A documentary titled “Contaminated: The Carpet Industry’s Toxic Legacy” is appearing on PBS FRONTLINE, starting February 3rd, a joint investigation between FRONTLINE, the Associated Press, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Post and Courier, and AL.com on the use of PFAS, or forever chemicals, used in the manufacturing of carpets starting back as far as the 1960’s and 70’s.
Carpet manufacturers used PFAS-based treatments to make them stain-resistant and extend the life of the carpet, since PFAS ( Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) do not break down easily. The use of PFAS chemicals made their products extremely durable, cheap at scale, and resistant to heat, water, and cleaning chemicals.
Over time, the chemicals in the carpet started to spread and accumulate in the home through dust and spread through the home’s central air, furnace, and water system, which was inhaled or ingested by adults and children. The spread of the “forever chemicals” in the home took years to accumulate, and the effects of these chemicals on the human body may take just as long to show.
According to the EPA, because of widespread use, many PFAS chemicals are found in the blood of people and animals all over the world and are present at low levels in a variety of food products and in the environment, and scientific studies have shown that exposure to these chemicals may be linked to harmful health effects in humans and animals.
There is emerging evidence that PFAS exposure may play a part in Parkinson’s disease. Through ongoing research, it has been shown that the chemical can pass through the blood-brain barrier, accumulate in brain tissue, and disrupt dopamine pathways. While the evidence isn’t quite conclusive yet, PFAS persists in the body for years, which could make changes over time that aren’t noticeable until years later. PFAS exposure has been linked to exposure by military personnel on current and former military installations with higher rates of neurological diseases, including Parkinson’s, and higher Parkinson’s disease rates among veterans who were exposed to PFAS-based firefighting foam. Some epidemiological studies have found associations between PFAS exposure and neurological outcomes such as Parkinson’s disease in certain populations, but this research is still developing and cannot yet show a causal link.
While there is no single smoking gun, ongoing research continues to point to plausible links between PFAS exposure and neurological harm. “Contaminated: The Carpet Industry’s Toxic Legacy” explores how these chemicals entered everyday homes and why their impact is still unfolding. Learn more about PFAS exposure and catch up on all the science behind the research.
