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Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)

Tristan Sawyer

What are PFAS

Per the CDC, "The per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of chemicals used to make fluoropolymer coatings and products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease, and water. Fluoropolymer coatings can be in a variety of products"

https://www.cdc.gov/biomonitoring/PFAS_FactSheet.html#:~:text=The%20per%2Dand%20polyfluoroalkyl%20substances,in%20a%20variety%20of%20products.

Products

Everyday Products that contain PFAS

  • Cleaning products
  • Personal care products and cosmetics
  • Paints, varnishes, and sealants
  • Some grease-resistant paper, fast food containers/wrappers, microwave popcorn bags, pizza boxes, and candy wrappers
  • Stain resistant coatings used on carpets, upholstery, and other fabrics
  • Firefighting chemicals

https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/health-effects/exposure.html

How PFAS Affect People’s Health

Health

  • Some studies indicate that PFAS effect growth and development
  • Others idicate that PFAS "may affect reproduction, thyroid function, the immune system, and injure the liver."
  • There is also mention of increased cholesterol levels, decreases in infant birth weights, increased risk of kidney or testicular cancer, and increased risk of high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia in pregnant women

https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/health-effects/index.html

How do PFAS get into our water

PFAS in water

PFAS are leached into water and water ways in a variety of ways.

PFAS have been found in Rainwater, wastewater, drinking water, soil, air,

food as well as many other things.

https://www.fcgov.com/utilities/pfas

Waterways

PFAS Enter Water Ways...

..."when people wash, rinse or clean products containing the chemicals. That water then drains into water bodies or the sewer system, which leads to water reclamation facilities where the water is treated and released back into the water system."

..."when industrial sites might release the compounds into the water or air. Or they can leach from disposal sites. They can also percolate into groundwater from the firefighting foams used at airports and military bases."

Unfortunately, current wastewater treatment processes not yet effective at removing these compounds from water supplies.

https://www.fcgov.com/utilities/pfas

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/forever-chemicals-are-widespread-in-u-s-drinking-water/#:~:text=PFASs%20can%20get%20into%20this,at%20airports%20and%20military%20bases.

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