Forever chemicals: They’re in your drinking water and likely your food

By Michael Hawthorne | Chicago Tribune | September 30, 2022

Read the full article by Michael Hawthorne (Chicago Tribune)

"Something as simple as drinking tap water is exposing millions of Illinoisans to toxic chemicals that build up in human blood, cause cancer and other diseases and take years to leave the body.

Scientists call the chemicals per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS. They are commonly known as forever chemicals because they don’t break down in the environment.

Despite plenty of warning signs, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency didn’t begin testing the state’s water utilities for PFAS until August 2020. Then state and local officials downplayed the results, burying notices filled with technical jargon on government websites."

Topics:

• ChemicalsPFAS
• Environment
• Wildlife
• ImpactDrinking water
• ImpactDrinking waterPrivate wells
• Health
• Monitoring Data
• PFAS Uses