PFAS in Ski Wax: Human Health & Environmental Implications (webinar)

(Eastern Time Zone)

Please join NEWMOA for a webinar to learn about the human exposure and environmental contamination resulting from using wax on skis. Bring your questions!

Note: This webinar is presented for informational purposes. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of each of the NEWMOA-member states, and the strategies and technologies discussed should not be considered an endorsement by NEWMOA or its members.

Gail Carlson, Colby College will present Environmental Contamination from Fluorinated Ski Wax Use. The use of fluorinated ski waxes in nordic and alpine skiing is beneficial for performance but disastrous for contaminating the environment with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS, the so-called “forever chemicals”). Snow and soil at ski areas contain PFAS residues that can be correlated with ski wax use. The recent bans on fluorinated waxes in competitive skiing from the local to the international level reduces environmental pollution and likely lowers human exposure

Kathryn Crawford, Middlebury College will present Evaluating PFAS Exposure from Fluorinated Waxes Among US Snow Sport Participants. Performance ski waxes are applied to the base of skis and snowboards to reduce friction with snow and waxes can contain up to 100% per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) by mass. PFAS exposure among recreational and armature skiers and snowboarders is poorly understood. To learn more about skiers’ PFAS exposure, we conducted a pilot study to collect blood samples in 30 adult skiers who have personally applied wax to their skis at least one time. In this healthy, physically active population, PFAS concentrations were positively associated with serum cholesterol (total; low-density lipoprotein [LDL-C]; small dense low-density lipoprotein [sdLDL-C]), which are risk factors for adverse cardiometabolic health outcomes. PFAS concentrations were also positively associated with symptoms such as cough that people reported experience while waxing. This study highlights the need for engagement with the ski and snowboard community around interventions to reduce wax-related PFAS exposure.

FREE for government officials ONLY in the eight (8) NEWMOA states (CT, ME, MA, NH, NJ, NY, RI and VT) or those with the FEDERAL government – please read Note 1 below!.

All others must pay with a credit card when registering. The fee is $75 with a reduced rate of $25 for government officials in the other 42 states as well as staff at non-profit organizations, students, and academics (read Note 2 below). If the fee is a true barrier to your attendance, contact Jennifer Griffith at jgriffith@newmoa.org to see if it can be reduced or waived.

Register at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1033412728331670876

Note 1: to bring the cost to zero:

• government officials in the 8 NEWMOA states should scroll down and enter the discount code (case sensitive): NEWMOA
• federal government officials should scroll down and enter the discount code (case sensitive): Federal

Make sure to click the “APPLY” button and to use your government email address when registering so NEWMOA can easily validate your registration. 

Note 2: to bring the cost to $25:

• government officials in the other 42 states should scroll down and enter the discount code (case sensitive): NonNEWMOA
• non-profit organizations, students, and academics should scroll down and enter the discount code (case sensitive): NGO

Make sure to click the “APPLY” button and to use your government email address or your .org or .edu email address when registering so NEWMOA can easily validate your registration.

For more information, contact Jennifer Griffith at jgriffith@newmoa.org.