Friday, June 6, 2025

Polaris of Enlightenment

How to avoid PFAS in everyday life

Published 25 April 2025
– By Editorial Staff
5 minute read

PFAS are present almost everywhere in our daily lives – but there are ways to reduce both intake and release into the environment. Simple measures can help reduce exposure and better protect both health and nature.

PFASs are a group of about 15,000 identified substances, all with varying properties and wide use in society. Common to all PFAS substances is that they are very difficult to break down and some PFAS can have harmful effects, both for humans and the environment. All PFAS substances are synthetically produced and do not occur naturally in the environment.

Studies show that there are links between several health problems and exposure to PFASs, such as cancer, liver damage, reproductive impairment, intestinal diseases and thyroid disorders, according to Naturskyddsföreningen. Some studies show that girls with high levels of PFAS in their blood started menstruating earlier than girls with lower levels, while other studies show that pregnant women with PFAS in their blood are at risk of their children becoming overweight later on. Children are particularly vulnerable to the toxic chemicals as their organs are still developing, and last year researchers alerted that Norwegian babies had particularly high levels of PFAS in their blood, including as many as 78% of six-month-olds.

About nine years ago, the much-publicized PFAS scandal in Kallinge came to light. After the Swedish Armed Forces used a fire-fighting foam containing the dangerous chemicals, these had been dispersed into the water for several decades, which the people of Kallinge had been drinking without knowing it. Samples showed greatly elevated levels of PFAS. After many court cases, the Kallinge residents were finally awarded damages.

Following the scandal, a number of residents in the area have been diagnosed with cancer, including Louise Karlsson, who has bladder cancer, and her son, who has the chronic intestinal disease Crohn’s.

– Yesterday I found out about two more cancer cases here, one with throat cancer and one with rectal cancer. Several of us have been affected, one after the other, said Kallingebon to TT in 2023.

Avoid microwave food

Since 2023, there are limit values for the amount of PFAS that may be present in food in the EU. According to the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (Naturskyddsföreningen), however, these values are not based on what is safe for health.

Unfortunately, there are so many PFAS in nature that some foods would not be allowed to be sold if the limit were set from a health perspective”, writes the association.

So it can still be useful to know where most of the dangerous chemicals are found, even if it is difficult to avoid them completely. PFASs repel grease, dirt and water. This is why they are often found in food packaging, such as microwave foods. They can also be found in fast food packaging.

Unfortunately, a lot of fish and shellfish contain these harmful substances. Swedish fish and even crayfish have been found to contain high levels and the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation advises against eating fish and shellfish from lakes near communities or industries.

PFAS are often found in pesticides, so choosing organic fruits and vegetables can be beneficial.

Avoid: Teflon and paper cups

When cooking, it is safer to use glass, porcelain, stainless steel and cast iron pans, pots and pans. Avoid those with non-stick coatings, such as Teflon.

Many textiles on the market have dirt-repellent impregnations, such as carpets, some sofas and tents. When buying a sofa, for example, you are more likely to sit PFAS-free if you choose one with a washable cover.

It is also said that paper and plastic cups are real PFAS bombs and since PFAS substances are digested by hot drinks such as coffee, tea or chocolate, it is better to use porcelain cups.

Another somewhat unexpectedly PFAS-intensive product is receipt paper, so it may be wise to rinse your hands after fiddling with a receipt and wear suitable work gloves if you work daily with receipts in any form.

Found in all drinking water

Today, there is a recommendation of a limit value of 4 ng/L in drinking water, which will become legally binding from 2026. PFAS is found in almost all Swedish drinking water, but only one in ten municipalities currently exceeds the limit value. To find out what the situation is in your municipality, you can contact the water companies, which often indicate the level on their website. If you have your own well, you can contact your municipality’s environmental administration for advice on how to test your water.

There are filters on the market for the purpose of purifying water from PFAS, but the documentation on the effectiveness of these is limited.

Think about cleaning

PFAS are commonly found in laundry and cleaning products, especially in floor polish and impregnation for stone, grout, tiles and clinker. However, product labels such as Bra Miljöval, Nordic Swan, Ecocert should be completely free of PFAS. Other common labels such as Blauer Engel, TCO and EU Organic are more product specific.

