PFAS (per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) By Pierre Mouchette | Real Property Experts LLC Did you know that two of the most prevalent types of PFAS are PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate)? According to the EPA, these are ‘the most extensively produced and studied’ chemicals under the PFAS umbrella. These chemical contaminants are so widespread they can be found everywhere, including every person in the United States!
PFAS can be found in:
How Are People Exposed To PFAS? There are various ways that people can be exposed to these chemicals and at different levels of exposure. For example, humans are subjected to low levels of PFAS through food, which can become contaminated through:
Why Are PFAS Important? Certain PFAS can accumulate and stay in the human body for long periods. There is evidence that exposure to PFAS can lead to adverse health outcomes. Studies indicate that PFOA and PFOS can cause reproductive and developmental problems, liver and kidney immunological effects in laboratory animals. Additionally, both chemicals have caused tumors in animals. The most consistent findings of PFAS are increased cholesterol levels among exposed populations, with more limited results related to
Note: these chemicals never break down, which means they will continue to accumulate in our environment and bodies unless we act. Congress is considering legislation to force the EPA to clean up PFAS chemicals and suing polluters to recover cleanup costs. The PFAS contamination crisis is continuing to grow at an alarming rate. An analysis of EPA test data estimates that up to 110 million Americans are exposed to PFAS contaminated tap water. Comments are closed.
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September 2023
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