"Forever Chemicals" (PFAS)

The chemicals referred to as "forever chemicals" are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). They are a large group of man-made chemicals that have been used in a wide range of products since the 1940s. PFAS are known for their ability to repel water, oil, and dirt, which makes them useful in a variety of applications.


The first PFAS were created in the 1930s by the DuPont Corporation. DuPont developed Teflon, a nonstick coating for cookware, in 1946. Teflon is a PFAS called polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). 


Other common PFAS include perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS).


PFAS have been produced for over 80 years by a variety of companies, including DuPont, 3M, Chemours, and Daikin. They are used in a wide range of products, including:


Nonstick cookware

Waterproof clothing and gear

Food packaging

Carpets

Furniture

Personal care products

Firefighting foam

Industrial coatings


PFAS have been found to be dangerous to human health and the environment. They have been linked to a variety of health problems, including cancer, reproductive problems, and thyroid problems. PFAS are also very persistent in the environment, meaning that they can take thousands of years to break down.


The first agencies to identify PFAS as dangerous were the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). The EPA issued a health advisory for PFOA and PFOS in 2016. The ATSDR released a public health assessment for PFAS in 2018.


The EPA is currently developing a new regulatory framework for PFAS. In June 2022, the EPA proposed designating PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). This would require companies to clean up PFAS contamination at their facilities.


The EPA has also proposed setting drinking water standards for PFOA and PFOS. These standards are expected to be finalized in 2023.


Several states have also taken steps to regulate PFAS. For example, California has banned the use of PFAS in firefighting foam and food packaging.


It is important to note that the science on PFAS is still evolving. Researchers are still learning about the long-term health effects of PFAS exposure. However, the evidence is clear that PFAS are dangerous chemicals that should be avoided whenever possible.


There is testing of water in the U.S. for forever chemicals, also known as PFAS. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires public water systems to test for 29 PFAS chemicals under its Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5). The first round of results was released in August 2023, and it shows that 431 sites have detectable levels of PFAS.


The EPA does not currently have a maximum contaminant level (MCL) for PFAS in drinking water, but it has issued a health advisory for two of the most common PFAS chemicals, PFOA and PFOS. The health advisory level for PFOA and PFOS is 70 parts per trillion (ppt) combined.


The following table shows the PFAS levels in some major U.S. cities, based on the UCMR 5 results:


City PFAS level (ppt) Above safe amount?


New York City  31 No 

Los Angeles      18 No

Chicago             15 No

Phoenix             12 No

Houston            10 No

Philadelphia.     9 No

San Antonio.      8 No 

San Diego           7 No

Dallas                  6 No

San Jose              5 No


Results above the safe amount:


City  PFAS level (ppt)

 Above safe amount?


Wilmington, NC.         120 Yes

Fayetteville, NC           110 Yes

Brunswick County, NC 90 Yes

New Castle, DE              80 Yes

Parkersburg, WV.         75 Yes

Hoosick Falls, NY          70 Yes


It is important to note that the UCMR 5 results only represent a snapshot of PFAS contamination in the U.S. More testing is needed to get a better understanding of the full extent of the problem.


If you are concerned about PFAS contamination in your drinking water, you can contact your local water utility to find out if they have tested for PFAS and what the results were. You can also use the Environmental Working Group's PFAS Contamination Map to see if there are any known PFAS contamination sites near you.


The levels of PFAS in people have been tested. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been measuring PFAS levels in the blood of the U.S. population since 1999. The CDC's National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) has found that nearly all Americans have measurable levels of PFAS in their blood.


The CDC does not have established reference levels for PFAS in blood, so it is difficult to say what the results of blood tests mean for individual health. However, the CDC has found that higher levels of PFAS in blood are associated with a number of health problems, including:


Increased cholesterol levels


Decreased thyroid hormone levels


Reduced immune function


Increased risk of certain types of cancer


The CDC has also found that certain populations are more likely to have higher levels of PFAS in their blood, including:


People who live in areas with contaminated drinking water


People who work in industries that use PFAS


People who eat fish from contaminated waters


People who use certain consumer products that contain PFAS


The areas with the highest human results of PFAS testing vary depending on the specific PFAS chemical being measured. However, some of the areas with the highest overall levels of PFAS in blood include:


New Jersey

North Carolina

West Virginia

Ohio

New Hampshire

Maine

Vermont

New York

Pennsylvania

Delaware

Massachusetts


It is important to note that these are just a few examples, and PFAS contamination has been found in all 50 states.


If you are concerned about your exposure to PFAS, you can talk to your doctor about getting a blood test. However, it is important to note that there is no current treatment for PFAS exposure. The best way to reduce your exposure to PFAS is to avoid sources of contamination, such as contaminated drinking water and consumer products that contain PFAS.




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