I recently came across this article about Charleston fish having high levels of forever chemicals, also known as PFAS, which is pretty terrifying. Want to know why that’s terrifying? According to the EPA, exposure to certain levels of PFAS may lead to:
– Reproductive effects such as decreased fertility or increased high blood pressure in pregnant women.
– Developmental effects or delays in children, including low birth weight, accelerated puberty, bone variations, or behavioral changes.
– Increased risk of some cancers, including prostate, kidney, and testicular cancers.
– Reduced ability of the body’s immune system to fight infections, including reduced vaccine response.
– Interference with the body’s natural hormones.
– Increased cholesterol levels and/or risk of obesity.
In other words, ‘forever chemicals’ can cause serious health issues for people, animals and our planet as they accumulate in our bodies, our air and our water. That’s why states like California, Colorado and New York will soon begin regulating PFAS, REI has announced plans to remove ‘forever chemicals’ from the products it sells in its stores by 2026, and Patagonia will phase out PFAS by 2025.
So, forever chemicals are bad for human health, they are being banned by States and some companies have already begun to phase them out, but what are PFAS? According to the Outdoor Industry Association, “PFAS, or per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of over 9,000 synthetic “forever chemicals” that are used to make coatings that can resist extreme temperatures and repel grease, water, and stains. Many outdoor apparel and equipment companies have used PFAS to manufacture rain jackets, tent flies, water resistant hiking boots, fishing line, and durable climbing ropes. Research into the health effects of many PFAS have brought the chemicals under significant scrutiny from both regulators and consumers.”
We will continue to keep you updated on the latest PFAS regulations and requirements, and don’t forget to Sign Up for Our Newsletter to stay tuned as we will keep you updated on the latest sustainable business news: