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Toxins absorbed through the skin ...
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Including
Pesticides,
Solvents,
Chemicals in plastics,
Sodium Fluoride,
Mercury,
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs),
Acrylates,
Steroids,
Nicotine etc.
🌸
Toxins absorbed through the skin ...
🌸
Including
Pesticides,
Solvents,
Chemicals in plastics,
Sodium Fluoride,
Mercury,
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs),
Acrylates,
Steroids,
Nicotine etc.
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These toxins damaging the organs, the immune system, nervous system, or respiratory system.
Examples of toxins absorbed through the skin:
Factors affecting absorption
Examples of toxins absorbed through the skin:
- Pesticides and herbicides: Can impact body systems
- Organic solvents: Such as toluene and xylene, which can damage the liver and kidneys
- Isocyanates: Found in many paints and other building materials, which can cause airway sensitization
- Mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and acrylates: Can be absorbed through the skin
- Pharmaceutical products: Such as steroids and nicotine, which can be absorbed through the skin
- PFAS, or "forever chemicals": A class of man-made chemicals derived from fossil fuels, which can be absorbed through the skin
- Chemicals in microplastics: Such as those used to flame-proof plastic materials, which can be absorbed through the skin
Factors affecting absorption
- The chemical's physical and chemical properties
- The concentration of the chemical on the skin
- The length of time the skin is exposed to the chemical
- The surface area of skin that absorbs the chemical
- The integrity of the skin
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The skin absorbs chemicals through the skin's porous structure.
Substances can be absorbed through the skin by three main routes: passive diffusion, active transport, and intracellular penetration.
- The skin is the body's largest organ and absorbs many substances that are applied to it.
- Some chemicals that can be absorbed through the skin include mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), acrylates, steroids, and nicotine.
- The rate at which chemicals are absorbed through the skin varies by location, with the scrotum absorbing the fastest and the under surface of the foot absorbing the slowest.
- The skin acts as a barrier to block substances from entering the body, so high doses and regular use of chemicals are required for absorption.
- Because of their small molecular size ... like hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid, retinol and vitamin C are very easy to penetrate the skin.
Substances can be absorbed through the skin by three main routes: passive diffusion, active transport, and intracellular penetration.
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Sodium Fluoride
in your SHOWER
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The US Public Health Service (PHS) recommended ...
1.2 mg/L.
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H2o / Sodium Fluoride
Sodium Fluoride / 2
Sodium Fluoride / 3
Fluoride Toxicity
Test for Fluoride
🌸
Sodium Fluoride
in your Drinking WATER
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Alkaline Water
H2o Alkalinity
H2o Ionizers
How to Mineralize H2o
H2O / Empty Stomach
What Water to Drink
Water & Lemon Juice
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Buy Toothpaste with NO FLUORIDE
🌸
Just a Sample
https://www.desertessence.com/collections/toothpaste?
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Sodium Fluoride
in your SHOWER
🌸
The US Public Health Service (PHS) recommended ...
1.2 mg/L.
🌸
H2o / Sodium Fluoride
Sodium Fluoride / 2
Sodium Fluoride / 3
Fluoride Toxicity
Test for Fluoride
🌸
Sodium Fluoride
in your Drinking WATER
🌸
Alkaline Water
H2o Alkalinity
H2o Ionizers
How to Mineralize H2o
H2O / Empty Stomach
What Water to Drink
Water & Lemon Juice
🌸
Buy Toothpaste with NO FLUORIDE
🌸
Just a Sample
https://www.desertessence.com/collections/toothpaste?
🌸
🌸
Over the past fifteen years, more than 10,000 Americans have had their blood tested by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in an attempt to determine their “chemical body burden.”
The results of the CDC study were stunning: even those who lived in remote areas were found to have hundreds of synthetic chemicals in their bloodstream1 .
More disturbingly, this chemical exposure begins even before we take our first breath-- an astounding 287 chemical toxins have been detected within the umbilical cord blood of newborns2 .
So how do these harmful synthetic chemicals get into our (and our children’s) bloodstream, and where do they come from? If you’re aware of the issue, you might not be surprised to hear that some of the toxic chemicals detected in the bodies of those tested are common ingredients in mainstream personal care products.
