Nearly half of the tap water in the United States (45%) is contaminated with chemicals known as “forever chemicals,” according to a new study by the US Geological Survey.
The PFAS (forever chemicals) are a family of synthetic chemicals that remain in the environment and in the human body. Exposure to PFAS is linked to issues such as cancer, obesity, thyroid disease, high cholesterol, decreased fertility, liver damage, and hormonal suppression, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
There are more than 12,000 types of PFAS, according to the National Institutes of Health, but only 32 of the chemical compounds could be detected by laboratory tests developed by the US Geological Survey.
Scientists collected water samples directly from taps at 716 locations – 269 from private wells and 447 from public sources – between 2016 and 2021. Based on their findings, they estimate that at least one PFAS chemical would be detected in 45% of the drinking water in the US.
The majority of the contamination came from water sources near urban areas and in areas that generated PFAS. The highest concentrations of PFAS in drinking water were found in the Great Plains, the Great Lakes, the East Coast, and central/southern California, the study pointed out.
PFAS are found in hundreds of household items. The chemicals are used to make carpets and stain-resistant clothing. They prevent food from sticking to pots and food packaging. PFAS are also in cell phones, commercial airplanes, and low-emission vehicles, in foods you might buy at the farmers’ market or grocery store, and in rainwater. They are even in the dust that accumulates in your home.
What to do?
A carbon filter can help, but it must be replaced regularly. If used for too long, the filter can become saturated with chemicals and not work as well.
Remember, boiling water does not remove PFAS. So, as a last resort, do not use tap water for drinking and cooking. However, some bottled waters have also been tested, and forever chemicals were found in them as well.
So, in the end, check your city’s water distributor’s website for the water quality report. Companies usually disclose what is in the water and what they are doing to reduce contamination. Stay informed.
Source: CNN