Report Finds Toxic Chemicals Cost Nearly $3 Trillion in Healthcare & Environmental Issues

A recent report found that hormone-disrupting chemicals, like PFAS “forever chemicals,” phthalates, bisphenols, & pesticides, cost citizens nearly $3 trillion annually in healthcare costs and environmental damage. These are the exact chemical classes that Mamavation spends so much time testing for in food, beverages, personal care products, and supplements to help you protect your family. You’ve trusted Mamavation to bring you topics like safest cooking oils tested for phthalates, safest teas tested for PFAS, &  safest coffee tested for PFAS & mycotoxins, now join us as we cover an essential economic report on the damages of toxic chemicals.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

Report Finds Toxic Chemicals Cost Nearly $3 Trillion

A recent report from the Grantham Foundation, The Institute of Preventative Health, & SystemIQ found that four categories of hormone disrupting chemicals, [PFAS, phthalates, bisphenols, and pesticides] together cost nearly $3 trillion in preventable healthcare and environmental costs anually. In fact, phthalates, bisphenols, pesticides, and PFAS “forever chemicals” cost an estimated 3-4% of global GDP, including $1.4-$2.2 trillion in healthcare spending each year. Then tack on an additional $0.6 trillion more in environmental damages and things start to get really expensive.

The report also found that these industrial chemicals are regulated far less stringently than pharmaceutical medications. The odd part about that is they both contain hormonally active chemicals that can disrupt hormones within the body, so why are pharmaceutical drugs regulated more seriously than industrial chemicals?

Although first-world countries have more stringent laws to protect citizens from toxic chemicals, they also have a more extended history of exposure to them. Now this is evident when looking at the impact of toxic chemicals on fertility of both men and women around the globe. The reproducive impacts of these chemicals are anticipated to mean 200-700 million fewer births globally between 2025 and 2100.

Where are these chemicals found? According to the report, they are purposely used in fertilizers, pesticides, food processing equipment, packaging, and coatings. Mamavation has been testing for them constantly since 2020. Unfortunately, we have discovered that everyone on the Planet has been exposed to them and has traces of these contamiants within their body.

Then finally, the ecological costs exceed $640 billion per year, which is how much it would cost to remove PFAS and pesticides from drinking water.

What’s the solution?

Without an urgent, strategic phase-out of these toxic chemicals, they will continue to become a burden to global ecosystems and long-term economic stability. However, existing technologies and regulatory approaches could reduce combined health and environmental harms by 70%. This would deliver an annual savings of $1.7 trillion worldwide.

“This report connects the dots between widespread toxic exposures and the alarming decline in sperm counts, egg quality, and fertility in human and non-human species. Precautionary action to limit these exposures is called for, even as we work toward solutions. We have no time to waste. Implementing the policy recommendations outlined and quantified here will protect reproductive health and more broadly, planetary health today and for future generations,” said Professor Shanna Swan, PhD, Action Science Initiative, School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

Mamavation Is Testing Toxic Chemicals For You

Solutions, solutions, we got the solutions! While we wait on the grownups in the room to get their act together, Mamavation has already dug in deep to help you solve this problem within your own household. We have been sending products off to our EPA-certified labs to detect the exact chemicals they are warning you about in this report:

• PFAS “forever chemicals”
• phthalates
• bisphenols (like BPA and BPS)
• pesticides & herbicides, including glyphosate

In fact, many of the foods, beverages, and supplements you purchase have already been tested by us. I’m going to make this really easy on you here and give you some recommendations based on our scientifically reviewed investigations and lab testing.

Food & Beverages

Avocado Oil

This category contains avocado oils sent to our EPA-certified laboratory and found to have phthalate sum levels less than 800 ppb. After extensive testing, these amounts were the lowest, and these products were put into the “best” category.

• Amazon Fresh Avocado Oil — Total phthalate 159 ppb
• AVOHASS Avocado Oil — Total phthalate 218 ppb (Walmart)
• AVO Avocado Oil — Total phthalate 682 ppb
• Nutiva Organic Avocado Oil — Total phthalate 76 ppb ( Target / Walmart)
• Plant Junkie Organic Avocado Oil — Total phthalate 415 ppb (Walmart)

Coconut Oil

This category represents Coconut oils with less than 400 ppb total phthalates.

