonal and endocrine systems, especially at sensitive periods of development.
PFAS chemicals are widely used in the manufacture of consumer and industrial products, usually for their stain and waterproofing properties. PFAS has been detected in drinking water and food. Breast milk was identified as a primary source of infant exposure to PFAS.
Health concerns about PFAS
Although PFASs came to the fore in the 1950’s, we don’t yet fully understand the risks they pose to our health, but the list is expansive and grows by the day. PFOS has been linked to cancer, and is classified as carcinogenic by the IARC. Other conditions including hypertension, raised cholesterol levels, thyroid disease, and supressed immune system function have been linked to exposure to chemical substances in the PFAS group.
Is it possible to avoid PFAS in everyday products?
On a day-to-day level, PFAS substances are difficult to avoid completely because they are everywhere – they bring convenient features to thousands of everyday products. Even with lifestyle changes it’s likely that most people will have some in their body from earlier exposures. But there are ways to reduce your everyday exposure to PFAS if you have concerns.
- Avoid food packaged with leak or greaseproof linings such as pizza boxes and ready meals. The linings typically rely on PFAS chemicals which can leach into food, especially when heated or warmed up in a microwave.
- Remove convenience food from packaging and heat using glass or metal cookware.
- Filter tap water to help reduce levels of PFAS and other potentially harmful substances such as microplastics. Filter water using a gravity water filter system – it will take longer to filter but results in a purer water and removes microplastics from your drinking water at the same time.
- Replace old non-stick pans, especially if they are scratched and use with metal cookware instead.
- If you choose non-stick pans and cookware for convenience, most are now manufactured using methods to prevent PFAS from escaping, unless used at extremely high temperatures for lengthy periods of time.
- Avoid wearing waterproof clothing close to the skin, and if you do for practicality, wear an organic cotton or wool layer against the skin. For ideas about children’s waterproof clothing read more in our post.
- Take shoes off at the door to reduce chemicals coming into your home.
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