The most consistent findings are increased cholesterol levels among exposed populations, with more limited findings related to:Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals that have been in use since the 1940s, and are (or have been) found in many consumer products like cookware, food packaging, and stain repellants. PFOA and PFOS are the most studied PFAS chemicals and have been voluntarily phased out by industry, though they are still persistent in the environment. PFAS are used in firefighting foams, coating for food packaging, … As a result, as people get exposed to PFAS from different sources over time, the level of PFAS in their bodies may increase to the point where they suffer from adverse health effects.Studies indicate that PFOA and PFOS can cause reproductive and developmental, liver and kidney, and immunological effects in laboratory animals. The latest update of this interactive map documents PFAS pollution in public and private water systems. International Headquarters & Laboratory In 2006, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classified some PFAS as likely human carcinogens. © 2020 Water Quality Association, All Rights Reserved There are a variety of ways that people can be exposed to these chemicals and at different levels of exposure. There are many other PFAS, including GenX chemicals and PFBS in use throughout our economy.GenX is a trade name for a technology that is used to make high performance fluoropolymers (e.g., some nonstick coatings) without the use of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). There is evidence that exposure to PFAS can lead to adverse health outcomes in humans. PFOA and PFOS are the most studied PFAS chemicals and have been voluntarily phased out by industry, though they are still persistent in the environment. There is evidence that exposure to PFAS can lead to adverse human health effects.Certain PFAS chemicals are no longer manufactured in the United States as a result of phase outs including the PFAS are found in a wide range of consumer products that people use daily such as cookware, pizza boxes and stain repellants. However, as many as 3,000 other PFAS chemicals still are used in a wide variety of applications.These chemicals are persistent and resist degradation, meaning they accumulate in the environment and in your body over time.People can be exposed to PFAS in a variety of ways, including eating food or drinking water contaminated with PFAS, exposure through working conditions at PFAS production facilities, and by the release during normal use of household products containing PFAS.It is estimated the drinking water supply for at least 16 million people is contaminated with PFAS.The risks associated with many PFAS chemicals are largely unknown; however, there is evidence that exposure to low levels of PFOA and PFOS can lead to health impacts in humans.The likelihood of potential adverse effects depends on factors such as the concentration of PFAS ingested as well as the time span of exposure.Research has shown potential health impacts of PFOA/PFOS exposure include low infant birth weight, decreased fertility, elevated cholesterol, abnormal thyroid hormone levels, liver inflammation, weakening of the immune system, and testicular and kidney cancer.Scientists are conducting research to better understand the health impacts from other PFAS chemicals.To have your water tested for PFAS, contact your state for a list of laboratories that are certified to test for PFAS using EPA Method 537.To search online for EPA Certified Labs for drinking water testing, go to EPA’s website: The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) requires the EPA to identify contaminants to regulate in drinking water to protect public health.
Most people have been exposed to PFAS. For example, people can be exposed to low levels of PFAS through People can also be exposed to PFAS chemicals if they are released during normal PFOA, PFOS, and GenX have been found in a number of drinking water systems due to localized contamination. The extent of American communities’ confirmed contamination with the highly toxic fluorinated compounds known as PFAS continues to grow at an alarming rate. Has your community been impacted by PFAS contamination? The National Primary Drinking Water Regulations include enforceable maximum contaminant levels (MCLs). In the past few years, millions of families across the country learned that the water coming out of their faucets was contaminated with chemicals linked to cancer, kidney disease, and more. There are a variety of ways that people can be exposed to these chemicals and at different levels of exposure. The At Community Action Works, we believe that environmental threats are big, but the power of well-organized community groups is bigger.Make a tax-deductible gift today to confront polluters and seed solutions in neighborhoods across the region. PFOA and PFOS have been the most extensively produced and studied of these chemicals. PFOA and PFOS are the most studied PFAS chemicals and have been voluntarily phased out by industry, though they are still persistent in the environment.
PFOA and PFOS have been the most extensively produced and studied of these chemicals.