As the public becomes increasingly aware of the harmful chemicals found in skin care and cosmetics, claims that toxic chemicals from these products can enter our bodies through the skin have become commonplace.
Statistics like “your skin absorbs 60% of what you put on it,” and “anything you put on your skin is absorbed into your bloodstream within 26 seconds,” pop up frequently across the internet in forums, blog posts, infographics and even company websites3 .
On the other hand, there are many people who declare the skin to be an absolutely impenetrable barrier-- one that does not allow substances to penetrate even the uppermost layers, let alone the lower layers of the skin where the blood vessels are.
Is either side correct? And if not through the skin, can chemicals from our personal care products enter our bodies through other means? Let’s take a look.
Multiple factors: Skin anatomy and chemical structure
One of the many functions of the skin is, indeed, to be a barrier: it keeps our internal organs and fluids in, and harmful external elements (UV radiation, bacteria) out. The skin can be divided into three distinct parts: the epidermis, the dermis, and the hypodermis.
The epidermis is comprised of five layers of dermal cells, the uppermost layer (the stratum corneum) being our first line of defense against the outside world.
The stratum corneum is a sheath of flattened, dead skin cells surrounded by water-repelling lipids-- this explains why our bodies don’t swell up like a sponge every time we take a bath.
The results of the CDC study were stunning: even those who lived in remote areas were found to have hundreds of synthetic chemicals in their bloodstream1 .
More disturbingly, this chemical exposure begins even before we take our first breath-- an astounding 287 chemical toxins have been detected within the umbilical cord blood of newborns2 .
So how do these harmful synthetic chemicals get into our (and our children’s) bloodstream, and where do they come from? If you’re aware of the issue, you might not be surprised to hear that some of the toxic chemicals detected in the bodies of those tested are common ingredients in mainstream personal care products.
As the public becomes increasingly aware of the harmful chemicals found in skin care and cosmetics, claims that toxic chemicals from these products can enter our bodies through the skin have become commonplace.
Statistics like “your skin absorbs 60% of what you put on it,” and “anything you put on your skin is absorbed into your bloodstream within 26 seconds,” pop up frequently across the internet in forums, blog posts, infographics and even company websites3 .
On the other hand, there are many people who declare the skin to be an absolutely impenetrable barrier-- one that does not allow substances to penetrate even the uppermost layers, let alone the lower layers of the skin where the blood vessels are.
Is either side correct? And if not through the skin, can chemicals from our personal care products enter our bodies through other means? Let’s take a look.
Multiple factors: Skin anatomy and chemical structure
One of the many functions of the skin is, indeed, to be a barrier: it keeps our internal organs and fluids in, and harmful external elements (UV radiation, bacteria) out. The skin can be divided into three distinct parts: the epidermis, the dermis, and the hypodermis.
The epidermis is comprised of five layers of dermal cells, the uppermost layer (the stratum corneum) being our first line of defense against the outside world.
The stratum corneum is a sheath of flattened, dead skin cells surrounded by water-repelling lipids-- this explains why our bodies don’t swell up like a sponge every time we take a bath.
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Though these outer layers of skin do a good job at keeping elements like water from seeping in, absorption of certain chemicals through the skin is very real. Many medicines are delivered through the skin, most often in the form of patches or gels.
This method is quite potent and effective at delivering chemicals into our body (it’s even possible to die from an overdose on a fentanyl patch)4 .
The ease at which substances are absorbed into our skin depends on a number of factors, including the structure and size of the chemical applied to the skin. While a lot of chemicals are simply too big to be absorbed by the skin, others are just small enough. Some are even designed to penetrate the skin quickly and easily, like nanoparticles and “penetration enhancers” found in many lotions and sunscreens.
This method is quite potent and effective at delivering chemicals into our body (it’s even possible to die from an overdose on a fentanyl patch)4 .
The ease at which substances are absorbed into our skin depends on a number of factors, including the structure and size of the chemical applied to the skin. While a lot of chemicals are simply too big to be absorbed by the skin, others are just small enough. Some are even designed to penetrate the skin quickly and easily, like nanoparticles and “penetration enhancers” found in many lotions and sunscreens.
