Human exposure to unnecessary and potentially harmful chemicals like PFAS could be significantly reduced if manufacturers added chemicals only when they were truly essential in terms of the health, safety, and functioning of society. That’s the conclusion of a study published in Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts, a peer-reviewed journal published by the Royal Society of Chemistry.
In this study, researchers propose a framework based on the concept of “essential use” to determine whether a chemical is really needed in a particular application. They demonstrate the concept of a class of synthetic chemicals known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances).
PFASs are used in many consumer goods because of their unique properties, such as water and stain repellency. However, many scientists and health professionals are concerned about these chemicals since they persist for a very long time, seep into our water and soil, and may adversely impact people’s health and wildlife.
PFASs are used in many consumer goods because of their unique properties, such as water and stain repellency. (Image: Francesco Scatena via Dreamstime)
Human health problems linked to specific PFAS exposure include kidney and testicular cancer, liver malfunction, hypothyroidism, high cholesterol, ulcerative colitis, lower birth weight and size, obesity, and decreased immune response to vaccines.
The study classifies many uses of PFAS as “non-essential.” For example, the study points out that it may be nice to have water-repelling surfer shorts, but in this instance, water repellency is not essential. Other products analyzed with the Essential Use Framework include personal care products and cosmetics, durable water repellency and stain resistance in textiles, food contact materials, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, laboratory supplies, and ski waxes.
Alternatives to PFAS
Some uses may be regarded as essential for health and safety, e.g., fire-fighting foams, but functional alternatives have been developed that can be substituted instead.
Some uses, such as fire-fighting foams, may be regarded as essential in terms of health and safety. (Image: Howtogoto via Dreamstime)
Ian Cousins of Stockholm University, lead author of the study and a world-leading researcher specializing in understanding the sources and exposure pathways of highly fluorinated chemicals, said:
“Our hope is the approach can inform and encourage manufacturers, retailers, and end users to consider phasing out and substituting uses of PFASs.
“A starting point would be the phase-out of the multiple non-essential uses of PFASs, which are driven primarily by market opportunity.”
The article notes that some retailers and manufacturers are already taking voluntary measures to phase out the use of PFAS in their products. It suggests that the Essential Use Framework can be applied to other chemicals of concern.
Provided by: Stockholm University [Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.]
