How to avoid PFAS? Our practical advice

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a large class of synthetic chemicals, characterized by the presence of a chain of carbon and fluorine atoms. 

They have been used since the 1950s in a wide variety of everyday consumer products due to their non-stick, water-repellent, and heat-resistant properties. This ranges from non-stick coatings to textiles to cosmetics.

Given their persistence and mobility, PFAS are also found in our drinking water, as well as in soil, air, and the food chain. These chemical compounds degrade very slowly, which means they can accumulate over time and pose a threat to public health and the environment. 

In this article, we will give you practical tips on how to avoid PFAS in your daily life.

Identifying products containing PFAS

The simplest solution to protect your health from the invisible threat of PFAS is to avoid products that contain them. This naturally involves knowing how to identify them.

How to spot PFAS in product labels?

Look for these names of eternal pollutants:

• PTFE

• Perfluorodecalin

• Perfluorononyl dimethicone

• Polyperfluoromethylisopropyl ether

• Methyl perfluoroisobutyl ether

• Perfluorohexylethyl triethoxysilane

• Perfluorohexane

• Polyperfluoroethoxymethoxy difluoroethyl peg phosphate.

It should be noted that manufacturers are not required to indicate the presence of PFAS on labels. For clothing, for example, be vigilant and look for clues such as "waterproofing", "stain-resistant", or "water-repellent treatment".

Similarly, some applications, like INCI Beauty, make your life easier by scanning the ingredient list and spotting PFAS.

What are the common industrial applications using PFAS?

PFAS have infiltrated many aspects of our modern life, promising durability, water resistance, and a multitude of other benefits.

These eternal pollutants can notably be found in:

• Automotive: from electric vehicles to conventional models, PFAS protect fuel lines, seals, and batteries.

• Aerospace: they allow for interference-free communication between the cockpit and the wings, tail, and other equipment, essential for aviation safety.

• Communication networks: PFAS ensure the proper functioning of WiFi and cellular networks, connecting us to the digital world.

• Consumer goods: non-stick cooking utensils, food packaging, cosmetics, and clothing, all may contain PFAS to enhance their properties.

• Electronics: from smartphones to fitness trackers, and national security technologies, PFAS are essential for semiconductors and batteries.

• Medical technologies and devices: catheters, stents, needles, and transdermal patches for drug administration, all may use PFAS.

• Medications and pharmaceuticals: from vital treatments against COVID-19 to common medications for anxiety or depression, PFAS are found everywhere.

• Sustainable and renewable energy: solar panels, wind turbines, and fuel cells, these promising technologies for the future may also contain PFAS.

Tips to avoid products known to contain PFAS

Some common products, such as dental floss, phones, toothpaste, and furniture, contain PFAS in most cases. To eliminate these forever chemicals from your daily life, you should avoid them as much as possible.

Here are some practical tips in this regard:

• Choose silk or cotton dental floss instead of waterproof dental floss.

• Prefer natural or biodegradable household products free of PFAS.

• Feel free to prepare your own cleaning products with simple ingredients like white vinegar, baking soda, and lemon.

• Reduce your consumption of packaged products, especially those made of paper or cardboard treated with PFAS.

• Reduce your overall consumption of manufactured products, which are often sources of PFAS.

• Prefer fluoride-free toothpaste and natural mouthwashes.

• Opt for solid wood furniture or natural materials instead of plywood or particle board furniture.

• Prefer rugs and textiles made from natural fibers like cotton, wool, or linen.

• Avoid furniture and decoration products treated with waterproofing or stain-resistant chemicals.

• Inquire about the presence of PFAS in electronic devices before purchasing them.

Choosing alternatives to PFAS

Even though PFAS are present in many everyday products, you can still protect yourself from their dangers through less risky alternatives.

What are the alternatives for non-stick kitchen items?

Teflon kitchen utensils, long praised for their non-stick properties, are now facing increasing criticism due to the presence of PFAS. While stainless steel and cast iron pans require a bit more attention during use, they are a healthy, durable, and eco-friendly alternative to Teflon pans.