PFAS have been found in face creams, face masks, eyeliners, foundations, high lighters, hair oil, lip pencils, shaving cream, mascaras, primers, powders, serums, toothpicks, eye pencils and eye shadows of several brands on the Swedish market.

A study published in 2018 by Stockholm University and others tested cosmetic products sold in Sweden. It found known PFAS substances in 16 out of 31 products tested. In some products, the level of the hazardous PFAS substance PFOA was so high that it could pose a health hazard in daily use.

As the PFAS substances mentioned above are often water, grease and dirt repellent, they can often be found in waterproof mascara or in foundation. Avoid products with ingredients containing “PTFE”, “polytef”, “perfluoro” or “polyfluoro” in the name. This does not guarantee complete avoidance of the substances, as they can slip into products unintentionally, but it is a good indicator to start with. Some products are also explicitly labeled as “PFAS-free”.

Sportswear contributes to environmental poisoning

Even impregnation for shoes and clothes often contains PFAS substances. It is better to choose Nordic Swan Ecolabeled products or impregnation made of wax. For skis, you should choose fluorine-free ski wax, and for bicycles it is best to choose car wax or lubricating oil that does not contain PTFE.

Unfortunately, functional clothing and shoes often contain PFAS. According to the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, this is not dangerous to use, but it does contribute to the release of these substances into the environment. In this context, don’t forget the possibility of shopping second hand, or why not go to a clothing swap day?

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Swedes earn money clearing invasive species

Biodiversity

Published 28 May 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Large-leaved lupines are beautiful - but highly invasive.
1 minute read

Through a mobile game, individuals can “play” by heading out into nature, removing invasive plants, and even getting paid for their efforts. This year, seven Swedish municipalities are testing the game.

The Crowdsorsa mobile game has been used in Finland for three consecutive years, where last year it removed invasive plants from 7000 observations. It is also available in Canada.

This year, the municipalities of Hagfors, Örebro, Sunne, Karlsborg, Lilla Edet, Tanum and Falun are trying it out. The idea is that individuals find invasive plants, either via the map in the app or by themselves, remove them and get paid. As proof, they must film before and after clearing.

The total budget for this year in Sweden is SEK 126,000 (€11,600), which individuals can “play” for. At most, you can earn SEK 200 (€18.5) per hour, with the municipality responsible for paying out the reward.

“Fun way to work”

Last year, it was also successfully used in Hagfors and Örebro. In Hagfors, a total of 17 different teams played.

– The players did a great job! We think it’s a fun way to work with invasive alien species and an effective way to reach the public – and especially young people – with knowledge about invasive species, says municipal ecologist Katarina Karlsson in Hagfors municipality to Natursidan.

Invasive species often spread quickly and can displace native species, which in turn can damage the ecosystem. The game starts already in June, where, among other things, large-leaved lupine, Himalayan balsam and Canadian goldenrod will be removed.

Lion population growing in India

Published 25 May 2025
– By Editorial Staff
An Asiatic lion cub waiting for food.
2 minute read

Asian lions have seen a strong resurgence in India in recent years. A new count shows that the population has increased by over 30 percent in just five years.

The number of Asian lions in the state of Gujarat in western India has risen from 674 individuals in 2020 to 891, according to the latest official count (May 10–13, 2025), reports The Independent. This represents an increase of 32 percent.

The lions live mainly in and around Gir National Park – the only area in the world where this subspecies of lion exists in the wild.

The new figure was recently announced by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.

The number of lions in the state has gradually increased not just because of favorable geography and climate, but due to our government’s consistent and careful approach to wildlife conservation, said Patel.

Growing population

Over the past decade, the population has grown steadily, and lions have now spread to eleven districts in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat, where they can be observed in forests, grasslands, agricultural areas, and even coastal areas.

Of the 891 individuals, 196 are adult males, 330 are adult females, 140 are young adults (sub-adults), and 225 are cubs, according to state government figures.

Gujarat attributes the success to several efforts: regular monitoring, enhanced veterinary care, water and feed resources in the wild, and programs to reduce conflicts between humans and predators.

Drones, sensors, and camera traps are also used in an extensive monitoring network.

