Dangerous Chemicals in Everyday Products

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Today the discussion will be on the underappreciated dangerous chemicals to which we are exposed routinely, without a thought.  The article exposing these chemicals was published January 8, 2019 in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology  29, 206-217. 

The title is Serum concentrations of PFASs and Exposure Behaviors in African American and non-Hispanic White Women.  The authors are Katherine E. Boronow, Julia Green Brody, Barabra A. Cohn. Though this information has been available for almost 4 years, I am willing to bet that our exposure to these toxic chemicals-found in our tap water and in products too convenient not to use- has probably increased.  These chemicals are able to be stain resistant, water resistant, and grease resistant; thus, conveniently decreasing the need to wash and clean, often saving effort and time by minimizing these mundane tasks.

PERfluoroalkyl and POLYfluoroalkyl are 2 common types of the many PFASs which are the problematic chemicals. In today's culture, the expectation and “need” for immediate gratification results in buying prepared meals in cardboard boxes coated with PFASs which work their way into the food, cooking on nonstick surfaces, quick tooth cleaning with dental floss coated to slide through easily with measurable fluorine, (a byproduct of the aluminum industry), flame retardant children's sleepwear in a bedroom with stain- resistant  carpet that regularly outgasses-it is no wonder that these kids have large levels of PFASs in their serum upon waking-did not correlate in wake times in same room; waxes for skis and floors, fire extinguisher contents, stain resistant clothes, furniture, drapes and carpets, and city tap water contain high levels of PFASs. All of us are being exposed in all places even in the ‘safety’ of our own apartments or houses. PFASs are in the soil, in the water, and in human serum.

Several other commonly used unknowingly are per fluoro octanoic acid (PFOA), per fluoro hexane sulfoic acid (PFHxS), poly tetra fluoroethylene (PTFE), and    per fluoro nonanoic acid (PFNA).  I mention these long tough-to-pronounce chemicals so that you are made aware as you read ‘ingredient’ lists of both food related, tooth related (floss), and material tags/labels of pillows, furniture upholstery, and carpet before you put them in your living spaces.

PFOS and PFOA have been associated in adults with cancer of the testes and the kidney.  The quality of semen in adult males is also affected; children with these exposures will show diminished sex and growth hormones. Both of these chemicals have also been correlated in adults with ulcerative colitis (UC), often precancerous of the colon, diseases of the thyroid, and immune irregularities. 

Various studies have been used to draw conclusions of environmental exposure behavior to the differences in the serum levels of the different PFASs in women of the 3 races studied: non-Hispanic whites, whites, and blacks. While the white women have PFOA levels  higher than the  blacks, the black women, in general, have PFNA and PFOS higher than the whites.  Even matching for socioeconomic status, the differences were maintained.  

The study that evaluated black children between the ages of 6 to 10 in a busy northern city (lots of indoors in the cold months) found lower PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, and one other different PFOA.  It was the white kids that had higher levels of PFNA.  These differences were definable but the authors were unable to correlate community/activity PFOA levels and behavior (work or fast food intake, both would increase the PFOA levels) to these differences between races.

What did not surprise the authors was that the measurable PFOA and PFOS in the city drinking water raised the serum levels at 38% PFOA and 29% PFOS compared to drinking water that had no measurable levels of both PFASs thus no detectable levels in the serum of those consuming this non contaminated water. 

In order to wrap up this podcast without too much technicality, I would like to inform the listeners that the last important information has nothing to do with the study of racial differences, but only in the differences in foods containing PFOAs.  

While fresh (non processed) vegetables, meats, and eggs will still have PFASs in them, there is a much higher level in fresh fish and shellfish.  This is best understood because the waste that is dumped into our oceans is carried far and wide, and since all PFASs do not breakdown in any water, the fish and shellfish are constantly exposed. While we may be able to rid the body of mercury or prevent its absorption (stated in a previous podcast), at this time no one has a remedy for the PFASs that get into our bodies. We must stop trading our health for speedy [quick] conveniences, start planning time in our day to consider a little more effort in cleaning/cooking/preparing rather than living less well and for a much shorter time.

Thank you for joining me today. I hope I have helped you to see how important it is to chose to be aware and to then make choices that will allow us to gain graceful longevity.

If you have questions, or if you would like a certain topic discussed to understand better medically, you are welcome to contact me at helenwattmd.com.