What Is PFAS and Why Should You Avoid It?

Dr. Hayley Goldbach

Dr. Hayley Goldbach

Double board-certified dermatologist

You may have seen the term PFAS or "forever chemicals" in the news, on product labels, or in conversations about clean living. But what exactly are PFAS, and why should you avoid them? Here's what you need to know.

What are PFAS?

PFAS, or "per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances," are a group of synthetic chemicals that have been used in consumer products since the 1950s. They have been linked to both environmental pollution and potential health concerns. They're incredibly persistent, which means they don't break down easily in nature or in our bodies. Because of this, they're often called "forever chemicals" and can build up in our bodies over time.

And this is not a small problem: one study found PFAS in the blood of 97% of Americans!

As more people become aware of what PFAS are and where they can be found, many are making small changes to reduce their exposure.

Why should you avoid PFAS chemicals?

Exposure to PFAS chemicals has been tentatively linked to a host of health issues. Possible adverse effects of PFAS include:

  • Metabolic. PFAS have been associated with high cholesterol and obesity.
  • Liver problems. PFAS chemicals seem to be particularly damaging to the liver.
  • Reproductive. Pregnant women are at particular risk, as PFAS have been associated with low birth weight and pregnancy-related high blood pressure. PFAS seem to affect babies in utero as well, and have also been linked to developmental issues.
  • Cancer. There is concern that PFAS chemicals can be carcinogenic, or cancer-causing. Kidney and testicular cancer in particular seem to be related to PFAS exposure.
  • Immune system. PFAS chemicals may suppress the immune system and even alter the effectiveness of some vaccines.

Additionally, as mentioned above, PFAS chemicals are hard for the body to process, so exposure seems to build up over time.

Where are PFAS chemicals found?

Ingestion. PFAS contamination has been noted in food, pesticides, and water. This is particularly concerning because the EPA recently rolled back protections on drinking water.

Air. There can actually be PFAS in the air we breathe.

Products. PFAS are found in a host of consumer products. You may be surprised to know that many products in your home contain these chemicals. Some, like non-stick cookware, are obvious. Others are more surprising. Common examples where you might find PFAS include:

  • Personal care and paper products like toilet paper, paper towels, and diapers
  • Non-stick cookware like pots and pans, Dutch ovens, and air fryers
  • Water-resistant outdoor clothing like rain or snow gear
  • Stain-resistant carpets and furniture
  • Fast food wrappers and grease-resistant food packaging
  • Makeup, especially makeup marketed as "waterproof"
  • Cleaning products

Not every product in these categories contains PFAS, and many manufacturers have begun phasing them out. Still, they're common enough that it's worth paying attention to ingredient lists, certifications, and brand transparency.

How can you avoid PFAS?

  • Look for products that are specifically advertised as PFAS-free or total chlorine free.
  • Avoid products that are advertised as "stain-repellent," "performance," or "sweat-wicking" unless you have confirmation from the manufacturer that they are PFAS-free.
  • Invest in water purification and encourage testing at the municipal level for PFAS in drinking and tap water.
  • Support policies at the federal and state levels that restrict these chemicals and require disclosure.
  • Donate blood or plasma! Donating blood or plasma is not only altruistic, it can actually decrease the levels of PFAS in your blood. One study of firefighters found that donating plasma regularly decreased PFAS levels by 30%. That's a win-win.

Most importantly, don't drive yourself crazy, and remember that some exposures are harder to manage. Try to control what you can control and let go of the rest. Focus on reducing PFAS in products that you use every day, such as food or personal care products like toilet paper.

What Domus is doing about PFAS

First of all, we take PFAS seriously here.

We had our toilet paper independently tested by Intertek, an internationally recognized testing laboratory, using an extensive panel of PFAS and related substances. No detectable PFAS were found.

The testing included PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFHxA, PFBS, C9–C14 PFCAs, related substances, and additional PFAS compounds. Intertek reported all tested compounds as "ND" (not detected) at the applicable detection limits.

The product was also screened for Total Organic Fluorine (TOF), a broader measure of organically bound fluorine. The TOF result was reported as not detected at a detection limit of 20 mg/kg.

About the author

Dr. Hayley Goldbach is a double board-certified dermatologist, dermatologic surgeon, and non-toxic living expert. An expert in her field, she has published original scientific studies in numerous peer-reviewed journals and teaches medical students, residents, and fellows. She is considered an international expert and has been quoted in the New York Times, Vogue, Forbes, Real Simple, the Washington Post, Wirecutter, Travel + Leisure, and more. She lives and works in Rhode Island with her family and loves reading and the outdoors.

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