According to a new study published in Environmental Research, skiers and snowboarders may face health risks from their exposure to PFAS via ski wax, which can contain up to 100% PFAS by mass.
In short:
- Nine different types of PFAS were detected in 100% of the skiers and snowboarders tested.
- Ski coaches had higher levels of PFAS in their blood than the U.S. national average.
- Participants with higher levels of PFAS also had higher cholesterol levels.
Key quote:
“Interventions to remove PFAS from fluorinated wax could decrease direct exposure to skiers and reduce PFAS release into the environment.”
Why this matters:
PFAS, which are used in many everyday products, are associated with severe health effects including an increased risk of cancer, liver and kidney damage, and developmental issues in babies and children. While there are some regulations on certain forms of PFAS - Minnesota recently enacted a series of laws that would prohibit the use of PFAS in ski wax by 2025 - many PFAS continue to be used without restrictions. Scientists point to the need for a broad regulatory approach to PFAS and related chemicals in order to address their harm to human health.
Related EHN coverage:
- 2024 could be a big year for PFAS bans: Report
- PFAS exposure linked to ski wax in Park City water supplies
- Workers exposed to PFAS in a variety of industries
More resources:
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Violations may put ski wax users at risk from illegal perfluoroalkyl substances
Henn, Birgit et al. for Environmental Research. Oct. 9, 2024
