As part of efforts to remove toxic forever chemicals from their products, manufacturers around the world are scrambling for safer replacements. However, studies have shown that some of these replacements are also dangerous and have already been detected in human urine and blood samples, household dust, and drinking water.
PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances) are a class of chemicals that can be found in a range of everyday products, from toilet roll to food packaging, cosmetics and dental floss. According to the U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, PFAS can lead to increased blood cholesterol and blood pressure, reduced immunity and an increased risk of certain cancers. Read more about JPB Fellow Stephanie Eick’s research.