Several brands of condoms and lubricants contain alarming levels of toxic PFAS “forever chemicals”, including styles of Trojan and K-Y Jelly, new research finds.
The testing conducted by the Mamavation consumer advocacy blog comes just as researchers found human skin absorbs the chemicals at much higher levels than previously thought.
Penis and vagina skin is thin and the organs have a high level of blood vessels, which makes them particularly dangerous organs to expose to PFAS, Linda Birnbaum, a science adviser for Mamavation who previously ran the Environmental Protection Agency’s toxicology program, wrote in the report.
“The vagina and penis are incredibly vascular areas and dermal exposure to these areas are often higher than other places of the body,” Birnbaum said.
PFAS are a class of about 15,000 chemicals often used to make products resistant to water, stains and heat. They are called “forever chemicals” because they do not naturally break down, and are linked to cancer, liver problems, thyroid issues, birth defects, kidney disease, decreased immunity and other serious health problems.
PFAS are also considered to be reproductive toxicants and endocrine disruptors linked to low birth weight, reduced sperm counts, pregnancy-induced high blood pressure, infertility and shorter duration of breastfeeding.
The chemicals are probably used in condoms to help latex repel moisture and liquid.
“It is chemically certain that the female reproductive tract will be contaminated by some of the chemicals in condoms,” Teresa Heinz, a Green Science Policy Institute researcher, said in the report.
The testing, conducted by an Environmental Protection Agency-certified lab and commissioned by Mamavation, checked for the presence of fluorine, a marker of PFAS, in 29 reproductive health products.
It was found in the Trojan Ultra Thin Condoms for Ultra Sensitivity, and at nearly double the level in the Union Standard Ultra Thin Lubricated Male Latex Condoms. Among lubricants were K-Y Jelly Classic Water-Based Personal Lubricant, Lola Tingling Mint Pleasure Gel for Spot-On Arousal and several others.
PFAS are used in thousands of consumer products from clothing to makeup to food packaging, but little regulations exist at the federal level. However, pressure from consumer advocates and some state level bans on specific uses are generating pressure on industry to stop using the chemicals.
“Because condoms are an exposure to the most sensitive areas on the human body for both men and women, I would strongly recommend the industry identify and remove these chemicals immediately,” Birnbaum wrote.
