University of Florida researchers reported finding PFAS in 21 major toilet paper brands, but they did not disclose the brand names. Studio_Dagdagaz / iStock / Getty Images Plus
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Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS or forever chemicals, have been identified in toilet paper from brands around the world in a new study. The research adds to a growing list of studies finding PFAS in everything from rainwater to tap water to even umbilical cord blood.
The study, published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology Letters by researchers at the University of Florida, detected PFAS in 21 major toilet paper brands (although brand names were not shared) sourced from around the world, including in North America, western Europe, Africa, Central America and South America.
The researchers extracted PFAS from and analyzed the toilet paper and sewage, finding disubstituted polyfluoroalkyl phosphates (diPAPs) as the primary compound along with five other PFAS compounds. According to a press release shared to American Chemical Society, the diPAPs can convert to other, more stable PFAS, including the potential carcinogen perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).
The amount of PFAS found in toilet paper and sewage in the study was at low levels, but the researchers did not evaluate potential health risks of using toilet paper containing PFAS.
“I’m not rushing to change my toilet paper and I’m not saying that people should stop using or reduce the amount of toilet paper they use,” Jake Thompson, lead author of the study and a graduate student at the University of Florida, told The Guardian. “The issue is that we’re identifying another source of PFAS, and it highlights that the chemicals are ubiquitous.”
The study authors also combined their findings with other studies analyzing PFAS in sewage around the world. With this information, they determined that toilet paper contributed up to 89% of 6:2 diPAP in sewage in France, up to 35% in Sweden and about 4% in the U.S. The researchers noted that their findings show that toilet paper is, for some countries, a major source of PFAS in wastewater treatment systems.
PFAS are a group of toxic, synthetic chemicals linked to various health implications, including reproductive impacts in adults, developmental impacts in children and higher risk of cancer. These substances have earned the name “forever chemicals” because of their inability to break down in the environment. PFAS are found in thousands of sources, including firefighting foam, waterproof gear and clothing, and household items like carpets or cleaners.
According to Thompson, the low levels of PFAS suggest that chemicals are added to the paper pulp to prevent sticking during manufacturing, but American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) issued a statement to WSVN 7News in response to the study, saying that PFAS are not used to manufacture toilet paper in the U.S. Thompson said that PFAS may or may not be intentionally added, noting that the toilet paper brands may not be aware of PFAS added to the manufacturing instruments.
“The fact that it’s there to begin with is alarming,” Thompson told WSVN 7News. “We need to think of as a society how we can limit the use of these compounds in a number of our consumer products.”
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Based in Los Angeles, Paige is a writer who is passionate about sustainability. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Ohio University and holds a certificate in Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies. She also specialized in sustainable agriculture while pursuing her undergraduate degree.
