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Reading Labels
Beyond the Surface:
The Deep-Rooted Issue of PFAS
and Public Health
May 21, 2024: The Environmental During production and use, PFAS can
Protection Agency has released the fourth migrate into the soil, water, and air.
round of public water system testing data Because of their widespread use and
for the “forever chemicals” known as their persistence in the environment,
PFAS, as required by its Fifth Unregulated PFAS are found in the blood of people
Contaminant Monitoring Rule, or and animals all over the world. Most
UCMR 5. The data reveal 1,593 sites PFAS can build up in people and animals
have detectable levels of PFAS. The results with repeated exposure over time.
highlight the sheer scale of the PFAS
problem in the U.S. They build on EWG’s It has been shown that this build up
landmark PFAS contamination map. of forever chemicals can cause health
aversions.
PFAS are a group of thousands of highly
toxic fluorinated chemicals used in How are PFAS being consumed
numerous consumer and industrial most commonly?
products because of their nonstick and Though there are many ways a person
stain-resistance qualities. This group can be exposed to PFAS, some of
of synthetic chemicals are resistant to the most common include drinking
grease, water, heat, and oil. Also called municipal water, using stain and water-
“forever chemicals”, PFAS have been resistant fabrics and carpeting, cleaning
used in products worldwide since 1940s. products, paints, fire-fighting foams,
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and non-stick cookware, food packaging,
perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) are food processing equipment like plastic
the two most well studied amongst the cutting boards, baking sheets, and air
many types. fryers. More examples include fast food
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