- PFAS are synthetic chemicals found in a variety of products that are harmful to our environment.
- Researchers from the University of Florida have found that is likely a major source of PFAS entering our wastewater.
- For one specific type of PFAS, toilet paper contributes about 4% of it to sewage in the United States and Canada, and up to 89% in France.
Synthetic chemicals called
Because many PFAS do not break down in landfills and can contaminate sources of drinking water for both humans and animals, they are considered
Now, researchers from the University of Florida have found that toilet paper is also a source of PFAS in wastewater.
For a specific type of PFAS — called “disubstituted polyfluoroalkyl phosphates” (diPAPs) — researchers found toilet paper contributes about 4% of it to sewage in the United States and Canada, 35% in Sweden, and up to 89% in France.
This was the most common type of PFAS detected in both toilet paper and wastewater sludge.
The study findings are reported in a paper recently published in the American Chemical Society’s journal Environmental Science & Technology.
The term “PFAS” refers to a family of more than 9,000 different types of man-made chemicals. First introduced in the late 1930s, PFAS continue to be found in a variety of products including:
- stain-resistant carpeting and fabrics
- cleaning products
- cosmetics and personal care products
- firefighting foam
- nonstick cookware
- water-repellent clothing
- products that are oil, grease, or water-resistant.
For over 20 years, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey has measured the amount of PFAS in the blood of Americans. The survey found most people in the U.S. have amounts of PFAS in their bloodstream.
Previous research links PFAS…
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