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Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ contaminate indoor air at worrying levels

theguardian.com

21–30 of 151 posts

Re: Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ contaminate indoor air at worrying levels

#21
post #7

My takeaways: 1. Open the windows as often as weather allows. 2. Don't use nonstick pans unless they're cast iron or some kind of fired enamel. 3. Use a water purifier.

Sure but this puts the burden on the citizen. I'm all about taking your health into your hands, but it won't hold on the long run. We also need strong policies against this.

Yeah, I agree that these things probably ought to be legislated out of existence, but I don't hold my breath on it.

Re: Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ contaminate indoor air at worrying levels

#22
post #15
post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If your clothing is waterproof or has some kind of exercise "moisture wicking" material, it is common to have PFAS.

An absurd challenge: walk to into a target or some other large retail store and try to find mens briefs that do not have moisture wicking treatment. It feels like I'm in a strange dystopia trying to find undergarments not treated with some sort of PFAS additives.

I don't think PFAS are for moisture wicking. More water/moisture repelling.

Also, go to Costco and there's a 3 or 4 pack of 100% cotton boxer-briefs on sale.

Re: Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ contaminate indoor air at worrying levels

#23
post #7

My takeaways: 1. Open the windows as often as weather allows. 2. Don't use nonstick pans unless they're cast iron or some kind of fired enamel. 3. Use a water purifier.

There are no mobile PFAS chemicals in nonstick cookware. Nonstick coatings are made from PTFE, which is a completely inert polymer that cannot be broken down into mobile components unless it's overheated. The fluorinated chemicals used in the manufacture of the coatings (largely surfactants) are completely removed when the coating is baked on, and they have to be or else the coating would fail. PTFE is used in medica…

The idea that PTFE doesn't break down except at very high temperatures is not true.

Breakdown begins to occur at either 200 or 260 degrees Celsius (depending on what data you're looking at). These temperatures are well within the realm of temperatures that even a home chef might encounter.

Re: Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ contaminate indoor air at worrying levels

#24
post #7

My takeaways: 1. Open the windows as often as weather allows. 2. Don't use nonstick pans unless they're cast iron or some kind of fired enamel. 3. Use a water purifier.

There are no mobile PFAS chemicals in nonstick cookware. Nonstick coatings are made from PTFE, which is a completely inert polymer that cannot be broken down into mobile components unless it's overheated. The fluorinated chemicals used in the manufacture of the coatings (largely surfactants) are completely removed when the coating is baked on, and they have to be or else the coating would fail. PTFE is used in medica…

There aren't any long term studies comparing people who cook with non-stick vs stainless or cast iron, so we can only guess about long term and population level effects based on limited information.

I personally would not take the risk given the benefit is just a pan that things stick to less. Medical uses are more justifiable.

Re: Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ contaminate indoor air at worrying levels

#25
post #10
post #9

How does one know if their clothing is PFAS-free if it doesn't specifically say?

If your clothing is waterproof or has some kind of exercise "moisture wicking" material, it is common to have PFAS.

I tried to buy new Hanes or Fruit of the Loom undershirts and literally couldn’t find any that didn’t have their proprietary coating.

Re: Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ contaminate indoor air at worrying levels

#26
post #15
post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If your clothing is waterproof or has some kind of exercise "moisture wicking" material, it is common to have PFAS.

An absurd challenge: walk to into a target or some other large retail store and try to find mens briefs that do not have moisture wicking treatment. It feels like I'm in a strange dystopia trying to find undergarments not treated with some sort of PFAS additives.

Me too but for undershirts! I didn’t see your comment before making mine.

Re: Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ contaminate indoor air at worrying levels

#27
post #16

California law TB117 required fire retardant foam until 2015 so a lot of couches have PFAS. This is an example of creating a problem by trying to avoiding another. Of course, this is not to single out CA as this is a global problem. Could be wrong but it seems like the general rule is that manufacturers are allowed to "experiment in public" when it comes to chemical science. PFAS alternatives are already in the wild…

No, fire retardants used in furniture are not based on PFAS chemicals. Fire retardants are almost exclusively BPDE's:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polybrominated_diphenyl_ethers

PFAS chemicals are used in fire suppression foam at airports and by the military, but that's a different (but still huge) problem.

Re: Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ contaminate indoor air at worrying levels

#28
post #7

My takeaways: 1. Open the windows as often as weather allows. 2. Don't use nonstick pans unless they're cast iron or some kind of fired enamel. 3. Use a water purifier.

There are no mobile PFAS chemicals in nonstick cookware. Nonstick coatings are made from PTFE, which is a completely inert polymer that cannot be broken down into mobile components unless it's overheated. The fluorinated chemicals used in the manufacture of the coatings (largely surfactants) are completely removed when the coating is baked on, and they have to be or else the coating would fail. PTFE is used in medica…

With every non-stick pan I've ever owned, the coating eventually starts flaking off. Usually after less than 1 year of use. I'm pretty sure I must have ingested plenty of these coatings over the years...

Re: Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ contaminate indoor air at worrying levels

#29
post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If your clothing is waterproof or has some kind of exercise "moisture wicking" material, it is common to have PFAS.

Wicking materials don't use PFAS (although see edit below). The properties that PFAS endows a fabric are pretty much of the opposite of what you need for wicking. Wicking fabrics such as Capilene and polypropylene must be wettable in order to work. PFAS reduces the wettability of fibers. That's its whole point. PFAS is used in nearly all current water resistant fabrics, including clothing, upholstery, and carpet. The…

Waxed canvas is also waterproof and free of questionable chemistry and is delightful.

Re: Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ contaminate indoor air at worrying levels

#30
post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There are no mobile PFAS chemicals in nonstick cookware. Nonstick coatings are made from PTFE, which is a completely inert polymer that cannot be broken down into mobile components unless it's overheated. The fluorinated chemicals used in the manufacture of the coatings (largely surfactants) are completely removed when the coating is baked on, and they have to be or else the coating would fail. PTFE is used in medica…

With every non-stick pan I've ever owned, the coating eventually starts flaking off. Usually after less than 1 year of use. I'm pretty sure I must have ingested plenty of these coatings over the years...

Right, and as long as you're not heating it to like 300 deg. C, it's completely inert and won't cause you any trouble.
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