;)
August 13th, 2024
A recent release by The Guardian reports that up to 70 million Americans are being exposed to PFAs, known as “forever chemicals,” in U.S. drinking water systems. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency continues to test but has only covered one-third of the country’s public water systems so far. The Agency predicts that, with additional testing, about 60% of the population in the United States, or up to 200 million people, will be found to be exposed to PFAS through drinking water.
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are human-made chemicals found in everyday items like nonstick cookware, grease-resistant food packaging, and waterproof clothing. They persist in the environment, and are linked to many harmful health effects, including liver disease, cancer, and lowered immunity, among others. Public health testing is already showing traces of PFAS in people’s blood, where small amounts can lead to health complications. According to Erik D. Olson, Natural Resource Defense Council’s senior strategic director of health and food, confirmed this by saying: “For some PFAS, even extremely low levels of exposure can negatively impact our health.”
The federal government is pushing for stricter regulations on “forever chemicals,” including demanding that companies that produce PFAS pay $14 billion for reverse osmosis filtration and other systems to lessen the amount of PFAS present. But in the meantime, adjusting everyday habits like cooking with and drinking out of glass or ceramic, instead of non-stick pans, and reducing fast food consumption can help prevent PFAS from entering your body.
