What Are PFAS?

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals that include Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA). 

These elements have a an extremely negative effect on the health of those exposed to them. Used as early as the 1940s, PFAS were once thought of as beneficial because of their ability to repel fire, water, oil and stains. Since PFAS functioned as great repellents, companies used them to produce a variety of products, including:

• Stain- and water-resistant fabrics
• Non-stick products
• Polishes
• Waxes
• Paints
• Cleaning products
• Fire-fighting foams

Many companies began phasing out the production of PFAS in 2000. However, these chemicals continue to have a residual impact on the environment today as they have polluted the air, soil and water. PFAS contamination is still found in water supplies across North America. 

What does PFOS and PFOA stand for? 

PFOS refers to Perfluorooctane Sulfonate and PFOA stands for Perfluorooctanoic Acid. They are water and stain-resistant synthetic compounds that are difficult to break down in the environment and in the human body.

Why are PFOS and PFOA still a concern today if these chemicals are no longer in production? 

Even though PFOS and PFOA are no longer produced in the United States, they are still used internationally. 

This means you can still be exposed to PFOS and PFOA through imported goods, like carpets, leather and apparel, textiles, paper and packaging, coatings, rubber and plastics. PFAS are resilient and can still be found in contaminated soil and water. 

According to the EPA, PFAS health effects may include: 

• *Developmental delays
• *Reproductive health issues
• *Neuroendocrine issues affecting the kidneys and liver
• *Cancer
• *Thyroid imbalances
• *Cardiovascular concerns

A case-only study that investigated the relationship between cancer and exposure to PFOA through drinking water among Mid-Ohio residents living near the DuPont Teflon-manufacturing plant found that higher PFOA concentrations were associated with testicular and kidney cancers in some of the areas (Vieira et al., 2013). The company knew the dangers and decided PROFITS were more important!

Amongst all cancer endpoints, the odds of testicular cancer were elevated only in one of the two areas with the highest concentration of PFOA in drinking water. Kidney cancer was increased significantly in one district and in the two highest levels of individual exposure. 

GOT ANY ITEMS WITH TEFLON IN THEM IN YOUR HOME 🏡 GET RID OF THEM NOW 🤬

Cumulative exposure to PFOA (retrospective estimates of log serum concentration) was associated with an increased risk of self-reported testicular, kidney, and thyroid cancers in a large cohort (n = 32,254) of C8 Health Project participants and DuPont Teflon-manufacturing plant workers above 20 years old (mean of 53 years old), after adjusting for smoking, alcohol consumption, sex, and education, and stratifying by age (Barry et al., 2013). 

The C8 Science Panel (2012b) provides an assessment of the probable link between PFOA exposure and cancer. The term “C8” references the presence of specific compounds of the PFAS family. 

Particularly the compounds with the eight-unit carbon chain structure (also referred to as C8). 

Thus, PFOA (or perfluorooctanoic acid) is one of the two chemicals of concern in the C8 family.

The " link" defined by the Science Panel means that "given the available scientific evidence, it is more likely than not that among class members a connection exists between PFOA exposure and several particular human diseases ." Testicular and kidney cancers were the particular types of cancer on which the association was based. 

The most damage was done to pregnant women exposed to PFOA’s and their children were deformed... All in the name of PROFIT 🤬 And they did this to white people... Imagine what they’ll do to you black man 😬

READ: Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) in Drinking Water

This chemical was created and had known negative side effects and they continued to use the product because of how much money they were making with it 🤬

WATCH THIS DOCUMENTARY TO UNDERSTAND THE LENGTHS CORPORATIONS WILL GO TO INCREASE PROFITS... THAT INCLUDES KILLING ANIMALS, PEOPLE AND THE PLANET 🌍 🤬