Essay On Perfluorinated Chemicals

Scientists have found that most Americans have a chemical in their body called perfluorinated chemicals. This type of chemical is classified as an endocrine disruptor, also known as a chemical that interferes with a human body and their endocrine systems. These disruptors can be very dangerous to the human body and can cause many problems to occur. Perfluorinated chemicals are used to make everyday products more resistant to stains, grease and water. These chemicals do not break down in the environment, therefore causing long-term problems in the future. That means that even though the chemical was banned after decades of use, it will be showing up in people’s bodies for countless generations to come Perfluorinated chemicals cause many different problems to the human body such as: decreased sperm quality, low birth rate, kidney disease, thyroid disease, and high cholesterol. Scientist have done studies and when heated have found traces of the perfluorinated chemicals in nonstick coatings on frying pans and microwave-popcorn bags. (Raloff, 2007) Also, perfluorinated chemicals are found in furniture. After time has passed, the chemicals slowly began to …show more content…
Perfluorinated chemicals act as estrogen, the primary female-sex hormone. (Raloff, 2006) A type of perfluorinated chemicals is teflon. Teflon causes prosthetic, liver and pancreas cancer in rodents. Teflon is found in humans, polar bears, human sperm, and at ocean depths of 3,000 feet. Teflon begin to cause harm to the environment when the coatings on microwave popcorn bags get into the popcorn humans eat. Humans then eat the contaminated popcorn, causing harm to the body. A group of humans are pushing for the Safe Chemicals Act to be passed in order to improve the environment. (Long, 2013) The chemical is a suspected carcinogen, nervous system poison, and estrogen mimic in the blood worldwide. (Raloff,