Detox

PFAS: FROM “MIRACLE” OF MODERN CHEMISTRY TO PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS

Author Image

AUTHOR

Lindsay Christensen

MS, CNS, LDN, A-CFHC, CKNS

PFAS: FROM “MIRACLE” OF MODERN CHEMISTRY TO PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS

If you are interested in optimizing your health, chances are you try to hydrate your body properly by drinking water throughout the day. We are fortunate to live in a day and age where clean drinking water is widely available. In the United States, most people inherently trust their drinking water supply. While you may not need to worry about becoming acutely ill, the water you drink daily may not be as “clean” as you believe. And, recent events (and SCIENCE) suggests we should pay closer attention to our drinking water

Contamination of drinking water in the United States has recently come to the forefront in the news with three “forever chemical” manufacturers – Chemours, DuPont, and Corteva agreeing to pay a $1B, (yes Billion!) settlement for contaminating U.S. drinking water with perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a class of man-made toxic chemicals notorious for their adverse health effects.

While the settlement has brought light to the issue, PFAS in drinking water is not ‘new’ news. The U.S. Geological Survey found that at least 45% of U.S. tap water, including water from public supplies and wells, contains PFAS. What’s more concerning is that not all PFAS can be detected by testing, suggesting contamination could be even worse than current data suggests. In other words, you may be consuming PFAS with every sip of water that you drink. (Source , Source)

PFAS aren’t going anywhere (yet), but we can take measures to reduce our exposure to these harmful compounds both in our drinking water and other areas of our lives. Keep reading to learn about what PFAS are, how they end up in our drinking water, their health impacts, and how you can help your body detoxify these toxic compounds.

What are PFAS?

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, abbreviated as “PFAS,” are man-made compounds that have been widely used in industry, such as chemical production, and in the manufacturing of consumer goods, including textiles and cookware, since the 1940s.

Until recently, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfate (PFOS) were the main PFAS used in manufacturing and consumer products; in recent years, these compounds have been replaced with other PFAS compounds. PFAS are ubiquitous in our environment and, it turns out, plentiful in our water supplies. These compounds were considered a “miracle” of modern chemistry for decades. However, an alarming body of research indicates they may be detrimental to our health. (Source)

PFAS are part of a group of compounds known as “ forever chemicals because they tend to break down very slowly in the environment and, when a person is exposed, persist in the human body. Our bodies do not naturally eliminate these toxic compounds efficiently causing adverse health effects from these chemicals. (Source)

In 2022, the EPA determined that there is essentially no safe level of PFAS ingestion. The agency dragged its feet for years on PFAS contamination before finally setting some reasonable standards in 2022. In 2023, the EPA lowered the “safe level” of PFAS ingestion from 70 parts per trillion to 4 parts per trillion in drinking water; in other words, the amount of PFAS we should be exposed to in drinking water is 17 times lower than previously believed! (Source , Source , Source )

How Are We Exposed to PFAS?

It is difficult to escape exposure to PFAS in our modern-day environment. Research shows that nearly all Americans, including newborn babies, carry PFAS in their bodies. People living in urban areas are more likely to be exposed to PFAS in their drinking water than people in rural areas. However, people living in rural areas may face other issues with their drinking water, such as pesticide and herbicide contamination. (Source), Source

Potential sources of PFAS include manufacturing facilities that leach PFAS into our air and groundwater, agricultural operations that use PFAS-contaminated sewage sludge for irrigation, PFAS-containing firefighting foam, and PFAS degradation in landfills. Water treatment plants currently do not have a way to filter PFAS, causing these chemicals to eventually contaminate our water supplies. (Source )

PRO TIP: You can research whether your drinking water is affected by PFAS by searching your area with the Environmental Working Group’s PFAS contamination map

While PFAS recently made the news for showing up in drinking water, water isn’t our only source of exposure; countless other consumer goods, such as non-stick cookware, water-repellent clothing, and dental floss, and foods, particularly fast food, dairy products, and freshwater fish, contain these chemicals. (, Source , Source , Source)

What are the Health Consequences of PFAS Exposure?

Minimal doses of PFAS are associated with significant health effects, including effects on the immune, reproductive, and cardiovascular systems, just to name a few.

While PFAS are alarming for all, babies and children may be more significantly affected by PFAS than adults because they are exposed to more PFAS per pound of body weight. While the EPA clearly states that the benefits of breastmilk for babies outweigh the potential risks of PFAS exposure through breastmilk, they acknowledge the unsettling fact that breastmilk is a source of PFAS exposure for infants, and can be transferred through breastmilk. Infant formula may also be a problem if reconstituted with water containing PFAS. (Source , Source)

The first step is reducing your exposure

What you can do:

1. Phase Out PFAS Products and Purchase Consumer Goods That Are PFAS-Free

Swap out PFAS-containing non-stick cookware with stainless steel and cast-iron cookware.

