In what might be a groundbreaking study, researchers at West Virginia University revealed an unsettling truth: 'forever chemicals' are far too prevalent in the nation's drinking water.
These chemicals, which are notorious for not breaking down, have been pinpointed in troubled areas all over the country, polluting a water supply that millions of Americans rely on.
The Dangerous Presence of PFAS
PASCAL GUYOT/AFP via Getty Images
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances were a class of more than 14,000 chemicals developed for the Manhattan Project in the 1940s.
Their resistance to water, heat, stains, and grease has made them useful throughout industry and home: in nonstick cookware and aviation and defense equipment.
The problem is that, once they get into the environment, they never break down-thus, the name 'forever chemicals'.
Mapping the Hot Spots
The WVU study, headed by Professor Levan Elbakidze and doctoral student Nabin Khanal, plugged in data from several federal agencies to identify what it says are at least four significant contamination zones across 10 states and 149 counties, though the most significant area includes portions of Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee.
Other key hotspots include portions of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, sections of New York and Delaware, areas in Connecticut and North Carolina, the center of South Carolina, and a Colorado spot.
The study identified that directly correlated with the contamination levels were socioeconomic factors.
High population densities in high-income areas, associated with PFAS-using industries, were more contaminated. Low-income, nonwhite populations and larger agricultural regions showed lower levels.
This disparity, therefore, articulates how industrial pollution impacts some groups versus others. This difference begs for an answer about environmental justice.
On April 10, 2024, the EPA set a final National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for six PFAS, setting Maximum Contaminant Levels to guarantee that water systems continue to provide safe drinking water to the public.
Finally, on April 19, 2024, two more ubiquitous PFAS chemicals, PFOA and PFOS, were listed under the federal Superfund law as hazardous substances, thereby increasing transparency and holding those who had polluted the waters accountable for cleaning it up.
In addition, on February 8, 2024, the EPA proposed to amend the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act to add nine targeted PFAS chemicals to the list of hazardous constituents.
These regulatory steps make one blanket effort to protect the health of people and the environment from the negative impact of PFAS, reduce their exposure and related health risks, and provide safe and clean drinking water to all communities.
What are the health risks posed by PFAS?
PFAS are a group of synthetic chemicals that can be found in many consumer products and have been linked to several health concerns.
Studies have even demonstrated that PFAS exposure is associated with elevated cholesterol, which generally affects the health of the heart.
The immune system can also be jeopardized, with decreased vaccination responses and a greater probability of infections.
Current evidence demonstrates that PFAS exposure can be linked to certain types of cancer, like kidney and testicular cancer.
It has been related to reproductive disorders, being evidenced by lower birth weight and the delay in the development of children. There is anxiety over chronic effects on generations to come.
In addition, there is a likely effect on the functions of the liver, other than hypertension and preeclampsia during pregnancy.
Indeed, results from the test experts of all the work done over the eight years point to the importance of further ongoing research and regulatory work toward reducing exposures and protecting health.
Conclusion
The findings of WVU researchers underscore how action can no longer wait concerning efforts to mitigate PFAS spread.
With millions of lives at risk and the environment under siege, both the industrial emissions and consumer products containing these chemicals need to be dealt with.
As the nation continues to grapple with this invisible threat, the need for cleaner, safer water continues to take on new, critical urgency.
