When you reach for that Band-Aid to cover a minor cut or scrape, you likely don’t give much thought to what’s in it beyond the sticky adhesive and absorbent pad. But as we scrutinize the finer details at Mind the Detail, we’ve uncovered a disturbing potential danger hidden in some of the most common household bandages.

The culprit? A class of chemicals called PFAS that have been used to make bandage materials stain-resistant and moisture-repellent. PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a large group of man-made compounds that have been linked to various health issues including cancer, liver damage, decreased fertility, and hormonal disruption.

While bandage manufacturers have phased out some of the longest-chain PFAS in recent years due to health concerns, they have merely substituted them with other types of PFAS whose safety is still unclear. And because PFAS don’t break down easily in the environment, any residues released could stick around for decades.

The PFAS problem in bandages highlights a broader issue – the lack of adequate safety testing and disclosure requirements for chemicals used in consumer products. Manufacturers can too easily substitute one questionable ingredient for another without rigorous review.

Consumers are taking action though, with a flurry of recent lawsuits filed against major bandage brands like Band-Aid, Curad, and Nexcare. The plaintiffs claim the companies failed to warn about the presence of “forever chemicals” and seek compensation for medical monitoring and injunctive relief.

As this legal battle rages on, one thing is clear – we can no longer blindly trust that the small things covering our wounds are as innocent as they seem. Peeling back the details on common household goods is more vital than ever to protect our health.