PFAS: How can you protect yourself against these persistent chemicals?
- Nancy janssens
- Sep 5
- 11 min read
We will discuss this:
-Foreword
-History
-What are PFAS
- Where can PFAS be found (which products)
-PFAS are on the list of hazardous substances
-What are the health risks of PFAS?
-How do you remove PFAS?
-What you can do to reduce exposure to PFAS
-List of Abbreviations of PFAS
-Left
Foreword
The products you use every day can be a source of harmful toxins known as "forever chemicals." In this article, you'll discover what "forever chemicals" are, where factories secretly put them, and how you can protect your health from them.
The research articles we show are written in English.
History
In the 1930s, scientists discovered a way to produce nonstick and waterproof coatings to make life easier for consumers. Since then, the use of these chemicals has spread to various industries, preventing food from sticking to your cookware, keeping water from beading off your raincoat, and giving your carpets and furniture a stain-free finish. While these miracle chemicals may sound like a blessing, they have one significant drawback: they are toxic to your body and the environment .
These chemical compounds are now ubiquitous in the environment and are creeping their way into the food supply.
What are PFAS?
PFAS are a group of nearly 15,000 synthetic chemicals, according to a chemical database (CompTox) maintained by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. See article
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are man-made chemicals that have been used in products since the 1940s.
PFAS can travel through the environment, such as through water, air and dust.
Some types of PFAS, notably perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), have been phased out of production in the United States, although other countries continue to produce and use them.
PFAS are made by bonding carbon and fluorine , one of the strongest bonds possible in organic chemistry. The strength of this chemical bond is why most PFAS chemicals have long half-lives, meaning they don't break down easily in the environment . Because they don't break down easily, these chemicals are also called "forever chemicals."
PFAS persist in the environment where they can and do bioaccumulate in humans and animals. While some research has been conducted on the impact of PFAS exposure, the health effects of PFAS are not yet well understood, and more research is needed to understand this class of chemicals.
Where can PFAS be found?
Over the years, we've seen a buildup of these compounds, slowly polluting our natural world. Contamination of our water supply is particularly concerning, but PFAS has also been found in a wide variety of animals, both on land and in marine waters.
Which products contain PFAS?
Power supply
-Cookware with non-stick coating such as pots and pans
- Paper that is water and grease repellent, such as baking paper and pizza boxes
-Our tap water contains PFAS
-Food packaged in PFOS-containing materials
-Food grown in PFAS-contaminated soil or water
-Drinking water contaminated through landfills,
-Fish and animals that have accumulated PFAS over time through environmental exposure.
-Wastewater treatment plants.
Care products
-Cosmetics
-Floss for your teeth
- Hairspray
-Make-up products such as eyeliner,
-Foundation and concealer
-Sunscreen
-Shampoo/shower soap
-Shaving foam
All Kinds
- Products that are resistant to heat, oil, stains, grease and water.
- All types of stain and water repellent fabrics
-Water-repellent clothing
-Stain-resistant carpets
-Used in furniture,
-Also found in glue
-Polishing agents
-To wash
-Paint
-Cleaning products
-Firefighting foam
-Chrome plating
-Production facilities for electronics
-Factories
PFAS can be released from products in very small quantities. PFAS are released more easily when they are loose in the product. This is the case, for example, with fire-fighting foam, ski wax, water-repellent impregnating agent for textiles and leather, or lubricants (in the form of PTFE spray).
PFAS are on the list of hazardous substances
According to the Environmental Working Group, scientists in California have proposed adding PFOA—a notoriously dangerous PFAS—to the Proposition 65 warning list of chemicals known to cause cancer.
See blog detox expert Wendy Meyer (English)
PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid, also known as C8) is an industrial chemical often used in the manufacture of Teflon and other non-stick or grease-resistant cookware. It can also be found in fabrics, carpets, stain-resistant sprays, and ski wax.
Although PFOA was phased out of use in the US in 2005, it can persist in the environment and in the human body for a very long time. Industrial emissions can cause PFOA to find its way into drinking water (with PFOA levels being higher in certain areas, such as near chemical plants), some foods, and the air we breathe.
As you can see, many of the products you use every day can contain PFAS. Even more concerning, however, is the unavoidable level of PFAS now accumulating in our natural environment.
What are the health risks of PFAS?
As you can imagine, if PFAS don't break down and can therefore accumulate in the environment, the same applies to PFAS that end up in your body. This can result in a range of health problems, because your body doesn't know what to do with these foreign substances.
Unfortunately, studies show that most people have measurable levels of PFAS in their blood, even if they don't drink contaminated water or directly consume contaminated food. While the greatest concerns are for children and pregnant women, no one is truly safe from the harmful effects of these chemicals.
