The Problem With PFAS Chemicals

Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, more commonly known as PFAS, are a class of chemicals that are used in manufacturing to make things greaseproof and water-resistant. 

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, exposure to PFAS chemicals, even in small amounts over time, has been linked to serious health effects including cancer, thyroid disruption and reduced vaccine response.

To make matters worse, PFAS have been given the nickname “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down in our bodies or in the environment. So the more they get used, the more they build up and the bigger the risk they pose to our health. This is particularly concerning for our kids who could be exposed to these chemicals for decades to come.

PFAS are in wide use in everything from raincoats and food packaging to carpets and cookware. They have also been used by the military and firefighters. PFAS chemicals can be discharged into our waterways during the manufacture of these products and leach from these products, ending up in our food and water, and ultimately our bodies. This has led to water contamination in Maryland and across the country. In fact, the Maryland Department of Environment has found PFAS in 75% of the water treatment plants they have tested. We also know of contamination in and around more than a dozen military sites in the state and in some seafood.

States and industries are moving away from using these chemicals. Earlier this year, Maryland banned their use in food packaging and rugs and carpets and switched to safer alternatives in firefighting foam. And the military also has a plan to phase out their use. These are critical steps to stopping contamination, but now we need to clean up our water supply.

Maryland has no enforceable limit for PFAS contamination nor mandatory testing for PFAS in water, and unless we hold the polluting industries accountable for the environmental and public health damage the chemical industry has caused, Marylanders will be left to foot the bill for PFAS cleanup and public health costs related to PFAS exposure.

So what can we do to protect our children and families from PFAS?

The manufacturing and use of these chemicals have created widespread contamination that is extremely difficult to clean up and will create health risks for years.

We’re need to comprehensively address PFAS contamination.

• Protect our families by establishing strong, health protective limits for PFAS in waterways and drinking water.
• Routinely test for contamination in our waterways and drinking water and clean up contamination.
• Hold polluting industries accountable for the public health and environmental harm they have caused.

We know we can make a difference on this issue.

Over the past 50 years, Maryland PIRG and our national network has been a leader in protecting public health from exposure to toxic chemicals in our communities and drinking water through research, education and corporate advocacy. 

We’ve helped eliminate toxic chemicals from art supplies and baby products, advocated for cleanup of toxic waste sites, and reduced esposure to dozens of toxic chemicals in consumer products and drinking water. 

Most recently in Maryland we helped protect Maryland families and fire fighters from PFAS chemicals in food packaging, rugs and carpets and firefighting foam. We’ve helped keep toxic flame retardant chemicals out of children’s products, furniture, and mattresses and helped reduce exposure to lead in school drinking water.