Toxic Tuesday: PFCS/Teflon
There are many common chemicals that are fertility inhibitors, ones that most of us would find around our homes, honestly.
PFCs ( perfluorinated chemicals) repel oil and water and can be found in non-stick pans, microwave popcorn bags, fast-food wrappers, water repellent sprays and even our cosmetics.
Exposure to these compounds has been linked to a number of health concerns:
Hormone disruption in both adult and children
Liver toxicity
Harm to the immune system: recent research has identified the immune system as sensitive to PFCs in both laboratory and epidemiological studies. A 2012 study of 587 children found those with greater exposure to PFCs had significantly poorer responses to vaccines.
Reduced birth weight: a number of large epidemiological studies have related higher maternal exposure to PFCs to lower birth weight.
How can I reduce my exposure?
Avoid purchasing or, at a minimum, limit the use of products containing PFCs.
Watch for packaged foods. Stay away from greasy or oily packaged and fast foods, as the packages often contain grease-repellent coatings. Examples include microwave popcorn bags, french fry boxes, and pizza boxes.
Avoid stain-resistance treatments. Choose furniture and carpets that aren’t marketed as “stain-resistant,” and don’t apply finishing treatments such as Stainmaster®️ to these or other items.
Check your personal-care products. Avoid personal-care products made with Teflon™️ or containing ingredients that include the words ”fluoro” or ”perfluoro.” PFCs can be found in dental floss and a variety of cosmetics, including nail polish, facial moisturizers, and eye make-up.
Avoid Teflon™️ or non-stick cookware. If you choose to continue using non-stick cookware, be very careful not to let it heat to above 450ºF. Do not leave non-stick cookware unattended on the stove, or use non-stick cookware in hot ovens or grills. Discard products if non-stick coatings show signs of deterioration.