Last updated: August 21, 2024
You’ve probably heard of PFA chemicals. They are used in a wide range of consumer products, including nonstick cookware and water-resistant materials.
A new study by the U.S. Geological Survey estimates that at least 45 percent of tap water in the United States contains one or more PFA chemicals.
But what are PFA chemicals and how do they affect our health? Or do they end up in our environment?
Here’s everything you need to know about PFA and how to reduce your exposure to it.
What is PFA?
Essentially, PFA is a man-made chemical known as a “per- and polyfluoroalkyl material.”
They are called eternal chemicals because they are almost indestructible. Most PFAs do not break down, so they remain in the environment or in humans forever.
There are more than 12,000 PFA chemicals, and current tests cannot detect all of them. For example, a USGS study of tap water tested for the presence of only 32 species.
The chemistry of PFA was discovered in the late 1930s. Since the 1950s, many products commonly used by consumers and industry have been manufactured using or from PFAS.
PFA is so widely used that it has been found in the blood of people and animals around the world. With repeated exposure, PFA can accumulate in the human or animal body over time.
During manufacturing and use, PFA can migrate into soil, water, and air. Because many PFAs do not degrade, they remain in the environment and can damage plant cells, negatively impact biodiversity, and pollute waterways and the air.
What are examples of PFA chemicals?
An example of a PFA chemical is Teflon, the brand name for the chemical coating polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).
Teflon is most notoriously used in nonstick cookware such as frying pans and baking sheets.
Related: 10 ways to create a non-toxic kitchen
However, Teflon is used in a wide range of products both at the consumer level and in industry. Teflon plays a role in automotive and industrial manufacturing alike. Teflon is also used in electronic equipment (e.g., incorporating Teflon fluoropolymer resin in cable insulation).
However, Teflon is most commonly used in nonstick cookware.
The problem with this is that when a Teflon-coated pan gets too hot (above 500 degrees Fahrenheit), the Teflon coating on nonstick cookware begins to break down, releasing toxic chemicals into the air.
If you put a traditional non-stick pan on high heat, it will reach over 500 degrees Fahrenheit in just 2.5 minutes and start releasing chemicals (aka PFA) forever.
Which products contain pfas chemicals?
A wide range of products contain PFA chemicals such as:
Nonstick cooking utensils (such as nonstick pots and pans) Waterproof clothing and equipment (such as raincoats) Antifouling coatings (typically used on carpets, upholstery, and other fabrics) Certain food packaging ( take-home packaging, etc.)
Basically, any material that is resistant to water, oil, and dirt is likely to contain some form of PFA.
Also note that many products cannot technically claim to be “PFA-free” because PFA is present in tap water, soil, and air.
However, brands can say that they do not intentionally add PFA. This simply means that these chemicals are not added to the product or used during manufacturing. However, we cannot guarantee that trace amounts from air, soil, water, etc. do not enter our products.
Below is a complete list of brands and what they have publicly said about their use of PFA.
How can I be exposed to PFA?
You can be exposed to PFA in a variety of ways, including using any of the products listed above daily.
The CDC lists PFA exposure cases as follows:
Drinking water from municipal water sources or private wells contaminated with PFAS. Eating fish caught from water contaminated with PFAS (particularly PFOS). Accidentally swallowing or inhaling contaminated soil or dust. Eating foods (such as meat, dairy, and vegetables) that were produced near where PFAS were used or manufactured. Eating food packaged with materials containing PFAS. Accidentally swallowing residue or dust from consumer products containing PFAS, such as stain-resistant carpets and water-repellent clothing.
What does PFA do to your body?
According to the EPA, the harmful effects of PFA on humans are still being studied. At this time, not enough is known about the health effects of exposure.
However, PFA is present in the blood of most people around the world. Some PFAS can accumulate and remain in the human body for years, but they can also decrease once exposure stops.
A PFA blood test can tell you how much PFAS is in your blood. However, keep in mind that a PFA blood test does not show how your levels have changed over time, how you were exposed to PFA, or what your current exposure is.
According to the Department of Health, the most concerning health effects for people exposed to PFAS are:
Effects on the immune system, including decreased vaccination response. Changes in liver function (such as increased cholesterol or liver enzymes). Lifetime exposure to PFOA is associated with kidney cancer.
How can I detox PFA from my body?
Unfortunately, PFA is difficult for the human body to detoxify. Even after reducing exposure to known PFAs, they can remain in the body for years. Some estimate that it will take 4 to 10 years (or more) to eliminate existing PFAS from our bodies.
However, PFA can be excreted through urine, menstrual blood, stool, and breast milk. Sweat cannot eliminate these chemicals.
Most of the detoxification occurs through the liver, but the mechanism is unknown.
Be sure to check if your liver is healthy so that it can detoxify your body of PFA over time. Ways to keep your liver healthy include eating a healthy, balanced diet, limiting alcohol and smoking, incorporating exercise into your daily routine, and getting tested.
How to reduce exposure to PFAS
Because PFA is used in so many products and industries, it is difficult to completely reduce exposure to PFA. However, there are some things you can control to limit your exposure.
Switch to non-toxic cookware and bakeware that does not contain Teflon. I personally love caraway, but I also love cast iron cookware like skillets and Dutch ovens. Be aware that containers contain PFA and try to eat less takeout and fast food. Instead, choose to make homemade meals whenever possible. Watch out for labels that may contain PFA: Teflon, Scotchgard, Stainmaster, Gore-Tex. Consider eating a more plant-based diet and reducing your fish intake whenever possible. Consider wearing more natural materials such as organic cotton, linen, and wool. For adventure gear, support brands working to phase out PFA, like Patagonia, which aims to phase out all PFA by 2025, and Cotopaxi, which is also working on solutions. Please consider.
What do you think about PFA chemicals? Let us know in the comments!
