The biggest risk with toilet paper, however, is not your skin at all. Most health experts, including those at the EWG, observe that skin absorption of PFAS is very, very low. The big culprits in human exposure are contaminated drinking water and food packaging.
Therefore, while these chemicals are noted in the product, the risk level as a result of using the product is low. The problem lies in the environmental build-up. Since these PFAS do not degrade, they accumulate in our soil and water forever.
The bigger picture: Life after the flush
But the real story begins when you push the handle. When the PFAS is introduced into the wastewater treatment, it is frequently included in “biosolids” (treated sewage sludge). It is frequently used as fertilizer for industrial farms.
This is the cycle: the chemicals go from the paper to the water, to the soil, and even into the food we might one day be eating. It is the environmental impact in slow motion, showing the effect our daily choices can have on our footprint.
Recycled vs. Bamboo: Are “eco” options safer?
If we try to do the right thing for the planet, we assume that using recycled or bamboo paper, as opposed to traditional wood pulp, is a get out of jail free card, so to speak, in terms of trees and carbon footprints. But in terms of chemical purity, there are a number of issues, some of which are a little ironic.
The Recycled Paper Paradox: While recycled toilet paper can be a fantastic option for the circular economy, it can be a “magnet” for unwanted chemicals. Consider what we put in the recycling bin. Glossy magazines, shipping labels, and thermal cash register receipts can all make their way into the recycling bin. These items can have BPA or PFAS to make them water-resistant or printable. If we mash them up into pulp, we can end up with unwanted microscopic chemicals in the finished product. Unless a company has extremely stringent filtration, your “eco-friendly” option could have more of these chemicals in it than virgin wood pulp.