• Carrington Farms Organic Coconut Cooking Oil Unflavored — Total phthalates = 217 ppb (Walmart) 
• Dr. Bronners Virgin Coconut Oil — Total phthalates = 126 ppb [updated: this product result was added 11/2024]
• Island Fresh Organic Coconut Oil Virgin Cold Pressed — Total phthalates = 135 ppb (Walmart)
• Nutiva Organic Virgin Coconut Oil — Total phthalates = 387 ppb (Target / Walmart)
• Spectrum Organic Virgin Coconut Oil Cold Pressed Unrefined — Total phthalates = 361 ppb (Target / Walmart)

Olive Oil

This category represents olive oils with less than 1,200 ppb total phthalates. Olive oils marked with a * were from testing done in 2023 by Defend Our Health and added here for more variety. Mamavation is basing our study only on products tested by our EPA-certified lab, but also bringing in more options that were tested and released in 2023 for more information for our audience.

• 365 Whole Foods Market Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil Mediterranean Cold Processed — Total phthalates = 827 ppb
• Bertolli Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil — Total phthalates = 672 ppb (Target / Walmart) 
• Bertolli Olive Oil — Total phthalates = 318 ppb (Target / Walmart) 
• Bono Val di Mazara 1934 Sicilian Extra Virgin Olive Oil Organic PDO Cold Extracted Acidity 0.2 – 0.4% — Total phthalates = 1,018 ppb (Walmart) 
• Bragg Organic 100% Sourced from Greece Extra Virgin Olive Oil — Total phthalates = 655 ppb ( Walmart)
• *Filippo Berio Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil — Total phthalates = 559 ppb ( Walmart) 
• Goya Extra Virgin Olive Oil — Total phthalates = 939 ppb (Walmart) 
• Jovial Extra Virgin Olive Oil — Total phthalates = 528 ppb (Walmart) 
• Kasandrinos Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil — Total phthalates = 194 ppb (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 20% off products!) 
• Oliveda Olive Tree Pharmacy Olive Oil — Total phthalates = 585 ppb (Special discount: Buy 4 get 1 Free when using our link!)
• PaleoValley Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil — Total phthalates = 311 ppb (Click on link for 15% off olive oil) 
• SEKA HILLS Extra Virgin Olive Oil — Total phthalates = 561 ppb 
• Spectrum Culinary Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil Cold extracted unrefined — Total phthalates = 1,048 ppb (Target/ Walmart) 
• Trader Joe’s Organic Extra Virgin Spanish Olive Oil — Total phthalates = 576 ppb

Ghee

This category represents products sent to our EPA-certified laboratory and found to have less than 200 ppb total sum of phthalates. This would represent the group with the least amount of contamination.

• Ancient Organics Ghee — non-detect total phthalates
• Mt. Capra Goat Milk Ghee — non-detect total phthalates
• Organic Valley Organic Ghee Clarified Butter — 105 ppb total phthalate
• Spice Outlet Original Ghee — 150 ppb total phthalate

Tallow

Less than 45 ppb of total sum phthalates.

Tallow for Cooking

• Essential Depot Beef Tallow — 27 ppb total sum phthalates
• Fatworks Lamb Tallow — non-detect
• Fatworks Bison Tallow — 8 ppb total sum phthalates
• PaleoValley Grass Fed Beef Tallow — 41 ppb total sum phthalates (Take 15% off products at PaleoValley by using this link)

Tallow For Personal Care

• Bello Tallow Pure Tallow — non-detect (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 10% off products!)
• Traditional Nutrients Tallow — non-detect

Beef Suet For All Purposes (Non-Rendered Tallow)

• Parker Pastures Beef Suet — Non-detect (Get $25 off your first order of $150 or more by using discount code “WELCOME”)
• White Oak Pastures Beef Suet — Non-detect (Get $20 off any order over $150. One use per customer. Use “MAMAVATION” at checkout or click on link for it to be automatically applied.) 

Specialty Oils

These specialty oils had less than 200 ppb total sum phthalates, according to our lab.

