PFAS are commonly found in waterproof clothing, stain-resistant textiles, cosmetics and cookware. Here’s how to best minimise your exposure to these forever chemicals.
Filtering out PFAS is only the first step. These ‘forever chemicals’ still have to be destroyed, and there are many questions about how to do that safely.
A study of the Austrian slopes has found that forever chemicals in ski wax end up on the slopes, in soil and snow.
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Researchers are finding alarming concentrations of persistent pollutants such as PFAS in Australian dolphins. These record-breaking levels are cause for concern.
A front-end loader dumps road salt into a truck in Chelsea, Mass.
(AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Increasing awareness of the dangers ‘forever chemical’ road salts pose to our fresh water systems highlights the urgent importance of finding new approaches to de-icing our roads.
Canals carry PFAS into Miami’s Biscayne Bay.
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Scientists found PFAS hot spots in Miami’s Biscayne Bay where the chemicals are entering coastal waters and reaching the ocean. Water samples point to some specific sources.
Toxins from pollution are accumulating in the bodies of killer whales through the smaller fish they eat.
(Audun Rikardsen)
The accumulation of synthetic pollutants found in the blubber of killer whales is impacting the marine mammals’ health. Urgent action is needed to tackle the issue.
PFAS concentrations were discovered in almost all of the paper and bamboo straws tested.
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New restrictions on PFAS and other potentially hazardous chemicals in Australia present an opportunity for industry to develop alternatives for new, safe and clean products.
PFAS or ‘forever chemicals’ are found in fire-fighting foam, food packaging, waterproof cosmetics, non-stick pans, stain- and water-resistant fabrics and carpeting, cleaning products and paints.
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The Canadian government needs to regulate and, eventually, stop the continued release of toxic ‘forever chemicals’ into the environment and also prevent the creation of any toxic replacements.
How long do chemicals really need to last?
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PFAS are chemicals used in cosmetics and personal care products that can persist in the environment for a very long time. New regulations seek to ban PFAS, but Canada needs to take further actions.
Most food in Australia remains free of PFAS, but a new study has found it can build up in cattle on PFAS-affected farms. But there are ways to manage the land and livestock to reduce the risks.
PFAS can be found in hundreds of water systems in the U.S.
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The drinking water systems serving over 70 million people may not meet newly proposed water quality standards. It could cost hundreds of billions of dollars to fix that.
Every household is more likely than not to have dusts containing PFAS chemicals at low concentrations. But how worried should we be about the risks to our personal health?