Considerations

Forever Chemical This is a per- or polyfluoroalkyl substance, aka PFAS. These chemicals are known for their long-lasting pollutant effects and are reported to take hundreds of years to break down. Research indicates PFAS can: • Negatively affect cholesterol levels • Disrupt the thyroid • Harm liver and kidney health • Alter the immune system • Increase risk of ulcerative colitis • Disrupt hormones • Increase the risk of birth defects • Decrease infant birth weights • Cause cancer and tumors • Quaternary Ammonium Compound This chemical is also in a class of chemicals called quaternary ammonium compounds, or quats as they are called for short. Quats have been found in some studies to be toxic to mitochondria in our body's cells. • Possible Endocrine Disruptor Quats have also been found to disrupt hormones, especially estrogen. • Contamination Concerns There is some data to suggest that quaternary ammonium compounds can release carcinogenic nitrosamines under certain conditions.