PFAS chemicals are in our water, in our food, in our air and on our skin. And they are linked to a long and growing list of medical concerns. WBUR spoke with scientists about what changes they’ve made in their own lives and what they recommend others do to avoid PFAS.
It’s impossible to completely avoid PFAS, a class of human-made chemicals that has been linked to a growing list of. There are thousands of types of PFAS, and many are not well studied. Yet they’re in everything from stain-resistant rugs to dental floss, outdoor gear, food packaging and soil.
Certified labs can do PFAS water testing. However, there are not many labs in Massachusetts that do this testing, and it can cost close to $500. The state maintains a Elsie Sunderland, an environmental chemist at Harvard, tested some compostable containers from a university dining hall. Her team found PFAS leached out of the containers at levels higher than have been measured at a superfund site on Cape Cod.
Although scientists have found PFAS in some produce, meat and dairy products, there isn’t yet enough information to make concrete dietary recommendations. Experts recommend skipping stain-resistant coatings or sprays for furniture, shoes and clothing. And they suggest avoiding products labeled as stain-resistant or waterproof.Scientists are discovering that lots of personal care products have PFAS in them.
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