Help Put the Stop to "Forever Chemicals"!
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances)—also known as “forever chemicals”—are used to make products water-repellent, grease-resistant, and/or heat tolerant. PFAS have been found in a wide array of consumer and institutional products, including non-stick cookware, stain-resistant carpet and furniture, waterproof clothing, compostable food service ware, firefighting foam, refrigerants, artificial turf, building materials, and more. There are thousands of PFAS in consumer products, they break down very slowly, and some of them are harmful both to people and our environment.
PFAS are commonly referred to as forever chemicals, because they can take thousands of years to break down. Unfortunately, they are also linked to a wide array of health problems.
Massachusetts and the US EPA have set maximum levels for six PFAS chemicals in drinking water supplies. This is a good start to protecting people, but thousands of other PFAS chemicals remain unregulated and untested for safety.
What Can You Do about Forever Chemicals?
More Info:
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/per-and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas
https://www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-explained
https://www.ecocenter.org/our-work/protecting-communities-pfas-pollution/facts-about-pfas
https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/activities/index.html
https://www.epa.gov/pfas/meaningful-and-achievable-steps-you-can-take-reduce-your-risk
https://pfas-exchange.org/resources/how-to-reduce-your-exposure-to-pfas/
https://www.mass.gov/doc/massdep-fact-sheet-pfas-in-drinking-water-questions-and-answers-for-consumers/download
Tell Manufacturers to Stop Using PFAS
1. Print out one of our postcards (below), or choose one of your own.
2. Identify a business that you buy from that carries or makes products containing PFAS. See list at the bottom.
3. Add a brief personal message saying why YOU want no more PFAS use, and sign it with your name and town/state.
4. Send the postcard.
5. Pass on this information sheet to your friends.
Massachusetts and the US EPA have set maximum levels for six PFAS chemicals in drinking water supplies. This is a good start to protecting people, but thousands of other PFAS chemicals remain unregulated and untested for safety.
What Can You Do about Forever Chemicals?
- Eat more fresh foods to avoid take-out containers and other food packaging.
- Avoid stain-resistant carpets and upholstery, as well as stain-resistant treatments and waterproofing sprays, and products with the ingredient PTFE or other “fluoro” ingredients listed on the label.
- Choose cookware made of cast iron, stainless steel, glass, or enamel instead of Teflon.
- Filter your drinking water with an activated carbon or reverse osmosis filtration system.
- Avoid microwave popcorn and greasy foods wrapped in paper.
- Look for nylon or silk dental floss that is uncoated or coated in natural wax.
- Buy products from manufacturers that have pledged not to make products containing PFAS:
- PFAS Central https://pfascentral.org/pfas-free-products/
- GreenSeal https://certified.greenseal.org/directory
- Avoid products made by the top 12 PFAS producers globally
- Urge your water utility to test for PFAS. (Note: Massachusetts has regulations for six PFAS chemicals in drinking water, and is revising those regulations to be more stringent.)
- Ask your elected officials to support stronger restrictions on PFAS in consumer products and remediation of contaminated sites.
- Find out about local groups working to protect water quality by visiting: https://www-pfas.pfas-exchange.org/connecting-communities/
More Info:
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/per-and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas
https://www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-explained
https://www.ecocenter.org/our-work/protecting-communities-pfas-pollution/facts-about-pfas
https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/activities/index.html
https://www.epa.gov/pfas/meaningful-and-achievable-steps-you-can-take-reduce-your-risk
https://pfas-exchange.org/resources/how-to-reduce-your-exposure-to-pfas/
https://www.mass.gov/doc/massdep-fact-sheet-pfas-in-drinking-water-questions-and-answers-for-consumers/download
Tell Manufacturers to Stop Using PFAS
1. Print out one of our postcards (below), or choose one of your own.
2. Identify a business that you buy from that carries or makes products containing PFAS. See list at the bottom.
3. Add a brief personal message saying why YOU want no more PFAS use, and sign it with your name and town/state.
4. Send the postcard.
5. Pass on this information sheet to your friends.
Download your own postcard, print it, add your own message, and mail it.
The Biggest PFAS Producers Headquartered in the US
3M Corporate Headquarters 3M Center St. Paul, MN 55144-1000 Arkema 900 1st Ave King of Prussia, PA 19406 BASF 100 Park Ave Florham Park, NJ 07932 Bayer 100 Bayer Blvd Whippany, NJ 07981 Chemours 1007 N Market St Wilmington, DE 19801 Honeywell 8008 Corporate Center Dr, Ste 120 Charlotte, NC 28226 Merck 126 E Lincoln Ave Rahway, NJ 07065 |
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