What are “Quats”? Preservatives that May Release Formaldehyde and Exacerbate Asthma

Washing your hands is at the top of the list when it comes to avoiding contagious illnesses and infections, but many still make the mistake of assuming you have to use antibacterial soap to get the job done right.

If you’re also using “anti-bacterials” to clean your home, routinely disinfecting your body and surroundings may actually cause more harm than good in the long run. Not only do they promote the development of drug-resistant bacteria, antibacterial compounds such as triclosan and quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs or "quats") have also been linked to a number of harmful health effects.

What are quats?

Quats, (quaternary ammonium compounds), are a type of ammonia-based disinfectant chemical used in cleaning products, laundry products, disinfecting wipes, dishwashing soap, hand soap, wood products, water purification (algaecides, for example), textile production, and in other household, agricultural, and industrial products.

Quats are registered as pesticides, like other common disinfectants, such as bleach.

Quats are chemicals that contain the quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) in their chemical makeup and can come under many names, such as “polyquaternium-11”.

They are used as preservatives, surfactants, germicides, and conditioning agents, and thus found in many products from hand sanitisers to hair mousse. They are a common active ingredient in cleaning supplies and disinfectants.

Biocides are antimicrobial chemicals. Their sole purpose is to kill unwanted or harmful living things such as plants (usually weeds), microbes, animals, viruses, fungi, etc.

Quats work by adhering to their target, then breaking down their structure, which destroys them. They also work as a preservative, a pesticide (diquat and paraquat), an anti-static compound, and a surfactant.

brief history on quats

Quats came to the market before the EPA (USA) began regulating chemicals, they were exempt from the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act. This means they were grandfathered in and can continue being used in consumer products without EPA safety testing.

Since then, they have been tested in numerous studies, and the results are showing more harm than we thought.

The research on quats

Like many synthetic preservatives, however, some quats can be toxic, causing irritation and allergic reactions in humans.

The Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (USA) classifies quats as “asthmagens,” meaning they can trigger asthma attacks and cause new cases in asthma-free individuals.

Because they are so good at ‘sticking’ or adhering to surfaces and substrates, they also leave a residue that is potentially harmful to health and the environment.

Quaternary ammonia compounds, or quats, are disinfectants often added to cleaning supplies. Quats are asthmagens that have also been associated with reduced fertility and birth defects.

Quats are Everywhere

In the University of Massachusetts’ review, they write that of the disinfectants approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use during the COVID-19 pandemic, more than half are QAC-based.

fertility risks

Quats are one of two frequently used as disinfectants in cleaning products and antibacterial wipes, as anti-static agents in fabric softeners and dryer sheets, and as preservatives in personal care products undermined fertility in both male and female mice, according to a pivotal new study by researchers.[2]

Examples of products containing Quats include:

• All-purpose cleaners

• Adhesive bandages

• Bathroom cleaners

• Baby wipes

• Baby wash and shampoo

• Body wash

• Building materials

• Contact lens cleaner

• Cosmetics

• Deodorant

• Dish soap and detergent

• Disinfectant wipes

• Dryer sheets

• Fabric softener

• Fabric spray

• Feminine hygiene products

• Floor cleaner

• Hair color

• Hair spray

• Hair gel, and other styling products

• Hand soap

• Hand sanitizer

• Nasal sprays

• Kitchen cleaners

• Oven cleaners

• Fingerpaint

• Perfume

• Pet shampoos

• Sunscreen

• Shampoos

• Shaving cream

• Toothpaste and other oral care products

• Wound wash

Keeping a Tox Free Body and Environment

Quaternary ammonium compounds, also referred to as “QACs” or “quats,” contribute to antimicrobial resistance, pollute the environment and are linked to several health issues, including reproductive dysfunction.

If you use harsh chemicals inside your home, you’re only inviting toxins into your home. Instead, choose nontoxic and multiuse combinations to clean, deodorize and polish your home.

Resources

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0890623815300319

2. Environmental Working Group, https://www.ewg.org/cleaners/substance_groups/61-Esterquats/

3. Check out this longer article on quats https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/clorox-disinfectant-wipes-reproductive-health-cola/

Do you have questions about the use of disinfectants and COVID-19? Sign up to get a free guide that addresses cleaning products, including disinfectants, quats, safer and effective options in keeping a clean home that is also safe for you and your loved ones.

Learn more about Avoiding Common Household Asthma Triggers here.

