PFAS Chemicals: The Hidden Threat to Your Hormonal Health
Medically Reviewed by Lucas Rosa, PhD in Biology
In our modern environment, we encounter toxins daily, often without realizing their potential impact on our health. Among these toxins are PFAS chemicals, which have emerged as a serious health concern.
With increasing awareness of PFAS and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals, many people are now questioning how they can minimize their exposure to them and protect their long-term health.
In this blog, we’ll explore what PFAS chemicals are, where they are found, their impact on hormonal health, and practical ways to reduce exposure.
What Are PFAS Chemicals?
PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a class of over 10,000 synthetic chemicals that are known for their water-resistant, grease-proof, stain-resistant, and heat-resistant properties. Since the 1950s, these chemicals have been incorporated into countless products. (1)
They break down very slowly, and have been dubbed as “forever chemicals” that remain in the environment and our bodies for years. The two most widely recognized types of PFAS are:
PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic Acid): Previously used in non-stick cookware (like Teflon) and industrial applications.
PFOS (Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid): Commonly found in stain-resistant fabrics, firefighting foam, and water-repellent products.
Although some PFAS have been phased out, they have been replaced with similar chemicals that still pose potential risks. Since PFAS do not easily degrade, they accumulate in the environment, drinking water, food, and even human blood.
Where Are PFAS Chemicals Found?
PFAS are widely present in everyday products, making exposure difficult to avoid. Common sources include:
Non-Stick Cookware
Many non-stick pans and baking sheets are coated with PFAS, which can leach into food when heated.
Food Packaging
Fast-food wrappers, microwave popcorn bags, pizza boxes, and takeout containers are often coated with PFAS to prevent grease from soaking through.
Drinking Water
Public water supplies, particularly those near industrial zones, military installations, and landfills, have been found to contain PFAS contamination.
Waterproof and Stain-Resistant Products
Waterproof clothing, stain-resistant carpets, and stain-repellent furniture often contain PFAS for durability.
Personal Care and Beauty Products
Some foundations, mascaras, and lipsticks use PFAS for water-resistant properties.
Firefighting Foam
PFAS are widely used in firefighting foams, contributing to contamination in soil and water supplies.
Because PFAS are in so many products, avoiding exposure completely is difficult, but reducing exposure is possible through informed choices.
How PFAS Chemicals Impact Health
PFAS chemicals act as endocrine disruptors, interfering with the body's natural hormone production and regulation. Since hormones regulate metabolism, reproduction, immune function, and development, prolonged PFAS exposure could lead to serious health issues.
Before diving into the specific health risks, it’s important to understand that PFAS accumulates in the body over time, meaning even low levels of exposure can add up.
Hormonal Disruptions and Thyroid Dysfunction
PFAS interferes with the body's natural hormone balance, particularly affecting thyroid function. (2)
PFAS interfere with thyroid hormone production, leading to fatigue, weight gain, and metabolic issues.
Some studies suggest PFAS exposure can contribute to hypothyroidism and autoimmune thyroid disorders.
Reproductive and Fertility Issues
Research links PFAS to reduced fertility in both men and women, affecting sperm quality and menstrual cycles. (3)
Pregnant women with elevated PFAS exposure face an increased likelihood of miscarriage and premature birth.
Suppression of the Immune System
These chemicals can weaken immune defenses, making the body more susceptible to infections, illnesses, and diseases. (4)
Some studies suggest PFAS may reduce vaccine effectiveness in children and adults.
Increased Risk of Cancer
PFAS can accumulate in organs, leading to potential DNA damage over time. Long-term exposure to certain PFAS has been linked to a higher likelihood of developing kidney, testicular, and thyroid cancers. (5)
Metabolic Disorders and Weight Gain
Exposure to PFAS has been linked to insulin resistance, which can elevate the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and obesity. (6)
These chemicals may alter fat metabolism, leading to increased fat storage.
The health risks of PFAS exposure continue to be studied, but evidence strongly suggests they pose a significant threat to human health.
