According to the latest reports, it seems that popular bandages contain very toxic chemicals. Here are more details about this below.
Bandages contain toxic chemicals
A consumer study conducted by Mamavation in partnership with Environmental Health News found that several popular BAND-AID and bandage brands contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals.”
These chemicals have been linked to endocrine disruption, thyroid disorders, infertility, and other health conditions. The study tested 40 bandages from 18 brands for their PFAS content.
The lab used for testing was certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the results showed that 65 percent of the tested bandages contained toxic levels of organic fluorine.
The levels ranged from 11 parts per million (ppm) to 328 ppm.
Out of 40 bandages tested, 26 of them were found to contain organic fluorine above 10 ppm. Moreover, 63% of the bandages marketed towards people of color with black and brown skin tones tested positive for PFAS.
Terrence Collins, the Teresa Heinz Professor of Green Chemistry and director of the Institute for Green Science at Carnegie Mellon University, reviewed the results and shared his opinion.
According to Mr. Collins, 100 ppm and even 10 ppm are “massively unacceptable amounts of PFAS as these pertain to potential exposures from a bandaid.”
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of more than 12,000 synthetic chemicals that are resistant to water, heat, and stains. Due to these characteristics, PFAS are widely used in various commercial and industrial products, including but not limited to food packaging, non-stick cookware, waterproof fabrics, personal care items, paints, plastics, waxes, cosmetics, medications, firefighting agents, dental floss, and carpets.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of chemicals that are referred to as “forever chemicals” due to their persistent nature.
These chemicals do not easily break down and instead accumulate in humans, animals, and the environment, posing a potential threat to both human and environmental health.
People can be exposed to PFAS through contaminated food and water, products containing PFAS, inhalation of dust and fumes from consumer and industrial products. Also, a developing fetus can be exposed through the umbilical cord and placenta, and babies can be exposed through breast milk.
According to the Green Science Policy Institute, PFAS are added to adhesives, such as those found in bandages, to increase “wettability and penetration of the substrate,” which results in a stronger bond.
“It’s very concerning to us that bandage brands would have indications of PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ based on how they are used—on top of open wounds and skin lacerations,” Leah Segedie, author and editor-in-chief of Mamavation said.