The Scary Truth about Heavy Metals in Your Home

From clearing space for a calm and clean home for baby, to breastfeeding, to baby’s first foods, we want to give our babies the very best environment in a home that we want to make both beautiful and cosy for family life.

That’s why it’s so shocking to know that many of the common household items can be toxic with the most egregious of all neurotoxins—heavy metals.

Many of us think that toxic heavy metals are only a problem of old homes or old products, but the truth is that toxic heavy metals are commonly used even in materials today. 

These elements are substances that can be toxic in very low concentrations.

Here are five common heavy metals that you may not know is in your home furnishings, decor, as well as common everyday items.

TOXIC HEAVY METAL SYMPTOMS & YOUR HEALTH

First, let’s get the brief on toxic heavy metals that we may not hear often about compared to more media-hogging headlines like PFAS and plastics.

You can experience heavy metal poisoning symptoms acutely or due to a chronic exposure and build up of toxic heavy metals.

Common SYMPTOMS of heavy metal poisoning

• Brain fog—having trouble focusing on things you were previously good at or having a poor memory.

• Fatigue—both acute and chronic, which also contributes to “brain fog.”

• Numbness, tingling, and paralysis in your arms and legs. Heavy metals affect the nervous system disorders.

• Chronic mental health problems. Including depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.

Toxic metals disrupt the metabolic function in the body.  First, they can accumulate and build up within the body, which disrupts the function of vital organs and glands (such as the heart, brain, kidneys, bone or liver). 

The second way they disrupt is that they replace the vital nutritional minerals we have in our bodies, which in turn hinders their biological function.  (source)

Our bodies cannot usually detox heavy metals easily (hence the term “heavy”). Even if you’re being exposed at low levels over time, there can be high levels of heavy metal toxins in your body as your body just CANNOT get rid of it fast enough.

Heavy metal poisoning is insidious, because at low and chronic levels, you may not even notice your changes. In healthy people, the concentration of free metal ions is usually very low.

But now we know the implications of heavy metals crossing the blood-brain barrier, in severe neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and Huntington’s disease (HD), among others

Arsenic

Arsenic can cause various cancers and harms the developing brain and nervous system. In fact, one study found drinking water with arsenic at half the allowable limit still caused IQ loss.

Arsenic was most prevalent in these household items:

• Wallpaper. Arsenic was commonly used in the dyes for the fabric.

• Non-aniline free Leather.

• Vintage baby carriages. Arsenic was commonly used in the dyes for the fabric.

• Beauty products.

Cadmium

This toxin is linked with brain damage, learning disabilities, cancer, and kidney, bone, and heart damage. It can also cause various types of cancer, including breast, lung, prostate, nasopharynx, pancreas, and kidney cancers. What’s more, scientists now know that this damage happens even at levels previously deemed safe by the medical community. (source)

Cadmium was most commonly found at home in:

• Cigarette smoke. The tobacco plant takes up cadmium avidly from the environment.

• Metal work. These release micro particles into the air from work, such as plating, soldering, and welding.

• House paint as a colour stabiliser.

• PVC (polyvinyl chloride) flooring, and;

• PVC leather / faux leather / “leatherette” furniture. All PVC plastics are notorious for their extensive use of multiple hazardous heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, and tin as stabilizers.

• Contaminated water.

• Beauty products.

Lead

There is no safe level for lead; any amount of lead is toxic to humans, and especially babies. Lead exposure is linked with ADD, behavioral issues, and problems in school.

Lead is most commonly found:

• Paint, including those used for Stairs, railings, banisters, and porches. Most countries still do not regulate or ban the use of lead in paint.

• Older homes built before 1978 (in the USA).

• Renovation work dust. Repair works often involve sanding or scraping paint on the inside and outside of homes that spread lead dust throughout the home.

• Wood stain varnishes.

• Porcelain paint on sinks. Old barn style kitchen sinks with old peeling porcelain.

• Contaminated Soil, yards and playgrounds. Lead can chip from surrounding buildings and contaminate the area.

• Air pollution from leaded gasoline in cars.

• Artificial turf and playground surfaces made from shredded rubber. These artificial turf made of nylon or nylon/polyethylene blend fibers can contain lead.

• Toys. Especially older toys or if it made outside of the EU, where lead for toys is banned.

• Jewelry. Lead is added to make the product heavier, brighten colors, and stabilize or soften plastic.

• Plastics, such as plastic toys. Lead is used to soften plastic and to make it more flexible so that it can go back to its original shape.

