According to the Associated Press, researchers at the University of Notre Dame tested more than 230 commonly used cosmetics. 56% of foundation and eye products, 48% of lip products and 47% of mascara contained fluorine in the tested cosmetics. Chemical substances are indicators to identify the content of PFAS, which may cause the user to suffer from diseases such as cancer and weakened immunity.
What is PFAS?
The full English name of PFAS is per/polyfluoroalkyl substances, that is, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl compounds. PFAS is the general term for a series of synthetic organic fluorides. PFAS contains nearly 5000 industrially synthesized chemical substances, such as PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid), PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate), PFHxS, PFCAs, etc., all belong to PFAS.
Due to its inertness, hydrophobic, oleophobic and dirt repellency, PFAS is often used in the manufacture of industrial and consumer products such as chemicals, textiles, paper and packaging, coatings, construction products, and healthcare products. Since the 1940s, PFAS has been manufactured and used in many industries around the world, among which PFOA and PFOS are the most widely produced and used of these chemicals.
PFAS hazards
According to research by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), most PFAS, such as PFOA and PFOS, contain carbon-fluorine bonds, one of the strongest organic chemical bonds, in the molecules of these chemicals. They will not be decomposed in the environment or in the human body. Stay in the organism for a long time. Over time, when people are exposed to PFAS from different sources, the level of PFAS in the body may increase, leading to health problems such as cancer, liver damage, thyroid disease, and development. The most prominent ones are PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonic acid) and PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid)
Global PFAS control
According to the requirements of the Stockholm Convention, perfluorooctane sulfonic acid and its derivatives (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and its salts and related compounds have been included in the Convention’s control list. In addition to acceptable uses, restrict its use.
China regulatory requirements
The domestic standard GB 9685-2016 "Standard for the Use of Additives for Food Contact Materials and Products" imposes bans or restrictions on PFOA and PFOS in some materials such as cartons, plastics and non-stick coatings.
Source: Mobile Public Account
