How Can Parents Protect Their Kids From PFAS Exposure?
Nature has provided parents with protective instincts and a unique responsibility. They are to safeguard their children’s rights and teach them about safety.
Given the world we live in today, a wide variety of safety factors must be taken into consideration. One such would include chemical safety. After all, mankind has breached the world’s threshold limit for chemical pollution.
Of all chemicals, the most pervasive and concerning are PFAS or per- and polyfluroalkyl substances. Do you know about this complex group of over 12,000 chemicals? If not, then now is the time to educate yourself about them.
As you do, it’s important to protect your family from these chemicals. In this article, we will discuss how parents can keep their children safe from PFAS exposure.
The Dark History of PFAS
For all parents still unaware of what PFAS are and why they’re so dangerous, let’s begin with some context. These synthetic chemicals share a strong bond of carbon and fluorine that cannot be broken easily.
Had the chemicals been safe, one would not have to worry about the lack of degradation. However, that in itself is a major red flag. These chemicals are resistant to oil, grease, and water.
This made them an attractive option for various industries since the 1970s. For instance – the firefighting industry has been using them to produce Class B foam or Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF). Other industries like textiles and food and packaging have used them to produce stain-resistant garments and grease-resistant packages respectively.
What’s more the highly popular non-stick cookware range comes lined with PFAS. Despite being in good use for decades, whistleblowers were raising concerns about these chemicals. As the 2000s set in, their fears began to materialize.
It was found that PFAS chemicals not only contaminated the environment but were also harmful to humans. Since firefighters were exposed regularly to AFFF, they began to develop cancer of the testicles, bladder, and kidneys.
In 2017, the first-ever AFFF lawsuit was filed against PFAS manufacturers. It was alleged that despite being aware of the risks, PFAS production continued unchecked.
Even the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revealed a list of other possible health effects. These included decreased fertility rates, hormonal imbalance, risk of obesity, and poor immune response. Gradually, municipalities also joined the litigation for underground water contamination.
According to TorHoerman Law, a little over 7,100 personal injury cases are awaiting settlements. The other category for water contamination has received a global settlement in 2023. In light of how ubiquitous and dangerous PFAS are, they have been banned worldwide latest by early 2026.
However, this does not mean we must take down our walls. Now more than ever, our children need us to keep them safe in whatever way we can.
Should You Talk to Your Children About PFAS?
Many parents wonder if they should directly get into action or speak to their children about PFAS first. The truth is that children are a lot more vulnerable to PFAS’ effects because their bodies are still developing.
Plus, they may be more exposed to these chemicals than adults. This is because little ones breathe more air and consume more food and water per pound of their body weight. If your child is past the age of reason (considered to be seven), you can have a heart-to-heart talk.
If they are younger than that, you can make healthy lifestyle changes on their behalf and teach them as you go. Consider taking the help of your child’s pediatrician if you find this too overwhelming to go about. In any case, kids must be made aware of synthetic chemicals, especially PFAS, as early as possible.
Useful Tips to Keep Children Safe from PFAS
The 21st-century problem, at least as of 2024, is that PFAS are found everywhere. Studies have found these chemicals in food packages, garments, tap water, and more.
Water samples found worldwide have had traces of PFAS in varying degrees. We understand this may sound as if there is no way to protect yourself and your family. There are still certain steps you can take to minimize PFAS exposure risks. Let’s look at these –
- Limit the consumption of fast food and takeout since packages are lined with these chemicals. Slowly, brands are using alternatives but they’re still scarce. You can consider enquiring about this to find any local restaurants that are safe and healthy.
- It is best to cook most of your meals at home. Even then, avoid using non-stick cookware lined with PFAS. You can choose alternatives like clay, cast iron, and stainless steel.
- While buying rugs and carpets, avoid the stain-free versions as they may have PFAS.
- Enquire about the milk supplier’s production, processing, and packaging methods. Also, ask about PFAS testing on the lands they use and their cows.
- Use a water filter at home known to remove PFAS. You must also check with your municipality for any contamination.
- Invest in PFAS-free dental floss. It may be less slippery but will be safe and non-toxic.
Given the current state of PFAS, we can deduce that they may be useful enough to have multiple use cases. However, their harmful effects outweigh any benefits they bring to the table.
The primary manufacturer of PFAS, 3M, has promised to stop all production by the close of 2025. Even the EPA has developed a strategic plan to address PFAS in the future.
Can we expect a world without any traces of PFAS anytime soon? That’s highly unlikely. What is our control is ensuring our family’s safety as far as possible.
