Every generation has some product/ingredient that they didn’t know was dangerous at the time: tobacco, lead, asbestos, etc. What is that item for this generation?

Jpopy@lemmy.world to Asklemmy@lemmy.ml – 715 points –
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Perfluoroalkyls aka PFAS appear to screw with all manner of body functions.

Since you mention tobacco: It's worth noting that the smoking/cancer connection was noticed long before peak cigarette smoking in the population. Prior to WWII, lung cancer was considered a rare disease. That changed with the mass marketing of cigarettes.

Zembla, a Dutch independent journalism TV program, made a video regarding a big PFAS cover-up in The Netherlands: https://youtu.be/y3kzHc-eV88. If you ask me, PFAS is worse the plastic.

While what you say is generally true, I would add that many diseases were "rare" in pre-modern times because they were not easily diagnosis at the time or because people were killed earlier by something else that is now treatable.

Sure, but incidence of lung cancer went way up as tobacco consumption rose heavily in the early 20th century.

There's a couple studies showing that even though your body can't process and remove PFAS and it just keeps accumulating, if you donate blood regularly you reduce the amount in your body by a bit each time. There are other slight health benefits to donating blood and lots of places will pay you for it. So if you can reduce your PFAS intake and donate blood you can slowly get rid of it. I use arch linux btw.

How do I avoid these?

Starbright boat polish contains and advertises that it has PTEF. Think about that , a product designed to be rubbed all over l boats until it "wears off" in waterways. I used to use it ( it is a good polish) until I realized how messed up that is.

A lot of good lubricants and dry lubricants and anti-sieze bolt coatings have PFAs. Most waterproof fabrics like tents, goretex jackets and boots, waterproofing sprays, etc also contain them. Atleast waxed canvas and wool is making a big comeback in the outdoors communities.

Non stick cookware. Water repellent and stain resistant items and coatings. Stuff like that.

Largely by avoiding waterproof or water resistant skincare products such as sunscreen and makeup. Also avoid using nonstick cookware.

But I need sunscreen or my stupid Irish skin will turn into a big lump of cancer anyway.

I think the key there was "water resistant", suggesting the substance is used in the additives to make it resist getting rinsed off.

It's not a required ingredient for sunscreen to work, it's just to make it more water resistant (it stays on your skin longer) so those chemicals are typically used in sunscreen that's marked for water/sports applications. You can buy PFAS free sunscreen too

Also non-stick pans, flame-retardant fabrics, ...

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I recently got a reverse osmosis water filter to remove it from my water. Since I rent I got a countertop filter but if you own your place you can get a filter installed for all your water.

Thanks. Any chance you could share a link so I know what to look for?

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