The name seems almost poetic: chemicals forever. But thesis is perforalkil or polyphluulkil substances (PFA), which achieve their names from the fact that they never disintegrate – and live forever in our environment.
So they have serious coniferous for humans. Some PFAS are carcinogenic, others affect the immune system or reduce the effectiveness of vaccination.
“PFAS may affect the growth of the baby, the quality of sperm or even the womb,” toxicologist Maryic Colosa-Gihring told the German TV show. Daily showForever chemicals have provoked thyroid disorders and high blood pressure.
Now a research team in the US has found that these chemicals can be found again in products of purpose period. About one -third of underwear, menstrual cups, and reusable pads tested by scientists were made using toxic chemicals you.
The team led by Elisa Vicks and Graham Pisli at the US University of Notre Dame tested 59 re -purpose ProdkR products from North America, South America and Europe. The researcher found low levels in some products, which most likely were packaging remains. But in some products, the levels were so high that the PFAs should have bees used in the manufacturing process – even if they would work without toxic chemicals.
Emeritus, a physicist and professor at the Notre Dame University, said, “We found PFAS in some, but not in all products,” a physicist at the Nonre Dame University and Professor Emeritus Pizeli told DW. “So this is not necessary. Some do not have PFA, and she sells right.”
Forever chemicals are everywhere
Chemicals can harm humans in two ways. The straight passage is absorption through the skin of the wearer. “The skin absorbs 1% in the product and below 50% of PFA,” Pisli said. “Even if only 1% or 2% absorbed, it is still a bathroom.”
The indirect passage not only threatens the person using the item, but also everything else. When the products are disposed of, chemicals are finished in our water cycle, where, as their name mentions, they do not disintegrate. People have been irrigated with contaminated groundwater to people who absorb PFA through their drinking water or food.
“Thesis products are sold as environmentally friendly, as they produce lower waste than single -use products,” Pizli says. “But this chemical class is especially terroring, as they are everywhere and do not go away.”
Awareness about the dangers of PFAS is increasing
PFAs are broad. They are water and dirt distal, as well as resistant to pressure and heat. This makes the subject attractive for companies such as clothing and packaging manufacturers. Forever chemicals can be found in water-related jackets or shoes, tents and in food packaging. PFA is also used in cosmetics to change the stability of the product, or as a color, for example.
With studies, Vicks, Pisli and their team want to raise awareness about the dangers of PFA in menstrual products between companies and consumers. They do not mention the brand name in their published report. “We didn’t want to sue,” Pisli said, saying that it could easily happen in the US.
The researcher said that it would be more cost effective for producers to leave PFA from their products, as thesis material is expensive. However, at the end of the day, they hope that any industry will take away from PFA, mainly operated by consumers.
“Consumers have a lot of market power,” says Pizli. “Consumers should ask [whether products are manufactured without PFAS] And be vocal about their choice. If there is a demand, companies will start testing [the chemicals] And it is said that when their products do not have PFA. And companies will not lie, because they either do not want to sue. ,
This article was the original published in German.