NOTE: Some manufacturers offering “alternative” non-stick cookware options label their products “PFOA-free.” However, according to Consumer Reports, the pans may still contain PFAS compounds. (Source)

Change your dental floss. Choose a floss with natural fibers that is PFAS-free, versus an easy-glide floss made of PFAS. (Source)

Choose outdoor clothes and other water-repellent gear that are free of PFAS. For example, the bluesign® label on clothes can help you identify apparel free of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances. PrAna, Nau, Houdini, Keen footwear, and Icebreaker are other brands of outdoor and everyday clothing committed to being PFAS-free. (Source )

2. Invest in a High-Quality Water Filter

PFAS chemicals cannot be eliminated from drinking water via boiling; rather, you’ll need to use a water filtration system capable of catching these compounds. There are no established standards for PFAS in bottled water, so bottled water may not be an ideal solution. For example, reverse osmosis and granular activated carbon water filtration systems have been found to lower PFAS levels in drinking water to below detectable limits. Berkey water filters, which use a carbon filtration system, have also been found to remove up to 99.9% of PFAS. ( , Source , Source )

3. Cut Out Fast Food

The fast-food industry uses grease-resistant packaging containing PFAS to serve food. In fact, frequent fast food intake is associated with higher serum PFAS concentrations! This means you may be chowing down on PFAS each time you eat McDonald’s or Chick-fil-A! If you have not yet been convinced to quit your fast-food habit, now may be the time! (Source , Source )

Can I detox my body of PFAS?

Humans have only been exposed to PFAS briefly, yet, research shows that these chemicals have bioaccumulated extensively in our bodies. Our bodies simply do not have the internal resources to handle the onslaught of “forever chemicals” we face. Fortunately, specific detoxification strategies, including herbs and binders, can help us eliminate these persistent toxins.

  • Since PFAS can strain and even damage the liver, you will want to support your liver with herbs like milk thistle Milk thistle has been used for centuries to protect and support the liver. (Source , )
  • Research shows that the kidneys are a major organ in which PFAS accumulates, and these chemicals can ultimately damage the delicate kidneys. It may be wise to support healthy kidney function with herbs such as dandelion, which has been shown to protect the kidneys by regulating inflammation and supporting antioxidant activity. (Source , Source )
  • Supplemental toxin binders may help your body eliminate PFAS. Binders may help eliminate PFAS from the body. PFAS can be recirculated between the gut, liver, and bloodstream via a system called the “enterohepatic circulation;” toxin binders are compounds that “mop up” toxins in your gut so they can be eliminated through your stool.

NOTE: You may be wondering, can I eliminate PFAS through sweating? While sweating from exercise and saunas can be a great way to remove some toxins, research indicates sweating is not a significant excretion route for PFAS. (Source, Source)

 

The Bottom Line on PFAS

There’s no escaping PFAS in our modern world, including our drinking water, at least not until sweeping environmental reform and remediation have occurred. However, you can be proactive about protecting yourself from the harmful health effects of PFAS by reducing your exposure to PFAS through a water filtration system, diet and lifestyle changes, and by strategically supporting your body’s detoxification pathways. With the right tools, you can protect your health today and for years to come.

Share Article

Reference

Badr, A., Fouad, D., & Attia, H. (2019). Insights into protective mechanisms of dandelion leaf extract against Cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats: Role of inhibitory effect on inflammatory and apoptotic pathways. Dose-Response17(3), 155932581987489. https://doi.org/10.1177/1559325819874897 

Barbo, N., Stoiber, T., Naidenko, O. V., & Andrews, D. Q. (2023). Locally caught freshwater fish across the United States are likely a significant source of exposure to PFOS and other perfluorinated compounds. Environmental Research220, 115165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2022.115165 

Boston, 677 H. A., & Ma 02115 +1495‑1000. (2019, January 14). Some dental floss may expose people to harmful chemicals. News. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/hsph-in-the-news/dental-floss-harmful-chemicals/ 

Braun, J. M., Eliot, M., Papandonatos, G. D., Buckley, J. P., Cecil, K. M., Kalkwarf, H. J., Chen, A., Eaton, C. B., Kelsey, K., Lanphear, B. P., & Yolton, K. (2020). Gestational perfluoroalkyl substance exposure and body mass index trajectories over the first 12 years of life. International Journal of Obesity45(1), 25–35. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41366-020-00717-x 

