Dossier PFAS - House of Thol Research - House of Thol

PFAS....

They’re everywhere — and they’re not going anywhere anytime soon (hence: forever chemicals).

But what are they exactly?
How can you recognize them? And what can we do ourselves to get PFAS out of our bodies — and out of the world?
Oh, and… should you be eating eggs from your own chickens or not?

PFAS Dossier: From Miracle Material to Global Problem

1938: a miracle breakthrough

Teflon was discovered by accident in 1938 by chemist Roy Plunkett, while experimenting with refrigerants.
To his surprise, the gas in one of the canisters had turned into a white, slippery substance that wouldn’t stick to anything — and just like that, Teflon was born: the start of non-stick pans and the first of what are now over 6000 types of PFAS.

The Strongest Bond

The power of PFAS lies in the bond between a carbon and fluorine atom.
This is one of the strongest chemical bonds known, making PFAS resistant to heat, water, and grease.
But that same strength also means PFAS barely break down in nature.
Hence the nickname forever chemicals — they just keep building up, including in us.

PFAS Are Used All Over

Since the 1950s, PFAS have been used in all kinds of products.
And it makes sense: they were hailed as wonder materials.
They make fabrics waterproof, keep food from sticking to pans, and slow down the spread of flames in carpets and curtains.
No wonder we were collectively thrilled.

But where exactly are PFAS hiding?
Well… the list is long.
We now know to steer clear of Teflon and maybe think twice about that water-repellent shoe spray.

But did you know that forever chemicals can also be found in rain jackets, waterproof bags, fast food and popcorn packaging, certain makeup (like mascara and foundation), firefighting foam, carpets, upholstery, car wax, cleaning products, some paints and building materials — and even on your receipt?
This 2023 article in Time Magazine offers a good overview of where PFAS might be hiding in your home.

How to Spot PFAS
PFAS rarely appear clearly on labels. But ingredients like PTFE (found in Teflon), Perfluoro-, Polyfluoro-, Fluoropolymer, or anything else with “fluoro” in the name can be a giveaway.
And if a product claims to be water- and grease-resistant, stain-repellent, or non-stick — chances are it contains PFAS.

Want to check if your cosmetics contain PFAS or other questionable substances? - Try the free app INCI Beauty — scan the label and instantly see what’s inside, and how safe it is.

And Now… They’re Everywhere

Here’s the thing: PFAS are bioaccumulative — they build up in nature.
And now that we’re finally paying attention, we’re getting a clearer picture of where they’re ending up.
Just look at the interactive world map from the PFAS Data HUB.

In the Netherlands, the Krimpenerwaard stands out, with a deep purple shade indicating high concentrations.
Other hotspots include industrial areas, fire stations, and water treatment plants.

PFAS enter nature in several ways, including:
-During the production and processing of PFAS-containing materials (e.g. coatings, textiles, plastics)
-Through firefighting foam, especially on training grounds
-Via wastewater and sewage sludge from households and industry
- Through emissions into the air and precipitation near factories
- And through packaging waste in landfills or the environment

Because PFAS break down so slowly, they keep spreading — into groundwater, food, and eventually into our bodies.

PFAS Accumulation — and What It Does to You

What builds up in nature also accumulates in people and animals.
International studies show that PFAS — like microplastics — are now found in the blood of over 99% of the global population.
They enter our bodies through food, drinking water, personal care products, household dust, and even the air.

Even unborn babies are already exposed: a study in the Faroe Islands found PFAS in the umbilical cord blood of nearly all newborns, with levels rising the longer breastfeeding continued.
PFAS accumulate in the mother’s body and are passed on via the placenta and breast milk. (For mothers, breastfeeding is actually an effective way to eliminate PFAS — but still...)

This build-up is not without risks.
Long-term exposure is linked to immune system disruption, hormonal imbalances, elevated cholesterol, reduced fertility, and an increased risk of certain types of cancer (check out this helpful graphic).

In 2020, the EFSA set a safety threshold: a maximum of 4.4 nanograms per kilo of body weight per week (that’s 308 nanograms for an average adult).
But Dutch research by the RIVM shows that many people unknowingly exceed that limit, mostly through food (especially fish) and drinking water.

And those backyard chicken eggs?
Tests found up to 5.5 nanograms of PFAS per egg — already more than your weekly safe intake.
For comparison: supermarket eggs contain an average of 0.044 to 0.28 nanograms.
So yes — you might want to skip the hobby eggs for now...

So… How Do We Get Rid of PFAS?

PFAS aren’t called forever chemicals for nothing.
They’re so chemically stable that they hardly break down — not in nature, and not in the human body.
Most PFAS compounds, like PFOA and PFOS, only begin to break down at temperatures above 1000–1200 °C.

In nature
PFAS spread via water, air, and soil, and accumulate in plants, animals, and people.
Cleaning them up is complex and expensive — but there’s hope.
For example, Dutch startup Claybens is developing a scalable method to process PFAS-contaminated sludge into bricks.
Other promising approaches include woodchip filters and new carbon capture techniques.

That said, most solutions are still in the experimental phase or far too costly for large-scale use.

In Our Bodies
PFAS bind to proteins in blood, liver, and organs, and the body can take years to eliminate them.
Some medications, like cholestyramine, are being studied for their ability to help the body excrete PFAS more quickly via the digestive system — promising, but not yet widely available.

And as mentioned: mothers pass on PFAS through placenta and breast milk. Effective, yes — but...

