Experts issue warning about dangerous substance lurking in popular clothing: 'It will require action from all industry leaders'
New York and California are the latest states to introduce a ban on the use of PFAS in certain items and from January 2025 these states have banned the use of PFAS in clothing. As the ban came into effect, experts spoke with Wirecutter about the dangerous pollutants and what you should do with your PFAS-containing apparel.
As Wirecutter reported, experts believe there is actually very little risk to a person who continues to wear their PFAS-treated rain jackets. The risk from the chemicals actually comes during the manufacturing of the item and when it is disposed of as it is likely to end up in a landfill.
Do you worry about having toxic forever chemicals in your home?
Majorly
Sometimes
Not really
I don't know enough about them
Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.
This is because during manufacturing and disposal, the toxic chemicals can leach into the environment, polluting the soil, air, and waterways that provide water for drinking and irrigation. "The biggest risk is when these garments are disposed," Professor Graham Peaslee told Wirecutter via email. "In this country that means the landfill."
This ban is great news for health and the environment. PFAS are extremely persistent human-made chemicals that accumulate in the body and the environment over time. According to the European Environment Agency, this group of over 4,700 chemicals has been linked to a range of health issues including thyroid disease, obesity, fertility problems, cancer, and liver damage.
There are many PFAS-free alternatives available. For waterproof clothing, waxed fabrics and polyurethane coatings have been used to keep you dry, and you can replace non-stick pans with ceramic, cast iron, and stainless steel pans that work just as well.
Many states are cracking down on the use of PFAS, but it will take a big effort to ban them completely. "It will require action from all industry leaders to make the transition," Theresa McKenney, director of sustainability at outdoor gear company Nemo, told Wirecutter.
Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Yahoo
Very high levels of toxic chemicals found in eco-friendly menstrual products, study says
Extremely high levels of toxic chemicals called PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) have been found in a small sampling of reusable menstrual pads and panties, according to a new study. 'Whether we wear feminine hygiene products or not, we will all be exposed,' said senior study author Graham Peaslee, a professor of physics, chemistry and biochemistry at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana. 'Everything in the US ultimately goes into landfills, and with time these forever chemicals leach into our drinking water, our irrigation water and our food supply,' Peaslee said. Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances are called 'forever' chemicals because they fail to break down fully in the environment. Known endocrine disruptors, various types of PFAS have been linked to serious health problems such as cancer, obesity, high cholesterol, decreased fertility, low birth weight, accelerated puberty and hormone disruption, according to the EPA. The highest levels of contamination came from a type of 'neutral' PFAS that scientists know exist but have just recently been able to measure and more thoroughly test for harm, the study found. 'We typically measure a type of PFAS called ionic, which has a charge, and we can measure those down to parts per trillion which is a low exposure level,' Peaslee said. (An ionic charge is the positive or negative charge of an ion, an atom that has gained or lost electrons.) Newer technology is now allowing scientists to measure neutral PFAS — which have no charge. Some of the neutral versions are thought to be linked to the same health harms as the ionic versions, said Kathrin Schilling, an assistant professor of environmental science at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City. She was not involved in the study. 'That's important because neutral PFAS tend to fly under the radar but can be more easily absorbed through the skin, or even mucous membranes like those in the vagina because they can more easily move through fatty tissues,' said Schilling via email. The new testing found an alarming amount of these neutral PFAS in some reusable period products, according to the study. 'When we measured the neutral PFAS there were much higher concentrations — not parts per trillion, not even parts per billion, but levels at parts per million — that's very, very high,' Peaslee said. What does that mean for the people using these products? 'The truth is, we still do not fully understand how they behave in the body or what long-term exposure might mean,' Schilling said. 'Neutral PFAS are not well studied, and there are no clear regulations for them yet.' Some PFAS added intentionally The study, published Tuesday in the journal Environmental Science and Technology Letters, analyzed 43 period underwear, eight reusable pads, four menstrual cups, three reusable incontinence underwear and one reusable incontinence pad — a total of 59 products. A separate part of the study also looked at tampons. 'We didn't provide manufacturer names in our study However, the majority were US manufacturers,' Peaslee said. 'We also looked at a few from South America, a couple from Australia and a couple from Europe. While the number of samples is small, we believe it was a representative snapshot.' In addition to measuring neutral and ionic PFAS, the study examined whether PFAS was found at low enough levels to indicate it was inadvertently added due to contamination during the manufacturing process. Researchers also searched for higher levels of PFAS that would indicate the chemicals were likely added on purpose. 'What's shocking is that we found 33% of period underwear and 25% of reusable pads had intentional PFAS use — meaning the chemicals had been put there, likely to keep the products from leaking,' Peaslee said. Many reusable materials were sourced from third-party suppliers in other countries, who may not be as aware of the dangers of PFAS as domestic manufacturers, he said. 'It did seem to be random — sometimes they put PFAS in the inside layer of material, sometimes on the outside, sometimes between the layers, all of which suggests they have no idea what they're doing,' Peaslee added. 'There's no labeling, so consumers have no clue because there's no way they can tell.' There were some encouraging findings, said lead author Alyssa Wicks, who conducted the research while a graduate student at Notre Dame. 