Epoch HealthToxic ‘Forever Chemicals’ Found in 65 Percent of Popular Bandage Brands

Widespread PFAS Contamination in Bandages: Implications for Patient Safety and Environmental Health

A recent consumer report reveals significant contamination of popular bandage brands with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals.” These findings, highlighted by tests on 40 bandages from 18 brands, suggest a substantial proportion contain toxic levels of organic fluorine, a proxy for PFAS. This contamination raises concerns about the potential health risks for users, particularly given PFAS’s link to numerous health disorders.

Key Points:

• Tests conducted by Mamavation and Environmental Health News on 40 bandages from 18 brands found that 65% contained PFAS at levels ranging from 11 to 328 parts per million (ppm).
• Organic fluorine levels above 10 ppm, suggestive of PFAS contamination, were found in 26 out of the 40 tested bandages.
• PFAS, resistant to degradation and known for accumulating in the environment and human body, are linked to serious health issues like endocrine disruption, thyroid disorders, and infertility.
• Specific bandages marketed to people with black and brown skin tones exhibited a 63% positivity rate for PFAS.
• The study labels bandages with less than 100 ppm of organic fluorine as “Better Bandages” and those with none detectable at the 10 ppm cutoff as “Best Bandages.”
• Terrence Collins of Carnegie Mellon University emphasizes the need for stringent regulatory control over PFAS, given their potential for significant health impacts even at low exposure levels.
• Leah Segedie, editor-in-chief of Mamavation, advocates for the purchase of bandages confirmed to be PFAS-free, citing the need to protect public health.
• The CDC has issued guidance to assess community exposure to PFAS, underscoring the widespread nature and potential health risks of these chemicals.

“Many PFAS compounds have been identified as endocrine disruptors of hormone action. In tiny amounts in the body, hormones control what developing humans become and also maintain conditions of optimal functioning.”
– Teresa Heinz, Professor of Green Chemistry and Director of the Institute for Green Science at Carnegie Mellon University

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