Environment Three quarters of chemicals manufactured in Europe are hazardous to health
According to the journal 'Environmental Science & Technology Letters', some toilet paper rolls contain persistent and potentially harmful compounds, such as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl
substances (PFAS)
, which are released into the environment and can cause cancer.
The researchers gathered toilet paper rolls sold in North, South, and Central America, Africa, and Western Europe, and collected sludge samples from sewage treatment plants in the United
States
.
They then extracted the PFAS from the paper solids and sludge and tested them for 34 compounds.
The main PFASs detected were
disubstituted polyfluoroalkylphosphates (diPAPs)
, compounds that can be converted to more stable PFASs such as the
potentially carcinogenic
perfluorooctanoic acid .
Specifically,
diPAP 6:2
was the most abundant in both sample types, but was present at low levels, in the parts per billion range.
The team then combined their results with data from other studies that included measurements of PFAS levels in wastewater and per capita toilet paper use in various countries.
They calculated that toilet paper contributed approximately 4% of the 6:2 diPAP in wastewater in the
United States and Canada
, 35% in
Sweden
, and up to 89% in
France
.
Some paper manufacturers add PFAS when pulping wood, which can leave residue and contaminate the final product.
In addition, recycled toilet paper could be made with fibers from materials that contain PFAS.
According to the criteria of The Trust Project
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