Some health problems that may be associated with PFAS include: See article
-Changes in liver enzymes
-Disrupts your hormones (male and female)
-Small decreases in the birth weight of babies
-Increased risk of high blood pressure
-Preeclampsia in pregnant women
-More inflammatory reactions --> cholesterol rises as a result
-Thyroid problems
-Also harms the health of animals
-Weakened immunity
-Developmental effects in infants
-Risks of infertility Interference with hormonal systems
-Impaired regulation of insulin and blood sugar levels
-In addition, animal research shows that PFAS can cause damage to the liver and immune system, which can lead to a host of other problems.
-PFAS causes cancer. See article
-Liver toxicity --> an annual liver detox is therefore important
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) behave very complexly in the environment and are persistent in the environment. See article
Dr. Joseph Mercola is a research-intensive naturopath.
PFAS contain chemicals that can disrupt your endocrine system.
How do hormone disruptors affect your body? See article
Researchers have gained insight into how hormone disruptors affect the endocrine system and alter hormonal functions. Given the variety of chemicals, it's not surprising that they can act differently in different parts of the body.
Researchers have discovered how hormone disruptors work, such as:
• Mimicking, or partially miming, naturally occurring hormones in the body such as estrogens (female sex hormones), androgens (male sex hormones), and thyroid hormones, potentially leading to overstimulation.
• Binding to a receptor in a cell, like a key locking a cell, prevents the naturally occurring hormone from acting. The normal signal then fails, and the body doesn't respond properly. Examples of chemicals that block hormones are anti-estrogens and anti-androgens.
• Disrupt or block the action of natural hormones, or their receptors, made or processed in the body, for example, by altering their metabolism in the liver.
How to remove PFAS
Destroying PFAS remains a challenge in practice . There are two main methods for reducing or removing PFAS from your body.
1. Avoid products containing PFAS. So, look up a list of products that contain these chemicals. Avoid them completely. Don't buy a water-repellent raincoat if you know it contains harmful chemicals.
2. Detox your body from PFAS: We recommend detoxing your liver at least three times a year. Also detox your body with herbs or clays that can remove fluoride and other toxins.
Below you'll find a list of abbreviations for various PFASs, all of which contain fluoride. See the blog post on fluoride history and fraud .
Which herbs, vitamins and clays can remove fluoride?
-Iodine
-Selenium
-Glutathion
-Activated carbon
-Zeolite
-French green clay
The best method is to alternate between these detox products. This way, you'll have a better chance of removing all types of toxins.
This is a blog with 18 binders to detox all kinds of chemicals.
In this article they show that you can detox PFAS with activated charcoal.
What you can do to reduce exposure to PFAS
While avoiding PFAS altogether may be nearly impossible, there are certainly ways you can reduce your exposure to these harmful substances as much as possible and thereby minimize poisoning.
Avoid non-stick cookware
Non-stick cookware can simplify your cleaning process, but most brands use Teflon, a form of PFAS. Over time, the chemicals in the non-stick surface can leach into your food during cooking.
Stainless steel is an excellent alternative. You can also find chemical-free stone cookware. You may need to soak these pans for a few minutes to remove excess food after cooking, but that's a small price to pay when it comes to preventing PFAS buildup in your body.
Choose natural personal care products
The personal care industry is one of the most dangerous when it comes to PFAS. These products are not only used daily but also go directly onto your skin. Your skin is your largest organ and easily absorbs everything you put on it, including chemical compounds.
PFAS can be found in everything from eyeliner to foundation, shaving cream, shampoo, and more. Fortunately, several brands are eliminating hazardous substances from their personal care products.
If you're unsure which brand to choose, you can use the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep database. Here you can search by ingredient, product, or brand to find the right products for you. See the website for the database.
Avoid stain-repellent products
If you have small children or pets, you might be tempted to buy stain-repellent products like those used on your furniture and carpets. These products not only introduce more PFAS into your home but can also end up in the air you breathe. As with non-stick cookware, the convenience of stain-repellent treatments isn't worth the risk of PFAS.
Avoid water-repellent clothing as much as possible
Many outdoor sports gear and clothing lines use water-repellent coatings. Swimsuits, jackets, boots, etc., etc. The clothing is sprayed with PFAS to repel water.
Some people even spray water repellents on all their suede and leather shoes to prevent water stains. If you see the words "water repellent" on a product you're about to buy, that should be a major red flag that PFAS are present.
Eat at home or use safe packaging for your lunch at work
Eating out is another way PFAS can end up in your diet. Restaurants often use inferior cookware that likely contains Teflon or other types of PFAS with non-stick coatings. Furthermore, takeout packaging at fast-food restaurants is a known source of PFAS.
Higher-end restaurants are more likely to use stainless steel over Teflon cookware, but it can get quite expensive to dine exclusively at high-end restaurants.
Cooking at home is one of the best ways to truly stay informed about the quality of your food. When you eat out, you rarely know whether the food you're eating is organic, grass-fed, free-range, or fresh.
That's not to say you should never treat yourself to a meal out, but do it mindfully and try to prepare most of your food at home where possible.
