Blow your nose, not your health: Popular tissues hiding a dirty secret

(NaturalHealth365)  Allergies, dust, the common cold, or a little rogue pepper in the kitchen can send you reaching for a tissue.  We do it every day without giving it a second thought.  Tissues are just something most of us keep on hand to simplify our lives.  Tissues are harmless, right?

Not so fast.

Mamavation.com is a website committed to identifying hidden chemicals in the products we use every day. The site recently published the results of a study they conducted on 13 popular brands of facial tissues, checking for PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances), a type of “forever chemicals. ”

The results were sobering.

Study reveals alarming findings about what really is in our favorite tissues

The study found that out of 13 brands tested, 6 had more than 10 parts per million (ppm) of organic fluorine, a marker for PFAS.  That is almost 50% that had levels that indicate contamination.

Of those with detectible levels of organic fluorine, 100% were marketed as eco-friendly or had some type of feature touted as “environmentally friendly.”  This includes:

• A sustainable certification from an entity like Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
• Made from bamboo
• Classified as “tree-free”

The products containing organic fluorine had levels ranging from 10 PPM to 25 ppm.  At these levels, they were most likely not intentionally added to the product but contaminated at some point along the supply chain.

It is also worth noting here that “sustainable” does not necessarily mean that the indications of PFAS are entirely avoided. In fact, the study suggested that bamboo versions of the tissue may have contamination issues beyond those of conventional or larger brands.

Exposure to forever chemicals, like PFAS, can have devastating health effects 

It may not seem like much.  After all, it’s a tissue.  How much of a problem can it really cause?

The problem is they add up.  PFAS are found just about everywhere – in food, water, feminine products, household products, personal products, band-aids, and more.  It isn’t “just a tissue.”  It’s yet another way that you are exposed to these chemicals, another transmission method that can seriously damage your health.  It all adds up, and the ramifications are serious.

Here are just some of the health conditions linked to PFAS exposure:

• Lowered immunity
• Cardiovascular disease
• Delayed puberty in girls
• Increased risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children
• Diabetes
• Abnormal thyroid function
• Increased risk of asthma in young children
• Endocrine disruption
• High cholesterol
• Obesity
• Metabolic diseases
• Fertility problems in men and women
• Increased risk of allergies in young children
• Increased risk of certain cancers, such as testicular and kidney
• Problems with behavior, learning, and growth in infants and children

Studies have shown that all Americans already have PFAS in their bodies.  This means that every exposure only adds to existing levels, increasing the likelihood of serious health issues.

The good, the bad, and the ugly of facial tissues 

Fortunately, Mamavation.com gave us their picks for which tissues to avoid and their favorite picks:

The Good (Their favorite tissue picks)

• Eco Soul Bamboo Ultra Soft Facial Tissues — non-detect organic fluorine
• Caboo Tree Free Facial Tissue — non-detect organic fluorine
• Seventh Generation 100% Recycled Facial Tissues Whitened without Chlorine Bleach 2-Ply Tissue — non-detect organic fluorine

The Bad (Not their favorite, but passable)

• Kleenex Ultra Soft Hypoallergenic Tissues — non-detect organic fluorine
• Up & Up (Target) Kids Tissue — non-detect organic fluorine
• Kirkland Facial Tissue — non-detect organic fluorine
• Scotties Premium White Tissues — non-detect organic fluorine

The Ugly (Highest levels of forever chemicals – a no-go in their own homes)

• • Amazon Aware 100% Bamboo Facial Tissues — 12 ppm organic fluorine
  • Cloud Paper 100% Bamboo Tissue Paper — 17 ppm organic fluorine
  • Gaia’s 100% Recycled Treeless, and Plastic-Free Facial Tissue — 16 ppm organic fluorine
  • Puffs Plus Lotion — 25 ppm organic fluorine
  • The Cheeky Panda Bamboo Ultra Sustainable Tissue made with natural bamboo — 10 ppm
  • Who Gives a Crap You Smell Like a Fancy Candle Bamboo Tissue — 10 ppm organic fluorine

Reducing your exposure to forever chemicals can help you live a healthier life.  While it’s tough to completely rid your body of these persistent chemicals, supporting your liver, staying well-hydrated, and incorporating antioxidant-rich foods into your diet can help reduce their impact.

Some researchers are working hard to find better ways to safely eliminate these toxins.  Until then, we press on, making mindful choices to limit our exposure and protect our well-being.

Sources for this article include:

Mamavation.com

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