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   PID: hpt/lnx 1.9.0-cur 2019-01-08   
   TID: hpt/lnx 1.9.0-cur 2019-01-08   
    Children's products labeled water- or stain-resistant may contain PFAS   
      
      
     Date:   
         May 4, 2022   
     Source:   
         American Chemical Society   
     Summary:   
         Seems like kids are always getting into something, so products   
         marketed toward them often claim to repel liquids. Some items   
         contain potentially harmful per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances   
         (PFAS) to accomplish this feat, but companies aren't required to   
         disclose these 'forever chemicals' on labels. Now, researchers   
         show that some children's products advertised as water- or   
         stain-resistant contain PFAS, even items labeled 'green' or   
         'nontoxic.'   
      
      
   FULL STORY   
   ==========================================================================   
   Seems like kids are always getting into something, so products marketed   
   toward them often claim to repel liquids. Some items contain potentially   
   harmful per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to accomplish this   
   feat, but companies aren't required to disclose these "forever chemicals"   
   on labels. Now, researchers reporting in ACS' Environmental Science &   
   Technology show that some children's products advertised as water-   
   or stain-resistant contain PFAS, even items labeled "green" or "nontoxic."   
      
   ==========================================================================   
   Exposure to PFAS through inhalation and ingestion has been linked to a   
   number of health concerns, including decreased effectiveness of vaccines   
   in children, cancers and high cholesterol, according to the U.S. Centers   
   for Disease Control and Prevention. But few studies have looked at   
   potential PFAS exposures among kids and teens from the products they   
   interact with. So, Laurel Schaider and colleagues wanted to see whether   
   these compounds were present in apparel, bedding and furnishings that   
   are marketed to children or expected to be used by them.   
      
   The team's data revealed that 54 of the 93 items surveyed contained   
   fluorine, an indicator of PFAS. Of the fluorine-containing products, 18   
   had measurable levels of at least one PFAS. A total of 19 had precursor   
   compounds that can be transformed into highly stable perfluoroalkyl   
   acids when oxidized in the environment or the human body. PFAS and their   
   precursors were only found in items specifically labeled with trademarks   
   for water- or stain-resistance, or that used similar wording, such as   
   "waterproof," "stainproof" or "leak-proof."  Some of these products also   
   had green certifications or claimed to be nontoxic.   
      
   The team explains that these results were not surprising because many   
   certification processes don't include a check for PFAS, or they have   
   higher acceptable limits than the levels found in this study. Overall,   
   products marketed toward young consumers as water- or stain-resistant   
   could contain PFAS, which the researchers say represents a nonessential   
   use of these substances. They suggest that these substances be removed   
   to protect children's health.   
      
   The authors acknowledge funding from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,   
   the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences of the National   
   Institutes of Health and Silent Spring Institute.   
      
      
   ==========================================================================   
   Story Source: Materials provided by American_Chemical_Society. Note:   
   Content may be edited for style and length.   
      
      
   ==========================================================================   
   Journal Reference:   
      1. Kathryn M. Rodgers, Christopher H. Swartz, James Occhialini, Philip   
         Bassignani, Michelle McCurdy, Laurel A. Schaider. How Well Do   
         Product Labels Indicate the Presence of PFAS in Consumer Items Used   
         by Children and Adolescents? Environmental Science & Technology,   
         2022; DOI: 10.1021/ acs.est.1c05175   
   ==========================================================================   
      
   Link to news story:   
   https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/05/220504082248.htm   
      
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