PFAS - Everything You Wanted To Know

[kach22i]

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Plummeting sperm counts, shrinking penises: toxic chemicals threaten humanity​

Plummeting sperm counts, shrinking penises: toxic chemicals threaten humanity | Erin Brockovich

The chemicals to blame for our reproductive crisis are found everywhere and in everything

www.theguardian.com

The chemicals to blame for this crisis are found in everything from plastic containers and food wrapping, to waterproof clothes and fragrances in cleaning products, to soaps and shampoos, to electronics and carpeting. Some of them, called PFAS, are known as “forever chemicals”, because they don’t breakdown in the environment or the human body. They just accumulate and accumulate – doing more and more damage, minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day. Now, it seems, humanity is reaching a breaking point.

I read an article several years ago that claimed the reason the FDA recommends so many servings of fruits vegetables is that the antioxidants in them are the only way to counter all the toxins in our food chain. I don't recall PFAS being called out specifically, but it fits the description.


PFAS Environmental Pollution and Antioxidant Responses: An Overview of the Impact on Human Field
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33143342/

The cellular antioxidant defense system is activated by PFAS, but it is only partially able to avoid the oxidative damage to biomolecules.

Higher plasma oxidative damage and lower plasma antioxidant defences in an Arctic seabird exposed to longer perfluoroalkyl acids
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0013935118305425

by D Costantini · 2019 · Cited by 16 — The association between antioxidants and PFASs was stronger for longer ... Increased oxidative stress might be one consequence of long-chain PFAS exposure

The below makes sense as Americans have more packaged foods (a PFASs source) in their diet than any other nation.

12 January 2021
PFAS exposure found to increase risk of severe Covid-19
https://www.chemistryworld.com/news...rease-risk-of-severe-covid-19/4012992.article

Toxicologists are expressing concern that exposure to per- or poly-fluorinated substances (PFASs) can increase a person’s likelihood of developing severe Covid-19. There are also warning that PFASs could also diminish the effectiveness of a vaccine against the novel coronavirus.

A number of studies in the scientific literature have now linked elevated PFAS levels with immune system suppression, as well as decreased response to vaccines. Philippe Grandjean, an adjunct environmental health professor at Harvard University, and colleagues have found that higher levels of the PFAS perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) in the blood are associated with increased severity of Covid-19 infections.

Authorized Uses of PFAS in Food Contact Applications
https://www.fda.gov/food/chemicals/authorized-uses-pfas-food-contact-applications

Since the 1960s, the FDA has authorized several broad classes of PFAS for use in food contact substances due to their non-stick and grease, oil, and water-resistant properties..........................

Non-stick cookware: PFAS may be used as a coating to make cookware non-stick.

Gaskets, O-Rings, and other parts used in food processing equipment: PFAS may be used as a resin in forming certain parts used in food processing equipment that require chemical and physical durability.

Processing aids: PFAS may be used as processing aids for manufacturing other food contact polymers to reduce build-up on manufacturing equipment.

Paper/paperboard food packaging: PFAS may be used as grease-proofing agents in fast-food wrappers, microwave popcorn bags, take-out paperboard containers, and pet food bags to prevent oil and grease from foods from leaking through the packaging.