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Have you heard all of the noise about PFAS forever chemicals being in your mascara, period underwear, and even contact lenses? You may have noticed the vaguely ominous phrase PFAS forever chemicals popping up in the news lately. But what the hell are forever chemicals, exactly? And what do we know about how they can affect our health?

Today, we’re dealing with wild repercussions because these chemicals migrate very easily. From products to our water supply to the air we breathe, PFAS travels fast and they stick around, well, forever.

In this episode, I talk about:

• What PFAS forever chemicals are

• Why PFAS are considered forever chemicals

• What PFAS actually do to your health

• Where PFAS are found

• How you can protect yourself and decrease your exposure as much as possible

What Are PFAS?

You probably think of Teflon or non-stick pans when you think of PFAS, or these forever chemicals. Recently, the word has been spread about PFAS being found in other daily products. That exposure is one of the main reasons why it’s becoming a mainstream issue people are talking about.

PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are chemicals that have been around since the 1940s. PFAS is an umbrella that makes up about 12,000 chemicals. All these chemicals have a carbon fluorine bond in common. It’s the strongest bond of all organic chemistry, which causes PFAS NOT to break down over time. That’s how they got their name “forever chemicals” because they literally do not change over time. 

PFAS are attractive to companies who make stain-resistant or water-proof products because these bonds can’t be broken. They’re perfect for:

• Non-stick pans
• Fast food wrappers
• Microwave popcorn bags
• Pizza boxes
• Water-resistant clothing
• Cleaning products
• Shampoo
• Dental floss

As you can see, PFAS are in a LOT of products we use every day. Anything coated with stain repellants probably contain PFAS. And those are just the things you’re out there buying.

But another major source of the contamination is from a specific kind of fire fighting foam that has been used at airports and military bases for decades. 

These chemicals have made life super convenient for a long time. Calling them forever chemicals might seem a little dramatic but scientifically, it’s very accurate. Once PFAS chemicals are in our environment (water, products, and landfills), they are there to stay—scientists say anywhere from decades to thousands of years.

How to Reduce Your Exposure to PFAS

Your drinking water is the biggest source of contamination. Ingesting PFAS chemicals is how it gets into your body. Get a drinking water filter and/or whole house filter that’s certified to remove PFAS chemicals. It’s the best thing you can do. Here are my favorite water filters.

The next thing you can do is avoid non-stick pans, especially if they’re scratched. You ingest these chemicals every time you cook. Here are my favorite cookware options without PFAS.

Stop ordering fast food takeout. The wrapping has PFAS chemicals on them so the food doesn’t stick to the wrapper. Avoiding fast food is ideal, but not everyone can do that. Once you get the takeout, as quickly as you can, get it off that wrapper and get it into a glass container. Do NOT put those wrappers into your microwave. The chemicals will heat up and leach onto your food.

Use PFAS-free dental floss. The regular floss off the shelf slides right between your teeth because it’s coated with PFAS. And if it’s in your mouth, you’re ingesting it.

Avoiding PFAS Forever Chemicals

Most Americans have at least one PFAS in their body and it will likely stay there for their lifetime. Reducing your exposure is so important. I hope this episode taught you a little more about PFAS forever chemicals. Questions? Send me a DM on Instagram.

Links mentioned in episode:

Shop Bon Charge and use Code WENDYKATHRYN to save 15% off Bon Charge blue light blocking glasses, red light bulbs, infrared saunas and all your biohacking needs.

Shop Toxin Free, PFAS Free Products on my Toxin Free Shopping Guide.

Download my Avoid List to become a label reading pro!

Related Episodes:

Episode 4: Are Toxins in Your Tap Water? Here’s How to Find Out.

Episode 7: Making the Switch to Toxin Free Period Products

Episode 74: What is The Best Non-Toxic Cookware? Avoid PFAs When Cooking

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