The terrifying abundance of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — better known as PFAS — means they are largely unavoidable in our everyday lives. PFAS have been nicknamed “forever chemicals” due to the extreme difficulty of breaking them down safely and their ability to biodegrade naturally.
To this point, our exposure to PFAS has been inescapable, though lawmakers are making progress.
Progress, of course, is gradual. Companies seeking to produce goods as cheaply as possible still get exposed on a seemingly weekly basis for products testing positive for containing PFAS despite their marketing claims. It isn’t just low-end products from suspect retailers, either: your favorite influencer or celebrity has probably taken a photo wearing a luxury product containing PFAS.
All that said, let’s review products containing PFAS so you can best protect your health.
Here’s a list of products with PFAS:
If you find a pair of period-proof polyester activewear that is certain to be free of contaminants, consider yourself lucky. In fact, the activewear industry is an enormous culprit in massively producing luxury wear that contains PFAS:
- Lululemon leggings have tested positive for PFAS
- Athleta, Gaiam, Old Navy, and Vuori activewear have also returned positive PFAS tests from EPA-certified labs
- Other activewear products containing synthetic materials like polyester may also contain PFAS
It may be safer, though, to exercise in organic cotton apparel, per National Geographic. However, an extensive number of PFAS-containing items still exist in our everyday lives, including:
- Cookware, such as the HexClad brand — though not all brands
- Drinking water
- Dog food containers
- Kale and Kerrygold brand butter
- Parchment paper
- Prime Hydration drinks
- Simply Orange juice
- Some brands of baby wipes
- Sparkling water and tap water