Absorption of chemicals into the skin also depends on other factors, like skin integrity (damaged vs. intact), skin temperature, concentration of a chemical on the skin surface, length of time exposed, and perhaps most importantly, the area of your body exposed. Skin absorption rates vary greatly among different parts of the body; for example, the chemical absorption rate on your forehead and scalp is about four times greater than the absorption rate on your forearms5 .
So the answer to a question like “how much does the skin absorb?” cannot possibly be quantified in a single, universal percentage-- it depends on a significant number of complex, situationally-contingent variables.
“Dermal Absorption”: the three ways chemicals enter the skin
Generally speaking, there are three different routes through which a chemical can enter the skin: intracellular, intercellular, and transappendageal.
So the answer to a question like “how much does the skin absorb?” cannot possibly be quantified in a single, universal percentage-- it depends on a significant number of complex, situationally-contingent variables.
“Dermal Absorption”: the three ways chemicals enter the skin
Generally speaking, there are three different routes through which a chemical can enter the skin: intracellular, intercellular, and transappendageal.
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The absorption of substances through the skin (also called percutaneous, or dermal absorption)
Chemicals can penetrate the skin by passing directly through cells via permeation (intracellular), weaving their way between cells (intercellular), or by sneaking in through appendages like hair follicles or sweat ducts (transappendageal).
If a chemical successfully passes through the upper layers of skin, it has the chance to be absorbed by the bloodstream or lymphatic system6 .
Other Pathways
Harmful chemicals in personal care products can enter our bodies through non-dermal pathways as well. Some of the most worrisome toxics are phthalates, which are often found in the ingredient “parfum” or “fragrance.”
Phthalates can end up airborne, entering into our system through inhalation, depositing in airways, and being absorbed into the bloodstream through the lungs.
Skin care and cosmetic products can also be ingested. For years, studies have been finding heavy metals, like lead, in lipsticks and other lip products.
People who reapply lip products several times a day can ingest a significant amount of these ingredients, even surpassing the daily recommended exposure to some heavy metals7 . It’s also possible to accidentally ingest facial products we apply close to our mouths, as well as products like shampoos and conditioners which often run down our faces while we’re in the shower.
In Conclusion
It is clear that the skin is not the impenetrable barrier that some claim it to be, although the factors that affect dermal absorption are so complex that knowing exactly how much of which chemical is being absorbed is impossible. Yet this “unknowability” is perhaps more concerning than an unchanging statistic.
Add to this the fact that we can inhale and ingest ingredients in products, and it seems pretty likely that some harmful chemicals from personal care products do eventually enter our bloodstreams.
While it might not be a huge amount (like 60%, as some would have you believe), a growing body of research is showing that even minute amounts of chemicals, when combined with other chemicals, can have unpredictable effects on the body.
So what exactly happens once these toxicants have entered our bodies? That’s exactly what we’re setting out to investigate in the next post in this series. Stay tuned!
This is part two in a series of posts exploring toxic chemicals in personal care products. See part one of our "Toxics" series here.
www.ursamajorvt.com/blogs/the-blog-cabin/37974081-how-do-toxics-enter-our-bodies
Chemicals can penetrate the skin by passing directly through cells via permeation (intracellular), weaving their way between cells (intercellular), or by sneaking in through appendages like hair follicles or sweat ducts (transappendageal).
If a chemical successfully passes through the upper layers of skin, it has the chance to be absorbed by the bloodstream or lymphatic system6 .
Other Pathways
Harmful chemicals in personal care products can enter our bodies through non-dermal pathways as well. Some of the most worrisome toxics are phthalates, which are often found in the ingredient “parfum” or “fragrance.”
Phthalates can end up airborne, entering into our system through inhalation, depositing in airways, and being absorbed into the bloodstream through the lungs.
Skin care and cosmetic products can also be ingested. For years, studies have been finding heavy metals, like lead, in lipsticks and other lip products.