• Brass faucets may contain lead.

• Antiques. Lead was pervasively used in the making of items such as Dishware, Painted tin panels, Lead crystal pieces, Ceramic items, Silverware. Jewelry.

• Scuba weights. Some people use these to hold down the filter lines in the family's swimming pool, and their children accidentally, and regularly, swallowing lead-contaminated water

Mercury

This well-established neurotoxin lowers IQ and is known to cause brain damage, disrupt development and learning, and may contribute to cancer. Mercury also damages the nervous system, kidneys, and digestive system. (source)

Mercury is most commonly found:

• Fluorescent lightbulbs. These include all linear, U-tube and circline fluorescent tubes, Bug zappers, tanning bulbs, Black lights, Germicidal bulbs, Cold-cathode fluorescent bulbs

• Mercury short-arc bulbs.

• Fever thermometers that contain metallic mercury.

• Novelty jewelry, such as a glass pendant that contains mercury.

• Dental metal amalgams. It is made up of approximately 40-50% mercury, 25% silver, and 25-35% blend of copper, zinc and tin.

• Injections and vaccines. These may contain ethylmercury-containing compounds and Thimerosal that readily cross the blood-brain barrier, and convert to highly toxic inorganic mercury-containing compounds. These have been found in studies to significantly and persistently bind to tissues in the brain, even in the absence of concurrent detectable blood mercury levels.

References

• Legacy and Emerging Plasticizers and Stabilizers in PVC Floorings and Implications for Recycling. Helene Wiesinger, Christophe Bleuler, Verena Christen, Philippe Favreau, Stefanie Hellweg, Miriam Langer, Roxane Pasquettaz, Andreas Schönborn, and Zhanyun Wang. Environmental Science & Technology 2024 58 (4), 1894-1907. DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c04851. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.3c04851

• Check out this interesting article on how and why arsenic found its way into wallpaper, bread, and baby carriages in Victorian times. https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2016/10/the-era-when-poison-was-everywhere/503654/

Study: Comprehensive Review of Mercury Provoked Autism

Emerging evidence supports the theory that some autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) may result from a combination of genetic/biochemical susceptibility

This is especially when the body is not able to excrete mercury and/or when one is exposed to mercury at critical developmental periods, such as during pregnancy and in childhood.

Mercury Causes Autism Symptoms

Mercury has been found to cause immune, sensory, neurological, motor, and behavioural dysfunctions similar to traits defining/associated with ASDs, and that these similarities extend to neuroanatomy, neurotransmitters, and biochemistry.

These symptoms span social relatedness and communication, repetitive behaviors, and stereotypic abnormal movement patterns.

The Research Findings

• Mercurials may be found in drugs for the eye, ear, nose, throat, and skin; in bleaching creams; as preservatives in cosmetics, tooth pastes, lens solutions, vaccines, allergy test and immunotherapy solutions; in antiseptics, disinfectants, and contraceptives; in fungicides and herbicides; in dental fillings and thermometers; and many other products.

• Mercury has been to cause immune, sensory, neurological, motor, and behavioural dysfunctions similar to traits defining/associated with ASDs. These similarities extend to neuroanatomy, neurotransmitters, and biochemistry.

• A review of molecular mechanisms showed that mercury exposure can induce death, disorganization and/or damage to selected neurons in the brain similar to that seen in recent ASD brain pathology studies. The researchers suggest that these neuronal alterations may likely produce the symptoms by which ASDs are diagnosed.

• A review of treatments suggests that ASD patients who undergo protocols to reduce mercury show significant clinical improvements in some cases.

The researchers note that in conclusion, the overwhelming preponderance of the evidence favours acceptance that Hg exposure is capable of causing some ASDs.

Environmental Toxins Can Inflame the Brain

Here’s another study that reviewed how heavy metals can cause autism through brain inflammation. The article in the Journal of Immunotoxicology is entitled "Theoretical aspects of autism: Causes--A review."

The author is Helen Ratajczak, who used to be a former senior scientist at a pharmaceutical firm.

Ratajczak did what nobody else apparently has bothered to do: she reviewed the body of published science since autism was first described in 1943. Not just one theory suggested by research such as the role of MMR shots, or the mercury preservative thimerosal; but all of them. You can read about her study here.

References:

• Geier DA, King PG, Sykes LK, Geier MR. A comprehensive review of mercury provoked autism. Indian J Med Res. 2008 Oct;128(4):383-411. PMID: 19106436.

