Got PFAS?
Many Americans' water is now contaminated with PFAS chemicals.
By Shannon Halinski
PFAS has now been detected at 2,858 individual sites around the US according to the Environmental Working Group, who also estimated that in 2020, 200 million Americans drink water that contains PFAS everyday. A new report from Environment America Research & Policy Center in conjunction with the Frontier Group and PIRG Education Fund explores the contamination in more depth.
What is PFAS?
PFAS stands for per and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Their other nickname is ‘forever chemicals.’ The rather apt moniker refers to their pesky quality of sticking around- PFAS chemicals seldom decays in nature on their own. Once it’s in our environment, or even our bodies, it’s there to stay. Given this quality and the widespread use of PFAS, it should be no surprise that it is estimated that almost every American has PFAS in their blood.
Is PFAS bad for you?
PFAS exposure has been linked to several different types of cancer, including kidney cancer, and a decreased immune and vaccine response. Recent research has linked exposure to impacts on hormones important for children’s growth and development.
How do you know if your water is contaminated?
While drinking water utilities are not currently required to test for PFAS, the PFAS Project Lab staff have carefully assembled data to create an interactive map of known and presumed pollution across the country.
At many of these sites, contamination results from industrial manufacturing or the use of PFAS-containing firefighting foams at military installations and airports.
We’re working to turn off the tap on toxic chemicals. No one should unknowingly drink toxic water. We need to stop the output of toxic chemicals into our environment, and ourselves.
The Threat of “Forever Chemicals”
Topics
Authors
Lisa Frank
Executive Director, Environment America Research & Policy Center; Vice President and D.C. Director, The Public Interest Network
Lisa leads Environment America’s work for a greener, healthier world. She also directs The Public Interest Network’s Washington, D.C., office and operations. A pragmatic idealist, Lisa has helped win billions of dollars in investments in clean energy and transportation and developed strategic campaigns to protect America’s oceans, forests and public lands. Lisa is an Oregonian transplant to the Capital region, where she loves hiking, running, biking, and cooking for friends and family.
Emily Scarr
Senior Advisor, Maryland PIRG
Emily is a senior advisor for Maryland PIRG. Recently, Emily helped win small donor public financing in Montgomery and Howard counties, and the Maryland Keep Antibiotics Effective Act to protect public health by restricting the use of antibiotics on Maryland farms. Emily also serves on the Executive Committees of the Maryland Fair Elections Coalition and the Maryland Campaign to Keep Antibiotics Working, and the Steering Committees for the Maryland Pesticide Action Network and Marylanders for Open Government. Emily lives in Baltimore with her husband and dog.
Find Out More
Progress toward a future safe from PFAS “forever chemicals”
PIRG’s warmest wishes for a safe and happy new year
Event highlights role of states in stopping industries from dumping toxic PFAS
