Tag: perfluorinated chemicals
-
PFAS are toxic ‘forever chemicals’ that linger in our air, water, soil and bodies – here’s how to keep them out of your drinking water
Exposure to PFAS during pregnancy can lead to a child’s low birth weight and accelerated puberty. RUNSMART/Digital Vision via Getty Images Close to half of America’s tap water contains PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. These “forever chemicals” are in thousands of products, from clothing and cosmetics to cleaning products, and are linked to cancers, liver damage, high cholesterol…
-
How will water sector be impacted as EPA targets PFAS?
In April, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released two much-anticipated final rules pertaining to certain contaminants within the broad class of synthetic compounds known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Commonly referred to as forever chemicals because of their long-lasting nature, PFAS have emerged as a chief source of contamination in drinking water supplies across the U.S. in…
-
Ocean Waves Mist Decades-Old PFAS into the Atmosphere
Sea spray rereleases large amounts of PFAS from the ocean into the atmosphere. Credit: Pexels/Jess Loiterton “Forever chemicals” enter the air as sea spray aerosols, polluting coastlines and beyond. A group of toxic chemicals called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, slough off from household goods into local watersheds, eventually making their way down streams and…
-
EPA limits six ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water — but there are 15,000
‘Forever chemicals’ are linked to cancer, birth defects and other serious health problems. Photograph: Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images Rules celebrated for reducing exposures, but experts say it’s not enough and will lead to ‘an endless game of Whac-A-Mole’ Strong new limits for some PFAS compounds in drinking water set by the US Environmental Protection Agency this week are being…
-
70 million Americans drink water from systems reporting PFAS to EPA. Is yours on our map?
At least 70 million Americans get their water from a system where toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” were found at levels that require reporting to the Environmental Protection Agency. That’s according to new data the EPA released in its ongoing 5-year review of water systems across the nation. The number will almost certainly grow as new reports are released every…
