PFAS: Half of Americans drink water with "ever-present chemicals".
PFAS pollution exists in America and in Europe. At least that is what the results of measurements in the USA indicate according to a recent press investigation.
The water running from almost half of the taps in the US contains PFAS. These are substances found in a wide range of products. Following this, a report for the US government linked the chemicals to carcinogenesis and other health problems.
PFAS, or perfluorinated alkylated compounds, are a group of thousands of industrial chemicals that do not break down in the human body and the environment. That is why experts have given them the name "forever chemicals".
For decades they have been widely used in non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, fireproofing, adhesives and even product packaging.
Cancer, disruption of hormone levels, hypertension, developmental disorders in children and fertility problems are some of the possible side effects of these substances. However, they need more extensive research to establish a causal relationship.
PFAS: Ever-present and omnipresent
In addition other studies have found the "ever-present chemicals" in the blood of most people, even in rainwater.
This month, major chemical companies have been rained down with lawsuits in the US for polluting the water table with "ubiquitous chemicals". They have also agreed to more than $10 billion in damages in out-of-court settlements.
The USGS study is the first to examine the presence of PFAS in private wells, in addition to public water sources.
45% of the 716 water sources tested contained at least one PFAS, averaged at parts per trillion levels.
In fact, for two subclasses of PFAS (PFOA and PFOS) the average concentration exceeded the 4 parts per billion limit proposed by the US Environmental Protection Agency. However, the final decision will probably come out in 2024.
However, it is worth noting that the analyses covered only 32 PFAS. This is because with current methods only these are the only ones that can be detected. Therefore, this means that the presence of the ubiquitous chemicals in water may be even more common.
As expected, water contamination is more common near industrial plants that produce these chemicals.
The only positive thing is that PFAS can be removed from water with activated carbon filters.
Source: in.gr
