What are PFAS? “Chemicals forever” and their health effects, explained

Widely used chemicals called PFAS returned to the headlines as the Environmental Protection Agency announced is issuing the first national regulation limiting the amount of these substances in drinking water.

PFAS They are commonly called “forever chemicals” because they can take thousands of years to break down in the environment. Traces are now found almost everywhere – in the air, waterand soil.

PFAS (which stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) have been used since the 1940s, often to repel oil and water, and are heat resistant, which makes them popular for a wide range of products. variety of productsincluding kitchen utensils, food packaging and paper plates; contact lensescosmetics, pharmaceutical products and dental floss; clothes and much more. Traces are now found almost everywhere – in the air, waterand soil.

But in accordance with industry documentationEvidence has been mounting that PFAS are toxic for decades.

“They can be found in everything from nonstick cookware to cleaning and personal care products,” EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said during a press briefing. “But there is no doubt that many of these chemicals can be harmful to our health and the environment.”

PFAS and possible health effects

Health experts say low doses of the chemicals can build up in the body over time, so even small amounts can be a concern.

Previous research has shown that more than 95% of Americans have “detectable levels” of PFAS in their blood.

The EPA says research shows Exposure to certain levels of PFAS can lead to a range of health problems, including:

• Reproductive problems, including decreased fertility, developmental delays in children, and low birth weight.
• Suppressed immune system.
• Increased cholesterol levels.
• Impacts on the cardiovascular system.
• Certain types of cancer.

“I think the strongest data is for kidney cancer and then testicular cancer,” Dr. Linda Birnbaum, former director of the National Institute of Environmental Sciences, told CBS News. “But evidence is growing for several other forms of cancer.”

The EPA has stated that there is no safe level of PFAS exposure without risk of health impacts and will require water utilities to test for six different types of PFAS chemicals to reduce exposure in drinking water. Operators will have three years to begin testing for PFAS pollution and then an additional two years to identify, acquire and install technology to treat contaminated water.

The new standards will reduce PFAS exposure for 100 million people, according to the EPA, and prevent thousands of deaths and illnesses.

“PFAS-contaminated drinking water has plagued communities across this country for far too long,” Regan said in a statement.

Forever chemicals in the water

A study published last year estimated that almost half of the tap water in the United States has one or more PFAS.

The U.S. Geological Survey tested tap water from 716 locations, including 269 private wells and 447 public supply sites, in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia. The data, collected from 2016 to 2021, found PFAS in water from at least 45% of taps, the study said.

Earlier this week, another study showed that the US, Australia and Europe are hotspots for highest concentrations of PFAS in surface and groundwater.

In its latest water regulations, the EPA estimates that 6% to 10% of the 66,000 public water systems affected by the rule may need to take action to comply.

Critics argue that the EPA’s action does not go far enough because there are more than 15,000 different PFAS chemicals, and this rule only regulates six.

Can water filters remove PFAS?

There is various technologies available that can filter PFAS from your home water source.

“Several common filters have been shown to be effective in reducing PFAS in drinking water,” says Dr. Andrew Lazur, a water quality expert at the University of Maryland. “These include activated charcoal, ion exchange and reverse osmosis.”

O EPA website says high-pressure membranes, such as nanofiltration or reverse osmosis, have been “extremely effective at removing PFAS.”

If you want to limit your exposure to PFAS in drinking water, you can ask your water utility how it is testing for the chemicals or have your water tested by a state-certified laboratory using EPA testing standards.

For other common consumer products, there are multiple running lists to help track which companies have banned PFAS from their products.

-The Associated Press contributed reporting.