People who reapply lip products several times a day can ingest a significant amount of these ingredients, even surpassing the daily recommended exposure to some heavy metals7 . It’s also possible to accidentally ingest facial products we apply close to our mouths, as well as products like shampoos and conditioners which often run down our faces while we’re in the shower.
In Conclusion
It is clear that the skin is not the impenetrable barrier that some claim it to be, although the factors that affect dermal absorption are so complex that knowing exactly how much of which chemical is being absorbed is impossible. Yet this “unknowability” is perhaps more concerning than an unchanging statistic.
Add to this the fact that we can inhale and ingest ingredients in products, and it seems pretty likely that some harmful chemicals from personal care products do eventually enter our bloodstreams.
While it might not be a huge amount (like 60%, as some would have you believe), a growing body of research is showing that even minute amounts of chemicals, when combined with other chemicals, can have unpredictable effects on the body.
So what exactly happens once these toxicants have entered our bodies? That’s exactly what we’re setting out to investigate in the next post in this series. Stay tuned!
This is part two in a series of posts exploring toxic chemicals in personal care products. See part one of our "Toxics" series here.
www.ursamajorvt.com/blogs/the-blog-cabin/37974081-how-do-toxics-enter-our-bodies
You’ve probably heard the term “toxins” a lot lately (maybe a little too much!), and at this point you know they're best avoided. But what exactly are these “toxins” and what dangers do they pose? We’ve partnered with a physician and an environmental toxicologist to learn more about these toxic substances, and we wanted to share this information here on our blog.
First of all, let's clear up some misconceptions about the term “toxin” itself. “Toxin” technically refers to a naturally occurring chemical (produced by a plant or animal). When discussing problematic (and usually synthetic) chemicals in consumer products, the terms "toxicants", "toxics", or "toxic chemicals" are more accurate - so these are the terms we’re going to stick to in this post.
There are far too many toxics in consumer products to cover here, so we've decided to focus on the groups of harmful ingredients on our "Never List", which reads: "No Artificial Fragrances or Colors, MEA, DEA or TEA, Parabens, Phthalates, PEG compounds, Sulfates, Silicones, or any other petrochemicals". Here we go:
Artificial Colors
Function: Colorants.
Found in: Tinted/colored products.
Danger: Dyes are often derived from coal tar or other petroleum byproducts.
How they’re listed: Usually as a color followed by a number (ie, “Red 4”).
Artificial Fragrance
Function: Scent.
Found in: Scented products and perfumes.
Danger: The terms "Fragrance" (USA) and "Parfum"(EU) give no information about the ingredients in the scent, which may include many synthetic and potentially allergenic compounds (by law in the US, companies are not required to disclose the ingredients in their "fragrance" as it's considered a trade secret). If a product is in fact all-natural, "fragrance" or "parfum" should be followed by an asterisk on the ingredient list, with a footnote clarifying what the "fragrance" actually consists of (i.e, "composed of 100% pure essential oils.")
How they’re listed: “Fragrance” or “Parfum” (without an asterisk).
MEA (Monoethanolamine), DEA (Diethanolamine), or TEA (Triethanolamine) derivatives
Function: Surfactants (foaming agents), emulsifiers (prevents separation of ingredients).
Found in: Face and body washes, shampoos, hair colors, and more.
Danger: Possible carcinogens, may result in contamination with nitrosamines.
How they’re listed: Anything with MEA, DEA, or TEA.
Parabens
Function: Preservatives.
Found in: 75 to 90% of all cosmetic products on the market2
Danger: Endocrine disruptors3, possible carcinogens4.
How they’re listed: Methyl/ethyl/butyl/isobutyl/propyl paraben.
PEG Compounds
Function: Humectants (attracts moisture), surfactants (foaming agents), emulsifiers (prevents separation of ingredients), penetration enhancers (increases product absorption into skin).
Found in: Lotions, soaps, shampoo, makeup, and more.
Danger: May be contaminated with carcinogens like 1,4-dioxane5, can help carry these impurities through skin6, may cause birth defects7 and infertility.
How they’re listed: Anything with “PEG” in the name.
Phthalates
Function: Plasticizers, fragrance solvents.
