PFAs: The Chemicals That Linger
Some things pass through us, dissolve, transform. Others remain. Some substances are designed to last—to resist heat, water, and time itself. They coat our nonstick pans, seep into our rainproof jackets, line the packaging that keeps grease from staining our fingers. They are invisible, unassuming, everywhere.
These are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs)—a family of man-made chemicals engineered for endurance. First created in the 1940s, they were a marvel of modern chemistry, a solution to stick and stain, an answer to industry’s need for durability. What no one asked, at least not at first, was: what happens when we consume what does not break down?
The answer is written in our blood. Studies show that PFAs accumulate in the body, lurking in our tissues, circulating through our systems long after exposure (CDC, 2022). They interfere with hormones, disrupt metabolism, weaken immune function. They have been linked to thyroid disease, reproductive issues, even cancer (Grandjean & Clapp, 2015). Their persistence is their danger—they do not degrade easily, not in the environment, not in us.
So how do we avoid what is everywhere?
We begin with awareness. We choose cast iron over nonstick, glass over grease-resistant paper, natural fabrics over waterproof synthetics. We filter our water, as many municipal supplies have been tainted (EWG, 2023). We read labels, seeking “PFA-free” certifications, though we know the absence of a claim does not mean the absence of the chemical.
And just as we detoxify our bodies, we advocate for the detoxification of our systems. We support policies that regulate, restrict, remove. We remember that the burden of avoidance should not fall only on the consumer but on those who produce, legislate, and design the materials that surround us.
Our bodies are wise. They know how to break down, absorb, and release what serves us. But when met with something indestructible, they struggle. Let us choose what is temporary, what is biodegradable, what does not linger past its welcome. Let us nourish ourselves with that which the earth recognizes, that which cycles back into renewal.
Because resilience should belong to us—not the chemicals we unknowingly carry.
Citations & References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022). Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAs) and Your Health. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov
Grandjean, P., & Clapp, R. (2015). Perfluorinated Alkyl Substances: Emerging Insights Into Health Risks. New Solutions: A Journal of Environmental and Occupational Health Policy, 25(2), 147-163. doi:10.1177/1048291115590506
Environmental Working Group (EWG). (2023). PFAs Contamination in U.S. Water Supplies. Retrieved from https://www.ewg.org
