WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH PFAS?
Study Finds Toxic Contamination in Popular Makeup
You might’ve heard about the toxic makeup controversy due to the No PFAS in Cosmetics Act recently introduced into the Senate. What’s the deal with PFAS (per- and polyfluoalkyl substances)? Are they actually dangerous? Here’s what we know so far.
Prepping for the holidays is exciting and fun, but it requires tons of planning, cooking, decorating, and cleaning. To avoid getting bogged down while preparing for cheerful celebrations with friends and family, try these easy ways to get your house sparkling clean and ready to host. Roll the Ceilings When it comes to ceilings, especially if they are textured, thoroughly cleaning off dust, dander, and cobwebs can be challenging. When you use a broom, chunks typically go flying around and make a larger mess. However, if you whip out a painting roller, dampen it, and roll your ceilings just like you are painting, you are sure to get the job done! Socks on Your Hands Have you ever run a finger along a panel of your blinds and it comes up black? Blinds tend to be huge dust collectors. By throwing some socks on your hands, you can get back to clean blinds. All you have to do is find a pair of old socks, “glove up,” and dampen them. From there, if you grip each individual blind panel and slide your hand along the length of it, you will gather tons of nasty dirt and dust onto the sock. Cleaning Balls Utilizing tennis balls for your house chores may sound strange. However, when drying a bulky bed comforter in your dryer, adding a few tennis balls will ensure the stuffing does not gather all to one side. The balls help keep everything nice and even. Pillowcases and Fans Your ceiling fans collect all of the nasties — dirt, dust, bugs, and allergens. For an easy way to clean them without spreading all the grime around your home, turn to old pillowcases! Simply slip the pillowcase over each individual fan blade and then wipe. All of the debris will end up in the pillowcase itself. A clean home is the key to happy living and is paramount for hosting over the holidays. With these tricks up your sleeve, you are now a cleaning expert! YOU CAN USEWHAT TO TIDY UP?! 4 Deep-Cleaning Hacks to Prep for the Holidays
What does the research say?
A recent study published in the journal Environmental Sciences & Technology Letters revealed that over 52% of 231 popular makeup items, sold in American and Canadian markets, contained high levels of synthetic contaminants called PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” because they do not disintegrate easily in the environment or in our bodies. For many, putting on makeup is a daily ritual — which makes it extremely concerning that PFAS can bioaccumulate in bodies over time. Even worse, they have been linked to cancer, thyroid disease, liver damage, decreased fertility, and hormone disruption. The most disturbing detail, though? Of the 29 products that contained PFAS chemicals, 28 did not disclose them on the product’s label. “Some of it could be unintentional, due to manufacturing issues, but there are several products where the levels are so high, they had to be intentionally added for something like durability or water resistance, because that’s what PFAS do very well,” says study author Graham Peaslee, a professor of physics, chemistry, and biochemistry at the University of Notre Dame. Additionally, about 88% of the tested products failed to disclose any ingredients that would explain those chemical markers, despite the Food and Drug Administration requiring such explanations.
How do you avoid PFAS risk?
According to the study, the highest levels of PFAS were found in foundations (63%), waterproof mascara (82%), and long-lasting lipstick (62%). To get started, use the Skin Deep database on EWG.org to look up specific products. They have pages dedicated to specific chemicals to watch
out for, including PFAS. Ultimately, your safest bet is buying from companies that are transparent about what they put in their products and have policies against PFAS.
Please buy carefully, and if it’s important to you for cosmetics to stay safe for everyone, give your congressional representatives a call or email to support the No PFAS in Cosmetics Act!
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