• Heavy metals are a risk factor for autism since, according to previous studies, it has been recognised as a neurotrophic toxin. Check out the study here.

Study: Relationship Between Heavy Metals and Autism

What do autism and spectrum disorders in tiny children have in common with older people suffering with dementia? Their brains are chockful of heavy metals. These heavy metals be may exist in our environment naturally, or as impurities introduced through raw materials that are used in the production process -- of anything from cosmetics, household materials like paint, to the water you consume.

What Are Heavy Metals?

By definition, heavy metals are elements that can elicit adverse effects on the central nervous system and cognitive function. It is a huge and growing concern with far-reaching implications for human health, especially for the development of young children.

The most common heavy metals are elements, such as lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), and chromium (Cr), which can exert toxic effects on living organisms at even very low exposure levels.

When you are poisoned by heavy metals, you suffer severe and long-term consequences on the brain, resulting in cognitive impairment. Chronic exposure to heavy metals may interrupt the development of physical, muscular, and neurological conditions, that look a lot like diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disorders.

The Study: The Relationship between the Level of Copper, Lead, Mercury and Autism Disorders: A Meta-Analysis

We know about the likelihood of a possible relationship between the concentrations of copper, lead, and mercury and autism. Researchers in this study wanted to review various studies to determine the relationship between the concentrations of these elements and autism by meta-analysis.

They eventually chose 18 out of 95 selected studies, involving 2–16-year-old children from different countries from 1982 to 2019.

The Results

The results were significant.

In these 18 studies, 1797 patients (981 cases and 816 controls) aged 2 to 16 years were examined. Concentration of the samples (blood, hair, and nails) for both case and control groups was evaluated. There was no significant relationship between copper concentration and autism (SMD (95% CI): 0.02 (− 1.16,1.20); I2=97.7%; P=0.972); there was a significant relationship between mercury concentration and autism (SMD (95% CI): 1.96 (0.56,3.35); I2=98.6%; P=0.006); there was also a significant relationship between lead concentration and autism (SMD (95% CI): 2.81 (1.64,3.98); I2=97.8%; P=0.000).

These heavy metals were found in various parts of the children through tests, especially in their blood plasma and nails. You can check out the concentrations of copper, mercury and lead in samples of hair, nails, and plasma of the children with autism and a control group in studies— the results of the meta-analysis are presented in Table 1 of the study.

Due to the chemical properties of certain metals, excessive metal exposure can cause brain abnormalities.

The study was published in Pediatric Health Medicine.

Why is this study important?

The review examined multiple studies and found a very strong link between lead and mercury concentration and autism.

Yet, are you aware of just how pervasive these toxic heavy metals are in our environment? It's found in things from cosmetics, interior decor and materials like paint, down to our water supply and quality of air.

Compared with adults, children are more exposed to environmental toxic elements and also absorb them at a higher rate.

On the other hand, the chance of warding off elements’ toxicity in children is less than adults.

Evidence of mercury’s toxicity has been growing for decades, and in recent years is focused on the metal’s association with neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Brain health is what makes us happy, creative, vital individuals. We can build all the muscle we want and look good on the outside, but it is our super powerful computing system that powers how we live every day. If you are serious about averting neurological crises and general degeneration, prioritise eliminating every source of heavy metals in your own home.

References & Notes:

• Jafari Mohammadabadi H, Rahmatian A, Sayehmiri F, Rafiei M. The Relationship Between the Level of Copper, Lead, Mercury and Autism Disorders: A Meta-Analysis. Pediatric Health Med Ther. 2020;11:369-378
  https://doi.org/10.2147/PHMT.S210042 Link: https://www.dovepress.com/the-relationship-between-the-level-of-copper-lead-mercury-and-autism-d-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-PHMT

• Mercury is a risk factor for autism. Mercury is considered as a risk factor for autism since, according to previous studies, it has been recognized as a neurotrophic toxin. Check out the study here.

STUDY: Flame Retardants Linked to Lower IQs, Hyperactivity in Children

Polybrominated diphenyl ether, PBDE, flame retardants are now a world-wide pollution problem reaching even remote areas. But the most common exposure is more personal that you might think. It is most commonly found at home in household products, furniture, and even clothing.

Research is finding that exposure in the womb to fire-beating chemicals in furniture and carpet pads may hinder child development. One new study found that spikes in the levels of one class of flame retardant, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) is correlated with behavior and cognition difficulties during early childhood.