Calafat, A. M., Wong, L.-Y., Kuklenyik, Z., Reidy, J. A., & Needham, L. L. (2007). Polyfluoroalkyl chemicals in the U.S. population: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003–2004 and comparisons with NHANES 1999–2000. Environmental Health Perspectives115(11), 1596–1602. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.10598 

Casselman, B., Penn, I., & Goldstein, M. (2023, June 2). Three “Forever Chemicals” Makers Settle Public Water Lawsuits. The New York Timeshttps://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/02/business/pfas-pollution-settlement.html  

Coperchini, F., Croce, L., Ricci, G., Magri, F., Rotondi, M., Imbriani, M., & Chiovato, L. (2021). Thyroid Disrupting Effects of Old and New Generation PFAS. Frontiers in Endocrinology11https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2020.612320 

Costello, E., Rock, S., Stratakis, N., Eckel, S. P., Walker, D. I., Valvi, D., Cserbik, D., Jenkins, T., Xanthakos, S. A., Kohli, R., Sisley, S., Vasiliou, V., La Merrill, M. A., Rosen, H., Conti, D. V., McConnell, R., & Chatzi, L. (2022). Exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and markers of liver injury: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Environmental Health Perspectives130(4). https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp10092 

Darlington, R., Barth, E., & McKernan, J. (2018). The challenges of PFAS remediation. The Military Engineer110(712), 58–60. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5954436/ 

Do Berkey Water Filters Remove PFCs / PFAS (PFOA and PFOS)? Yes. (n.d.). ww.berkeyfilters.com. Retrieved July 9, 2023, from https://www.berkeyfilters.com/pages/do-berkey-water-filters-remove-pfcs-and-pfas 

Fact sheet PFOA & PFOS drinking water health advisories. (n.d.). https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-06/documents/drinkingwaterhealthadvisories_pfoa_pfos_updated_5.31.16.pdf 

For 20-plus years, EPA has failed to regulate “forever chemicals” | Environmental Working Group. (n.d.). ww.ewg.org. https://www.ewg.org/research/20-plus-years-epa-has-failed-regulate-forever-chemicals 

Forever chemicals, or PFAS, pose troubling health risks. (2022, November 29). https://www.sciencenews.org/article/pfas-forever-chemicals-health-risk-water 

Gao, X., Ni, W., Zhu, S., Wu, Y., Cui, Y., Ma, J., Liu, Y., Qiao, J., Ye, Y., Yang, P., Liu, C., & Zeng, F. (2021). Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances exposure during pregnancy and adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Environmental Research201, 111632. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2021.111632 

Genuis, S. J., Beesoon, S., & Birkholz, D. (2013). Biomonitoring and elimination of perfluorinated compounds and polychlorinated biphenyls through perspiration: Blood, urine, and sweat Study. ISRN Toxicology, 2013, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/483832 

Genuis, S. J., Curtis, L., & Birkholz, D. (2013). Gastrointestinal elimination of perfluorinated compounds using cholestyramine and chlorella pyrenoidosa. ISRN Toxicology2013, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/657849 

George, T., & Patel, R. K. (2019, September 3). Milk Thistle. Nih.gov; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541075/ 

Grandjean, P., Heilmann, C., Weihe, P., Nielsen, F., Mogensen, U. B., Timmermann, A., & Budtz-Jørgensen, E. (2017). Estimated exposures to perfluorinated compounds in infancy predict attenuated vaccine antibody concentrations at age 5 years. Journal of Immunotoxicology14(1), 188–195. https://doi.org/10.1080/1547691x.2017.1360968 

Grandjean, P., Meddis, A., Nielsen, F., Anders Sjödin, Hjorth, M. F., Astrup, A., & Esben Budtz-Jørgensen. (2023). Weight loss relapse associated with exposure to perfluorinated alkylate substances. Obesity31(6), 1686–1696. https://doi.org/10.1002/oby.23755 

Jiang, H.-H., Liu, H., Liu, G., Yu, J., Liu, N., Jin, Y., Bi, Y., & Wang, H. (2022). Associations between polyfluoroalkyl substances exposure and breast cancer: A meta-analysis. Toxics10(6), 318–318. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10060318 

Li, Y., Barregard, L., Xu, Y., Scott, K., Pineda, D., Lindh, C. H., Jakobsson, K., & Fletcher, T. (2020). Associations between perfluoroalkyl substances and serum lipids in a Swedish adult population with contaminated drinking water. Environmental Health19(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12940-020-00588-9 

Liu, D., Yan, S., Wang, P.-W., Chen, Q., Liu, Y., Cui, J., Liang, Y., Ren, S., & Gao, Y. (2023). Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) exposure in relation to the kidneys: A review of current available literature. Frontiers in Physiology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2023.1103141 