Of course, these materials are not naturally non-stick. Nevertheless, manufacturers compensate for this flaw by adding a layer of aluminum or copper. 

You can also consider ceramic kitchen items. However, this choice is delicate because the exact composition of their coating is often opaque.

How to find beauty and hygiene products without PFAS?

In cosmetics and hygiene products, PFAS play several roles, including facilitating the spreading and adherence of products on the skin or promoting water and bacteria resistance.

Thus, these chemical substances are present in many cosmetics:

• shampoos,

• mascaras,

• foundations,

• lipsticks,

• nail polishes,

• moisturizers.

These chemicals are particularly found in 'long-lasting' or 'waterproof' products. Therefore, you should start by avoiding them.

Another effective way to limit exposure to PFAS is to prioritize organic or eco-friendly cosmetics. For example, the Natrue, Ecocert Cosmos, Cosmebio, and European Ecolabel guarantee the absence of PFAS in certified products.

In the absence of a label, look for the indicator terms of PFAS presence that we discussed earlier. It should be noted that in terms of cosmetics and hygiene products, less is more. In other words, fewer ingredients generally mean lower risks of chemicals.

What are PFAS-free clothing and textiles?

PFAS are present in many textiles, including:

• sports and outdoor clothing,

• children's clothing,

• everyday waterproof pants and jackets.

To limit exposure to PFAS through textiles and reduce their impact on our environment, one can consider second-hand clothing. If you opt for new, certain labels, such as Bluesign, GOTS, and OEKO-TEX, guarantee more sustainable production practices and limit the use of harmful chemicals, including PFAS.

Furthermore, new technologies allow for the creation of waterproof textiles without PFAS, using natural waxes or silicones, for example. Organizations like The Good Goods list clothing brands that commit to prioritizing these technologies.

Eating practices to reduce exposure to PFAS

The way you take care of your diet can protect you from forever chemicals. This applies to both your food and tap water that you drink.

Tips for choosing and preparing foods with minimal risk of PFAS contamination

To limit your exposure to PFAS nutritionally, you should start by reducing the consumption of at-risk foods. This includes:

• Fish and seafood: Inquire about the origin of the products you buy and prefer short supply chains.

• Offal: The liver and kidneys can particularly accumulate PFAS.

• Meats: Choose meats from sustainable farms certified without PFAS.

Furthermore, when choosing food packaging, prefer reusable stainless steel or glass containers. When they are certified compostable without PFAS, it's even better for public health. That said, stay away from paper packaging treated with PFAS, such as pizza boxes and microwave popcorn packaging.

As we have already said, you should avoid cooking with non-stick pans, especially those with scratches or used at high temperatures. Also prefer wooden or silicone utensils and adopt healthy cooking practices. 

For example, wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly, cook food at low temperatures, and avoid heating food in plastic packaging.

Importance of drinking water and how to ensure it is free of PFAS

Water makes up about 60% of an adult's body weight and plays a crucial role in many vital functions, such as transporting nutrients and eliminating waste. Unfortunately, drinking water can be contaminated by a large number of PFAS. In fact, why it is not recommended to drink tap water.

Be sure to review every water quality survey and report published by local or national authorities. If your PFAS levels are high, consider water treatment solutions.

For example, activated carbon filters are effective at removing PFAS from drinking water. It is thanks to this technology that our gravity water filtration systems can neutralize up to 99.999% of harmful contaminants. Your immune system will also thank you if you use filtered water for cooking, making coffee, and tea.

Stay safe from PFAS daily through simple actions

Recently, members of our national assembly took an important step by adopting, in the first reading, a bill aimed at limiting the use of certain PFAS. The products concerned include cosmetics, textiles, food packaging, and sports equipment.

However, after strong pressure from industry, kitchen utensils were excluded from the scope of the law. As a result, even though things are moving, the fight is far from over. It is therefore essential to stay informed and engage to reduce your exposure to PFAS.

In this regard, filtering your tap water is an important step. Feel free to browse our online store to find the gravity filtration system that suits your household's needs.