6/5/24: ☣️ Protect yourself from PFAS & ditch toxic burden

Hi my friend,

PFAS: Forever Chemicals And Your Health

🧪 PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), also known as "forever chemicals," are a growing concern due to their widespread presence and potential health risks. These human-made chemicals are remarkably strong and resist degradation, persisting in the environment and our bodies (hence ‘forever’).

These compounds tend to settle in the blood, kidneys, and liver.

What are the risks?

Exposure to PFAS has been linked to various health problems, including:

• Increased risk of certain cancers

• Immune system dysfunction

• Thyroid problems

• Developmental problems in children

Where are they found?

PFAS are in an alarmingly wide range of products, making it difficult to completely avoid them. Here are some common sources:

• 🥘 Non-stick cookware: The coating that makes your pan slide effortlessly often contains PFAS.

• 🛋️ Waterproofing: Clothing, carpets, and furniture treated for stain and water resistance may harbor PFAS.

• 🍿 Food packaging: Some types of microwave popcorn bags and pizza boxes use PFAS for grease resistance.

• 💄 Personal care products: Cosmetics, toilet paper, and even some dental flosses may contain PFAS.

How to minimize exposure:

• 🍳 Limit non-stick cookware: Opt for cast iron or stainless steel pans that you know are tested without PFAS.

• 👕 Wash clothes before wearing: If you buy new clothing, this can help remove some surface PFAS. Natural and organic fibers should ideally make up the majority of your wardrobe - which would not have the same contamination, but this is not always an option.

• 🧻 Choose holistic/natural alternatives: Look for conscious brands that acknowledge common concerns like heavy metals and PFAS, and/or speak up via email or social media to tell other brands that this is the standard you are seeking.

• 🚰 Filter your water: While not all filters remove PFAS, reverse osmosis can be effective. Our bodies are made up of a lot of water, and you should be drinking high quality water consistently throughout the day (you can get $100 off the R.O. I am installing in my home).

For a deeper dive into the dangers of PFAS, check out the documentary The Devil We Know, co-directed by my real-life friend Jeremy Seifert (consulting producer on The Need To GROW). This Sundance-premiering film exposes the shady tactics and corruption of chemical companies as they covered up the pollution and harms of their PFAS products.

The subject of this documentary also led to the scripted Hollywood version starring Mark Ruffalo, titled Dark Waters.

By staying informed and making informed choices, we can all take steps to increase our awareness and reduce our exposure.

Only in April of this year did the EPA seem to ‘catch up’ to the science and classify PFAS as hazardous.

To a healing future,

Rob