Recent EPA data reveals over 158 million U.S. residents are consuming water contaminated with PFAS, toxic substances persistent in the environment. These 'forever chemicals' are found in a wide range of everyday products. Their stability leads them to accumulate in both the environment and human bodies, contributing to various health issues, including multiple cancers and reproductive disorders. The CDC has confirmed that 99% of the U.S. population has PFAS in their blood, illustrating the widespread nature of this contamination. The EPA is now mandating testing for PFAS across U.S. water utilities to assess this growing crisis.
The sheer number of contaminated sites shows that these chemicals are likely present in most of the U.S. water supply, said David Andrews, deputy director of investigations and a senior scientist at the Environmental Working Group (EWG).
The stability of PFAS molecules means they do not readily biodegrade in the environment and can linger and build up over years and decades, hence the moniker forever chemicals.
Several PFAS compounds have been linked to a significant variety of health issues, including several cancers, reproductive disorders, thyroid disease and a weakened immune system.
Testing by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that 99 percent of people in the U.S., including newborn babies, have PFAS in their bloodstream.
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