Potential Consequence of Toilet Paper Use: Low Sperm Count and Testicular and Kidney Cancer

Researchers at the University of Florida have warned that toilet paper may contain “perpetually toxic chemicals” that are potentially carcinogenic.

Previous research has linked these chemicals, known as polyfluoroalkyl surfactants or PFAS, which are synthetic substances that last for thousands of years, to some cancers (such as testicular and kidney cancer) and even to a decrease in sperm count.

In a new study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology Letters, researchers found substances known as diPAFs, or perfluoroalkylphosphonic acids, in toilet paper.

These precursors can become various types of fluorescent surfactants called perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and are potentially carcinogenic.

This is not the first time that fluorescent surfactants (PFAS) have been found in toilet paper. And last year, scientists found high levels of fluoride in four major brands.

Lead author of the study, Dr. Timothy Townsend, said: “The discovery of this characteristic chemical, which we have already seen in sewage sludge (a semi-solid residue from sewage treatment), as well as in toilet paper, certainly indicates that this is another a resource that we need to use.” Keep it in mind when it comes to reducing the amount of fluorescent surfactants released into the environment.”

And when using toilet paper, chemicals permanently end up in the sewer system.

In addition to certain types of cancer, fluorescent surfactants have been linked to a variety of other conditions, including liver failure, thyroid disease, asthma, and reduced fertility.

Fluorosurfactants are commonly found in cosmetics and other personal care products, stain-resistant coatings on carpets and upholstery, insecticides, and firefighting foam.

A Florida research team led by Dr. Townsend, an environmental expert at the University of Florida, collected rolls of toilet paper sold in North, South and Central America, Africa and Western Europe, as well as samples of sewage sludge collected from wastewater treatment plants. In the United States.

They then extracted fluorescent surfactants from paper and solid sludge in sewage and analyzed them for 34 chemical compounds.

The most common among these were the chemical perfluoroalkylphosphonic acids (diPAFs), which are precursors capable of migrating to other carcinogenic fluorescent surfactants.

“Our results indicate that toilet paper should be considered as a potential major source of fluorescent surfactant penetration into wastewater treatment systems,” the researchers said.

The researchers then combined their findings with data from other studies that measured levels of fluorescent surfactants in wastewater and toilet paper use per capita in several countries. They concluded that toilet paper accounted for about 4% of diPAP in the US and Canada, 35% in Sweden, and up to 89% in France.

“Despite the fact that North Americans use more toilet paper than people living in many other countries, calculated percentages indicate that most fluorescent surfactants end up in US wastewater systems from cosmetics, textiles, and packaging materials.” , says the study, food or other sources.

Source: Daily Mail