Experts from the University of Florida warn that your toilet paper could contain toxic “forever chemicalsâ€, also known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs), which have previously been linked to certain cancers and low sperm count.
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In the new study, published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters on Wednesday, researchers detected substances in toilet paper known as diPAPs, or perfluoroalkyl phosphate diester.
Those precursor compounds have the ability to become different kinds of PFAs – namely, a substance called PFOA, or perfluorooctanoic acid, which is potentially carcinogenic.
These “forever chemicals†have been discovered in a multitude of popular items – cosmetics, non-stick cooking pans, clothes and children’s products.
With the knowledge that the “forever chemicals†are used in paper production, they decided to investigate toilet paper.
“We asked ourselves where is the chemical used, and one product is paper,†Timothy Townsend, study co-author and professor of environmental engineering at the University of Florida, told The Hill.
With the help of volunteers, the researchers analysed toilet paper sold in Africa, Western Europe, and North, South and Central America, extracting PFAs from the samples as well as from US wastewater treatment sewage sludge. After discovering the presence of diPAPs, which was the main substance found, they compared their findings with data from prior sewage studies.
Toilet paper, they concluded, comprised 4 per cent of the diPAP commonly found in US and Canadian sewage systems – but in Europe, that number skyrocketed. In Sweden, for example, diPAP comprised 35 per cent, and in France, it was a staggering 89 per cent.
But even recycled toilet tissue isn’t safe, it could be tainted with PFAs due to reusing materials that contained diPAPs.
“This reduction in PFAs is critical since wastewater effluent and sludge are commonly reused for irrigation and/or land application,†researchers implored, noting the risk the “forever chemicals†pose to human health.
The research aims to offer further understanding of where PFA pollution comes from to allow us to be “better equipped to implement changes,†Prof Townsend said. ■