The Hidden Danger of Forever Chemicals in Our Daily Lives

The Origins of Forever Chemicals

In 1929, a series of mysterious deaths in Chicago homes led to a startling discovery - people were being killed by their refrigerators. Early fridges relied on toxic, odorless gases like methyl chloride for cooling. Other models used flammable gases that could ignite from a stove spark. To solve this deadly problem, chemical company DuPont set out to develop a safer alternative.

In 1936, DuPont chemist Roy J. Plunkett accidentally created a slippery white powder while experimenting with refrigerant gases. This new substance, later named Teflon, was incredibly inert and wouldn't react with anything. The key was the carbon-fluorine bond, one of the strongest chemical bonds in nature.

DuPont quickly found uses for Teflon in military and industrial applications. But they struggled to produce it efficiently and safely. In 1951, they purchased a special processing aid from 3M called PFOA (also known as C8). This allowed them to suspend Teflon in water and spray it as a coating.

With PFOA, Teflon production ramped up. Soon it was being used in everything from non-stick pans to waterproof clothing to medical implants. By the late 1990s, Teflon was generating about $1 billion in yearly sales for DuPont.

However, internal company studies were already showing that PFOA was toxic and accumulating in the environment. DuPont and 3M kept this information hidden from the public and regulators for decades.

The Dangers Emerge

In the 1990s, farmer Earl Tennant noticed his cows were dying after drinking from a creek near a DuPont landfill in West Virginia. He hired environmental lawyer Robert Bilott to investigate.

Through legal discovery, Bilott uncovered decades of internal DuPont documents showing they knew PFOA was toxic and contaminating local water supplies. Some key findings:

• Animal studies in the 1960s showed PFOA caused liver damage and was potentially carcinogenic
• By the 1970s, PFOA was found in the blood of workers and the general public
• DuPont detected high levels of PFOA in local water but didn't inform residents
• The company calculated a "safe" level of 1 part per billion in drinking water

DuPont ended up settling with the Tennants, but Bilott pursued a class action lawsuit on behalf of 70,000 people in the area exposed to contaminated water. This led to a massive health study that found probable links between PFOA exposure and six diseases, including kidney and testicular cancer.

A Global Contamination Crisis

PFOA and related chemicals known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are now found worldwide:

• They've been detected in the blood of 99% of Americans
• PFAS contaminate water, soil, and wildlife on every continent
• They're in the bodies of polar bears, birds, and fish globally
• Even rainwater now contains unsafe levels of some PFAS

There are over 14,000 PFAS chemicals with similar properties:

• Extremely persistent in the environment
• Accumulate in the body over time
• Linked to cancer, liver damage, decreased fertility, and other health issues
• Used in countless consumer products

Major sources of exposure include:

1. Contaminated drinking water, especially near manufacturing plants, military bases, and airports
2. Food packaging and cookware
3. Stain-resistant carpets, furniture, and clothing
4. Cosmetics and personal care products

Regulating Forever Chemicals

Despite mounting evidence of harm, PFAS remained largely unregulated until recently:

• In 2006, the EPA reached an agreement with major manufacturers to phase out PFOA
• Companies switched to alternative PFAS chemicals like GenX, claiming they were safer
• Studies now show these replacements may be just as harmful
• In 2022, the EPA finally set legal limits for some PFAS in drinking water
• The safe level for PFOA was set at just 4 parts per trillion - 250 times lower than DuPont's internal guideline

However, regulation remains inconsistent. Some countries are banning PFAS in certain products, while others are rolling back restrictions. Many experts argue a precautionary approach is needed given how little we know about newer PFAS chemicals.

Assessing Personal Risk

To understand my own PFAS exposure, I had my blood tested. The results were surprising:

• My total PFAS level was 17.92 parts per billion - more than double the US median
• I had elevated levels of several PFAS, including some that were phased out decades ago
• This put me just below the level where additional health screenings are recommended

My results likely stem from years of drinking contaminated water in Southern California. Using EPA data, we calculated that 10 years of exposure to local water contamination closely matched my blood levels.

While concerning, experts say PFAS exposure is a lower-tier health risk for most people compared to factors like diet, exercise, and sleep. However, certain groups face higher risks:

• Pregnant women and young children
• People living in highly contaminated areas
• Firefighters and others with occupational exposure

Reducing Exposure and Looking Ahead

Some ways to potentially lower your PFAS exposure:

• Use a certified water filter if you live in a contaminated area
• Avoid microwave popcorn and fast food packaging
• Choose PFAS-free personal care products
• Opt for stainless steel or cast iron cookware

Interestingly, frequent blood donation may help reduce PFAS levels in the body. A study of firefighters found up to 30% reduction after a year of regular donations.

Ultimately, addressing PFAS contamination requires action at the regulatory and industry level:

• Banning non-essential uses in consumer products
• Requiring companies to safely dispose of PFAS
• Developing effective water treatment technologies
• Finding safer alternatives for critical applications

While the challenge is immense, there is reason for hope. We've successfully phased out harmful chemicals like lead and asbestos before. With continued research and public awareness, we can work towards a future with less reliance on these persistent pollutants.

In the meantime, staying informed about PFAS in your area and making conscious consumer choices can help reduce your personal exposure. By demanding safer alternatives, we can push industries to innovate and regulators to take stronger action on forever chemicals.

Article created from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SC2eSujzrUY