Children's products labeled water- or stain-resistant may contain PFAS


Date:
May 4, 2022
Source:
American Chemical Society
Summary:
Seems like kids are always getting into something, so products
marketed toward them often claim to repel liquids. Some items
contain potentially harmful per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances
(PFAS) to accomplish this feat, but companies aren't required to
disclose these 'forever chemicals' on labels. Now, researchers
show that some children's products advertised as water- or
stain-resistant contain PFAS, even items labeled 'green' or
'nontoxic.'


FULL STORY ========================================================================== Seems like kids are always getting into something, so products marketed
toward them often claim to repel liquids. Some items contain potentially harmful per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to accomplish this
feat, but companies aren't required to disclose these "forever chemicals"
on labels. Now, researchers reporting in ACS' Environmental Science & Technology show that some children's products advertised as water-
or stain-resistant contain PFAS, even items labeled "green" or "nontoxic."

========================================================================== Exposure to PFAS through inhalation and ingestion has been linked to a
number of health concerns, including decreased effectiveness of vaccines
in children, cancers and high cholesterol, according to the U.S. Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention. But few studies have looked at
potential PFAS exposures among kids and teens from the products they
interact with. So, Laurel Schaider and colleagues wanted to see whether
these compounds were present in apparel, bedding and furnishings that
are marketed to children or expected to be used by them.

The team's data revealed that 54 of the 93 items surveyed contained
fluorine, an indicator of PFAS. Of the fluorine-containing products, 18
had measurable levels of at least one PFAS. A total of 19 had precursor compounds that can be transformed into highly stable perfluoroalkyl
acids when oxidized in the environment or the human body. PFAS and their precursors were only found in items specifically labeled with trademarks
for water- or stain-resistance, or that used similar wording, such as "waterproof," "stainproof" or "leak-proof." Some of these products also
had green certifications or claimed to be nontoxic.

The team explains that these results were not surprising because many certification processes don't include a check for PFAS, or they have
higher acceptable limits than the levels found in this study. Overall,
products marketed toward young consumers as water- or stain-resistant
could contain PFAS, which the researchers say represents a nonessential
use of these substances. They suggest that these substances be removed
to protect children's health.

The authors acknowledge funding from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences of the National Institutes of Health and Silent Spring Institute.


========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by American_Chemical_Society. Note:
Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Kathryn M. Rodgers, Christopher H. Swartz, James Occhialini, Philip
Bassignani, Michelle McCurdy, Laurel A. Schaider. How Well Do
Product Labels Indicate the Presence of PFAS in Consumer Items Used
by Children and Adolescents? Environmental Science & Technology,
2022; DOI: 10.1021/ acs.est.1c05175 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/05/220504082248.htm

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