Ways to Avoid PFAS Chemicals
Before exploring specific strategies, it's crucial to recognize that PFAS chemicals are frequently present in products without explicit labeling, making them difficult to identify.
There are practical steps you can take to help minimize your exposure to PFAS and protect your hormonal health.
1. Choose PFAS-Free Cookware
Avoid non-stick pans with chemical coatings. Opt for cast iron, stainless steel, carbon steel, glass, or ceramic cookware.
2. Reduce Packaged and Fast Foods
Cook at home more often and avoid microwave popcorn, fast food wrappers, and takeout containers known to contain PFAS.
3. Drink Filtered Water
Use a high-quality water filter (such as reverse osmosis) to reduce PFAS in drinking water.
4. Check Your Personal Care Products
Look for PFAS-free cosmetics and skincare products, especially when purchasing water-resistant cosmetics.
5. Choose Natural Fabrics and Cleaning Products
Avoid stain-resistant carpets, stain-repellent furniture, and waterproof fabrics that use PFAS coatings.
6. Be Mindful of Food Storage
Store food in glass, stainless steel, or silicone containers instead of plastic.
7. Avoid Non-Stick and Water-Repellent Labels
If a product is labeled as “stain-resistant,” “waterproof,” or “non-stick,” it may contain PFAS.
Checking for "PFOA-free", "PFAS-free", or "PFOS-free" claims on labels.
By making these small changes, you can lower your exposure to PFAS and improve your hormonal health.
Conclusion
PFAS chemicals, often called “forever chemicals,” have made their way into everyday life, contaminating water, food, clothing, and even personal care products. Their persistence in the human body makes them a serious health concern, with research linking them to hormonal imbalances.
Avoiding PFAS completely can be difficult, but we can take steps to reduce our exposure to it. Simple changes, like switching to PFAS-free cookware, filtering drinking water, and choosing natural clothing fabrics, can make a big difference over time.
As awareness grows, more companies are moving toward PFAS-free alternatives, and regulations are being introduced to limit their use. However, until these harmful chemicals are fully phased out, being an informed consumer is the best way to protect yourself and your family from their potential risks.
References
1. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. “Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS).” National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 4 Dec. 2023, www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/pfc.
2. Harlow SD, Hood MM, Ding N, Mukherjee B, Calafat AM, Randolph JF, Gold EB, Park SK. Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Hormone Levels During the Menopausal Transition. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2021 Oct 21;106(11):e4427-e4437. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgab476. PMID: 34181018; PMCID: PMC8677593. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8677593/#:~:text=PFAS%20are%20endocrine%2Ddisrupting%20chemicals,potential%20ovarian%20toxicants%20(11).
3. Wang W, Hong X, Zhao F, Wu J, Wang B. The effects of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances on female fertility: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Environ Res. 2023 Jan 1;216(Pt 3):114718. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114718. Epub 2022 Nov 2. PMID: 36334833. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36334833/.
4. Beans C, How “forever chemicals” might impair the immune system, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 118 (15) e2105018118, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2105018118 (2021). https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2105018118#:~:text=Researchers%20found%20that%20children%20in,children%20had%20been%20vaccinated%20against.
5. Van Gerwen M, Colicino E, Guan H, Dolios G, Nadkarni GN, Vermeulen RCH, Wolff MS, Arora M, Genden EM, Petrick LM. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure and thyroid cancer risk. EBioMedicine. 2023 Nov;97:104831. doi: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104831. Epub 2023 Oct 24. PMID: 37884429; PMCID: PMC10667111. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10667111/. 6. Kinkade CW, Rivera-Núñez Z, Thurston SW, Kannan K, Miller RK, Brunner J, Wong E, Groth S, O'Connor TG, Barrett ES. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, gestational weight gain, postpartum weight retention and body composition in the UPSIDE cohort. Environ Health. 2023 Sep 2;22(1):61. doi: 10.1186/s12940-023-01009-3. PMID: 37658449; PMCID: PMC10474772. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10474772/.