PFAS Exposure and Risk of Cancer – National Cancer Institute. (2020, October 15). Dceg.cancer.gov. https://dceg.cancer.gov/research/what-we-study/pfas 

Phillips, T. D., Phanourios Tamamis, Jakubowski, J. A., Bird, K. E., Casey, C., & Hearon, S. E. (2021). Enhanced adsorption of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) by edible, nutrient-amended montmorillonite clays. Water Research188, 116534–116534. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2020.116534 

Ramírez Carnero, A., Lestido-Cardama, A., Vazquez Loureiro, P., Barbosa-Pereira, L., Rodríguez Bernaldo de Quirós, A., & Sendón, R. (2021). Presence of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food contact materials (FCM) and their migration to food. Foods10(7), 1443. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10071443 

Sears, M. E., Kerr, K. J., & Bray, R. I. (2012). Arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury in sweat: A systematic review. Journal of Environmental and Public Health2012, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/184745 

Smalling, K. L., Romanok, K. M., Bradley, P. M., Morriss, M. C., Gray, J. L., Kanagy, L. K., Gordon, S. E., Williams, B. M., Breitmeyer, S. E., Jones, D. K., DeCicco, L. A., Eagles-Smith, C. A., & Wagner, T. (2023). Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in United States tapwater: Comparison of underserved private-well and public-supply exposures and associated health implications. Environment International178, 108033–108033. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2023.108033 

Susmann, H. P., Schaider, L. A., Rodgers, K. M., & Rudel, R. A. (2019). Dietary habits related to food packaging and population exposure to PFASs. Environmental Health Perspectives127(10), 107003. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp4092 

Tan, Y., Zeng, Z., Liang, H., Weng, X., Yao, H., Fu, Y., Li, Y., Chen, J., Wei, X., & Jing, C. (2022). Association between perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances and women’s infertility, NHANES 2013–2016. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health19(22), 15348–15348. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192215348 

Tap water study detects PFAS “forever chemicals” across the US | U.S. Geological Survey. (n.d.). Www.usgs.gov. https://www.usgs.gov/news/national-news-release/tap-water-study-detects-pfas-forever-chemicals-across-us 

Tarapore, P., & Ouyang, B. (2021). Perfluoroalkyl chemicals and male reproductive health: Do PFOA and PFOS increase risk for male infertility? International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health18(7), 3794. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18073794 

US EPA, O. (2020, January 22). EPA researchers investigate the effectiveness of point‐of‐use/point‐of‐entry systems to remove per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances from drinking water. ww.epa.gov. https://www.epa.gov/sciencematters/epa-researchers-investigate-effectiveness-point-usepoint-entry-systems-remove-and 

US EPA, O. (2020, June 29). Questions and Answers: Drinking Water Health Advisories for PFOA, PFOS, GenX Chemicals and PFBS. ww.epa.gov. https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/questions-and-answers-drinking-water-health-advisories-pfoa-pfos-genx-chemicals-and-pfbs#:~:text=EPA 

von Holst, H., Nayak, P., Dembek, Z., Buehler, S., Echeverria, D., Fallacara, D., & John, L. (2021). Perfluoroalkyl substances exposure and immunity, allergic response, infection, and asthma in children: review of epidemiologic studies. Heliyon7(10), e08160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e08160 

Wang, J., Zhang, J., Fan, Y., Li, Z., Tao, C., Yan, W., Niu, R., Huang, Y., Xu, Q., Wang, X., Xu, Q., Han, L., & Lu, C. (2022). Association between per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health240, 113904. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2021.113904 

Waterfield, G., Rogers, M., Grandjean, P., Auffhammer, M., & Sunding, D. (2020). Reducing exposure to high levels of perfluorinated compounds in drinking water improves reproductive outcomes: evidence from an intervention in Minnesota. Environmental Health19(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12940-020-00591-0 

What are PFAS chemicals? | Environmental Working Group. (n.d.). Www.ewg.org. https://www.ewg.org/what-are-pfas-chemicals 

Xiao, X., Ulrich, B. A., Chen, B., & Higgins, C. P. (2017). Sorption of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) relevant to aqueous film-forming foam (AF)-impacted groundwater by biochar and activated carbon. Environmental Science & Technology51(11), 6342–6351. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.7b00970 

You Can’t Always Trust Claims on “Non-Toxic” Cookware. (n.d.). Consumer Reports. https://www.consumerreports.org/toxic-chemicals-substances/you-cant-always-trust-claims-on-non-toxic-cookware-a4849321487/