Some brands of condoms and lubricants contain alarming levels of PFAS – research
Several brands of condoms and lubricants contain alarming levels of toxic PFAS “forever chemicals,” including Trojan and KY Jelly, new research finds.
The tests, conducted by consumer advocacy blog Mamavation, come as researchers discovered that human skin absorbs the chemicals at much higher rates than previously thought.
The skin of the penis and vagina is thin and the organs contain many blood vessels, making them particularly dangerous organs to expose to PFAS, writes Linda Birnbaum in the report, a science advisor to Mamavation and previously led the Environmental Protection Agency’s toxicology program.
“The vagina and penis are incredibly vascular areas and the skin exposure to these areas is often higher than other parts of the body,” Birnbaum said.
PFAS are a class of about 15,000 chemicals often used to make products resistant to water, stains and heat. They are called “forever chemicals” because they do not break down naturally and have been linked to cancer, liver problems, thyroid problems, birth defects, kidney disease, decreased immunity and other serious health problems.
PFAS are also considered reproductive toxicants and hormone disruptors linked to low birth weight, lower sperm count, pregnancy-related high blood pressure, infertility, and shorter breastfeeding duration.
The chemicals are likely used in condoms to help latex repel moisture and fluid.
“It is chemically certain that the female reproductive tract will be contaminated by some of the chemicals in condoms,” Teresa Heinz, a researcher at the Green Science Policy Institute, said in the report.
The tests, conducted by an Environmental Protection Agency-certified laboratory on behalf of Mamavation, checked for the presence of fluorine, a marker for PFAS, in 29 reproductive health products.
It was found in the Trojan Ultra Thin Condoms for Ultra Sensitivity, and nearly double the level in the Union Standard Ultra Thin Lubricated Male Latex Condoms. Lubricants included KY Jelly Classic Water-Based Personal Lubricant, Lola Tingling Mint Pleasure Gel for Spot-On Arousal, and several others.
PFAS are used in thousands of consumer products, from clothing to makeup to food packaging, but there are few regulations at the federal level. However, pressure from consumer groups and some state bans on specific uses are putting pressure on the industry to stop using the chemicals.
“Because condoms expose people to the most sensitive areas of the human body for both men and women, I would strongly urge the industry to identify and remove these chemicals immediately,” Birnbaum wrote.