Found in: Many perfumes and scented products.
Danger: Endocrine disrupters8, respiratory toxicants9, can cause birth defects and infertility in males10, may lead to pregnancy loss in females 11, may alter childhood brain development12.
How they’re listed: Commonly hidden under “fragrance” or “parfum”; Anything with “phthalate” in its name, or DBP, DEHP, DMP, DEP.
Silicones
Function: Emollients (seals in moisture), emulsifiers, texturizers.
Found in: Lotions, soaps, shampoo, makeup, styling products and more.
Danger: Though not associated with serious human health problems, silicones are environmental contaminants, non-biodegradable, and prohibited ingredients under the EcoCert certification13.
How they’re listed: Anything that ends in “cone,” “conol,” “col,” or “xane.”
Sulfates
Function: Surfactants (foaming agents), emulsifiers (prevents separation of ingredients).
Found in: Face wash, body wash, shampoos, soaps, toothpaste, and more.
Danger: Common irritants, penetration enhancers, may be contaminated with known carcinogens like 1,4 dioxane 14.
How they’re listed:
Sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate,
sodium dodecyl sulfate,
sodium salt sulphuric acid,
monododecyl ester.
We know it’s a lot to take in, and also a little scary! We don’t yet have perfect knowledge here, but we’re doing our best to find “the truth” - as much as that’s possible - and we’re committed to sharing our learnings as we go (please chime in if you have any questions or comments or something to add!).
Stay tuned for the next part in our series, where we’ll discuss how toxic chemicals actually enter our bodies through personal care products. In the meantime, here are some resources for learning more about toxic chemicals in consumer products:
Toxipedia - A good resource if you are searching for information on a specific chemical or concept.
The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics - This site helps consumers understand the risks associated with some ingredients and identify safer alternatives.
EWG’s Skin Deep Database - Allows you to search by chemical, product, or brand to see potential risks associated with them.
Safer Choice - A program of the EPA that helps businesses identify safer ingredients to use in their products.
GreenScreen - Another resource for identifying safer ingredients (similar to the EPA's safer choice program).
Advocacy Groups:
Breast Cancer Fund
Healthy Child, Healthy World
NRDC’s Health Program
Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families
Silent Spring Institute
First of all, let's clear up some misconceptions about the term “toxin” itself. “Toxin” technically refers to a naturally occurring chemical (produced by a plant or animal). When discussing problematic (and usually synthetic) chemicals in consumer products, the terms "toxicants", "toxics", or "toxic chemicals" are more accurate - so these are the terms we’re going to stick to in this post.
There are far too many toxics in consumer products to cover here, so we've decided to focus on the groups of harmful ingredients on our "Never List", which reads: "No Artificial Fragrances or Colors, MEA, DEA or TEA, Parabens, Phthalates, PEG compounds, Sulfates, Silicones, or any other petrochemicals". Here we go:
Artificial Colors
Function: Colorants.
Found in: Tinted/colored products.
Danger: Dyes are often derived from coal tar or other petroleum byproducts.
How they’re listed: Usually as a color followed by a number (ie, “Red 4”).
Artificial Fragrance
Function: Scent.
Found in: Scented products and perfumes.
Danger: The terms "Fragrance" (USA) and "Parfum"(EU) give no information about the ingredients in the scent, which may include many synthetic and potentially allergenic compounds (by law in the US, companies are not required to disclose the ingredients in their "fragrance" as it's considered a trade secret). If a product is in fact all-natural, "fragrance" or "parfum" should be followed by an asterisk on the ingredient list, with a footnote clarifying what the "fragrance" actually consists of (i.e, "composed of 100% pure essential oils.")
How they’re listed: “Fragrance” or “Parfum” (without an asterisk).
MEA (Monoethanolamine), DEA (Diethanolamine), or TEA (Triethanolamine) derivatives
Function: Surfactants (foaming agents), emulsifiers (prevents separation of ingredients).
Found in: Face and body washes, shampoos, hair colors, and more.
Danger: Possible carcinogens, may result in contamination with nitrosamines.
How they’re listed: Anything with MEA, DEA, or TEA.
