Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ linked to low birth weight, reduced sperm counts and infertility

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.

  • Evil_Shrubbery@lemm.ee
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    5 months ago

    So this is the permanent forever thing that will change our lives - I thought they were warning us about kids, but this is scarier, and more permanent.

    Can we please get some serious regulation over here?

    Afaik Im unable to buy a lot of things without PFAS as is (like outerwear, umbrellas, shoes, food containers (especially one-use, even when biodegradable), etc).

    I would like this to not be a thing. I’ll survive if a bit of yogurt sticks to the lid (it does that anyway). And I’ll manage if my lube is … exactly the same but non-carcinogenic and maybe 0.02% more expensive to manufacture.

    • Steak@lemmy.ca
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      5 months ago

      Use cocunut oil for lube. A $8 container lasts like a year.

      • Evil_Shrubbery@lemm.ee
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        5 months ago

        That doesn’t sound safe at all.

        Looked it up, unrefined has its smoking point at 180°C (350°F), refined is a bit better at 230° (450°) …

        … yeah, I’m not gonna risk it.

            • Evil_Shrubbery@lemm.ee
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              5 months ago

              Indeed, cumbustion, brought on by vigorous rubbing of sticks, ignites our natural oils. Technically it’s a kink, but we know no other way, and respect our reproductive traditions.

                • Evil_Shrubbery@lemm.ee
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                  5 months ago

                  You should see how traumatised the termites get. But they are basically an std so it’s fine.

                  Coconut grabs on the other root …
                  I just can’t explain to them those are not coconuts.

        • cashmaggot@piefed.social
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          5 months ago

          Wait,is this an rdrr or a real thing? Cause if you are in a space where you don’t need condoms (and certain people don’t like moi) - then you’re fine using coconut oil as lube. But if you’re in a space where you’re using condoms (and yes some people do need them and some people actually don’t and not just because they’re the villains in this story) - you should do some research into brands that don’t actually mutilate bodily systems (and lubricant while you’re at it) and pair the two. Then you know - listen to your partners if you’re copacetic and in a space where you’re not just one and done-ing. (And even then I mean…you know - just like not the person who says you don’t need one because some old bullshit blah~)

        • Steak@lemmy.ca
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          5 months ago

          In what way? Please actually tell me I’m interested in knowing. I’ve used expensive lube and I’ve used coconut oil. They work the same but coconut oil is natural and about 50x less expensive.

          • Ibaudia@lemmy.world
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            5 months ago

            In my experience coconut oil just isn’t as slick, and is harder to clean off skin or fabric. I can cover myself in water-based lube and be totally clean after a 3-minute shower. Also don’t have to worry as much about staining sheets or bleeding through towels.

            • Steak@lemmy.ca
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              5 months ago

              I find coconut oil just as slippery as any actual lube. It might be harder to clean off but I wouldn’t know as I usually just let it absorb into my skin after the act. We use a couple wet wipes each to get dryish and just let the rest absorb. We have great skin these days lmao. It can definitely stain things if it gets all over it. The cheapness and lack of pfas makes it worth it for me. I also like the smell

        • cashmaggot@piefed.social
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          5 months ago

          I, personally, hate astroglide. In fact, to be honest with you I dislike most lubes. And I’ve run through the gamut over the years. Because I was super pro-sex/pro-exploration adhd blah, blah, blah queer story - blah! But all things aside it’s like that shit won’t LEAVE your system. And I once had one with aloe (which is why I think it was the aloe that burned me with Good brand lube) - that just destroyed my coochie. So yeah. Fuck that brand. But I guess different strokes, different folks.