Alicia Silverstone is alerting her followers to the potential hazards of using toilet paper.

On Sunday, the 47-year-old actress from “Clueless” shared a TikTok video where she both produced and starred in a commercial for PlantPaper, a company that offers toilet paper made entirely from bamboo, as indicated on their website. In the ad, Silverstone asserts that conventional toilet paper “is contributing to your risk of cancer” due to the presence of chemicals known as PFAS.

She mentioned that these chemicals “never decompose,” “never exit your body,” and are linked to various health issues, including hemorrhoids, urinary tract infections, chronic inflammation, and vulvovaginitis, which is an inflammation or infection of the vagina.

Silverstone remarked, “OK, so it might cost like $15 more per year,” regarding the price of PlantPaper’s toilet paper. “That’s the best investment in your health that I can think of.” The cost for a pack of 16 rolls of PlantPaper is $42, according to the company’s site.

So, what are the facts? Should individuals be worried about PFAS in their toilet paper? Here’s what experts say.

What exactly are PFAS?

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFAS, encompass over 12,000 synthetic chemical compounds utilized in a wide range of consumer products, according to Susie Dai, an environmental scientist at Texas A&M University, reported to YSL News.

PFAS are primarily found in non-stick and stain-resistant coatings, waterproof materials, flame retardants, and are used to enhance the durability of various everyday items.

Are PFAS the same as ‘forever’ chemicals?

Though different PFAS have varying chemical compositions, they all share at least one feature: the presence of carbon-fluorine bonds, which are among the strongest in chemistry.

This robust bond appeals to manufacturers as it extends the product life and elevates functionality, but it also signifies that once released, these chemicals do not easily break down in the environment or our bodies—hence the nickname “forever chemicals.”

Extensive exposure over time can be detrimental to both the environment and human health. “Exposure to elevated levels of PFAS has been linked to an increased risk of cancer, reduced kidney and liver functionality, reproductive and developmental issues, and diminished vaccine responses,” warns Dr. Kristin Scheible, a microbiologist and immunologist at the University of Rochester Medical Center, as previously noted by YSL News.

Should people be concerned about PFAS in toilet paper?

Yes, PFAS can be found in toilet paper, according to the American Chemical Society; however, not every exposure to PFAS poses a serious threat—this applies to the PFAS present in toilet paper.

While Silverstone correctly asserts that many popular toilet paper brands contain PFAS, Erin Haynes, a professor of preventative medicine and environmental health at the University of Kentucky, notes that the risk of PFAS exposure from toilet paper isn’t significant enough to be alarmed.

This is largely because the absorption of PFAS through the skin, or dermal exposure, is extremely low. Instead, a more pressing concern is obtaining PFAS from food or water sources.

“For toilet paper, clothing, or similar items to allow for significant absorption, they would need to be in contact with the skin long enough,” explains Haynes. “I don’t think the absorption rates or duration justify the claim.”

However, she suggests that if a person is primarily concerned about the environmental effects of traditional toilet paper, then opting for bamboo-based toilet paper could be a better alternative.

How are individuals exposed to PFAS?

Completely avoiding exposure is challenging since PFAS have been utilized in manufacturing for over 80 years and have infiltrated numerous soil and water sources. Nevertheless, it is possible to reduce some exposure by understanding where PFAS are typically found.

PFAS are frequently applied in non-stick cookware, grease-resistant food packaging, outdoor apparel, waterproof cosmetics, and stain-repellent carpets and furniture. Most products do not declare their PFAS content, but if an item claims to be waterproof, stain-resistant, or non-stick—unless specified as PFAS-free—it likely contains PFAS, according to Scott Bartell, a professor of environmental and occupational health at the University of California, Irvine, who spoke to YSL News.

In addition to commercial product exposure, people may come into contact with PFAS through consuming fruits and vegetables grown in contaminated soil or by eating animals that grazed on PFAS-tainted plants. More typically, many individuals drink water directly from sources polluted with PFAS, as research shows.

Research indicates that up to 45% of tap water across the United States is tainted by at least one type of these persistent contaminants.

A viable solution is to set up a water purification system for any tap water in your home, which can effectively remove PFAS until the new EPA regulations come into play,” Bartell mentioned earlier to YSL News.

Contributing: Daryl Austin, YSL News