Tap Water Contamination in the US Raises Serious Health Concerns

Harmful chemicals called PFAS are contained in American waters. And as one scientist said, “There’s been almost no place scientists have looked where they have not found PFAS,” Americans may face a liquid crisis

The reason for that nickname is due to the nature of the chemicals. PFAS does not break down naturally, like plastic. In fact, some plastic products can be coated with PFAS.

The coating is used to keep parts from sticking to one another and easier to clean. Another use for PFAS is to ensure products can resist just about anything—water, oil, heat, stains, grease.

The coatings are found in various everyday items. It’s in your furniture and clothes, on your food packaging and non-stick pans, and it insulates the wires in your home.

Not only does it not break down in nature, it can also build in fish and wildlife through a process called bioaccumulation. Needless to say, if humans come into contact with PFAS through the water or wildlife, the risks are great.

Some contact happens accidentally, such as when you swallow contaminated soil or dust. And if your food packaging material contains PFAS, it’s another way for the exposure to happen.

The CDC claimed that there’s nothing certain about humans that are exposed to low environmental PFAS. However, the results are different when large amounts of PFAS are tested on laboratory animals. These animals experienced problems with their reproduction, thyroid function, immune system, and liver.

There’s a greater likelihood of PFAS being found near urban areas, especially in locations connected to PFAS production and waste disposal. These areas include the Eastern Seaboard, the Great Plains, the Great Lakes region, and Central and Southern California.

The US Environmental Protection Agency has also outlined steps to reduce the risk of PFAS contamination, both from the public water system or your private drinking well. Either running your own well testing or contacting the authorities in charge of public water supply, you can do your part in minimizing PFAs contamination.

Unfortunately, however, there’s not much you can do about consumer products containing PFAS. More reporting is what you can do.

“There’s nothing that will magically fix it,” Dr. Peaslee stated. “There’s no permanent solution to it for any particular utility.” He also said that Americans must “get inventive” in figuring out how to filter PFAS for the rest of their lives.

But whether their efforts have been successful or not, it remains to be seen. Earthjustice, a non-profit environmental law organization, tracks the roadmap of EPA’s PFAS regulation and is determined to see it completed. There is still hope yet for the future.