Ski tech occupational exposure to PFAS among the highest of any job

[Dani-B]

Perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acid (PFCA) concentrations in serum and air collected from professional wax technicians and the rooms where waxes are applied are among the highest of any occupation investigated to date, including the fluorochemical industry.

Source

Fluorinated or 'fluoro' ski waxes are a significant source of airborne PFAS exposure during the waxing process. PFAS are polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly knowns as 'forever chemicals' because of their ability to persist in the body for years. They are getting more attention as we learn how bad they are for us and the environment. Long-term effects are still under study.

Basically professional nerds realized that people who wax skis both as a job and/or for fun are a good opportunity to study airborne PFAS exposure, as most prior knowledge is known from diet exposure.

Our research indicates that fluorinated wax use has far outpaced utilization of exposure reduction strategies such as ventilation or respiratory personal protective equipment.

It's something to think about if you wax your own skis or do it for work. Even if your shop doesn't use fluoro wax anymore since the FIS bans, there could still very well be residues in the shop itself. Consider wearing PPE like a respirator or at least ventilating with the outdoors if you wax a lot, or waxing outdoors/in a garage if you wax at home. You can also choose not to use fluoro waxes; most cheap waxes are hydrocarbon-based anyways.

 

[Dani-B]

We're seeing old head auto mechanics dying early from not protecting themselves from the chemicals encountered on their jobs. I don't think we know yet if the same could happen to ski techs from fluoro waxing.

**This post was edited on Mar 18th 2024 at 3:35:45pm

 

[MichiganCatFart]

Me: an auto mechanic that skis

 

[Misfitmonkey]

Me: an auto mechanic that skis

View attachment 1089779

un related, but would you recommend being an auto mechanic as a career. I'm considering it, but would still like to be able to ski, and obviously not be broke.

 

[EvanMeyer]

Flouro waxes are hardly used these days but I did breathe that shit in for a good 10 years. I’m more concerned with all the burning ptex I’ve inhaled over the years doing base repairs.

 

[skierman]

LOL, yup keep worrying yourselves over something which has zero proof of causing harm. And you wonder why your generation has the highest rates of depression and anxiety. Grow the fuck up.

 

[Dlonetti]

Flouro waxes are hardly used these days but I did breathe that shit in for a good 10 years. I’m more concerned with all the burning ptex I’ve inhaled over the years doing base repairs.

yeah lol hunched over the tiny nub of a ptex candle straight inhaling fumes in my basement

 

[Dani-B]

LOL, yup keep worrying yourselves over something which has zero proof of causing harm. And you wonder why your generation has the highest rates of depression and anxiety. Grow the fuck up.

Nice to see the lead generation weighing in! When's Episode 6 coming out?

 

[GayWolf420]

didn't read, trying to go fast lol

 

[Granby_killdozer]

If you start wearing a respirator to wax your skis, you're a pussy. Find a new hobby.

 

[EvanMeyer]

yeah lol hunched over the tiny nub of a ptex candle straight inhaling fumes in my basement

almost every shop I’ve worked in is in some crammed basement with no ventilation. Shop I’m in now actually has windows and a hood vent which are a game changer.

 

[Juviticus]

Suffering builds character

What about fiberglass dust from mounting? I starting to wonder if I should use a mask

**This post was edited on Mar 19th 2024 at 4:32:50pm

 

[fucintight]

tangentially related, i watched a vid recently about pfa’s/gorpwear shit. talkin bout how gore has recognized that the shit they sell and use for waterproofing jackets are potentially deadly but like ??‍ ,, talking about how the dead bird brand, and others, are selling products that knowingly hurt the environment and humans

LOL, yup keep worrying yourselves over something which has zero proof of causing harm. And you wonder why your generation has the highest rates of depression and anxiety. Grow the fuck up.

 

[Casey]

LOL, yup keep worrying yourselves over something which has zero proof of causing harm. And you wonder why your generation has the highest rates of depression and anxiety. Grow the fuck up.

That’s the spirit

 

[Benchhitter]

Me and the boys arriving at work for another day of huffing KFCs or whatever (I’m going to smoke a quarter on the loading dock at lunch)

 

[drifts]

un related, but would you recommend being an auto mechanic as a career. I'm considering it, but would still like to be able to ski, and obviously not be broke.

Don’t be a mechanic, plenty of other fields have similar hands on mechanical work but pay way better

 

[dukes717]

I had this realization while punching boots one time too lmao, also probably not the best thing to be actively heating up plastic and breathing that directly in for a career

 

[Sighman_Fisher]

LOL, yup keep worrying yourselves over something which has zero proof of causing harm. And you wonder why your generation has the highest rates of depression and anxiety. Grow the fuck up.

smartest ns member