PFAS vs Human and Planetary health

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are synthetic man-made chemicals. It’s an acronym that stands for a family of thousands of different chemicals. PFAS chemicals are used in thousands of products aimed at making life easier. But the chemicals are now almost everywhere, including in human blood, soil, water, animals, and are being linked to severe health problems. PFAS shares the same chemical property of having many carbon-fluorine bonds, which are some of the strongest bonds in organic chemistry.
This is the reason, why PFAS have been called “forever chemicals”, because those carbon-fluorine bonds just really do not break down.

History

Products containing PFAS have been developed since 1960 without the knowledge whether these substances can have any impact on human health, endocrine and hormone system. Industries built on using more than 14000 different types of PFAS substances, and just releasing new substances without thinking consequences, being drivers of a global contamination.
PFAS also accumulate in soils, sediment, and water.
The chemist who have sampled rainwater in the Antarctica and the Himalayas, also found
PFAS in that. It is all over.
PFAS do not stay just in the environment. It gets into living things. Humanity pays a high price due to large corporations carelessly dumping those toxic chemicals, because they want to earn profit comfortably. They said at the beginning, it does not hurt humans, it does not get into us, just makes life better, easier and improves people’s life and living. But the truth is, they created a substance, a chemical composition that they did not know how to destroy. Decades ago, science simply was just not at that development level when scientists were able to make measurements and analyze the true effects. The ugly picture is, PFAS in the body is a ticking bomb, it builds up and disrupts endocrine and hormone system, change
the genome of humans.
The lesson for humanity is clear: we cannot invent unknown substances and just produce, and distribute them without any control and proper knowledge how to neutralize them. We are living in a “Chemical Society”, when it is almost impossible to not be exposed to chemicals. 

PFAS FAQ

What does PFAS do to your body?

They are known as 'forever chemicals' as they are extremely persistent in our environment and bodies. They can lead to health problems such as liver damage, thyroid disease, obesity, fertility issues and cancer. Please consult our briefing on Emerging chemical risks in Europe – PFAS for further information.

Where are PFAS most commonly found?

PFAS are found in water, air, fish, and soil at locations across the nation and the globe. Scientific studies have shown that exposure to some PFAS in the environment may be linked to harmful health effects in humans and animals.

How do you flush PFAS from your body?

Officially there is no way to detox PFAS except for donating blood... but considering that PFAS are in the blood of every American (and probably every human being in the world soon enough)... there must be other ways out there to detox them.

How do I know if I have PFAS in my body?

A blood test for PFAS can tell you what your levels are at the time the blood was drawn, but not whether levels in your body are “safe” or “unsafe.” Most people in the U.S. have measurable amounts of PFAS in their body because PFAS chemicals are commonly used in commercial and industrial products.

How can I test myself for PFAS?

Several labs in North America currently offer PFAS blood testing to individuals: AXYS Analytical, EmpowerDX, and Eurofins. AXYS and Eurofins measure PFAS in blood serum, and EmpowerDX offers a home finger-prick test.

Does frozen food have PFAS?

Schematic representation of the average amounts of quantified PFAS for each food category. Among all, PFBA was the compound detected at the highest concentrations. Its concentration reached up to 0.273 ng/g in ready-to-eat vegetables, 0.07 ng/g in fresh products and 0.05 ng/g in frozen food.

How do you check your body for toxic levels?

While blood and urine are the most common samples collected for heavy metal and toxin testing, other tests may require fingernail clippings or even hair.

How long does PFAS stay in your system?

Also, if PFAS come in contact with skin, it is possible that a small amount may enter the body through your skin. stay in the body for many years. It takes nearly four years for the level in the body to go down by half. PFAS leave the body mainly through urine.

What percent of Americans have PFAS in blood?

One report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), found PFAS in the blood of 97% of Americans.

What does it feel like when you have too many toxins in your body?

Tiredness: Ever felt weak or lethargic despite a great night's sleep? Chronic fatigue is often a result of a toxic build up in the body, which can cause inflammation and pain. Changes in mood: Toxins can also affect your endocrine systems, leading to mood swings, brain fog, depression and increased anxiety.

