PFOA POP

While persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are strictly controlled and monitored now thanks to the Stockholm Convention (2001), the prevalence of POPs in the environment is still a huge factor. Perflourooctanoic Acid (PFOA) is one of the most abundant POPs due to its half life of a couple eons. PFOA is a known carcinogen used in numerous household products like Tupperware, water proofed clothing, household cleaners, and even microwave popcorn bags, pizza boxes, and butcher’s paper. We as humans are exposed to PFOAs on a regular basis and don’t even realize it. Over 99% of American individuals have traces of PFOAs in their blood and therefore have a higher predisposition to forms of cancer like liver cancer and leukemia. PFOA can take decades to be excreted from the human body; most people have it in their systems their entire lives due to the prevalence in the environment. Yet, the majority of the public is not informed about the carcinogenic elements of PFOA which can prove to be detrimental to their bodies.