Use water filters. As the EWG stated, it's estimated that 110 million Americans drink water contaminated with PFAS. This means that even if you do your best to avoid obvious sources of PFAS, it can still sneak into your water supply. Wherever you live, you should always use a water filter. The best filters for PFAS are reverse osmosis filters. You can have these filters installed directly in your home, or you can use external filters (which are slightly cheaper) and run your water through them before using it. PFAS isn't broken down by boiling water, so always filter your water before using it for tea, coffee, or any other preparation.
Detox your body at least once a year
Unfortunately if you If you follow all the above guidelines, you'll likely still have some level of PFAS in your body. Research shows that most people have a measurable amount of PFAS in their blood.
The only way to limit the damage is to support your body's detoxification systems. So, detoxing your body annually is a good way to keep your body healthy.
The world we live in is full of toxins, chemtrails, additives, radiation poisoning, heavy metals, PFAS, BPA, hormone disruptors, fluoride, pesticides, glyphosate, and the list goes on. All of these substances overload your liver.
The liver has over 500 functions. When our body contains too many toxins, it can no longer perform its functions properly, and symptoms develop. See the article about the liver's 500 functions.
There are symptoms that can tell you that your liver is overloaded.
Abbreviations of PFAS
PFASs: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances
PFBS: Per fluorobutane sulfonic acid
PFBA : Perfluorobutanoic acid
PFAA : Perfluoroalkyl acid
PFTrDA : Perfluorootridecanoic acid
FTOH: Fluor otelomer alcohols
FTCA: Fluorootelomer carboxylic acid
PFCA: Perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acid
FP : Fluoropolymers
FOSE: Per fluorooctane sulfonamidoethanol
FTSA: Fluorootelomer sulfonic acids
PFOS: Per fluorooctane sulfonic acid
FOSA: Per fluorooctane sulfonamide
PASF: Perfluoroalkane sulfonyl fluoride
PAP: Polyfluoro o - alkylphosphoric acid esters/ polyfluoroalkylphosphates /( n :2 ) fluorootelomerphosphates
PFDA: Per fluoroodecanoic acid
PFHpA: Per fluoroheptanoic acid
PFOA: Per fluorooctanoic acid
PFHxS: Per fluorohexane sulfonic acid
PFHxA: Per fluorohexanoic acid
PFDoDA: Per fluoro ododecanoic acid
POSF: Per fluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride
PFPeA : Perfluoroopenanoic acid
PFSA: Perfluoroalkane sulfonic acid
WWTPs: Wastewater treatment plants
Some of the names PFAS are known by include PFOS, PFOA, GenX, Teflon, and C-8, but there are over 5,000 compounds that fall into this category.
Advice from Dr. Edward Group (detox expert, naturopath)
Dr. Edward Group:
We are exposed to constant chemicals every day.
PFAs are synthetic chemicals found EVERYWHERE—from your shampoo to your yoga pants to your tap water. They don't break down easily (hence the name "eternal chemicals") and can build up in your body over time, endangering your health.
❗️ But why are PFAs so dangerous? They have been linked to:
🔹 Hormone disruption
🔹 Weakened immune system
🔹 Fertility problems
🔹 Cancer
🔹 Liver damage
🔹 Developmental delays in children
But here's the worst part: avoiding PFAs isn't always easy because they're in so many everyday items.
So what can you do to protect yourself?
✅ Switch to safer personal care products. Look for PFAS-free shampoo, makeup, and nail polish. Choose organic, natural brands.
✅ Filter your tap water. Invest in a high-quality water filter, such as a reverse osmosis system and a distiller, to reduce PFAs.
✅ Ditch non-stick pans. Use stainless steel, cast iron, or ceramic instead. 🍳
✅ Choose natural fabrics. PFAs are often found in waterproof and stain-resistant clothing, such as yoga pants. Choose cotton or bamboo fabrics.
Say no to fast food packaging. Cook at home if possible, or avoid food packaging and containers containing PFAs and plastic.
✅ Check your products. Do your research. Look for "PFAS-free" labels or consult databases likeEWG.org to find safe alternatives.
🌿 Detoxing your life from perpetual chemicals may seem overwhelming, but small changes add up.
Prioritize your health. Your body—and future self—will thank you! 💪💚 See original post
Sources
English
Wendy Meyers (detox and heavy metal expert)
Forever Chemicals: How to Protect Yourself (detox expert Wendy Meyer)
Dr. Josh Axe (Naturologist)
PFAS Contamination: Congress Introduces Legislation to Help Clean Up 'Forever Chemical' Mess
Dr. Mark Hyman (physician, naturopath, detox expert)
The Invisible Health Threats Hiding in Tap Water: From Forever Chemicals to Fluoride
Dr. Joseph Mercola (naturopath)
Concerning Amounts of Toxic PFAS 'Forever Chemicals' in Tooth Floss and Dental Floss – Report
Linda Birnbaum (toxicologist, microbiologist)
How PFAS 'forever chemicals' are harming our health, with Linda Birnbaum
Per-and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
Mike Adams (food scientist)
+/- 22 blogs about PFAS
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