Vulnerability remains

Despite the increase, however, the lions remain vulnerable. The species is classified as vulnerable on the international red list, and threats include genetic inbreeding, diseases that can spread rapidly in the densely concentrated population, and fires and floods in the Gir Forest.

Sanjeev Kumar, Chief Secretary for Forest and Environment in Gujarat, explains.

The holding capacity of national park and sanctuaries will be increased by intervention and habitat improvement. There is still scope of increasing the holding capacity and the forest and environment department is working in that direction.

Gujarat has previously opposed proposals to transplant parts of the population to other parts of India, including the state of Madhya Pradesh, which has led to debate within the country’s environmental movement.

Asian lions (Panthera leo persica) are genetically and physically distinct from their African relatives. They are slightly smaller in size, have shorter manes in males, and live in smaller prides.

FACTS: Gir National Park

  • Location: Located in the state of Gujarat, western India
  • Established: 1965 (as a national park; the reserve was established earlier, in 1913)
  • Area: Approximately 1,412 square kilometers (including the national park and adjacent wildlife sanctuary)
  • Purpose: To preserve the last wild population of Asiatic lions (Panthera leo persica)
  • Ecosystem: Dry deciduous forest, savannah, and scrub forest with semi-desert elements
  • Animal species: In addition to Asiatic lions, there are leopards, spotted hyenas, Indian crocodiles (mugger crocodiles), axis deer (chital), sambar deer, and over 300 bird species
  • Threats: Forest fires, drought, genetic inbreeding, disease, and human impact such as habitat loss and conflicts with humans

Antarctic ice levels show recent growth

Published 25 May 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Between 2021 and 2023, the ice mass increased by an average of 108 gigatonnes per year - likely due to increased precipitation.
1 minute read

Antarctica has long been associated with melting ice – but between 2021 and 2023, new research shows unexpected growth.

Using NASA satellite data, researchers from Tongji University in China measured Antarctic ice masses between 2002 and 2023, focusing mainly on four East Antarctic glacier areas – Denman, Moscow, Totten and Vincennes Bay – located in the Wilkes Land-Queen Mary Land area.

Over the period 2002-2010, the ice mass in Antarctica decreased by an average of 74 gigatons per year, the results, presented in Science China Earth Sciences, show. Furthermore, the ice mass decreased further between 2011 and 2020, with the loss reaching 142 gigatons per year. This has contributed to a sharp rise in sea levels.

Despite the significant decrease, the trend reversed dramatically between 2021 and 2023, when the ice mass increased by an average of 108 gigatonnes per year. The main reason is believed to be that the area had high precipitation compared to previous years. This has contributed to an average increase in sea levels of 0.3 millimeters per year.

The researchers emphasize that the increase may be a temporary trend and does not necessarily mean that ice masses will continue to increase.

Chemicals in electronic waste may damage cells

Published 24 May 2025
– By Editorial Staff
2 minute read

Electronic waste contains carcinogens, according to research from Örebro University and others. The chemicals in the waste can cause hormone disruption and inflammation in human cells.

There is still limited research on how plastics and other materials in waste affect health and the environment. Researchers at Linköping University, Örebro University and the RISE research institute have investigated how chemicals from plastic in electronic waste affect human cells. They used the technique of “cell painting”, where different parts of cells were stained with fluorescent markers.

Using advanced microscopy, we can take thousands of images of a cell and compare it to a cell exposed to chemicals from e-waste. We also perform image analysis using CellProfiler software, which detects cellular changes that are too subtle for the human eye, says Andi Alijagic in a press release.

The study, published in Environmental Research, shows that electronic waste contains a mix of hazardous chemicals. The researchers found polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), organophosphates and phthalates – substances that are already known to have harmful effects on health. PAHs contain carcinogens, for example.

Exposure to these chemicals was found to cause inflammatory reactions in cells, a process that often underlies various diseases. The researchers also noted that the chemicals affected hormone signaling, which can have negative effects on reproductive health in both women and men.

The researchers emphasize that the chemicals must be managed during recycling to prevent their release into the environment.

We throw away huge amounts of electronics every day, and the chemicals could affect human health if they end up in soil and water, says Alijagic.

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