Graphic reveals how no room is safe from toxic PFAS — which have been linked to cancer, infertility and birth defects
Concerns are mounting that America may have sleepwalked into a ‘forever chemical’ public health crisis.
The tiny manmade compounds – which got their name because they don’t break down in the body – were a dream for manufacturers when they were invented almost 100 years ago because of their durability.
Their ability to repel water, stains, grease and oil, as well as make cardboard and plastic packaging stronger made meant they were used to make a wide range of everyday products, from nonstick cookware to clothes, carpets, cosmetic products, children’s toys, food and bottled drinks.
Only in recent decades have the health effects of these toxic chemicals – known as PFAS – started to be understood, with research linking them to a variety of cancers, blood disorders, fertility problems and birth defects. Continue reading →