The more scientists learn about the health risks of PFAS, which are found in everything from nonstick cookware to carpets and ski wax, the more concerning these "forever chemicals" become.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency now believes that there are no safe levels for the two common PFAS - PFOA and PFOS - in drinking water, and recognizes that very low concentrations of other PFAS pose risks to human health. The agency issued the first legally enforceable national drinking water standards for five common types of PFAS chemicals, as well as PFAS mixtures, on April 10, 2024.
I study PFAS as an environmental health scientist. Here is a brief overview of the risks these chemicals pose and the efforts to regulate them.
What exactly are PFAS?
PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. This is a large group of man-made chemicals - currently estimated at nearly 15,000 individual chemical compounds - that are widely used in consumer products and industry. They can make products resistant to water, grease and stains and protect against fire.
Waterproof outdoor clothing and cosmetics, stain-resistant upholstery and carpets, food packaging designed to prevent liquid or grease from leaking through, and certain firefighting agents often contain PFAS.
Research has found that most products labeled stain- or water-resistant contain PFAS, and another study has found that this is true even for products labeled "non-toxic" or "green." PFAS are also found in unexpected places, such as high-quality ski and snowboard wax, floor wax, and medical equipment.
On the surface, PFAS sounds pretty useful, so you might be wondering what the big deal is?
The short answer is that PFAS are harmful to human health and the environment.
Some of the same chemical properties that make PFAS attractive in products also mean that these chemicals will persist in the environment for generations. Due to the widespread use of PFAS, these chemicals are now present in water, soil and living organisms and can be found everywhere on the planet, including Arctic glaciers, marine mammals, remote communities living on subsistence diets and in 98% of the population. the American public.
The US Geological Survey estimates that common types of PFAS now appear in at least 45% of the nation's tap water. Facing lawsuits, PFAS maker 3M announced a settlement in June 2023 worth at least $10.3 billion in which public water systems would pay for PFAS testing and treatment.
What are the health risks of exposure to PFAS?
Once people are exposed to PFAS, the chemicals remain in their bodies for a long time - months to years, depending on the specific substance - and can build up over time.
Research consistently shows that PFAS are associated with a variety of adverse health effects. A review by a panel of experts who reviewed research on PFAS toxicity concluded with a high degree of certainty that PFAS contributes to thyroid disease, elevated cholesterol, liver damage, and kidney and testicular cancer.
Furthermore, they concluded with a high degree of certainty that PFAS also affects babies exposed in utero, by increasing the likelihood of them being born with a lower birth weight and responding less effectively to vaccines, while affecting the development of the mammary glands of women is affected, which can have a negative impact on maternal health. ability to breastfeed.
The review also found that PFAS may contribute to a number of other conditions, although further research is needed to confirm existing findings: inflammatory bowel disease, reduced fertility, breast cancer and an increased risk of miscarriage and developing high blood pressure and preeclampsia during the pregnancy. pregnancy. Additionally, current research suggests that infants exposed prenatally are at greater risk for obesity, precocious puberty, and reduced fertility later in life.
Collectively, this is a formidable list of diseases and conditions.
Who monitors PFAS?
PFAS chemicals have been around since the late 1930s, when a DuPont scientist accidentally created one during a laboratory experiment. DuPont called it Teflon, which eventually became a household name because of its use on nonstick pans.
Decades later, in 1998, Scotchgard maker 3M notified the Environmental Protection Agency that a PFAS chemical was present in human blood samples. At the time, 3M said low levels of the manufactured chemical had been found in people's blood as early as the 1970s.
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registration has a toxicological profile for PFAS. And the EPA had issued advisories and health-based guidelines. But despite the long list of serious health risks associated with PFAS and a tremendous amount of federal investment in PFAS-related research in recent years, PFAS has not been federally regulated in the United States until now.
The new drinking water standards set limits for five individual PFAS - PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS and HFPO-DA - and for mixtures of these chemicals. The standards are part of the EPA's roadmap for PFAS regulations.
The EPA has also proposed listing nine PFAS as hazardous substances under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, a move that has utilities and companies that use PFAS-containing products or processes concerned about the costs of cleanup.
Pending federal action, states have taken their own steps to protect residents from the risk of PFAS exposure.
At least 28 states have laws targeting PFAS for various uses, such as in food packaging and carpeting. About a dozen have drinking water standards for PFAS. But relying on state laws creates a patchwork of regulations, placing a burden on businesses and consumers to navigate the nuances of regulations across state lines.
How can you reduce your PFAS exposure?
Based on current scientific knowledge, most people are exposed to PFAS primarily through their diets, although drinking water and airborne exposure may be significant in some people, especially if they live near known PFAS-related industries or contamination .
The best ways to protect yourself and your family from the risks associated with PFAS are to educate yourself about potential sources of exposure.
Products labeled water or stain resistant have a high chance of containing PFAS. If possible, check the ingredients of the products you buy and look for chemical names that contain 'fluoro-'. Specific trade names, such as Teflon and Gore-Tex, are also likely to contain PFAS.
Check for contamination sources in your area, such as drinking water or PFAS-related industries in the area. Strategies for monitoring and reporting PFAS contamination vary by location and PFAS source, so the lack of readily available information does not necessarily mean the region is free of PFAS problems.
For more information about PFAS, visit the websites of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, EPA, and US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or contact your state or local public health department.
If you think you have been exposed to PFAS and are concerned about your health, contact your healthcare provider. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine have published guidelines on PFAS exposure, testing, and clinical follow-up, providing information to help healthcare professionals understand the monitoring and clinical implications of PFAS exposure.
This is an update to an article originally published on June 21, 2022. This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent nonprofit organization providing facts and trusted analysis to help you understand our complex world. It was written by: Kathryn Crawford, Middlebury Read more: Kathryn Crawford receives funding from the National Institutes of Health and the US Geological Survey.
