[Report] Invisible Unbreakable Unnatural

By Kelly Hunter Foster & Daniel E. Estrin | Waterkeeper Alliance | October 1, 2022

Read the full article by Kelly Hunter Foster & Daniel E. Estrin (Waterkeeper Alliance)

"Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of manufactured organic chemicals that are pervasive in the environment and are linked to harmful public health and ecosystem impacts. Health risks include increased incidence of cancer, liver and kidney disease, reproductive issues, immunodeficiencies, and hormonal disruptions.

Widely used in manufacturing since at least the 1950s, and incorporated into many industrial and common consumer products such as non-stick cooking pans, food packaging, and water- and stain-resistant clothing, PFAS are often referred to as “forever chemicals.” They are biopersistent, meaning they remain in organisms indefinitely without breaking down, and are bioaccumulative, meaning that over time, they build up in ever increasing amounts in people, wildlife, aquatic life, and the environment. Though experts estimate that more than 200 million Americans are exposed to PFAS through drinking water, EPA has yet to finalize binding, enforceable regulatory standards that protect the public and our nation’s waters, including sources of drinking water, from this serious health hazard.

As a class of chemicals, PFAS consist of approximately 9,000 different derivatives. The origins of PFAS pollution are well documented by EPA and other sources. PFAS contamination is found in drinking water sources (both ground and surface waters), industrial wastewater, landfill leachate, and wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent. Contamination is particularly notable at airbases and airports across the country due to the historic and continued use of PFAS-laden firefighting foams."

Topics:

• ChemicalsPFAS
• Environment
• Wildlife
• ImpactDrinking water
• ImpactDrinking waterPrivate wells
• Affected community
• Health
• Measurement Techniques
• Monitoring Data
• PFAS Uses