Have you ever thought about what goes into the personal care products, non-stick cookware, and waterproof clothing that you use daily? Of course not. Irrespective of what the label says, almost all the items you use daily are packed with chemicals.
Of all chemicals, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are more concerning because they are toxic to human health. This group of chemicals is ubiquitous, meaning it is present everywhere, from drinking water to household dust. Plus, PFAS don’t disintegrate in the environment. Hence, they are named as “forever chemicals.”
Fortunately, several brands have pledged to eliminate PFAS from their product lines. In this blog post, we will shed light on major brands that are phasing out forever chemicals from their offerings.
The Problem With PFAS
A large, complex group of thousands of synthetic chemicals that are used in an array of consumer products is known as PFAS. This class of man-made chemicals makes consumer goods resistant to stains, water, and grease.
Several studies link PFAS exposure to cancer. Researchers have discovered high incidences of kidney and testicular cancers in people working in or living near PFOA-related chemical plants. For the unversed, perfluorooctanoic acid or PFOA is the most detected PFAS in the environment.
A possible link between thyroid cancer and increased exposure to PFAS has also been observed in some studies.
Those exposed to forever chemicals could also develop breast, bladder, prostate, and ovarian cancer. However, only a handful of researchers have discovered this link. More research is needed to establish the connection between PFAS exposure and these cancers.
Still, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified PFAS as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” (Group B). The IARC has categorized it as possibly carcinogenic on the basis of limited evidence of kidney and testicular cancer in humans and animals.
Major Brands Ceasing the Use of Dangerous Forever Chemicals
Among a cascade of brands moving away from PFAS, the major ones are as follows:
1. 3M
3M, an American multinational conglomerate, is famed for manufacturing and selling medical, media, and dental products, an array of adhesive tapes, and safety products such as reflective coatings.
Since 1964, 3M has also been marketing aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), which is used in the firefighting industry to extinguish fires. 3M’s firefighting foams are so effective at extinguishing fires that they are used by the United States Department of Defense and firefighters worldwide.
Like all its products, AFFF contains the cancer-causing chemical, i.e., PFAS. In its 2022 feature, WHYY revealed 3M’s plans to phase out the manufacturing of so-called forever chemicals. The consumer and chemical product maker further asserted that it will try eliminating the chemical from all its products by the end of 2025.
3M took this decision after U.S. environmental regulators classified the chemicals as hazardous substances.
Nevertheless, the company is facing multiple lawsuits for downplaying the dangers of chemicals. In the AFFF lawsuit, TruLaw reveals that plaintiffs accuse 3M of being aware of the potential toxicity of its products since the 1960s, yet it failed to warn service members.
Among the 4,000 lawsuits, one lawsuit is filed by the City of Stuart, claiming that its water supply is polluted by PFAS-containing firefighting foam. AFFF was used by the city’s fire department in training exercises for decades.
As far as firefighter foam cash settlements are concerned, lawyers predict that they could be anywhere between $200,000 and $500,000.
2. Ralph Lauren
Despite the well-documented health risks, toxic PFAS are used in the clothing industry. However, several fashion brands have made the decision to eliminate the so-called forever chemicals from their products. Ralph Lauren, the famous fashion company, is one of them.
In its 2022 Sustainable Chemical Management Policy, the brand announced its commitment to eliminate the use of toxic chemicals in its product manufacturing by 2025. Ralph Lauren Corporation (RLC) began phasing out forever chemicals in FY20 from its products and materials.
To eradicate PFAS from all its products, the fashion company has implemented a standardized chemical management method and PFAS testing requirement across all its brands.
All licensees, suppliers, and facilities of RLC must comply with the following:
- Chemicals used in manufacturing water-repellent material must be certified PFAS-free
- Manufactured materials must pass PFAS testing as explained in RLC testing manuals
3. Burger King
A new study has found that food wrappers of the major food giant Burger King contain PFAS. Advocacy groups such as Healthy Families, Toxic-Free Future, and Safer Chemicals tested the food packaging of the fast-food restaurant company. They found that its Whopper wrappers were treated with PFAS.
As such, the company announced a global ban on forever chemicals in its food packaging by 2025. In 2021, Burger King trialed sustainable alternatives at 51 of its restaurants in Miami for eight of its most popular packaging items. These include drink lids, straws, cutlery, napkins, and Whopper wrappers.
The fast-food company is also trialing cutlery made of plant-based crystallized polylactic acid (cPLA), and Frypods made with renewable unbleached virgin paperboard.
In a nutshell, PFAS are detrimental to human health. Companies like Ralph Lauren, 3M, and Burger King have made a commendable decision to phase out forever chemicals from all their products. Other than them, American Eagle, PVH, parent company of Calvin Klein, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Chick-fil-A are also taking steps to ban the use of forever chemicals.
By banning PFAS, these brands are not only protecting the well-being of customers, but also contributing to a cleaner ecosystem.