High Levels of Toxic and Carcinogenic PFAS ‘Forever’ Chemicals Found Globally in Groundwater

In recent years, an increasing body of research has shed light on the pervasive presence and health hazards of a group of chemicals known as PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. These chemicals, commonly referred to as "forever chemicals" due to their inability to fully degrade in the environment, have been a staple in consumer products since the 1950s for their nonstick, oil- and water-repellent properties, and resistance to temperature changes.

A new study has revealed alarming levels of PFAS in both surface and groundwater across the globe, significantly exceeding the safety thresholds established by many international regulators. This includes findings from locations without any known PFAS sources, where over 30% of groundwater samples surpassed limits proposed by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in March 2023. Moreover, nearly 70% exceeded the standards set by Health Canada, highlighting a widespread environmental and public health concern.

The EPA's recent proposal aims to establish specific limits for two of the older and more extensively studied PFAS compounds - perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) - at 4 parts per trillion. Additionally, it proposes new limits for a mixture of four newer PFAS chemicals developed as replacements. Groundwater contamination by PFAS can arise from various sources, including landfill waste from consumer products and manufacturing facilities.

The health implications of PFAS exposure are significant and wide-ranging. Research links PFAS compounds such as PFOA and PFOS to serious health issues, including cancer, obesity, thyroid disease, high cholesterol, decreased fertility, liver damage, and hormone disruption. Furthermore, exposure to PFAS is associated with reduced infant and fetal growth, as well as diminished antibody response to vaccines in both adults and children. Alarmingly, emerging studies indicate similar health impacts from newer PFAS compounds, prompting calls for at-risk populations, like pregnant women, young children, and the elderly, to undergo testing for a subset of PFAS chemicals.

The ubiquity of PFAS contamination is startling, with detections in remote and pristine environments, as well as in wildlife across the globe. This widespread dispersion is attributed to extensive manufacturing releases and subsequent environmental spread through soil, air, and water. Given that PFAS sampling has predominantly occurred in developed regions with concentrated academic research, the true extent of global PFAS exposure may be underreported.

In the US, PFAS compounds have been found in the blood of 98% of the population, with potential storage in various body organs for years. While drinking water is a significant exposure route, accounting for about 20% of total exposure, the majority stems from food, dust, and other sources. This is due to the extensive use of PFAS in thousands of consumer products over the decades, including food packaging, stain-resistant carpets, clothing, furniture, nonstick cookware, and more.

The public's growing concern over the health risks associated with PFAS has led to some action by manufacturers, such as the phase-out of PFOA and PFOS use initiated in 2008. However, the substitution of these chemicals with other PFAS compounds poses new exposure risks. The EPA's health advisories in June 2023 underscored the heightened hazards of certain PFAS chemicals, even at levels significantly lower than previously understood.

A recent comprehensive study, published in Nature Geoscience, analyzed over 45,000 water samples globally, uncovering various PFAS sources including fire-fighting training centers, landfills, industries, factories, and wastewater treatment plants. The study's findings suggest that the environmental and health impacts of PFAS contamination is far more extensive than currently recognized, given that only a small fraction of the more than 14,000 PFAS types are routinely tested in water.

For individuals concerned about PFAS in their water, testing kits are available from certified labs capable of detecting PFAS concentrations down to four parts per trillion or lower. Should test results be worrisome, NSF-certified water filters, particularly those based on reverse osmosis, are recommended for effective PFAS removal. It's crucial, however, to regularly replace these filters to prevent saturation and subsequent increase in PFAS levels in filtered water.

The pervasive issue of PFAS contamination underscores the urgent need for comprehensive chemical policies and regulations to prevent further environmental release and exposure. As research continues to unravel the extensive health and environmental impacts of PFAS, proactive measures are essential to safeguard public health and preserve environmental integrity.  To learn more about this, read CNN Health – April 8, 2024 - Toxic ‘forever’ chemicals found in excessive levels in global groundwater, study says