Popular contact lenses could contain toxic ‘forever chemicals,’ new study finds

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New analysis has revealed that varied kinds of tender contact lenses within the U.S. might include toxic “forever chemicals.”

That is in keeping with a latest shopper examine by Mamavation — an “eco-wellness product investigation group” powered by a California mom — in partnership with Environmental Well being Information, a publication of Environmental Well being Sciences, a nonprofit and nonpartisan group.

For the examine, 18 units of fashionable tender contact lenses have been despatched to an EPA-certified lab to seek for indications of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). 

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These are also referred to as “eternally chemical compounds” as a result of they don’t break down within the physique or the surroundings, in keeping with the Harvard T.H. Chan College of Public Well being in Boston, Massachusetts.

All 18 lenses got here again with varied ranges of natural fluorine, a marker for PFAS, in keeping with the examine.

blue eye contact lens

New analysis has revealed that a number of varieties of soppy contact lenses within the U.S. might include poisonous “eternally chemical compounds.” (iStock)

Manufacturers resembling Acuvue, Alcon and CooperVision have been all discovered to have totally different ranges of PFAS, in keeping with the analysis. 

Fox Information Digital reached out to Johnson & Johnson (maker of Acuvue lenses), Alcon and CooperVision in search of touch upon the brand new examine’s findings.

Forty-four % of the contact lenses that have been examined within the examine contained greater than 4,000 elements per million (ppm) natural fluorine, which is equal to eight out of 18 merchandise.

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PFAS are most frequently utilized in merchandise as stain-resistant, oil-resistant and waterproof chemical compounds, Mamavation reported.

The examine findings stated PFAS are thought of “persistent and poisonous,” with the potential to final for “many years” within the human physique.

contact lens

Forty-four % of contact lenses examined contained greater than 4,000 elements per million (ppm) natural fluorine, equal to eight out of 18 merchandise. (iStock)

Publicity to PFAS might trigger decrease immunity, elevated levels of cholesterol, metabolic illnesses like weight problems and diabetes, cardiovascular disease, lowered fertility in women and men, elevated threat of kidney and testicular cancers and different unwanted effects, in keeping with Mamavation.

“It’s crucial to cut back the quantity of PFAS you’re uncovered to from food, water and private care merchandise resembling eye contacts,” Mamavation wrote on its web site.

“I’ve not discovered that people who put on contact lenses are affected by eye illnesses greater than those that don’t.”

Environmental Well being Sciences chief scientist Pete Myers instructed Mamavation that assuming this stage of natural fluorine involved lenses is secure is “laughable.”

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“Final summer season, the EPA issued well being advisories in consuming for 4 widespread PFAS, starting from 0.004 elements per trillion (ppt) to 2000 ppt,” he stated, citing an instance. 

“The EPA considers publicity beneath these thresholds to be secure for consuming water.” 

contact lenses

“It’s crucial to cut back the quantity of PFAS you’re uncovered to from meals, water and private care merchandise resembling eye contacts,” Mamavation wrote on its web site. (iStock)

“Evaluating consuming ranges in water to concentrations involved lenses is like evaluating apples to oranges,” he stated. 

“It’s value noting that every one the contact lenses examined exceeded 100 ppm, which is equal to 100,000,000 ppt, or 50,000 instances greater than the best stage deemed secure in consuming water by the EPA,” he additionally stated. 

“Evaluating consuming ranges in water to concentrations involved lenses is like evaluating apples to oranges.”

Nonetheless, holistic optometrist Dr. Marc Grossman was not fairly as involved about PFAS content material in contacts.

In an e mail to Fox Information Digital, New York-based Grossman stated latest research have proven that PFAS are widespread compounds present in a wide range of merchandise utilized by customers each day.

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“As a result of every lens producer makes use of totally different supplies, these research don’t clearly state if there are contact lenses that include fewer chemical compounds than others,” he stated.

“In 43 years of observe, I’ve not discovered that people who put on contact lenses are affected by eye illnesses greater than those that don’t,” Grossman added.

contact lens close up

One holistic optometrist was not fairly as involved about PFAS content material involved lenses. (iStock)

Grossman added that though contact lenses are available direct contact with the attention, there’s “no indication that they straight trigger any eye well being points or illnesses.”

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“Carrying contact lenses is a private alternative,” he continued. 

“Not carrying them creates much less direct publicity to any chemical compounds that make up contact lenses.”

Contact lense wearers ought to observe good hygiene to keep away from eye infections. 

For contact lens wearers who’re nervous about publicity to chemical compounds, Grossman prompt doing a detox by inserting castor oil compresses on the pores and skin over the liver or utilizing herbs like milk thistle or dandelion.

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“For these with chemical or EMF (electromagnetic discipline) sensitivities, they are going to wish to make the choice to put on contacts fastidiously,” he stated.

The attention is among the most delicate areas of the human physique — and researchers prompt that contact wearers observe good hygiene to keep away from eye infections resembling washing palms, eradicating the lenses for sleep and by no means reusing eye contact resolution, as Fox17 also noted in regards to the new examine. 

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