- cross-posted to:
- environment@beehaw.org
- cross-posted to:
- environment@beehaw.org
Staggering amounts of toxic “forever chemicals” have been found in freshwater fish, but there is no federal guidance on what is a safe amount to eat
Bill Eisenman has always fished.
“Growing up, we ate whatever we caught — catfish, carp, freshwater drum,” he said. “That was the only real source of fish in our diet as a family, and we ate a lot of it.”
Today, a branch of the Rouge River runs through Eisenman’s property in a suburb north of Detroit. But in recent years, he has been wary about a group of chemicals known as PFAS, also referred to as “forever chemicals,” which don’t break down quickly in the environment and accumulate in soil, water, fish, and our bodies.
The chemicals have spewed from manufacturing plants and landfills into local ecosystems, polluting surface water and groundwater, and the wildlife living there. And hundreds of military bases have been pinpointed as sources of PFAS chemicals leaching into nearby communities.
I find it’s helpful to mention what you can do to avoid them and their creation.
Where are PFAS found? Cleaning products. Water-resistant fabrics, such as rain jackets, umbrellas and tents. Grease-resistant paper. Nonstick cookware. Personal care products, like shampoo, dental floss, nail polish, and eye makeup. Stain-resistant coatings used on carpets, upholstery, and other fabrics.
Note that it seems to be pretty safe when it’s applied to something. The danger is mostly when it’s applied/created. The big reason to not buy these products and to look for alternatives is that you’re decreasing demand for the products
Good point, sorta but not buying prevents it’s creation regardless of its safety while being used.
Honest question, what about when it comes off after being applied? Looking at Nonstick pans. They are notably something that flecks off the coating in your food.
Or prolonged direct skin contact from clothing, and then washing that clothing, tent, or other item. Washing it does removes some of PFAS into the water supply.
I don’t know about you all, but after cleaning something with water resistance, I end up reapplying it with something like scotch guard. I have no idea how many cans of scotch guard I’ve used (I love outdoor activities). Never used gloves or a mask using that stuff.
From my understanding the use is totally safe
I’m told you could eat big chunks of the stuff and it would pass right through you.
PFAS is so carcinogenic that if you WERE getting some of it in your body from this kind of exposure then we’d see really high cancer rates, the same way we do in factories near it. At least, that’s my conjecture
Minutes food did a good video on it’s safety if you’re interested
https://youtu.be/R1hbV3EzOD4?si=zoXdismsEJvZW_9G
There are flosses that don’t have PFAS, but they are a bit rarer and don’t “glide” like normal flosses as much. The PFAS make them glide. There are nonstick pans that don’t use PFAS, but they are a bit rarer and more expensive. In the end, I think it’s worth it.
It will be difficult to fully phase out, but we’ll do it. Rainjackets are gonna be difficult to do, and you’ll see some first-gen non-pfas ones in the coming years. They will probably repel rain for a light spray, but eventually give up the ghost under a heavy downpour. I think we might go back to rubber for heavy-duty rain slickers.