Better to Prevent Than to Cure
More laws are being introduced to restrict PFAS, but industry often finds loopholes — and the real effects take years to kick in.

Thankfully, there’s plenty you can do yourself.
Below, you’ll find 7 practical steps to reduce your PFAS exposure — without needing to overhaul your whole life.

7 Things You Can Do to Reduce PFAS in Your Life

1. Ditch That Pan
Okay, maybe low-hanging fruit — but seriously, take that Teflon pan to the waste station (and maybe skip donating it to the thrift store this time).
A better alternative? Cast iron, stainless steel, or ceramic cookware — all PFAS-free and way more durable.

Worried about food sticking in stainless steel or cast iron?
Here’s the trick: preheat the pan thoroughly, then add oil, then your food. Simple, but makes a big difference.

Cleaning tips:
– Stainless steel: hot water and a sponge (steel wool for stuck-on bits)
– Cast iron: rinse with hot water only (no soap!) and dry immediately. A drop of oil afterwards keeps it smooth and rust-free.

They’ll last for years — and the more you use them, the better they get.

2. Watch Out for Water-Repellent Claims
Raincoats, hiking boots, upholstery, and carpets labeled as water-repellent, stain-resistant, or “easy clean” often contain PFAS.

Natural materials can also do the trick without chemicals. For example:
– Wool: naturally water- and stain-resistant thanks to lanolin
– Leather: dense structure, can be treated with natural oils or wax
– Canvas or hemp: can be treated with beeswax or plant-based wax for PFAS-free protection

Already own items with PFAS? Don’t panic — you don’t have to throw them out.
Use them with care, wash gently (with mild detergent), and choose a PFAS-free option when it's time for something new.
One more thing: avoid reproofing sprays — they often contain… you guessed it: PFAS.

3. Check Your Cosmetics (Yes, You Too, Guys)
It might surprise you, but PFAS show up often in cosmetics and personal care products — especially mascara, foundation, concealer, and some lipsticks. And it’s not just women: PFAS are also found in shampoo, sunscreen, floss, hair products, and deodorants.

They’re used to make products more water-resistant, long-lasting, or silky-smooth — but they can absorb into your skin or wash down the drain and end up back in the environment (and us).

Look for these ingredients:
PTFE (Teflon), Perfluor-, Polyfluor-, Fluoropolymer — anything with “fluor” is suspicious. (Fluoride in toothpaste is something different and considered safe.)
Not into reading labels?
Try the free app INCI Beauty to quickly scan a product and see what’s in it — and how safe it is.

Already own some PFAS-containing products?
– If you use them often: time to find a safer alternative.
– If you use them rarely: finish them and be mindful of the next purchase.

4. Skip the take-out
Since July 2022, PFAS are officially banned in paper and cardboard food packaging in the EU — think pizza boxes, snack trays, and fast food wrappers.

Great news, but with caveats.
One type of PFAS is still allowed, packaging isn’t always labeled clearly, old stock may still be in circulation, and imports are often exempt from EU rules.

Want to play it safe?
– Bring your own food container
– Ask for PFAS-free packaging, especially from smaller or international places

5. Be Cautious with Baking Paper
Baking paper is also supposed to be PFAS-free since 2022.
Still, some products on the shelf lack clear coating info, and older or imported brands may still contain PFAS.

Safer choices include:
– Uncoated or unbleached baking paper
– Biodegradable baking paper with a PFAS-free label or certification
– Even better: a reusable silicone baking mat that lasts for years

6. Consider a Water Filter
Tap water in the Netherlands is well-monitored, but PFAS can still show up in small amounts — especially near old factories or fire training sites.
Groundwater-based drinking water typically contains less PFAS than water sourced from surface water.
You can check your local water quality (e.g. via drinkwateronderzoek.nl), but reports often just say “PFAS detected” — without listing how much or which kind.

Want extra peace of mind?
A carbon block water filter can help — especially if you have young children or live in a high-risk area.
Make sure the filter explicitly states it removes PFAS, and remember to replace it on time — an old filter can do more harm than good.

7. Know What You’re Eating
Monitoring water is great, but according to the RIVM (2023), we ingest three times more PFAS through food than through drinking water.

Fatty fish and freshwater fish from the Netherlands (like eel and perch) are especially high in PFAS.
(By the way, eel is also an endangered species — best to skip it either way.)

Yes, even eggs from your own backyard chickens can contain significant PFAS — absorbed through the earthworms they eat.
The official advice is actually to throw those eggs in the trash so they’ll be incinerated and the PFAS destroyed.

Unfortunately, PFAS also show up in things like coffee, tea, dairy, meat, fruits, and vegetables — a little bit of everything, really.
The Dutch Nutrition Center advises: eat a varied diet, go for organic and local where possible, and limit products from known risk areas.

Want to learn more about PFAS?

We’re all learning more together about what was once considered a miracle material.
Every year, new studies, reports, and documentaries reveal just how persistent and widespread PFAS really are — and, more importantly, what can be done about them.

Well worth exploring are the reports from the RIVM and the European Union, the interactive PFAS map by the Forever Pollution Project, and the INCI Beauty app for checking cosmetics.

Or dive into the broadcasts and documentaries below — all carefully made and packed with insights.

Do you have any great watch, read, or listen tips on PFAS yourself?
We’d love to hear them — we’ll add them to this list.
Because the more we know, the better choices we can make.