PFSA and their toxic effects
Radio-Canada recently informed us that in 2023, the Canadian government ordered the destruction of thousands of cosmetic items due to the presence of PFAS (substances also known as eternal pollutants). Why? The companies that distributed them had not complied with disclosure obligations regarding the presence of these PFAS.
Why are these chemicals so widely publicized? It's because of the disastrous consequences they cause. In addition to accumulating in the environment, they also accumulate in humans—in fact, in all living organisms. They can be found not only in cosmetics, but also in food and water.
PFAS can have toxic effects on humans at different levels, such as:
- Effects on the thyroid, liver,
- Effects on the nervous system
- Effect on the reproductive system
- Carcinogens
- Effects on the immune system of young children
A study of a large sample of pregnant women found that 100% of the samples contained significant levels of PFAS after analyzing their blood samples. The same study also found that the higher the PFAS levels in maternal serum, the lower the birth weight, and this also applied to the small head circumference of these babies. 1
What are PFAS (perfluorinated and polyfluorinated chemicals) and why should they be avoided?
These substances (more than 10,000) were created in the 1950s; in cosmetics, they can be used to make products last longer, preserve their color or even make them water resistant.
How to spot PFAS in your beauty products? Here's how to identify these substances. Among the main ones, under their INCI name, we find:
- PTFE
- Perfluorodecalin
- Perfluorononyl dimethicone
- Polyperfluoromethylisopropyl ether
- Methyl perfluoroisobutyl ether
- Perfluorohexylethyl triethoxysilane
- Perfluorohexane
- Polyperfluoroethoxymethoxy difluoroethyl peg phosphate
Yes, PFAS are a real scourge for the environment and human health. That's why it's important to choose carefully and check the ingredients in your cosmetic products. It's crucial to take the time to think carefully about everything we're offered.
Always with a desire to offer you the best, prized and uncompromising ingredients, in the service of beauty and well-being, Maison Jacynthe provides you with on its blog: A glossary of ingredients as well as their properties and References to scientific studies .
Reference :
1. Shen, C.; Ding, J.; Xu, C.; Zhang, L.; Liu, S.; Tian, Y. Perfluoroalkyl Mixture Exposure in Relation to Fetal Growth: Potential Roles of Maternal Characteristics and Associations with Birth Outcomes. Toxics 2022, 10, 650. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10110650
Inspiration and sites to consult to find out more:
The truth about cosmetics https://blog.laveritesurlescosmetiques.com/pfas-les-polluants-eternels-dans-les-cosmetiques/#Comment_eviter_les_PFAS_dans_les_cosmetiques_alors
PFAS in cosmetics - definition and regulations https://www.phytodia.com/fr/blog/pfas-en-cosmetique-n244
Draft Report on the Status of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Health Canada https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/assessment-existing-substances/draft-report-status-perfluoroalkyl-polyfluoroalkyl-substances.html
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) National Institute of Public Health of Quebec https://www.inspq.qc.ca/pfas
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