• Algae Cooking Oil Club — 22 ppb total sum phthalates (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 15% off order)
• Thrive Culinary Algae Oil — 31 ppb total sum phthalates
• Zero Farms Cultured Oil — 184 ppb total sum phthalates

Earl Grey

Our lab determined no PFAS compounds were found in the Earl Grey tea leaves. However, the tea bags had detectable fluorine.

• FGO Organic Earl Grey Loose Leaf Tea Plant-Based Full-Bodied Flavor with a Touch of Bergamot — Non-detect

Chamomile

These products were sent off to an EPA-certified laboratory. The tea leaves were tested for 40 PFAS analytes and each product had non-detect results. The tea bags were tested for fluorine, a marker of PFAS “forever chemicals,” and also had non-detect results.

• Celestial Seasonings Chamomile Herbal Tea — Tea Leaves: Non-detect PFAS, Tea Bag: Non-detect total fluorine
• From Great Origins (FGO) Organic Chamomile Tea Bags — Tea Leaves: Non-detect PFAS, Tea Bag: Non-detect total fluorine
• RISHI Chamomile Medley Organic Botanical Blend Tea Sachet — Tea Leaves: Non-detect PFAS, Tea Bag: Non-detect total fluorine (Use discount code “MAMAVATION15” for 15% off products!) 
• Taylors of Harrogate Organic Chamomile Caffeine-Free Herbal Infusion Tea — Tea Leaves: Non-detect PFAS, Tea Bag: Non-detect total fluorine
• TAZO Organic Calm Chamomile Herbal Tea — Tea Leaves: Non-detect PFAS, Tea Bag: Non-detect total fluorine

Green Tea

These products were sent off to an EPA-certified laboratory. The tea leaves were tested for 40 PFAS analytes and each product had non-detect results.

• From Great Origins (FGO) Organic Green Tea Bags — Tea Leaves: Non-detect PFAS
• Harney & Sons Nourishing Green Tea Japanese Sencha — Tea Leaves: Non-detect PFAS
• Numi Organic Green Tea Gunpowder Green Full-Bodied and Gently Rolled — Tea Leaves: Non-detect PFAS
• Pukka Spreme Matcha Green Daily Power — Tea Leaves: Non-detect PFAS
• Rishi Jasmine Organic Scented Green Tea Sencha — Tea Leaves: Non-detect PFAS (Use discount code “MAMAVATION15” for 15% off products!) 
• TAZO Organic Zen Regenerative Green Tea — Tea Leaves: Non-detect PFAS

Coffee

Each product in this category was tested for 500+ pesticides, mycotoxins, mold, & yeast. Most (except one) were also tested for 40 PFAS analytes. Each product was non-detect for each category tested. These are the brands we recommend you purchase from because our lab alleges they do not contain the contaminants we tested for. Reminder: All coffee brands had their coffee beans or ground coffee tested directly by the lab. The product was not brewed and diluted. (Most of the labs you’ll find online offered by brands are of diluted coffee.)

• Bulletproof The Original Sweet & Smooth Clean Coffee Medium Roast Ground Coffee — non-detect for 40 PFAS analytes, 500+ pesticides, mycotoxins, mold & yeast (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 25 % off products.)
• Danger Coffee Feel Dangerously Good Medium Roast Single Origin Whole Bean — non-detect for 40 PFAS analytes, 500+ pesticides, mycotoxins, mold & yeast. (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 15% off products.) 
• Death Wish Coffee Co. Ground Organic Espresso Roast — non-detect for 40 PFAS analytes, 500+ pesticides, mycotoxins, mold & yeast
• Equal Exchange Fairly Traded Coffee Grown by Small Farmers Ground Organic Mind, Body & Soul Blend of Medium & Vienna Roasts — non-detect for 40 PFAS analytes, 500+ pesticides, mycotoxins, mold & yeast
• Lifeboost Coffee Dark Roast Ground from Central American Non-GMO Pure Low Acid — non-detect for 40 PFAS analytes, 500+ pesticides, mycotoxins, mold & yeast (Use discount code “MAMAVATION15” for 15% off products) 
• Peet’s Coffee Dark Roast Tasting Notes Chocolate Truffle, Smoke, Caramel USDA Organic Ground — non-detect for 40 PFAS analytes, 500+ pesticides, mycotoxins, mold, & yeast
• Scout & Cellar Scouting Grounds Roasting Company House Blend –non-detect 500+ pesticides, mycotoxins, mold, & yeast (Use discount code “welcome15” for 15% off new customers orders)(Please note we haven’t tested this coffee for 40 PFAS analytes yet, but we still wanted to include it. We will update this post as soon as we have results.) 
• The Bean Organic Coffee Company Organic Aloha Bean (Hawaiin Hazelnut) Medium Roast Ground — non-detect for 40 PFAS analytes, 500+ pesticides, mycotoxins, mold, & yeast (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 10% off products!) 

