They are called “forever chemicals” because they do not break down naturally.
A new study has revealed that many of America’s soft contact lenses are largely made from toxic, cancer-causing ‘forever chemicals’. Guardian informed of. For the study, researchers tested 18 popular types of contact lenses and found extremely high levels of organic fluorine per and a marker of polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFA) in each.
Specifically, PFAS refers to a class of 14,000 chemicals commonly used in consumer products to make them water and heat resistant. They are also used in many household items including clothing, furniture, adhesives, packaging, and wiring. They are called “forever chemicals” because they do not break down naturally.
PFAS have also been linked to a number of issues such as cancer, fetal complications, liver disease, kidney disease and autoimmune disorders.
Testing commissioned by Mamvation and Environmental Health News Public Health Blogs discovered traces of organic flour in lenses by the brands Acuvue, Alcon and Coopervision. Fluorine was found in the range of 105 parts per million (ppm) to 20,700 ppm.
The results showed that all contact lenses tested exceeded 100 ppm, which is equal to 100,000,000 ppt, or 50,000 times the highest level considered safe in drinking water by the EPA.
Scott Belcher, a researcher at North Carolina State University, told Guardian “You can almost treat the lenses as pure PFAS.”
The three lenses with the highest amounts of organic fluorine were Alcon Air Optix (no Hydraglide) for astigmatism (20,000ppm), Alcon Air Optix Colors with SmartShield Technology (20,700ppm) and Alcon Total30 contact lenses for daily wear (20,400ppm).
So far, it is unclear what health effects would be caused by exposure to PFAS through contact lenses, as there have been no studies on how the eyes take in PFAS from the lenses.
Not only contact lenses, but also all toilet paper in most areas around the world Contains toxic “forever chemicals” And can be a significant source of water pollution.
According to Centers for Disease Control and PreventionRecent studies have also linked high levels of PFAS consumption with increased cholesterol and blood pressure levels, increased risk of kidney or testicular cancer, decreased response to vaccines in children, and more.