How to do a proper detox?

The Most Common Ways to Detox

1. Fasting for 1–3 days.
2. Drinking fresh fruit and vegetable juices, smoothies, water, and tea.
3. Drinking only specific liquids, such as salted water or lemon juice.
4. Eliminating foods high in heavy metals, contaminants, and allergens.
5. Taking supplements or herbs.

How do you get rid of toxins in your feet?
Foot detox recipes

1. Epsom salt foot soak. To make this foot soak, add 1 cup of Epsom salts to a footbath containing warm water. ...
2. Apple cider vinegar soak. Some people drink apple cider vinegar to encourage detoxification. ...
3. Baking soda and sea salt soak. ...
4. Bentonite clay foot mask. ...
5. Olive oil foot scrub.

What bacteria eats PFAS? ***

Bacterial species                                               Biodegradation mechanism                           PFAS

Pseudomonas aeruginosa S.HJ4                      C-C bond cleavage                                            PFOS

Pseudomonas plecoglossicida 2.4-D               Decarboxylation, desulphonation                    PFOS

Gordonia sp. S. NB4-1Y                                       Desulphonation                                                   FTSA, FTAB

Mycobacterium vaccae                                      Dechlorination                                                     FTOH

 *** YES,
Even though it is very difficult to rid of PFAS, some companies and technologies show some sort of success in reducing them at different levels, and mitigating the problem. But realistically, these solutions are a long way off and will cost a lot of money. But as the list shows above, there are solutions, like certain bacteria that show an effect in the degradation of PFAS.

Most common PFAS compositions and areas of use

1. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA): 
- Non-stick cookware (e.g., pans, frying pans)
- Stain-resistant fabrics (e.g., carpets, upholstery)
- Food packaging (e.g., microwave popcorn bags, pizza boxes)
- Firefighting foam
- Waterproof clothing (e.g., rain jackets) 

2. Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS): 
- Stain-resistant coatings on textiles (e.g., carpets, furniture)
- Carpet cleaners - Firefighting foam 
- Metal plating and surface treatment
- Photographic industries (e.g., in film-processing chemicals)

3. Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA): 
- Cleaning products (e.g., stain removers)
- Paints and coatings 
- Electroplating 
- Lubricants and metal-working fluids
- Electronics manufacturing 

4. Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA): 
- Water- and oil-resistant paper coatings
- Coatings for food packaging 
- Cleaning products 
- Lubricants and metal-working fluids
- Insecticides 

5. Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS): 
- Stain-resistant coatings on clothing
- Upholstery and carpets 
- Food packaging 
- Leather products 
- Firefighting foam

6. Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA):

- Water- and oil-resistant coatings for paper and cardboard 
- Coatings for food contact materials
- Firefighting foam 
- Automotive lubricants 
- Textile and leather treatments

7. Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA):
- Stain-resistant treatments for carpets and upholstery
- Coatings for cookware and bakeware
- Lubricants for heavy machinery
- Paints and coatings 
- Adhesives and sealants 

8. Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA): 
- Stain-resistant coatings on textiles (e.g., carpets, upholstery)
- Firefighting foam 
- Photographic industries 
- Heat transfer fluids 
- Electrical insulation 

9. Perfluoromethanesulfonic acid (PFMS): 
- Electroplating 
- Metal cleaning agents 
- Capacitors and electronic components
- Photographic industries 
- Aviation hydraulic fluids 

10. Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS): 
- Firefighting foam 
- Coatings for carpets and textiles
- Chrome plating 
- Metal finishing 
- Electronics manufacturing 

11. Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA): 
- Stain-resistant coatings on textiles
- Paper and cardboard coatings
- Mold release agents 
- Cosmetics and personal care products
- Photographic industries 

12. Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA): 
- Lubricants and hydraulic fluids
- Stain-resistant coatings on textiles and carpets
- Firefighting foam 
- Mold release agents 
- Pesticide formulations