Understanding Forever Chemicals and their hidden dangers in cleaning solutions

Forever chemicals, known scientifically as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), represent a class of synthetic compounds known for their durability and resistance to degradation. This quality, while beneficial for certain industrial applications, renders them particularly hazardous when they pervade everyday products, including common cleaning solutions.

What Are Forever Chemicals?

Forever chemicals encompass a vast group of over 4,700 man-made substances characterized by their strong carbon-fluorine bonds. These bonds confer exceptional stability, making PFAS resistant to breakdown by environmental factors such as heat, water, and sunlight. Some of the most notorious PFAS include PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate), both of which have been widely studied for their health and environmental impacts. These chemicals are commonly found in cleaning solutions because they have water and oil-repellent properties, helping in the cleaning process and enhancing their longevity — but these positive attributes come at a steep cost.

The Hidden Dangers of PFAS in Cleaning Solutions

While their functional benefits are clear, the presence of PFAS in cleaning solutions poses several significant risks:

1. Human Health Risks:Inhalation and Skin Absorption: When using cleaning products containing PFAS, there is a risk of inhaling aerosolized particles or absorbing them through the skin. This exposure can lead to the accumulation of PFAS in the body.Chronic Health Effects: Prolonged exposure to PFAS is linked to serious health issues, including various cancers (e.g. kidney and testicular), liver damage, thyroid disease, and immune system suppression. Their persistence means they remain in the body for extended periods, increasing the likelihood of adverse effects.
2. Environmental Impact:Water Contamination: Cleaning solutions often end up being washed down drains, entering wastewater systems. Given PFAS's resistance to conventional water treatment processes, they can contaminate drinking water supplies.Soil and Wildlife: As these chemicals persist in the environment, they can accumulate in soil and bioaccumulate in wildlife, leading to ecological imbalances and affecting the food chain.
3. Persistence and Bioaccumulation:Indestructibility: The very property that makes PFAS useful—their durability—also makes them nearly impossible to break down naturally. This persistence means that once introduced into the environment, they remain for decades, continually cycling through ecosystems and human populations.Bioaccumulation: PFAS can accumulate in living organisms over time. Higher concentrations are often found in animals higher up the food chain, including humans, which can lead to toxic effects even at low environmental levels.

The Problem Is Pervasive

In recent years, the dangers of Forever chemicals have started to become more well-known. Major Fortune 500 corporations like 3M have recently been accused of finding and ignoring their presence within their own products. As the public becomes more aware of the common use of forever chemicals and their danger, industry observers expect a massive increase in lawsuits related to PFAS that will rival or even dwarf those related to asbestos.

Finding Solutions Through Effective Cleaning Alternatives

Switching to cleaning products that do not contain PFAS is a crucial step in reducing exposure to these harmful chemicals. At Viking Pure, we’re proud to help our partners move away from chemicals forever by providing them with safe and effective cleaning and disinfecting solutions that are developed from all-natural ingredients using technology like electrolyzed water. Electrolyzed water is natural and safe for humans and animals. It doesn't contain harmful chemicals or produce toxic fumes. Unlike some traditional cleaners, electrolyzed water solutions are gentle on the skin, reducing the risk of irritation or allergic reactions.

Electrolyzed water solutions are also biodegradable, breaking down into harmless substances (water and salt) after use, leaving no harmful residues. They do not contribute to environmental pollution or bioaccumulation, making these products an eco-friendly alternative.

In its disinfectant form, electrolyzed water is highly effective at killing bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. It works as a potent disinfectant due to the presence of hypochlorous acid, a powerful antimicrobial agent. At Viking Pure, our solutions can be used for various cleaning tasks, including surfaces, floors, and even food preparation areas, without leaving harmful residues.

Moving Forward

The widespread use of forever chemicals in common cleaning solutions represents a significant, albeit often overlooked, public health and environmental threat. Their persistence and bioaccumulative nature make them particularly insidious, necessitating urgent action from regulators, manufacturers, and consumers alike. By increasing awareness and advocating for safer alternatives, we can begin to diminish the pervasive influence of these harmful substances and protect both our health and the environment for future generations.

Your team of Friendly Vikings.