Do Your Band-Aids Contain Carcinogenic ‘Forever Chemicals’?

A new study has shown that the bandages you use might be harmful, containing a measurable amount of chemicals linked to cancer. It has revealed that major medical bandage brands, such as Band-Aid and Curad, contain hazardous ‘forever chemicals’ (PFAS) associated with cancer risks. The presence of fluorine, a key chemical, was detected in more than twenty-five different bandage products.

Once in the bloodstream, PFAS can embed themselves in healthy tissues, where they can begin to damage the immune system, liver, kidneys and other organs.

Investigators have found that PFAS chemicals, which are often employed in the production of adhesives, likely enter products through standard manufacturing procedures. Fluorine, a component also utilized in rocket fuel production, can cause skin burns and damage to the eyes, posing a significant risk primarily when inhaled. When PFAS chemicals enter the bloodstream, they can accumulate in healthy body tissues, potentially harming the immune system, liver, kidneys, and various other organs.

An EPA-certified laboratory tested 40 bandages from 18 different brands and found that 26 contained measurable amounts of fluorine. This research aimed to identify the presence of PFAS chemicals in both the absorbent parts and adhesive sections of bandages available at major retail stores, including Rite Aid, Walmart, CVS, among others. Bandages branded under Band-Aid, Care Science, Curad, CVS Health, Equate, First Honey, Rite Aid, Solimo (an Amazon brand), and Up & Up (a Target brand) were discovered to have fluorine concentrations exceeding 100 parts per million.

The fact that bandages, which are applied directly to open wounds, could also be a source of PFAS exposure for both children and adults is concerning. The evidence clearly indicates that PFAS are unnecessary for effective wound care, highlighting the urgency for manufacturers to eliminate these chemicals and switch to PFAS-free alternatives to safeguard public health.

PFAS compounds are characterized by their carbon-fluorine bonds, forming an extremely durable chemical capable of persisting in the environment for extensive periods, ranging from years to decades.

A report from the CDC reveals that PFAS chemicals are present in the bloodstream of 97% of the American population.

To view the original scientific study click below:
“Band-Aids” & Bandages with Indications of PFAS “Forever Chemicals” Report