💄PER-/POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES AND EVERYDAY COSMETICS💄
An extremely toxic class of 'forever chemicals' is being added to lipsticks, mascaras and foundations in North America
👇🧵
An extremely toxic class of 'forever chemicals' is being added to lipsticks, mascaras and foundations in North America
👇🧵
Per-/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of more than 4700 synthetic compounds containing chains of carbon + fluorine
Also known as perfluorochemicals (PFCs) or fluorosurfactants
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Per-_and_…
Also known as perfluorochemicals (PFCs) or fluorosurfactants
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Per-_and_…
PFAS have unique chemical properties owing to the extreme strength of the carbon-fluorine bonds.
Products containing PFAS have
- oil and stain resistance
- water proof-ness
- thermal resistance
- non-stick surfaces
Products containing PFAS have
- oil and stain resistance
- water proof-ness
- thermal resistance
- non-stick surfaces
PFAS have been used since the 1940s in a range of industrial and domestic applications
- ski waxes
- stain removers
- fire-fighting foams
- non-stick cookware (Teflon)
- waterproof treatments on clothes/fabrics/carpets
- ski waxes
- stain removers
- fire-fighting foams
- non-stick cookware (Teflon)
- waterproof treatments on clothes/fabrics/carpets
PFAS are some of the most environmentally persistent substances in organic chemistry.
They are either non-degradable or degrade into products which are still PFAS.
Meaning toxic effects in the body and the environment are maximized.
pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/ac…
They are either non-degradable or degrade into products which are still PFAS.
Meaning toxic effects in the body and the environment are maximized.
pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/ac…
The negative health effects of certain long-chain PFAS is well known
- kidney and testicular cancer
- ulcerative colitis
- thyroid disease
- pregnancy-induced hypertension
- endocrine disruption (sex hormones + thyroid)
c8sciencepanel.org/publications.h…
- kidney and testicular cancer
- ulcerative colitis
- thyroid disease
- pregnancy-induced hypertension
- endocrine disruption (sex hormones + thyroid)
c8sciencepanel.org/publications.h…
And the negative effects of PFAS during pregnancy was highlighted by the recent inclusion in the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) statement on reducing exposure to environmental poisons
acog.org/clinical/clini…
acog.org/clinical/clini…
Today, PFAS toxicity has been acknowledged by government agencies, mostly after incidents of groundwater contamination and population poisoning.
But it has been an uphill battle.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/P…
But it has been an uphill battle.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/P…
The film Dark Waters tells the story of a US town's battle with chemical manufacturer DuPont, who had contaminated the local environment with PFAS, poisoning the people and animals.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_Wate…
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_Wate…
And similar to Monsanto's RoundUp herbicide, it appears the manufacturers of PFAS like 3M knew of the chemical toxicity back in the 1970s, and actively covered up this information
theintercept.com/2018/07/31/3m-…
theintercept.com/2018/07/31/3m-…
Most people are exposed to PFAS through ingestion
- fast food packaging
- non-stick cookware
- contaminated drinking water
And also through skin contact
- household stain removers
- waterproof clothing
- stain-resistant furniture
- fast food packaging
- non-stick cookware
- contaminated drinking water
And also through skin contact
- household stain removers
- waterproof clothing
- stain-resistant furniture
But a recent study has revealed the extent of another important route of PFAS exposure.
Cosmetics.
pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/ac…
Cosmetics.
pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/ac…
Researchers obtained 231 different off-the-shelf cosmetic products from drug stores like Sephora, Shoppers Drug Mart and Ulta Beauty in the US and Canada from 2016-2020
Including
- eye products
- foundations
- face products
- mascaras
- concealers
- eyebrow products
Including
- eye products
- foundations
- face products
- mascaras
- concealers
- eyebrow products
And tested them for the presence of fluorine, a marker of PFAS.
'High fluorine levels were found in products commonly advertised as “wear-resistant” to water and oils or “long-lasting” including foundations, liquid lipsticks, and waterproof mascaras'
'High fluorine levels were found in products commonly advertised as “wear-resistant” to water and oils or “long-lasting” including foundations, liquid lipsticks, and waterproof mascaras'
They further tested 29 of these high-fluorine products for direct presence of PFAS. They found
- detectable levels of at least four different PFAS in all 29 products
- one product had 13 different PFAS detected
- presence of PFAS break-down products also known to be toxic
- detectable levels of at least four different PFAS in all 29 products
- one product had 13 different PFAS detected
- presence of PFAS break-down products also known to be toxic
Most concerning:
- only 8% of the 231 cosmetics screened for total fluorine had any PDAS listed as ingredients
- only 3% of the 29 cosmetics in which targeted PFAS were measured had any PFAS listed as ingredients
- only 8% of the 231 cosmetics screened for total fluorine had any PDAS listed as ingredients
- only 3% of the 29 cosmetics in which targeted PFAS were measured had any PFAS listed as ingredients
Similar to phthalate additives in synthetic fragrances of personal care products, cosmetic companies successfully avoid disclosing PFAS ingredients in their products under protections of intellectual property and 'proprietary' ingredients.
The authors conclude
'PFAS could be ingested when lipstick containing PFAS are inadvertently ingested, and some PFAS in mascara could be absorbed through tear ducts'
'PFAS could be ingested when lipstick containing PFAS are inadvertently ingested, and some PFAS in mascara could be absorbed through tear ducts'
So what do you do?
What until researchers eventually demonstate harm of a particular PFAS?
Trust a government issues theoretical safe exposure level?
Of course not. The smart move is to presume all PFAS are toxic and reduce your exposure as much as possible.
What until researchers eventually demonstate harm of a particular PFAS?
Trust a government issues theoretical safe exposure level?
Of course not. The smart move is to presume all PFAS are toxic and reduce your exposure as much as possible.
How to reduce exposure from cosmetics
- be skeptical of all off-the-shelf cosmetics
- if it contains Perfluoro... or Polyfluoro then throw in the trash
- avoid or reduce 'waterproof' or 'highly durable' products
- check the ingredients for safety 👇
ewg.org/skindeep
- be skeptical of all off-the-shelf cosmetics
- if it contains Perfluoro... or Polyfluoro then throw in the trash
- avoid or reduce 'waterproof' or 'highly durable' products
- check the ingredients for safety 👇
ewg.org/skindeep
Additionally
- avoid fast-food
- ditch non-stick cookware for cast iron
- choose glass, stainless steel or ceramic containers for food and drink instead of plastic
- filter your water (activated charcoal or reverse osmosis if your water is known to be contaminated)
- avoid fast-food
- ditch non-stick cookware for cast iron
- choose glass, stainless steel or ceramic containers for food and drink instead of plastic
- filter your water (activated charcoal or reverse osmosis if your water is known to be contaminated)
And watch out for these other common daily products contain PFAS. Credit @ewg
Avoiding toxins like PFAS can be overwhelming.
But small everyday choices meaningfully impact your health and the health of your family.
Keep up the fight.
But small everyday choices meaningfully impact your health and the health of your family.
Keep up the fight.
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The Rest Is Up to You...
/END
#RootCauseMedicine
rootcausemd.substack.com/p/forever-chem…
The Rest Is Up to You...
/END
#RootCauseMedicine
rootcausemd.substack.com/p/forever-chem…
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