With all the attention that PFAS has been getting in recent times, we thought it appropriate to talk about this hot topic in relation to our products. The purpose of this article is not to alarm anyone, but instead to leave you informed about the risks – so you can ‘do your best’ to minimize exposure. Joonya customers tend to place a high value on carefully choosing products that are in the best interests of the health of their baby!
PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of potentially harmful man-made chemicals widely used in various industries due to their water and stain-resistant properties. Commonly seen in non-stick pans, waterproof fabrics and many other everyday items, including baby products! Waterproof crib mattresses, stain-resistant car seats and even food packaging and infant formula have been shown to contain traces of these ‘forever chemicals’ that are known to accumulate in humans over time. For babies, whose bodies are still developing rapidly, the potential harm from exposure to PFAS is particularly concerning.
“Joonya believes in testing nappies for harmful chemicals that could transfer through urine and be absorbed by a baby’s skin and organs”
Some exposure to PFAS is practically unavoidable, given products with these chemicals are everywhere these days. It tends to leach out over time, contaminating the environment and potentially entering the food chain. The US Environmental Protection Agency currently states exposure to PFAS ‘may be harmful to human health’ and ‘current scientific research suggests that exposure to certain PFAS may lead to adverse health outcomes. However, research is still ongoing to determine how different levels of exposure to different PFAS can lead to a variety of health effects.’
With a brief background about PFAS out of the way, what has Joonya done to ensure our products are free of PFAS?
Regular independent chemical testing
Joonya regularly tests our products for harmful substances known to be of a concern. We sent our nappies to one of the cosmetics & personal care industries most respected third party labs – Eurofins Consumer Product Testing in Hamburg Germany.
How do I interpret the results?
We publicly share the results on our website and provide an easy to understand explanation for all those who do not have a science degree.
“<” is the symbol for below. The number is stating the limit of quantification (LOQ), the validated limit of the method to tell how much the sample contains. For example: “<3.75 ug/kg” means below 3.75 ug/kg is not quantifiable, and not detectable with modern analytical methods. Based on the testing we have done for the most common types of PFAS (there are thousands of types in reality), there is no PFAS detected in Joonya diapers and pull-ups.
Are there any other ways to test for PFAS?
Our Danish Manufacturer has received the OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certification for the Joonya formula. It is widely considered the gold standard for the safety for baby products. All brands must prove that all materials are free from PFAS with independent toxicology testing.
As parents ourselves we would have loved this level of transparency for our own children when they were in nappies. Thank you for choosing Joonya and supporting a smaller brand that is trying to put the health of our customers and their families first.