EDITORS’ PICK
PFAS in Cardboard
(From Dear MOTHER, December 2023/January 2024)
It seems PFAS are in cardboard used for food! My question is: If I only use cardboard with little or no ink (only black), does it also contain PFAS? For a number of years, I’ve used it in sheets to suppress weeds. Even more recently, when planting, I’ve shredded and mixed it with vermicompost to use as a top dressing. However, if shipping boxes for items other than food also contain PFAS, this practice most likely should be stopped. Please see what you can find out and if there’s a way to determine if said cardboard is toxic.
Sally White
Via email
We assigned Robert Turner to uncover more information. This investigation turned into a much deeper dive than expected, so here’s what we can offer so far (see more in our June/July 2024 issue):
“PFAS have been used in food packaging for water and grease resistance. With thousands of chemicals in this category, it may be hard to know what’s in any particular box you lay down in your garden, and some
