February 3, 2016Joanna Kappele

gallery An industrial chemical finds its way into Great Lakes trout

An Industrial Chemical finds its way into Great Lakes Trout

Read full article here posted February 2, 2016 Michigan Radio

“An industrial chemical is showing up in trout from the Great Lakes. It’s called perfluoro-1-butane sulfonamide, or FBSA.  Researchers traced this chemical back to several products on the market. Those include detergents and surfactants first used in 2003. Surfactants are materials made to stainproof and waterproof products.”

What you can do to protect yourself and your family from these chemicals: From Washington Toxics Coalition

Scientists Say Ditch Non-Stick and Waterproof Chemicals

  • Stay away from greasy or oily packaged and fast foods, as the packages may contain grease-repellent coatings. Examples include microwave popcorn bags, french fry boxes, and pizza boxes.
  • Avoid stain-resistance treatments on furniture, carpets, and clothing.
  • Don’t apply finishing treatments such as Stainmaster® to products.
  • Where possible, choose alternatives to products that have been treated for water resistance, such as outerwear, sportswear, and camping and sporting equipment.
  • Avoid personal-care products made with Teflon™ or containing ingredients that include the words ”fluoro” or ”perfluoro.” Dental floss, nail polish, moisturizers, and eye make-up are a few products that can contain PFCs.
  • Avoid Teflon™ or non-stick cookware. If you choose to continue using non-stick, be careful not to let it heat to above 450ºF. Discard products if non-stick coatings show signs of deterioration.

About PFCs

Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) are a family of fluorine-containing chemicals with unique properties to make materials stain- and stick-resistant. Some PFCs are incredibly resistant to breakdown and are turning up in unexpected places around the world.

Manufacturers have developed a host of chemicals in this family to repel oil and water from clothing, carpeting, furniture, and food packaging such as pizza boxes and fast-food containers. Fire-fighting foams have used them, as have cleaners, paints, roof treatments, and hardwood floor protectant.

There are many forms of PFCs, but the two most commonly found contaminants are:

  • PFOA or perfluorooctanoic acid, used to make Teflon™ products.
  • PFOS or perfluorooctane sulfonate, a breakdown product of chemicals formerly used to make Scotchgard® products.