Salt Lake City

Public Lands Department

publiclands@slcgov.com

PFAS & Ski Wax

PFAS-Free Ski Wax Protects Your Health and Our Drinking Water Supply

Most of us choose a ski wax that promises to help us glide over snow. However, it’s time to take a closer look at the one you’re using.

Many ski waxes contain harmful per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other chemicals that are hazardous to human health and the environment. These chemicals make their way into our drinking water as snow at Mountain Dell melts, and becomes part of your drinking water supply. The good news is that we can care for our water and soil by simply switching to a non-fluorine, PFAS-free ski wax!

PFAS LEVELS IN SLC’s WATERSHED
While PFAS are not currently at levels deemed dangerous in Salt Lake City’s drinking water supply, 11 PFAS compounds specific to ski wax have been found in Park City’s and may require treatment.

ABOUT FOREVER CHEMICALS

Why are PFAS bad for us?
PFAS are toxic even in extremely low doses (i.e., parts per quadrillion). Research shows that PFAS can cause cancer, infertility, kidney and thyroid problems.

Many believe only competitive skiers use PFAS-containing ski wax. You, or any ski shop technician who tunes your skis, may unknowingly use fluorine wax each year to keep your gear running smoothly.

How would I come in contact with these chemicals?
PFAS can be absorbed directly into our skin during contact with the wax or inhaled as vapors when heated and applied. As we ski, small shavings and particles find their way into the snow, seep into the soil with snowmelt, and eventually make their way into our drinking water.

FIND A NON- FLUORINE, PFAS-FREE SKI WAX

  • Rex G21 Graphite Spray
  • Toko Non Fluoro
  • Glidewax
  • North by Swix Speed Brick Universal Wax
  • mountainFLOW Quick Wax
  • Ulla Glide Wax

The impact on SLC’s Watershed
Millions of skiers visit Utah’s mountains each year. For those unknowingly using fluorine wax, the chemicals enter our environment and make their way downstream. As Salt Lake City residents draw 80% of our drinking water from areas where skiing is prevalent, these harmful chemicals are a concern.

Removing PFAS from water
A process using massive, costly filters can permanently remove chemicals from water. These filters are not 100% effective, but they do reduce the risk. Incineration is one of the few known ways to break down PFAS. So, once the filters have captured as many PFAS as possible (within one year), they must be incinerated and replaced, beginning the process again.

We can each Limit Our Impact
Reducing the number of PFAS we introduce to the environment is easier and more economical than treating the problem. Please look at your ski wax and ask your ski tech to do the same! A simple change can protect us and the quality of our soil and water.

Learn more about PFAS and ski wax in this EPA Enforcement Alert.

RESOURCES:
The Salt Lake Tribune
NRDC
Center for Environmental Health
EPA PFAS Ski Wax Enforcement Alert

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