'Only a subset of the products had high levels of PFAS present, which means that PFAS must not be essential in the manufacture of reusable feminine hygiene products,' said Wicks, now a postdoctoral assistant in the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University in Durham, North Carolia. 'Manufacturers should be able to make these textile products without chemicals of concern in them,' Wicks said in a statement. A growing number of teens and adults are looking for more eco-friendly choices at a time when scientists still know very little about how much PFAS and other chemicals are actually absorbed via vaginal tissue over time, Schilling said. 'That is a huge gap in our understanding, especially given how many people rely on these products monthly for years,' she said. 'While these findings might seem niche at first glance, they point to a broader need for research, regulation, and transparency around the materials used in all menstrual products.' For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at
Newsweek
a day ago
- Newsweek
'Forever Chemicals' Detected in Reusable Feminine Hygiene Products
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Reusable menstrual products—once hailed as eco-friendly and health-conscious alternatives to disposables—may be hiding a chemical threat, according to a new study. Researchers from Indiana University and the University of Notre Dame have discovered evidence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as "forever chemicals," in a wide range of reusable feminine hygiene products. The study involved the testing of 59 products from North America, South America and Europe. These included period underwear, reusable pads, menstrual cups and reusable incontinence underwear. A stock image of women's underwear, reusable cloth pad and menstrual cup on a violet background. A stock image of women's underwear, reusable cloth pad and menstrual cup on a violet background. Liudmila Chernetska/iStock / Getty Images Plus Last year, researchers led from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston analyzed menstrual hygiene habits using data from the Apple Women's Health Study, which tracked 11,455 U.S. participants between November 2019 and January 2024. Despite rising awareness about arsenic and toxic metals, regular tampons remained the most commonly used menstrual product, used by 48 percent of subjects. Pads were used by 47 percent and panty liners by 43 percent. Among reusable options, period underwear was chosen by 20 percent and menstrual cups by 18 percent of respondents. Recently, the researches found PFAS were detected in nearly 30 percent of the samples—at levels suggesting they were intentionally added. This marks the first official confirmation of these potentially harmful chemicals in reusable menstrual products. "Since reusable products are on the rise due to their increased sustainability compared to single-use products, it's important to ensure that these products are safe. This is crucial, especially for adolescents and young women, who are more vulnerable to potential negative health effects," said paper author and chemist professor Marta Venier of Indiana University in a statement. "Feminine hygiene products stay in contact with the skin for extended periods of time, and the risks from the dermal absorption of PFAS, especially neutral PFAS, are not well understood." What Are PFAS and Why Are They Concerning? PFAS are synthetic chemicals used for their water, stain and heat-resistant properties. However, they are known to accumulate in the human body over time and have been linked to serious health conditions, including hormone disruption, cancer and immune system dysfunction. "One of the most abundant PFAS detected in products from the North American market is 8:2 FTOH, a chemical that was voluntarily phased out in food packaging by manufacturers in accordance with the FDA due to persistence in the body after dietary exposure," explained Sydney Brady, a Ph.D. student in Venier's lab. "Notably, 8:2 FTOH can be transformed into more toxic PFOA once inside the body." Newsweek reached out to Dr. Olivia Ahn, a former NHS doctor based in the U.K., who described the idea of chemicals and microplastics entering women's bodies as "unsettling." "It's a serious concern that demands urgent attention from everyone involved – from the companies making these products to the regulators overseeing them," she said. Ahn, founder of the sustainable femcare brand FLUUS—which developed the world's first certified flushable, microplastics- and glue-free sanitary pad made from non-woven natural materials—explained how these substances are absorbed through sensitive tissues. She said: "The vaginal tissue isn't like the skin on your arm—it's incredibly delicate and acts like a fast track directly to your bloodstream. It's highly absorbent, meaning chemicals can quickly get into your system without being filtered by your liver or digestive system in the usual way. "This pathway is so efficient that it's even used in medicine for quick drug delivery. This unique sensitivity is precisely why we must be extra vigilant about the chemical makeup of products designed for intimate use. What you put there really matters for your overall health." Environmental Implications of Reusables While reusable menstrual products are seen as a sustainable alternative to disposables, they still end up in landfills. Once there, PFAS can leach into the soil and water, posing a wider environmental hazard. These findings underline the need for greater transparency in product manufacturing and labeling. "Consumers should know that not everything that is in a product is listed on the package," Venier added. "Increased transparency from manufacturers would help consumers make informed decisions about what they're purchasing for themselves and their families." Do you have a tip on a health story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about PFAS? Let us know via health@ References Wang, Z., Peebles, E., Baird, D. D., Jukic, A. M. Z., Wilcox, A. J., Curry, C. L., Fischer-Colbrie, T., Onnela, J.-P., Williams, M. A., Hauser, R., Coull, B. A., & Mahalingaiah, S. (2025). Menstrual product use patterns in a large digital cohort in the United States: Variations by sociodemographic, health, and menstrual characteristics. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Wicks, A., Brady, S., Whitehead, H. D., Hedman, T., Zachritz, A., Venier, M., & Peaslee, G. F. (2025). Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Reusable Feminine Hygiene Products. Environmental Science & Technology Letters.