What are behavior and cognition difficulties?

First, let’s clarify this catch-all term that is becoming a catchphase in many childhood issues.

Behavior and cognition difficulties can refer to any behaviours that create problems with social interactions, such as: disorders of attachment, disruptive behavior disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety and mood disorders, and disorders of self-regulation of sleep and feeding in children younger than 6 years.

When children have such difficulties, it can greatly interfere with not only how they play and interact with others, but also harm parent–child relationships, physical safety, their ability to participate in child care, and school readiness at later ages.

It is a huge concern because these cognitive behaviours are linked to measurable abnormalities in brain functioning and persistent emotional and behavioral problems.

The study

Researchers investigating the health impacts of prenatal exposure to flame retardants collected blood samples from 309 pregnant women early in their second trimester.

The researchers tracked children through the first five years of their lives, looking at a battery of tests for IQ and behavior. They found that children of mothers who had high PBDE levels during their second trimester showed cognition deficits when the children were five years old as well as higher rates of hyperactivity at ages two to five.

the findings

If the mother’s blood had a 10-fold increase in PBDEs, the average five-year-old had about a four-point IQ deficit.

“A four-point IQ difference in an individual child may not be perceivable in…ordinary life. However, in a population, if many children are affected, the social and economic impact can be huge due to the shift of IQ distribution and productivity,” —lead author Aimin Chen, an assistant professor of environmental health at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.

The researchers did not track the children’s PBDE blood levels after they were born, so the deficits could also have resulted, at least in part, from the additional exposures to the chemical that the children encountered directly after they were born. However, although the lack of blood level data in the children is a limitation, other researchers have measured both mother and child PBDE levels and found similar deficits, strengthening his conclusions.

The team also found that association of PBDEs and child IQ and behavior did not result from the mother’s blood levels of lead, a well-known neurotoxic metal.

exposure to flame retardants is linked to lower IQs

The findings are similar to what two recent large U.S. studies found, showing that the greater the prenatal exposure to flame retardants, the greater the developmental deficits and the lower of IQ of the child.

children are most vulnerable

Children are at high risk of encountering this poison because they spend so much time close to the floor and often put their hands in their mouths.

They are also being exposed during critical windows of development in utero and in the early years of childhood. If you mess up development when brain structures or neuropathways are forming there may not be an ability to repair them later on.

Products treated with PBDE are usually not labeled. You can take precautions to reducing exposure by having children wash their hands to diminish dust ingestion, and by replacing old furniture and changing old carpet padding.

Toxic home exposure

Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDEs) flame retardant chemicals, used in the manufacture of furniture, infant products, and electronics, are ubiquitous in most.

For example, did you know your infant car seat may contain such hazardous PBDEs?

Unfortunately, the side effect of fire safety regulations mean that many clothing, household products are made to “resist fire”. For example, California’s Technical Bulletin 117 (TB 117)—a fire safety law promulgated in the 1970s requires that furniture, baby, and other household products resist open flame (California Department of Consumer Affairs 2000; Zota et al. 2008). The unintended consequence is that PBDE concentrations in California children are now among the highest measured worldwide (Eskenazi et al. 2011).

Babies all the way through toddlerhood want to explore everything and you’re setting yourself up for a near-impossible task to police what they put into their mouths! The best policy for such environmental toxins is to reduce and eliminate the sources AT HOME as much as you can.

References & resources

1. Chen’s findings are similar to two recent large U.S. studies that showed associations between prenatal exposure to flame retardants and developmental deficits and reduced IQ. One of those earlier studies, from the University of California, Berkeley, looked at children and PBDE levels through age seven, and was published online last fall in Environmental Health Perspectives. https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/10.1289/ehp.1205597

2. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), which are used as flame retardants, have been found to be higher in residents of California than of other parts of the United States.

Sneaky Places At Home Hiding Toxic PFAS Forever Chemicals

By now you’ve heard about PFAS chemicals - the “forever chemicals” most notably associated with non-stick cookware. Its also with plastics pollution and endocrine dysfunction.

But PFAS can be found in many common household items and it is linked to many chronic diseases down the line.

If you have infants or toddlers at home, it's especially important to consider the chemicals that could be in your carpet. For example, rugs are a major source of PFAS exposure for little ones who are likely to put their hands in their mouths after touching the material. 

What are PFAS?

