The RightDose - Toxic Forever?
Truth in every drop. The RightDose is a weekly digest of health & consumer insights. This week: What are 'Forever Chemicals?'
1. DATA DROP
PFAS: The Forever Chemicals in Your Foundation
A 2021 study found over half of tested cosmetics contained PFAS — toxic “forever chemicals” linked to immune suppression, cancer, and thyroid disease. These compounds persist in the environment and bioaccumulate in the body.
🔍 Source: Whitehead et al., Environmental Science & Technology Letters, 2021
💡 RightShop Takeaway: “Long-lasting” makeup often means long-lasting in your bloodstream. Choose PFAS-free brands.
What are these “Forever Chemicals” anyway?
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a large group of man-made chemicals prized for their water, grease, and stain-resistant properties. They’re called “forever chemicals” because the strong carbon-fluorine bonds in their structure make them extremely persistent in the environment and in the human body.
PFAS can be found in non-stick cookware, food packaging, stain-resistant fabrics, and firefighting foam. They have been used in hundreds of products since the 1950s, and because they do not break down easily, they persist in the environment and can be found in soil, water, air, and even the human body.
Over time, these chemicals accumulate in the body, which is why they’re associated with immune suppression, thyroid disruption, and other health concerns.
The term “forever” might sound alarming — suggesting they literally never leave your body. In reality, PFAS are very difficult to break down, but there are ways to support your body’s natural elimination pathways, including sweating through exercise or sauna use.
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2. LONGEVITY LAB
Sweat It Out
Regular sweating through exercise or sauna use helps eliminate BPA, phthalates, and heavy metals. A 2022 review found that supporting the body’s natural detox pathways reduces toxic burden and inflammation.
🧬 Tip: Move 20 minutes daily — walk, dance, sauna — to help your detox systems work better. If buying a sauna, look for low EMF and non-toxic materials.
📚 Source: Genuis et al., Environmental Research, 2022
3. THE RIGHT VOICE
Featuring: Erin Brockovich iconic environmental activist and clean water advocate.
“We’re all exposed — and the system is designed to make us think we’re not. Real power starts when we pay attention and ask questions.” — The Guardian, 2020
Erin Brockovich spent decades exposing toxic chemicals in our water, air, and consumer products. Her work highlights how everyday exposures, often invisible, can accumulate in our bodies and communities, especially when industries or regulators downplay the risks.
Her message is simple but powerful: awareness is the first step toward action. By examining the products you use, the foods you eat, and the spaces you inhabit, you reclaim control over what enters your body and your environment.
Your Invitation:
This week, take Erin’s advice to heart. Ask questions, look up the ingredients in your personal care products, and consider one small swap that reduces your chemical load. Awareness plus action = real impact.