Cinnamon

These cinnamon products were not found to have any detectable glyphosate or have concerning levels of lead or cadmium. (ug/kg = ppb) As an explainer, California Prop. 65 would require a warning accounting for 1 gram of cinnamon per day at 500 ppb lead and 4,100 ppb cadmium or more.

Cassia Cinnamon

• 365 Whole Foods Market Organic Cinnamon Ground — Non-detect glyphosate, 14.87 ug/kg lead, & 93.75 ug/kg cadmium
• Morton & Basset Spice Organic Ground Cinnamon — Non-detect glyphosate, 22.1 ug/kg lead, & 72.61 ug/kg of cadmium
• Simply Organic Cinnamon — Non-detect glyphosate, 338.32 ug/kg lead, & 218.67 ug/kg cadmium
• Spice Islands Est. 1941 Organic Ground Saigon Cinnamon — Non-detect glyphosate, 93.75 ug/kg lead, & 257.34 ug/kg cadmium
• Spice Islands Ground Saigon Cinnamon — Non-detect glyphosate, 293.21 ug/kg lead, & 240.09 ug/kg cadmium

Ceylon Cinnamon

• Diaspora Co. Peni Miris Cinnamon (Ceylon Cinnamon) — Non-detect glyphosate, 223 ug/kg lead, & 138 ug/kg cadmium (added 12/25)(Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 10% off your order!)

Supplements

Protein Powder

• Paleovalley 100% Grassfed Bone Broth Protein Chocolate Flavor made from grass-fed beef bone broth. Ingredients:  100% grassfed bone broth protein, Organic coconut milk powder, organic cacao bean, organic chocolate flavor, organic maltodextrin (from tapioca root), organic luo han guo (monk fruit) fruit extract, Himalayan pink salt, organic acacia fiber CONTAINS: Tree Nut (Coconut). (This link with automatically deduct 15% off your purchase.) 
  • Our lab did not find any PFAS analytes, glyphosate, 500+ additional pesticides, phthalates, or heavy metals above Prop. 65 thresholds.
  • Lead & Cadmium under Prop. 65 thresholds: 0.2567 ug/serving for lead, & 1.32787 ug/serving for cadmium. 

Childrens Multivitamins

These children’s multivitamins were free from PFAS “forever chemicals,” phthalates, pesticides, and levels of heavy metals that are low enough that they do not require a Prop. 65 Warning in California.

• Mary Ruth’s Organic Kids Multivitamin Gummies Mixed Berry & Cherry (Use discount code “LEAHSEGEDIE” for 15% off products) 
  • PFAS “Forever Chemicals”: non-detect
  • Heavy Metals: Lead 0.005 ug/day, Arsenic non-detect, Cadmium non-detect, Mercury non-detect (Does not require Prop.65 warning)
  • Phthalates: non-detect
  • 500+ Pesticides: non-detect
  • Glyphosate: non-detect
• MegaFood Kids One Daily Multivitamin Soft Chews Grape Flavor with Other Natural Flavors
  • PFAS “Forever Chemicals”: non-detect
  • Heavy Metals: Lead <MRL, Arsenic non-detect, Cadmium non-detect, Mercury non-detect (Does not require a Prop.65 Warning)
  • Phthalates: non-detect
  • 500+ Pesticides: non-detect
  • Glyphosate: non-detect
• Smarty Pants Kids Multi & Omegas Premium All-in-One Multi for Children’s Developmental Years
  • PFAS “Forever Chemicals”: non-detect
  • Heavy Metals: Lead 0.028 ug/day, Arsenic non-detect, Cadmium non-detect, Mercury non-detect (Does not require a Prop. 65 warning)
  • Phthalates: non-detect
  • 500+ Pesticides: non-detect
  • Glyphosate: non-detect
• Seeking Health Kids Multivitamin Chewable
  • PFAS “Forever Chemicals”: non-detect
  • Heavy Metals: Lead 0.05 ug/day, Arsenic non-detect, Cadmium 0.018 ug/day, Mercury non-detect (Does not require a Prop. 65 warning)
  • Phthalates: non-detect
  • 500+ Pesticides: non-detect
  • Glyphosate: non-detect