The Hill
a day ago
- The Hill
Scientists warn of toxic ‘forever chemicals' in reusable period products
Many reusable menstrual products that have gained increasing popularity among teens are packed with toxic 'forever chemicals,' a new study has found. Among the biggest repeat offenders are washable pads and underwear, according to the study, published on Tuesday in Environmental Science & Technology Letters. And as more consumers opt for multi-use products over their disposable counterparts, the study authors expressed cause for concern. 'Since reusable products are on the rise due to their increased sustainability compared to single-use products, it's important to ensure that these products are safe,' co-author Marta Venier, an associated professor at the University of Notre Dame, said in a statement. 'This is crucial, especially for adolescents and young women, who are more vulnerable to potential negative health effects,' Venier added. The compounds in question are known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and are prevalent in numerous household items, such as waterproof apparel, nonstick pans and various personal care products. There are an estimated 15,000 types of PFAS, all of which are manmade, and some of which have been linked to cancers and other severe illnesses. These so-called 'forever chemicals' linger nearly interminably in the environment and up to several years in the human body. Previous research in China sounded the alarm on the prevalence of PFAS in that country's personal hygiene products, including in sanitary pads, panty liners, tampons, paper diapers, menstrual cups and bactericidal liquids. In addition, a 2020 Sierra Magazine article — which included the participation of Graham Peaslee, senior author of the current study — identified 'intentional fluorine use' in one type of period underwear, which led to a lawsuit and $5 million settlement with the brand. To identify PFAS presence in products, scientists typically begin by deploying a broad-stroke screening tool: the assessment of total fluorine in a sample. They generally deem fluorine usage as 'intentional' — or deliberate in a product's formulation, as opposed to accidental contamination — when levels surpass a specific safety threshold. In the current study, the researchers narrowed their focus on 59 reusable hygiene products — such as period underwear, reusable pads, menstrual cups and reusable incontinence underwear and pads — from North America, South America, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. The products, they explained, first underwent total fluorine screenings using a technology called particle-induced gamma-ray emission spectroscopy. These preliminary screenings showed that period underwear and reusable pads likely had the highest rates of intentional PFAS use: 33 percent and 25 percent of items in each of these product categories, respectively. The findings applied to markets across the globe, with intentional fluorination spotted in seven pairs of South American underwear, four North American pairs and two European pairs, according to the study. Following the initial fluorine scans, the scientists then chose 19 products for targeted analyses of 31 'ionic' and 11 'neutral' types of PFAS. Ionic PFAS are those molecules that can 'dissociate' in the environment, becoming highly mobile and capable of widespread contamination. Among the most notorious types of ionic PFAS are legacy compounds like PFOA and PFOS, which have largely been phased out of production but remain in the environment due to their persistence. Neutral PFAS, on the other hand, do not dissociate and were previously thought to be less toxic. But scientists have been challenging that assumption, as these compounds are highly volatile and can serve as precursors for ionic PFAS. In the more precise PFAS tests for the 19 period products, the researchers detected the compounds in 100 percent of the products, with two types of neutral PFAS — 6:2 and 8:2 fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOH) — boasting the most abundant presence. Co-author Sydney Brady, a PhD candidate in Venier's group, stressed in a statement that 8:2 FTOH was one of the most common types of PFAS in the North American items, despite its elimination from food packing by manufacturers. That phase-out, Brady explained, occurred due to Food and Drug Administration concerns about the chemical's 'persistence in the body after dietary exposure.' 'Notably, 8:2 FTOH can be transformed into more toxic PFOA once inside the body,' Brady warned. While recognizing that far less research exists on PFAS exposure via skin versus food or water, the authors cited initial studies on dermal absorption as a potentially 'significant exposure pathway for PFAS when present in feminine hygiene products.' 'Feminine hygiene products stay in contact with the skin for extended periods of time,' Venier said. 'The risks from the dermal absorption of PFAS, especially neutral PFAS, are not well understood.' As such, the researchers called for further studies to define the risk of PFAS exposure via human skin. In addition, after identifying at least one sample per product category that contained zero intentionally added PFAS, they stressed that safer and healthier alternatives can likely be manufactured without them.
