Environmental Toxins•2 min read

The Forever Chemicals - Pt.1

The truth about PFAS and their hidden impact on our environment

Zainab Kermalli

Neuroscience & Non-Toxic Living

What are Forever Chemicals?

Forever Chemicals are extremely toxic fluorinated synthetic chemicals, such as PFAS/phthalates/PFOA. They never break down in the environment (due to very strong carbon-fluorine bond) and almost never leave the human body, and they are also water, oil/grease, and heat resistant.

Where are they found?

Non-stick coatings (ex. Teflon)
Non-stick cookware, paper/cardboard coatings on disposable cups/containers
Stain resistant fabrics
Stain/water resistant clothes/upholstery (ex. Scotchguard/Stainmaster
Many personal care products and cosmetics
Fragranced products, “dental floss, lotion, cleanser, foundation, lipstick, eyeliner, eyeshadow, water-proof mascara, nail polish and shaving cream” (EWG).
Water supply, soil, air (from environmental toxins)

Why should I care?

PFAS are highly toxic even in very small quantities. They are linked to:

Various cancers (including pancreatic)
Reproductive/fertility issues
Low immunity in children
Endocrine disruption (hormonal issues/imbalances, i.e. lower testosterone in men)
Increased cholesterol
Low birth weight
Weight gain in both adults and children
Developmental harm
Reduced vaccine efficacy
Decrease in bone mineral density
Increased risk of Type 2 Diabetes

They can enhance the effects of estrogen in hormone-dependent breast cancer cells, potentially increasing cell growth and signaling pathways associated with cancer progression (PubMed).

Contact with the skin can lead to them being transferred directly into the bloodstream, after which they accumulate in tissues/organs such as the liver and brain. There is consistent evidence of liver damage and linkages to liver disease.

What can I do about it?

Make simple swaps such as:

Stainless steel, cast iron, carbon steel, and ceramic cookware.
Limit consumption of hot food and drinks in disposable paper or plastic containers.
Don’t wear/use stain/water-resistant clothing and upholstery.
Drink filtered water (use water filters that remove PFAS)
Check your personal care products on EWG’s website to see if they have PFAS/PFOA/phthalates, and switch to non-toxic perfumes/colognes

Ingredients to watch out for:

perfluorohexylethyl triethoxysilane, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), tetradecyl aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric urea trifluoroacetate, trifluoropropyl cyclotetrasiloxane, trifluoropropyl cyclopentasiloxane

See these Non-Toxic Products

Skincare • Face & Skin Barrier

100% Pasture-Raised Whipped Tallow Cream

Biomimetic stearic and oleic fatty acids that mirror natural human sebum. Formulated with zero synthetic emulsifiers, seed oils, or preservatives.

Pantry • Heat-Stable Cooking

Single-Estate High-Polyphenol EVOO

Cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil with >450 mg/kg protective polyphenols, bottled in dark UV glass to guard against thermal lipid peroxidation.

Cookware • Zero-PFAS Kitchen

5-Ply Clad Stainless Steel Skillet

18/10 surgical-grade stainless steel cooking surface. Eliminates synthetic fluoropolymer non-stick coatings and microplastic flaking.

Pantry • Inert Food Storage

Borosilicate Glass Storage Containers

Chemically inert food storage with food-grade silicone seals to prevent plasticizer and phthalate migration into dietary lipids and broths.

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