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For over thirty years, makers of ski and snowboard wax used a group of synthetic chemicals called PFAS. These substances, known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, were added to wax to help skis and snowboards glide faster over snow. The chemicals were very effective. They became a standard tool for competitive racers all over the world. However, as scientists learned more, worries about their impact on human health began to grow.
By the 2010s, studies started finding PFAS in human bodies. Research suggested that these chemicals could cause serious harm. In response, major racing groups and local governments began to act. The International Ski and Snowboard Federation, along with venues like the Craftsbury Outdoor Center in Vermont and cities such as Park City, Utah, banned fluorinated waxes. These bans were part of wider rules on PFAS. This meant that fluoro waxes were mostly stopped from being made.
Despite these efforts, the problem is not gone. New research by the author and colleagues tells a cautionary story. It shows how hard it is to remove these so-called forever chemicals from the environment. It also highlights what happens after bans are put in place, especially when people still value the benefits of PFAS. The persistence of these chemicals in wax rooms shows the long-lasting nature of environmental contamination. It also shows the challenges of keeping people safe after a product is no longer sold.
You have likely encountered PFAS in many parts of your daily life. This large group of chemicals includes as many as 15,000 individual compounds. They are used in many consumer products, medical devices, emergency response gear, and industrial processes. For example, PFAS help rain gear repel water. They allow some food wrappers to resist grease. They are also used in firefighting foam to provide heat resistance.
From the late 1980s through the early 2020s, PFAS were added to many types of ski wax. Waxes are used to improve ski performance in specific snow conditions, like fresh, warm, or wet snow. There are hundreds of different wax products available. Adding PFAS to these waxes reduces surface tension as skis slide over snow. This results in less friction and a smoother glide. Fluoro waxes were especially common in products designed for warm, wet, or dirty snow. They were used widely in both competitive racing and recreational skiing.
In the 2010s, researchers began finding a buildup of PFAS in the environment near ski venues. They also detected these chemicals in the bodies of people who wax skis professionally. When skis are waxed, tiny particles and chemicals, including PFAS, can become airborne. Scientific research has linked PFAS exposure to many bad health effects. These include higher risks of thyroid, liver, and heart diseases, as well as certain cancers.
In the early 2020s, researchers began asking if these risks were only for professionals. Early research indicated that many skiers might be exposed to PFAS in ski wax, not just professional technicians. A follow-up pilot study focused on skiers. It found that individuals who waxed more skis tended to have higher levels of PFAS in their blood. These individuals also had higher total cholesterol and low-density, or bad, cholesterol levels. Both are risk factors for heart disease. Previous studies have shown that these cholesterol levels are linked to PFAS exposure in other groups of people.
By the early 2020s, global efforts to restrict PFAS, especially in Europe where most waxes are made, had reduced the supply of fluoros. Industry groups, venues, and municipalities began restricting their use. Ultimately, the International Ski and Snowboard Federation and the International Biathlon Union banned fluorinated waxes in all sanctioned competitions starting in the 2023-24 season.
Banning fluoros has helped reduce exposures, but it has not solved the problem completely. PFAS are extremely durable. This means they do not break down easily in the environment or in people’s bodies. As a result, any PFAS that enter the environment, indoors or outdoors, from ski waxing will stay there for a long time. This persistence is why they are often called forever chemicals.
New research found that while PFAS concentrations in dust from waxing work areas dropped significantly after fluoro bans, the chemicals were not fully gone. Specifically, the study found that PFAS levels in dust in wax rooms dropped after the bans were implemented and the areas were cleaned. However, PFAS were still detectable in these spaces. Research shows that even tiny amounts of PFAS can pose health risks. The latest research suggests that people working in wax rooms and those nearby still face ongoing exposure risks.
Additionally, some skiers still have fluoros in their wax collection. They may be inclined to use them from time to time. This can continue to release these chemicals into the environment. This highlights a gap between regulatory bans and actual usage. It also shows the difficulty of clearing a space that was previously contaminated.
Given what is known today, one might ask whether PFAS in wax were really worth the health and environmental risks. While that question leads to a wide range of beliefs and opinions, two themes emerge in conversations with skiers. First, fluoro waxes were beloved by many because of how well they improved the glide of skis, particularly in wet or sticky snow. Second, gaps in people’s knowledge of past and present environmental health risks from ski waxing present challenges for weighing costs and benefits. Many skiers may not fully understand the long-term dangers associated with these chemicals.
Wax manufacturers are actively searching for chemistries that can replicate the feel of skiing on fluoros. They are looking for alternatives that provide similar performance without the health risks. However, what will be in these replacement waxes remains an open question. It is also unclear whether these new formulations will be less harmful to human health and the environment. Wax formulations are typically proprietary and shielded from disclosure by intellectual property and confidential business information laws. This lack of transparency makes it difficult for consumers to know exactly what they are exposing themselves to when using new products.
Despite the challenges, there are steps that skiers and snowboarders can take to reduce lingering PFAS exposure. Taking these precautions can help minimize the risk of inhaling or ingesting harmful dust.
First, stop using fluoro waxes entirely. If you have old wax containing PFAS, dispose of it properly rather than using it. Second, wax your skis in a well-ventilated space or outside whenever possible. Good air circulation helps disperse airborne particles and reduces the concentration of contaminants in the air.
Third, use personal protective equipment, such as an N95 mask or a respirator with organic cartridges, when waxing. These masks can filter out tiny particles that might otherwise be inhaled. Fourth, do not eat or drink in the spaces where you wax or tune your skis or snowboard. This prevents wax dust from getting into your food or drinks, which could lead to ingestion of PFAS.
Fifth, wash your hands and change your clothes after leaving your waxing space. PFAS can settle on skin and clothing, so changing into clean clothes and washing up can prevent the spread of contaminants to other areas of your home. Finally, clean your wax area with a vacuum equipped with a HEPA filter and a wet cloth. Standard vacuums may not capture fine dust particles, but a HEPA filter can trap them. Using a wet cloth helps prevent dust from becoming airborne again during cleaning. These steps, while small, can significantly reduce exposure and help protect your health from the lingering effects of these persistent chemicals.