- 💡 Did you know your shoe care spray might contain chemicals that don’t break down in nature for over 1,000 years?
❓ What are PFAS, PFOA, and PFCs – and why are they called “forever chemicals”?
PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances), including PFOA and PFCs, are synthetic chemicals used since the 1940s to make products water-, stain-, and grease-resistant – like shoes, tents, outdoor jackets, and protective sprays.
The problem? PFAS don’t degrade naturally, they accumulate in the human body and ecosystems, and are linked to serious health risks:
- 🌡 Hormonal disruption
- 🚼 Fertility and developmental problems
- 🛡 Weakened immune function
- 🎗 Increased risk of cancers (e.g. kidney and testicular)
📚 Sources:
- OECD – PFAS in the Environment
- EPA – Health Effects of PFAS
- ECHA – PFAS Restriction Proposals
- WHO – PFOA and PFOS Factsheet
❓ How do PFAS end up in our everyday lives—especially through care products?
You’ll often find PFAS in:
- Waterproofing aerosol sprays
- Shoe and outdoor gear care products with “protective coatings”
- Water-resistant clothing, non-stick pans, cosmetics, and even food packaging
These substances can be inhaled, absorbed through the skin, or persist in indoor air and water.
📊 A 2020 study found that 38% of tested consumer products contained PFAS, including shoe sprays and fabric protectants.
Source: Green Science Policy Institute – PFAS in Consumer Products
❓ Why are aerosol-based products especially problematic?
In addition to PFAS, many sprays contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which contribute to:
- 🌬 Air pollution
- 😮💨 Respiratory irritation
- 🧃 Waste and packaging problems (metal canisters, propellants)
PFAS + Aerosols = A particularly toxic combination.
📚 Source: Green Science Policy Institute – PFAS in Sprays
❓ How can you reduce your exposure to PFAS?
Here’s what you can do:
✅ Check product labels – avoid anything listing PFAS, PFOA, or PFC
🚫 Ditch aerosol sprays
🌿 Choose natural, biodegradable, water-based alternatives
📢 Raise awareness – small choices have big impacts
📚 EPA – Steps to Reduce Your Risk
❓ What are safe PFAS-free alternatives for shoe care?
Topi Natural offers a safer, smarter choice: handcrafted, PFAS-, PFOA-, and aerosol-free care products made in Estonia using biodegradable natural ingredients.
✅ Why Topi Natural?
- Water-based and breathable
- Odorless, colorless, and 98.3% natural
- Safe for people and planet
- Made in Estonia using traditional small-batch methods
🔹 Featured Product: Natural Repel
A water- and dirt-repellent spray that is:
- Completely PFAS/PFOA/PFC-free
- Biodegradable and non-toxic
- Suitable for most materials (leather, suede, textile, canvas)
