News: Use of PFAS in cosmetics ‘widespread,’ new study finds

[Arcadia]

https://news.nd.edu/news/use-of-pfas-in-cosmetics-widespread-new-study-finds/
“

Many cosmetics sold in the United States and Canada likely contain high levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a potentially toxic class of chemicals linked to a number of serious health conditions, according to new research from the University of Notre Dame.

Scientists tested more than 200 cosmetics including concealers, foundations, eye and eyebrow products and various lip products. According to the study, 56 percent of foundations and eye products, 48 percent of lip products and 47 percent of mascaras tested were found to contain high levels of fluorine, which is an indicator of PFAS use in the product. The study was recently published in the journal of Environmental Science and Technology Letters.

“These results are particularly concerning when you consider the risk of exposure to the consumer combined with the size and scale of a multibillion-dollar industry that provides these products to millions of consumers daily,” Graham Peaslee, professor of physics at Notre Dame and principal investigator of the study, said. “There’s the individual risk — these are products that are applied around the eyes and mouth with the potential for absorption through the skin or at the tear duct, as well as possible inhalation or ingestion. PFAS is a persistent chemical — when it gets into the bloodstream, it stays there and accumulates. There’s also the additional risk of environmental contamination associated with the manufacture and disposal of these products, which could affect many more people.”

”

https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/15/health/makeup-toxic-chemicals-wellness/index.html

“(CNN)The "No PFAS in Cosmetics Act" was introduced in the US House and Senate on Tuesday, following the release of a new study that found high levels of a marker for toxic PFAS substances in 52% of 231 makeup products purchased in the United States and Canada.

… The proposed act would direct the FDA to issue a proposed rule banning the intentional addition of PFAS in cosmetics within 270 days of enactment, with a final rule to be issued 90 days thereafter.

… "Although I've often counseled my patients to avoid products with "perfluor" or "polyfluor" on the ingredient list, this new study concerns me because many of the products contaminated with these compounds did not even list these compounds on the ingredient list," said Dr. Whitney Bowe, a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Medical Center, who was not involved with the study.

"Moreover, the types of products that tested positive for high levels of fluorine -- and thus likely to contain PFAS -- are often used close to and around the eyes and lips," Bowe said.

That's a danger because PFAS chemicals may be more readily absorbed by the "thin, delicate mucous membranes" that are close to the eyes tear ducts, she said. In addition, women often "lick their lips and unknowingly ingest the ingredients in their lipstick, which is yet another route of exposure," Bowe said.“

[Melissa Louise]

Yikes. 

[KSera]

1 hour ago, Seasider too said:

How do I know if it’s in the product I use? What would I look for on the label?

The news story said that often, it’s not even appearing as an ingredient despite being found in testing (Perhaps a by product of the manufacturing process? Just speculating.) I would  like to know as well. We long ago eliminated all of our non stick coated cookware, so it would be a bummer to find out that all this time I was still having high exposure. I only used a very simple mineral makeup powder through the majority of my pregnant and nursing years, so hopefully that at least helped my babies have less exposure. 

[Arcadia]

2 hours ago, Seasider too said:

How do I know if it’s in the product I use? What would I look for on the label?

The U of Norte Dame study said some PFAS were not listed in the labels. 
As to what to look out for,

https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/docs/pfas_fact_sheet.pdf
“List of Common PFAS and Their Abbreviations:
Abbreviation Chemical name
PFOS Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid
PFOA (or C8) Perfluorooctanoic acid
PFNA Perfluorononanoic acid
PFDA Perfluorodecanoic acid
PFOSA (or FOSA) Perfluorooctane sulfonaminde
MeFOSAA (aka Me-PFOSA-AcOH) 2-(N-Methyl-perfluorooctane sulfonamido) acetic acid

Et-FOSAA (aka Et-PFOSA-AcOH) 2-(N-Ethyl-perfluorooctane sulfonamido) acetic acid

PFHxS Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid”

page 2-6 of 12 CHAPTER 4. CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL INFORMATION

PFAS Master List of PFAS Substances (Version 2) https://comptox.epa.gov/dashboard/chemical_lists/pfasmaster (9,252 chemicals)

Edited June 16, 2021 by Arcadia
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[Penelope]

Yuck, I really don’t like reading this, but thanks for sharing it.