What are PFAS chemicals?

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals that includes PFOA, PFOS, GenX, Teflon and many other chemicals. PFAS chemicals, also known as Forever Chemicals, have been manufactured and used in a variety of industries around the globe, including in the United States since the 1940s. PFOA and PFOS have been the most extensively produced and studied of these chemicals. Both chemicals are bioaccumulative making them very persistent in the environment and in the human body – meaning they don’t break down and they can accumulate over time!  

Ok… but why are PFAS chemicals dangerous?

There is evidence that exposure to PFAS can lead to adverse human health effects. Researchers have linked PFAS exposure to serious health problems, including:

Risk of cancer

Evidence revealed that PFOA causes liver, pancreatic, testicular, and mammary gland tumors while PFOS causes liver and thyroid cancer.

Reproductive problems

Exposure has shown increased preeclampsia in pregnant women, as well as decreased fertility in men, along with lower birth weights.  

Increased diseases

Higher cholesterol, thyroid disease, kidney damage, and liver damage are just a few concerns among a long list of potential health problems.

PFAS chemicals reduce effectiveness of vaccines

Do PFAS chemicals reduce the effectiveness of vaccines?

Beyond weakened immune systems which have been linked to PFAS that make people more susceptible to a vast number of viruses, studies have shown a link between the severity of COVID-19 reaction and PFAS exposure levels. Other studies have shown a connection between PFAS exposure and lowered vaccine effectiveness. While research is still ongoing, we do know that it’s critical to mitigate exposure to PFAS chemicals to give people the greatest chance to fight off both novel, and well-established, pathogenic threats.

Read more about PFAS & COVID-19:

Protect yourself and your loved ones from the dangers of PFAS chemicals

COMMON PFAS SOURCES

STAIN REPELLENTS

NON-STICK COOKWARE

SHAMPOOS

FAST FOOD PACKAGING

PAINTS

PESTICIDES

FIRE FIGHTING FOAMS

PHOTOGRAPHY PROCESSES

1. Look for productS clearly labeled as PFAS-free or zero-PFAS

Looking for products labelled PFOA-free or PFOS-free is not enough.  PFOA and PFOS are only two of nearly 5,000 fluorinated compounds.

2. CHECK YOUR PERSONAL-CARE PRODUCTS

Avoid personal-care products containing ingredients that include the words “fluoro” or “perfluoro.” PFAS can be found in dental floss and a variety of cosmetics, including nail polish, facial moisturizers, and eye make-up.  Look for products labeled zero-PFAS or PFAS-free. 

3. AVOID NON-STICK COOKWARE

If you choose to continue using non-stick cookware, be very careful not to let it heat to about 450ºF. Do not leave non-stick cookware unattended on the stove, or use non-stick cookware in hot ovens or grills. Discard products if non-stick coatings show signs of deterioration or peeling.

4. READ THE WARNING LABELS

Chances are, you encounter so many warning labels on a daily basis that you no longer bother reading them. Reading and understanding the directions on your household products is so important to prevent harm from happening to you or your family.

Here are some commonly found labels on our competitor products:

Poisonous

Flammable

Explosive

Want to learn more?

Check out these useful resources to learn more about the dangers of PFAS chemicals and how you can protect yourself and your family:

Environmental Working Group

EWG is an organization that specializes in research and advocacy of toxic chemicals, water pollutants and corporate accountability.

The Devil We Know

Watch the investigative documentary about the dangers of PFOA and the manufacturers who made deliberate efforts to cover them up.

CDC’s Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

Learn more about the dangers of PFAS and other toxic substances that are in your household items.

EWG’s Tap Water Database

What’s in your drinking water? Visit EWG’s database to find out what contaminants are in your local water sources.

Internal Documents Show 3M Hid PFAS Dangers for Decades

Article written by:
Detroit Free Press

May 9, 2019

The Lawyer Who Became DuPont’s Worst Nightmare

Article written by:
The New York Times Magazine

January 6, 2016

Some Liquid Repellents Claim They are PFOA-FreE/PFOS-Free…
Does That Mean They Are Safe Because They Contain No PFAS CHEMICALS?

Absolutely NOT!

PFOA and PFOS are only 2 types of PFAS.  They are among the most dangerous types, but they are only 2 among nearly 5,000 types of PFAS/fluorinated compounds.  In fact, PFOA and PFOS are so dangerous that they have already been phased out in the USA and banned outright in the European Union.  Therefore products can be PFOA- and PFOS-free AND contain dangerous PFAS at the same time. 

On the other hand…

DetraPel’s liquid repellents are completely PFAS-free.

Some Liquid Repellents Claim They are PFOA-FreE/PFOS-Free…
Does That Mean They Are Safe Because They Contain No PFAS CHEMICALS?

Absolutely NOT!

PFOA and PFOS are only 2 types of PFAS.  They are among the most dangerous types, but they are only 2 among nearly 5,000 types of PFAS/fluorinated compounds.  In fact, PFOA and PFOS are so dangerous that they have already been phased out in the USA and banned outright in the European Union.  Therefore products can be PFOA- and PFOS-free AND contain dangerous PFAS at the same time. 

On the other hand…

DetraPel’s liquid repellents are completely PFAS-free.

Some Liquid Repellents Claim They are PFOA-FreE/PFOS-Free…
Does That Mean They Are Safe Because They Contain No PFAS CHEMICALS?

Absolutely NOT!

PFOA and PFOS are only 2 types of PFAS.  They are among the most dangerous types, but they are only 2 among nearly 5,000 types of PFAS/fluorinated compounds.  In fact, PFOA and PFOS are so dangerous that they have already been phased out in the USA and banned outright in the European Union.  Therefore products can be PFOA- and PFOS-free AND contain dangerous PFAS at the same time. 

On the other hand…

DetraPel’s liquid repellents are completely PFAS-free.