Parabens
Function: Preservatives.
Found in: 75 to 90% of all cosmetic products on the market2
Danger: Endocrine disruptors3, possible carcinogens4.
How they’re listed: Methyl/ethyl/butyl/isobutyl/propyl paraben.
PEG Compounds
Function: Humectants (attracts moisture), surfactants (foaming agents), emulsifiers (prevents separation of ingredients), penetration enhancers (increases product absorption into skin).
Found in: Lotions, soaps, shampoo, makeup, and more.
Danger: May be contaminated with carcinogens like 1,4-dioxane5, can help carry these impurities through skin6, may cause birth defects7 and infertility.
How they’re listed: Anything with “PEG” in the name.
Phthalates
Function: Plasticizers, fragrance solvents.
Found in: Many perfumes and scented products.
Danger: Endocrine disrupters8, respiratory toxicants9, can cause birth defects and infertility in males10, may lead to pregnancy loss in females 11, may alter childhood brain development12.
How they’re listed: Commonly hidden under “fragrance” or “parfum”; Anything with “phthalate” in its name, or DBP, DEHP, DMP, DEP.
Silicones
Function: Emollients (seals in moisture), emulsifiers, texturizers.
Found in: Lotions, soaps, shampoo, makeup, styling products and more.
Danger: Though not associated with serious human health problems, silicones are environmental contaminants, non-biodegradable, and prohibited ingredients under the EcoCert certification13.
How they’re listed: Anything that ends in “cone,” “conol,” “col,” or “xane.”
Sulfates
Function: Surfactants (foaming agents), emulsifiers (prevents separation of ingredients).
Found in: Face wash, body wash, shampoos, soaps, toothpaste, and more.
Danger: Common irritants, penetration enhancers, may be contaminated with known carcinogens like 1,4 dioxane 14.
How they’re listed:
Sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate,
sodium dodecyl sulfate,
sodium salt sulphuric acid,
monododecyl ester.
We know it’s a lot to take in, and also a little scary! We don’t yet have perfect knowledge here, but we’re doing our best to find “the truth” - as much as that’s possible - and we’re committed to sharing our learnings as we go (please chime in if you have any questions or comments or something to add!).
Stay tuned for the next part in our series, where we’ll discuss how toxic chemicals actually enter our bodies through personal care products. In the meantime, here are some resources for learning more about toxic chemicals in consumer products:
Toxipedia - A good resource if you are searching for information on a specific chemical or concept.
The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics - This site helps consumers understand the risks associated with some ingredients and identify safer alternatives.
EWG’s Skin Deep Database - Allows you to search by chemical, product, or brand to see potential risks associated with them.
Safer Choice - A program of the EPA that helps businesses identify safer ingredients to use in their products.
GreenScreen - Another resource for identifying safer ingredients (similar to the EPA's safer choice program).
Advocacy Groups:
Breast Cancer Fund
Healthy Child, Healthy World
NRDC’s Health Program
Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families
Silent Spring Institute
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| TOXINS .pdf |
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https://www.istockphoto.com/vector/human-anatomy-diagram-cartoon-style-of-albuterol-side-effects-gm1496272943-518988736
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https://www.istockphoto.com/vector/human-anatomy-diagram-cartoon-style-of-albuterol-side-effects-gm1496272943-518988736
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New research shows PFAS,
a class of 12,000 man-made chemicals derived from fossil fuels
and linked to serious health issues, can be absorbed through human skin.
https://healthpolicy-watch.news/forever-chemicals-absorbed-by-skin-study-finds/
🌸
New research shows PFAS,
a class of 12,000 man-made chemicals derived from fossil fuels
and linked to serious health issues, can be absorbed through human skin.
https://healthpolicy-watch.news/forever-chemicals-absorbed-by-skin-study-finds/
🌸
🌸
Research shows that humanity produces around 460 million metric tonnes
of plastic a year, and this will triple by 2060.
Much of that plastic is lined with PFAS.
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Research shows that humanity produces around 460 million metric tonnes
of plastic a year, and this will triple by 2060.
Much of that plastic is lined with PFAS.
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