Personal Care Products

These personal care products were tested for indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” and were non-detect. Organic fluorine is an indicator test for PFAS.

Deodorants

• Attitude Oatmeal Sensitive Natural Baking Soda Free — non-detect organic fluorine. (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 20% off for first-time customers.)
• Bello Tallow Deodorant Peppermint Lemongrass — non-detect organic fluorine. (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 10% off products!)
• Bello Tallow Deodorant Lux Blue Deodorant — non-detect organic fluorine. (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 10% off products!)
• Lauricidin Natural Deodorant Essential Orange — non-detect organic fluorine.
• OM Botantical Hops & Magnesium Deodorant — non-detect organic fluorine.
• Organic Jaguar Natural Vanilla Rose Deodorant Baking Soda & Aluminum Free — non-detect organic fluorine.
• Pretty Frank Jasmine Natural Deodorant — non-detect organic fluorine.
• Primally Pure Deodorant Lavender — non-detect organic fluorine. (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 10% off products!) 
• Pure Haven Non-Baking Soda Coconut Peppermint Tea Tree Deodorant — non-detect organic fluorine.
• Real Purity Roll-on Deodorant — non-detect organic fluorine.
• Rowe Casa Organics All Natural Deodorant Unscented — non-detect organic fluorine.
• Stinkbug Unscented Deodorant — non-detect organic fluorine.
• Ursa Major Sublime Sage Spray Deodorant — non-detect organic fluorine. (

Toilet Paper

• Bumboo Bamboo Toilet Paper — non-detect organic fluorine
• Caboo Tree-Free Bamboo Bath Tissue — non-detect organic fluorine (Use discount code “EHN25” for 25% off product!)
• Cheeky Panda Eco-Friendly Natural Bamboo Toilet Paper — non-detect organic fluorine
• Cloud Paper Bamboo Toilet Paper — non-detect organic fluorine
• Nature Z Way Bamboo Bath Tissue — non-detect organic fluorine
• Plant Paper Bamboo Bathroom Toilet Paper — non-detect organic fluorine (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 20% off orders!)
• Public Goods Toilet Paper (Bamboo & Cane Sugar) — non-detect organic fluorine (Use discount code “MAMAVATION20” to get 20% off your order!) 
• Reel Bamboo Toilet Paper — non-detect organic fluorine (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 20% off the product!) 
• Seedling by Grove Tree-Free Toilet Paper (made with FSC certified bamboo)– non-detect organic fluorine

Dental Floss

• Bambo Earth Pure Silk Eco Floss Mint Flavored — non-detect organic fluorine
• Boka Ela Mint Floss — non-detect organic fluorine
• Cocofloss Delicious Mint — non-detect organic fluorine (Use “MAMAVATION15” for 15% off your order. This brand has also introduced a reusable flosser for kids too!)
• Desert Essence Tea Tree Oil Dental Floss — non-detect organic fluorine
• Etee Plastic Free Biodegradable Silk Waxed Floss Mint Flavor — non-detect organic fluorine
• Nudge Dental Floss — non-detect organic fluorine
• Public Goods Tooth Floss — non-detect organic fluorine (Use discount code MAMAVATION20 for 20% off)
• Radius Sponge Floss Peppermint with Coconut Oil — non-detect organic fluorine
• Smart Life Company Straw Wheat Floss Picks — non-detect organic fluorine
• The Humble Co. Plant-Based Materials Floss Picks — non-detect organic fluorine
• Tom’s of Maine Naturally Waxed Antiplaque flat floss — non-detect organic fluorine
• Wowe Silk Floss Natural Mint — non-detect organic fluorine

If you are interested in more investigations similar to this, check out all our investigations here.