Popular brands of condoms and lubricants contain dangerous amounts of PFAS, toxic “forever chemicals” linked to cancer, a new study shows.
Some Trojan condoms and KY gels and lubricants had high levels of microscopic particles that are absorbed through the skin and cause untold damage to the body.
Researchers warned that the genitals are particularly dangerous organs to expose to PFAS because the skin of the penis and vagina is thin and contains many blood vessels.
This increases the risk of chemicals (linked to infertility, sperm damage and pregnancy complications) entering the bloodstream, from where they can travel to other organs.
Popular brands of condoms and lubricants contain dangerous amounts of toxins (stock)
The chemicals are thought to end up in the products to help repel moisture and fluid during sex.
The tests were conducted by Mamavation, a women’s health advocacy group, in a government-level laboratory.
Researchers checked 29 reproductive health products for the presence of fluoride, a sign of PFAS.
Fluorine is used in the creation of nuclear material for nuclear power plants and to insulate electrical towers, as well as to make plastics such as Teflon.
It was found in 13 parts per million in Trojan Ultra Thin ultra-sensitivity condoms, higher than the danger level of 10 ppm.
Fluoride was found at almost twice the level in Union Standard ultra-thin lubricated latex male condoms (25 ppm)
Lubricants with the highest levels include KY Jelly Classic Water-Based Personal Lubricant (13 ppm) and Lola Tingling Mint Pleasure Gel for Spot-On Arousal (39 ppm).
Overall, the report found that six of the 29 products tested (20 percent) had dangerous amounts of PFAS.
“It is chemically certain that the female reproductive tract will be contaminated by some of the chemicals found in condoms,” Teresa Heinz, a researcher at the Green Science Policy Institute, said in the report.
“Since condoms expose the most sensitive areas of the human body, for both men and women, I strongly recommend that the industry identify and eliminate these chemicals immediately,” Birnbaum wrote.
PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are microscopic substances that take thousands of years to break down in the environment or in the human body, hence their nickname “forever chemicals.”
Its main purpose is to repel water and oil, which makes non-stick cookware easier to clean and why certain jackets and tents can withstand rain.
But chemicals can leach into the water supply when washing dishes and can get into food if packaging is made to be grease-resistant or if the nonstick coating on pots and pans begins to deteriorate.
PFAS are also common in pesticides used to feed crops, producing chemical-rich runoff that can enter drinking water supplies.
They have been linked to multiple types of cancer, asthma, fertility problems, obesity, birth defects, diabetes and autism.