A Consumer’s Guide to PFAS: Side-Stepping ‘Forever Chemicals’ In Your Daily Life
Published May 8, 2024
PFAS are linked to a large range of health problems including cancers. Use our guide to minimize your exposure to these "forever chemicals."
You’ve probably heard about PFAS in the news and by now, have learned that they’re a major health concern. But many still don’t know just what PFAS are or how to avoid them.
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a class of thousands of toxic lab-made chemicals pervasive in consumer goods, such as nonstick cookware and stain-resistant carpets. They are known as “forever chemicals” because they do not readily break down in the environment.
PFAS have been linked to a large range of health problems including various cancers, altered hormone levels, decreased birth weights, digestive inflammation, and reduced vaccine response. New research comes out almost every day that indicates no amount is safe.
Use our guide below to minimize your exposure to PFAS, and share it with all of your friends.
PFAS Consumer Guide
| Item & Problem | Avoid | Alternative | Look for pfas-free certification from these labels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drinking Water | |||
| Problem: PFAS are often found in drinking water, including bottled water (which usually contains tap water) | Avoid: Avoid unfiltered tap water if PFAS is present** and all bottled water | Alternative: Invest in a water filter certified to eliminate PFAS, and travel with refillable, stainless steel water bottles | Look for pfas-free certification from these labels: For water filters only: NSF 53 and NSF 58 certified filters |
| Food Storage | |||
| Problem: Plastic and grease-proof containers can transfer PFAS into food | Avoid: Plastic food storage, storing and reheating take-out in plastic containers or fast-food wrapping | Alternative: Purchase food in glass containers, and repurpose them to store and reheat home-cooked food and leftovers | Look for pfas-free certification from these labels: None* |
| Plastic dishware and utensils | |||
| Problem: Plastic and single-use dishware can expose people to PFAS | Avoid: Plastic dishes, plastic sippy cups, plastic utensils | Alternative: Dishware and utensils made from glass, ceramic, porcelain, silicone, or stainless steel | Look for pfas-free certification from these labels: None* |
| Cookware | |||
| Problem: PFAS has been well-documented in pans with special coatings (e.g. Teflon). Be wary of pans claimed to be PFOA/PFOS-free. | Avoid: Products with Teflon and other nonstick coatings | Alternative: Stainless steel, cast iron, ceramic, glass | Look for pfas-free certification from these labels: None* |
| Personal hygiene products | |||
| Problem: PFAS are found products like shampoo, lotion, and dental floss | Avoid: Avoid products containing “perfluor-,” “polyfluor-,” “PFC, “or “PTFE” | Alternative: Products made with natural, recognizable ingredients (plant oils, aloe, cocoa butter) | Look for pfas-free certification from these labels: C2C, Green Seal |
| Products in plastic containers | |||
| Problem: Plastic containers can leach PFAS into personal care products | Avoid: Products sold in plastic containers | Alternative: Shampoo bars, glass containers, purchasing items from “bulk bins” | Look for pfas-free certification from these labels: None* |
| Makeup | |||
| Problem: PFAS in makeup can be readily absorbed into the body | Avoid: Avoid “waterproof” products and those containing “perfluor-,” “polyfluor-,” “PFC,” or “PTFE” | Alternative: Products made with natural, recognizable ingredients (plant oils, aloe, cocoa butter) | Look for pfas-free certification from these labels: C2C, Green Seal |
| Menstrual products | |||
| Problem: PFAS are found in menstrual pads, tampons, and period underwear | Avoid: Brands not certified to be PFAS-free | Alternative: Silicone menstrual cups, fabric liners/pads, or certified PFAS-free brands | Look for pfas-free certification from these labels: Oeko-Tek, BlueSign |
| Fabric | |||
| Problem: PFAS are found in synthetic fabrics, especially when labeled as water proof or stain proof. | Avoid: Synthetic fibers and their coatings (polyester, nylon, spandex, acrylic) | Alternative: Natural fibers (cotton, linen, wool, hemp) | Look for pfas-free certification from these labels: BlueSign, Green Screen, Oeko-Tek, C2C |
| Activewear and rain gear | |||
| Problem: PFAS are found in many activewear items | Avoid: Clothing labeled “waterproof” or “stain resistant” | Alternative: Clothing made with naturalfibers or certified PFAS-free | Look for pfas-free certification from these labels: BlueSign, Green Screen, Oeko-Tek, C2C |
| Cleaning Products | |||
| Problem: PFAS are found in cleaning products | Avoid: Cleaning products with a large percentage of PFAS in them | Alternative: Cleaning products made with natural, recognizable ingredients (castile soap, essential oils), or clean with vinegar and baking soda | Look for pfas-free certification from these labels: Green Seal, C2C, Green Screen |
| Dust | |||
| Problem: PFAS from products like carpets and rugs accumulates in household dust | Avoid: Allowing dust to accumulate | Alternative: Dust with wet cloths, change furnace filters often, consider HEPA filters for your HVAC system and vaccum | Look for pfas-free certification from these labels: |
| interior exterior paint | |||
| Problem: PFAS in paint can leach into the air and dust | Avoid: Paints with fluorosurfactants (Capstone FS-30, CapstoneFS-64, S-106A) | Alternative: Paints certified to be PFAS-free | Look for pfas-free certification from these labels: Green Seal, C2C |
| synthetic flooring and coatings | |||
| Problem: Flooring can expose household members to PFAS | Avoid: Vinyl flooring and stain-resistant carpet | Alternative: Natural flooring (wood, bamboo) or certified PFAS-free carpet | Look for pfas-free certification from these labels: C2C |
| furniture | |||
| Problem: Furniture coatings can expose household members to PFAS | Avoid: Stain-resistant coatings | Alternative: Products without stain resistance, or those that are certified PFAS-free | Look for pfas-free certification from these labels: BIFMA, C2C, Green Screen |
| home gardening products | |||
| Problem: PFAS have been found in pesticides, as well as plastic gardening supplies | Avoid: Pesticides, plastic weedbarriers, plastic pots | Alternative: Use natural pesticides like essential oils, and use newspaper and leafmulch as a weed barrier | Look for pfas-free certification from these labels: None* |
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* With the complexity of testing for thousands of types of PFAS, and fledgling legislation, several types of consumer goods currently have no guidance or certification system available.
** You can check your annual water quality report for detectable levels of certain PFAS, if your water comes from a mid-size or larger water system. Community water systems serving more than 10,000 people and a selection of smaller systems are required to test for 29 forms of PFAS. If any of these toxic compounds are detected, those results will be listed in the water system’s annual water quality report.
Your loved ones need this information to stay safe and healthy. Will you make sure they see it?