Replies to post #25668 on The Rising Influence of Rising Affluence

[DewDiligence]

https://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20170201/many-fast-food-containers-have-risky-chemical

Paper cups seemed to be in the clear -- none tested positive for PFAS.

Good to know!

[santafe2]

You're welcome? I suspect those who eat regularly at their local fast food restaurants should not be overly concerned with PFAS as a primary source of any health related issues.

Basically PFAS is in the great majority of items that are non-stick, stain resistant and water repellant.

Linked below is a good follow-up from The Guardian:
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jan/26/water-resistant-products-toxic-pfas-study?mc_cid=9481b4b072&mc_eid=be323b396e

And more detail from an advocacy site; Toxic Free Future.
https://toxicfreefuture.org/key-issues/chemicals-of-concern/pfas-nonstick-nightmare/

Much of our outdoor gear is from REI and I suspect most of the excellent rain-repellant gear for boating, biking, running is just silly with PFAS. They just earned an "F" grade from NRDC. I may have to switch to Patagonia until this is all sorted out.

Today [April 7], NRDC, Fashion FWD, and U.S. PIRG Education Fund released a scorecard ranking PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) policy commitments from 30 popular retail and apparel brands, giving REI a failing ‘F’ grade for its incomplete commitment that excluded many PFAS (also known as ‘forever chemicals’). Conversely, competitor Patagonia earned a ‘B’—the highest grade of all the outdoor apparel brands surveyed—and is the only outdoor brand with a commitment to phase out all PFAS in all products by 2024.

As this issue gains traction I wonder which companies have the most exposure. McDonalds can switch throwaway wrappers for their fries but how does a company like Shaw Industries, (BRK.A/B), manage lawsuits when customers demand that their stain resistant carpet be replaced. And what about the 22,000 employees. How will they react when the ambulance chasing class action attorney's start knocking on doors and signing up anyone with real or imagined ailments.

[wow_happens28]

Is anybody here old enough to remember wrapping our sandwiches in wax paper?