(Dmytro “Henry” Aleksandrov, Headline USA) It was discovered in a Wednesday study by the U.S. Geological Survey [USGS] that harmful per- and polyfluorene alkyl substances [PFAS] are estimated to contaminate at least 45% of drinking water in the United States, concentrating near urban areas.
PFAS are synthetic chemicals that are used in many items used by people, like non-stick pans, fire extinguisher foam, food packaging products that are grease resistant and more, the Post Millennial reported. They are commonly referred to as “forever chemicals” because it takes a long time for them to break down.
USGS tested 716 different locations across the United States and found that about 75% of tap water in urban areas and 25% in rural areas contain PFAS. There are over 12,000 types of PFAS, but the study tested only 32 of them because not all types can yet be detected with current tests. The Great Plains, the Great Lakes, the Eastern Seaboard, and Central and Southern California are the areas with higher concentrations of the chemicals.
“USGS scientists tested water collected directly from people’s kitchen sinks across the nation, providing the most comprehensive study to date on PFAS in tap water from both private wells and public supplies,” the study’s lead author, hydrologist Kelly Smalling, said.
“The study estimates that at least one type of PFAS – of those that were monitored – could be present in nearly half of the tap water in the U.S. Furthermore, PFAS concentrations were similar between public supplies and private wells.”
Additionally, the US Environmental Protection Agency reported that most people in the country have been exposed to PFAS which may lead to a variety of health complications such as a decrease in fertility, developmental effects in children, an increased risk of some cancers, an increase in cholesterol levels and possible issues with the body’s natural hormones.
The agency developed several action plans to reduce PFAS exposure in the country like using $2 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed in February to promote access to clean drinking water in “disadvantaged” communities.
