PFAS

Did you know that two of the most prevalent types of PFAS are PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate).  These are ‘the most extensively produced and studied’ chemicals under the PFAS umbrella, according to the EPA.  These chemical contaminants are so widespread, they can be found everywhere.  Including, every person in the United States!  

PFAS can be found in:

• Food packaged in PFAS-containing materials, processed with equipment that used PFAS, or grown in PFAS-contaminated soil or water.
• Commercial household products, including stain-and water-repellent fabrics, nonstick products (e.g., Teflon), polishes, waxes, paints, cleaning products, and fire-fighting foams (a major source of groundwater contamination at airports and military bases where firefighting training occurs).
• Workplaces, including production facilities or industries (e.g., chrome plating, electronics manufacturing or oil recovery) that use PFAS.
• Drinking water, typically localized and associated with a specific facility (e.g., manufacturer, landfill, wastewater treatment plant, firefighter training facility).
• Living organisms, including fish, animals and humans, where PFAS can build up and persist over time.

 
How Are People Exposed To PFAS?
There are a variety of ways that people can be exposed to these chemicals and at different levels of exposure.  For example, people can be exposed to low levels of PFAS through food, which can become contaminated through:

• Contaminated soil and water used to grow the food.
• Food packaging containing PFAS.
• Equipment that used PFAS during food processing.

People can also be exposed to PFAS chemicals if they are released during normal use, bio-degradation, or disposal of consumer products that contain PFAS.  People may be exposed to PFAS used in commercially treated products to make them stain-and water-repellent or nonstick.  These goods include carpets, leather and apparel, textiles, paper and packaging materials, and non-stick cookware.
 
Why Are PFAS Important?
Certain PFAS can accumulate and stay in the human body for long periods of time.  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 findings related to

• low infant birth weights,
• effects on the immune system,
• cancer (for PFOA), and
• thyroid hormone disruption (for PFOS).

 
Note:  these chemicals never break down, which means they will continue to accumulate in our environment and our bodies unless we act.  Congress is considering legislation to force the EPA to begin cleaning 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.