Unravelling the impacts of efficient substances from manufactured products

PFAS are generally categorized as “forever chemicals”, since they do not decompose. Their presence in the environment remains infinite. They are, therefore, highly persistent pollutants with long-term impacts. As a result, it is very difficult to assess their overall impact throughout time. Unfortunately, many products find their way into the water – particularly from clothes or fabrics that have been in contact with cleaning products – which we drink but which are also ingested by animals, particularly fish. This means we absorb them when we eat these foods. These substances remain in the human body permanently, and we don’t fully understand the impact this can have on our health. Phthalates, in particular, have been associated with bodily injuries such as damage to the nervous system, the reproductive system, cognitive dysfunction and more. The consequences of ingesting PFAS may include increased diabetes-related disorders, infertility, liver and thyroid damage and motor dysfunction.