Perfluorochemicals:Perfluorochemicals:PFC’s PFC’s

By: Kat JenningBy: Kat Jenning

22ndnd Hour Hour

APESAPES

General InformationGeneral Information

Perfluorochemicals are better known as Perfluorochemicals are better known as PFC’s. PFC’s.

They can be classified as carcinogens, They can be classified as carcinogens, neurotoxins, and mutagens.neurotoxins, and mutagens.

There are several types of PFC’s, including There are several types of PFC’s, including PFOA’s, PFOB’s, PFBS’s, and PFBA’s. PFOA’s, PFOB’s, PFBS’s, and PFBA’s.

Development and UsageDevelopment and Usage

PFC’s were developed for several reasons:PFC’s were developed for several reasons:

– Stain resistance (clothing, carpets)Stain resistance (clothing, carpets)– Stick resistance (pans, pots)Stick resistance (pans, pots)– Repelling oilRepelling oil– Repelling waterRepelling water– Flame resistance Flame resistance

Development and UsageDevelopment and Usage

PFC’s are used in/for several things, PFC’s are used in/for several things, including:including:

– PaintPaint– Grease-resistant cookwareGrease-resistant cookware– Paper productsPaper products– Pizza boxesPizza boxes– Microwave popcornMicrowave popcorn– Carpet, furniture, and clothing Carpet, furniture, and clothing

Human Exposure Human Exposure

PFC’s are very prevalent and persistent in PFC’s are very prevalent and persistent in our environment due to manufacturing our environment due to manufacturing facilities. They can be stored in the human facilities. They can be stored in the human body for years. body for years.

Humans are mainly exposed through food Humans are mainly exposed through food and water sources, but also through and water sources, but also through personal care products and fabrics.personal care products and fabrics.

The ProblemThe Problem PFC’s are known to increase the risk of PFC’s are known to increase the risk of

cancer in the liver and pancreas and can cancer in the liver and pancreas and can also cause tumors and weaken immune also cause tumors and weaken immune systems in children.systems in children.

They are most dangerous to children in the They are most dangerous to children in the

womb.womb.

PFC’s lower birth weights in both humans PFC’s lower birth weights in both humans and animals.and animals.

An Animal StudyAn Animal Study

According to the Washington Toxics According to the Washington Toxics Coalition, rats exposed to high levels of Coalition, rats exposed to high levels of PFC’s in the lab displayed cancerous PFC’s in the lab displayed cancerous tissues forming in the liver, pancreas, tissues forming in the liver, pancreas, testis, and the mammary gland.testis, and the mammary gland.

Wildlife ImpactWildlife Impact PFC’s are bio-accumulative and are able to PFC’s are bio-accumulative and are able to

travel through water and soil. They are found in travel through water and soil. They are found in the blood and tissues of fish, mink, and bald the blood and tissues of fish, mink, and bald eagles, causing reproductive problems and eagles, causing reproductive problems and compromised immune systems. compromised immune systems.

In Minnesota, high levels of PFC’s are infecting In Minnesota, high levels of PFC’s are infecting and poisoning the fish populations by traveling and poisoning the fish populations by traveling

through the water.through the water.

Maximum Contaminant Maximum Contaminant LevelsLevels

Because there are several types of PFC’s, Because there are several types of PFC’s, there are different MCLs for certain types. there are different MCLs for certain types.

The EPA has set these numbers for four The EPA has set these numbers for four different PFC’s:different PFC’s:

– PFOA: 0.4 micrograms/literPFOA: 0.4 micrograms/liter– PFOS: 0.2 micrograms/literPFOS: 0.2 micrograms/liter– PFBS: 7 micrograms/literPFBS: 7 micrograms/liter– PFBA: 7 micrograms/liter PFBA: 7 micrograms/liter

Minimizing ExposureMinimizing Exposure

In order to minimize PFC exposure, we In order to minimize PFC exposure, we should:should:

– Add carbon/ reverse osmosis water filtersAdd carbon/ reverse osmosis water filters– Avoid greasy packaged foodsAvoid greasy packaged foods– Avoid stain resistant furniture and carpetsAvoid stain resistant furniture and carpets– Avoid non-stick cookware Avoid non-stick cookware – Avoid water, oil, and flame resistant clothing and Avoid water, oil, and flame resistant clothing and

fabricsfabrics– Read all the labels on personal care products; Read all the labels on personal care products;

watch for “Teflon,” “fluoro,” and “perfluoro.” watch for “Teflon,” “fluoro,” and “perfluoro.”

In The News TodayIn The News Today

In 2012, Fox News published an article explaining that In 2012, Fox News published an article explaining that children with high levels of PFC’s in their blood are less children with high levels of PFC’s in their blood are less likely to respond to routine vaccinations. PFC’s cause the likely to respond to routine vaccinations. PFC’s cause the immune system to become sluggish and unable to maintain immune system to become sluggish and unable to maintain a proper defense system against viruses. PFC’s half the a proper defense system against viruses. PFC’s half the antibody levels in children’s bodies and cause the immune antibody levels in children’s bodies and cause the immune system to weaken. So far, PFC’s don’t appear to cause a system to weaken. So far, PFC’s don’t appear to cause a “significant threat” to the human population. “significant threat” to the human population.

It is important to learn about PFC’s and their danger to It is important to learn about PFC’s and their danger to immune systems. If we are aware of the effects of these immune systems. If we are aware of the effects of these chemicals, we are more likely to take precautions and chemicals, we are more likely to take precautions and reduce the risks of developing cancer and suppressing our reduce the risks of developing cancer and suppressing our immune systems. immune systems.

Sources CitedSources Cited N/A. (2012). Common household chemicals tied to immune problems in N/A. (2012). Common household chemicals tied to immune problems in

kids. In kids. In Fox NewsFox News. Retrieved January 2, 2013, from . Retrieved January 2, 2013, from http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/01/25/pfc-chemicals-tied-to-immune-http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/01/25/pfc-chemicals-tied-to-immune-problems-in-kids/.problems-in-kids/.

N/A. (n.d.). Overview of Perfluorochemicals and Health. In N/A. (n.d.). Overview of Perfluorochemicals and Health. In Minnesota Minnesota Department of HealthDepartment of Health. Retrieved January 2, 2013, from . Retrieved January 2, 2013, from http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/hazardous/topics/pfcshealth.html.http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/hazardous/topics/pfcshealth.html.

N/A. (n.d.). Perfluorinated Compounds (PFCs) . In N/A. (n.d.). Perfluorinated Compounds (PFCs) . In Washington Toxics Washington Toxics CoalitionCoalition. Retrieved January 2, 2013, from http://watoxics.org/chemicals-of-. Retrieved January 2, 2013, from http://watoxics.org/chemicals-of-concern/perfluorinated-compounds-pfcs.concern/perfluorinated-compounds-pfcs.

N/A. (2007.). Reducing Your Exposure to PFCs . In N/A. (2007.). Reducing Your Exposure to PFCs . In Oregon Environmental Oregon Environmental CouncilCouncil. Retrieved January 2, 2013, from http://www.oeconline.org/our-. Retrieved January 2, 2013, from http://www.oeconline.org/our-work/healthier-lives/pollutioninpeople/solutions/normalpage.2007-10-work/healthier-lives/pollutioninpeople/solutions/normalpage.2007-10-10.8680122034.10.8680122034.