A recent report unveiled by the Daily Mail [1] has uncovered the presence of PFAS, commonly referred to as a “forever chemical” in popular bandages sold in the United States.
PFAS, known for their persistence in the environment and having potential health risks, have been detected in bandages from several renowned brands, including Band-Aid and Curad. For a complete listing of products, click on the Daily News link above.
The investigation, conducted by environmental health watchdogs, tested 40 bandages from 18 different brands and found detectable levels of fluorine, a key component of PFAS, in 26 of them.
These chemicals, sometimes used in the manufacturing process of adhesives, pose a concern when they come into direct contact with open wounds, potentially entering the bloodstream and causing harm.
Dr. Linda Birnbaum, a toxicologist involved in the testing, expressed concern over the exposure of individuals, particularly children, to PFAS through bandages. She emphasized the importance of removing these chemicals from wound care products to safeguard public health.
PFAS substances, characterized by strong carbon-fluorine bonds, are known for their resilience and can persist in the environment for years. They are commonly found in various consumer products, including water-repellent coatings, nonstick cookware, and stain-resistant fabrics.
The Daily Mail says that PFAS are “everywhere” including tap water and human blood. In their article, they say, “A report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) found PFAS in the blood of 97% of Americans.” This may explain why cancer is so prevalent.
Efforts to address PFAS contamination in consumer products will require collaboration between regulators, manufacturers, and advocacy groups. But for some reason, even though it’s been known for a while that PFAS poses great danger to millions of Americans, the issue has not seemed to rise to a level of much importance to our governmental officials and politicians. To date, it doesn’t appear that they are proactively doing much of anything to keep Americans safe.