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, is a class of thousands of man-made substances that are common in everyday objects. Peer-reviewed studies have linked them to some cancers, decreased fertility, thyroid disease, and developmental delays, among other health issues.  linked to serious health issues like testicular and kidney cancer, liver damage, thyroid disease, and more, are also hiding out in some pretty surprising places in our everyday lives.

Thanks to their super-strong carbon–fluorine (C–F) bonds, PFAS are extremely stable, making them persistent and resistant to degradation.

PFAS last for decades without breaking down, earning them the "forever chemicals" nickname.

Sneaky places at home that hide PFAS

It may be impossible to completely avoid PFAS, but there are a few simple ways to reduce your exposure. By tackling some of the sneaky places they hide:

Wall paint: One study at Duke University last year found PFAS in six of 10 popular paint brands sampled. The study also determined that in some brands there was off-gassing of PFAS, which reduces the overall concentration of the chemical in the paint on the wall, but disperses it into the air, where it can be inhaled.

Food packaging: PFAS were developed in the 1940s to resist heat, grease, stains, and water. That means they've ended up in a lot of food packaging. That includes pizza boxes, microwave popcorn bags, some wrappers, and grease-resistant paper.

A 2019 study found that people had lower PFAS levels in their blood after eating at home, and higher levels after eating fast food or at restaurants.

Nonstick cookware: The coating used in nonstick cookware usually contains PFAS, and they can easily leach into your food at high heat and once the coating gets scratched.

In fact, overheating nonstick cookware at 570°F or higher leads to the release of harmful chemicals that can cause an illness called "Teflon flu," or polymer fume fever.

In makeup: Cosmetics that are smoothing, long-wear, or waterproof are the ones most likely to contain PFAS chemicals. Without it, your mascara would run. It's a good idea to read ingredient labels (look for any ingredients with ‘fluoro’ in the name).

The Green Science Policy Institute keeps a list of PFAS-free products, including cosmetics brands.

In dental floss: for years, dental floss brands have used PFAS chemicals, which is concerning since it’s a product that goes in our mouths! A 2019 study found that women who flossed with Oral-B Glide had higher levels of a specific PFAS chemical in their blood than women who didn’t use that particular floss. Make sure your floss is PFAS-free!

Soft contact lenses: a random sampling of 18 popular brands of soft lenses sent to an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-certified lab all tested positive for PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

Menstrual care products: Mamavation and Environmental Health News conducted a study of PFAS in menstrual care products, including tampons, pads, sanitary napkins and period underwear, and found most of them contaminated to one degree or another with the forever chemicals.

Clothing and textiles: One of the ways fabrics become water resistant is by using PFAS chemicals! Jackets, raincoats, backpacks, and other outdoor gear are often treated with these chemicals.

These fabrics shed fibers that can travel through the house as dust, eventually getting ingested or inhaled.

These same chemicals are used in stain-resistant treatments for upholstered furniture, carpeting, and even curtains. There’s no easy way to know if your items have been treated, especially if they’re older. When it comes time to replace them, seek out brands that don’t use PFAS chemicals.

House dust: Those floaters in the air you see are made up of many things, including chemicals breaking down from various household products, including PFAS. One study found that certain PFAS chemicals were detected in 97-100% of samples! One straightforward solution is to keep your house as clean as possible. Use a water-damp cloth to remove dust (referred to as wet dusting), is a simple way to lower PFAS exposure in your home. lingers in the air and allows humans to breathe the chemicals into their lungs or ingest them. By cleaning regularly, along with opening windows to allow for airflow and ventilation, you can keep dust levels low in your home and reduce the amount of PFAS you swallow.

Tap water: Communities located near military bases, such as Newburgh, New York, often find their water supplies contaminated with PFAS. The pollution can also affect local fish populations and the people who eat them.

PFAS levels in community tap water in Massachusetts reveals a trend of increasing contamination, with total fluorinated compounds exhibiting a 5- to 320-fold rise over 25 years.

People living near military bases are more vulnerable to water contamination. For example, it emerged through internal U.S. documents obtained by journalist Jon Mitchell for The Japan Times that accidental leaks of PFOS-containing fire extinguishing foam at Kadena Air Base may be linked to the contamination of drinking water on the island.

Cellphones / Fingerprint-resistant smartphone screens: PFAS are used in pretty much anything to make things more resistant to grease and water. The circuit boards, semiconductors, and insulated wiring that use PFAS, as well as the touch screen, which has PFAS coating to resist fingerprints.