Toxic PFAS Chemicals Contaminate Tap Water In 44 Places; NY, DC, Phila, Chi, Atl, Mia, Nola: *NEW

[appalachiablue]

-'PFAS Contamination of Drinking Water Far More Prevalent Than Previously Reported,' New Detections of ‘Forever Chemicals’ in NY, D.C., Other Major Cities, Environmental Working Group, Jan. 22, 2020. *SERIOUS HEATH IMPACTS:

New laboratory tests commissioned by EWG have for the first time found the toxic fluorinated chemicals known as PFAS in the drinking water of dozens of U.S. cities, including major metropolitan areas. The results confirm that the number of Americans exposed to PFAS from contaminated tap water has been dramatically underestimated by previous studies, both from the Environmental Protection Agency and EWG’s own research.

Based on our tests and new academic research that found PFAS widespread in rainwater, EWG scientists now believe PFAS is likely detectable in all major water supplies in the U.S., almost certainly in all that use surface water. EWG’s tests also found chemicals from the PFAS family that are not commonly tested for in drinking water.

Of tap water samples from 44 places in 31 states and the District of Columbia, only one location had no detectable PFAS, and only two other locations had PFAS below the level that independent studies show pose risks to human health. Some of the highest PFAS levels detected were in samples from major metropolitan areas, including Miami, Philadelphia, New Orleans and the northern New Jersey suburbs of New York City.

In 34 places where EWG’s tests found PFAS, contamination has not been publicly reported by the Environmental Protection Agency or state environmental agencies. Because PFAS are not regulated, utilities that have chosen to test independently are not required to make their results public or report them to state drinking water agencies or the EPA...

*Read More, https://www.ewg.org/research/national-pfas-testing/

- 'Toxic PFAS/Teflon Chemical Water Contamination,' 'Dark Waters' Film, https://www.democraticunderground.com/1127135659

- What PFAS are, why they’re harmful, and what we can do to protect ourselves from them: Earth Justice
https://earthjustice.org/features/breaking-down-toxic-pfas?gclid=CjwKCAiA66_xBRBhEiwAhrMuLZTPPAe2nZZLL6tZ9swaUZI451dFZDXM_dgz73kyfruj8LVhqkMqnhoCIMgQAvD_BwE

1. What are PFAS? “PFAS” is short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Chemicals in this class of more than 5,000 substances are found in products like nonstick pans (e.g. “Teflon”), waterproof jackets, and carpets to repel water, grease, and stains. They’re also used in firefighting foam on military bases and in commercial airports. Even personal care products like waterproof mascaras and eyeliners, sunscreen, shampoo, and shaving cream can contain PFAS.

PFAS don’t easily break down, and they can persist in your body and in the environment for decades. As a result of their pervasiveness, more than 95 percent of the U.S. population has PFAS in their bodies, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to one senior CDC official, the presence and concentration of PFAS in U.S. drinking water presents “one of the most seminal public health challenges for the next decades.”...

- People tell their stories of having cancer, autoimmune disorders and other diseases in Warminster, Pennsylvania from being exposed to firefighting foam and other toxic substances containing PFAS at nearby military bases.

[Journeyman]

1. EPA is still trying to resolve the numbers. In California, the Dept. of Drinking Water is . . .

considering Response Levels (RL) for two PFAS compounds at 10 and 40 ppt. This would change the response need radically. Water exceeding these RLs could not be served to the public.

These are "forever chemicals," so called because they take millennia to break down and are difficult to extract from water. Linked to a host of health issues, they appear in cleaning products and firefighting foams and are used as coatings to treat clothing, carpeting, packaging, and cookware. Their wide­spread use has led to widespread environmental contami­nation.

In Orange County, California alone, estimates of the financial impact range from $20 million to $850 million over the next 30 years. Already, there are more than half a dozen wells have been closed. And that's just the beginning.

[appalachiablue]

2. Yes, a real nightmare that as the CDC said will take decades to tackle.

PFAS are in everything; thanks for adding the info., esp. about Calif.

I just posted more info. and a good video to the OP above, also an excellent article from Earth Justice. The people in the video talking about their happy childhood growing up in Warminster, PA (Bucks Co.) near military bases and then coming down with illness in their family years later is very moving.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warminster_Township,_Bucks_County,_Pennsylvania

"According to one senior CDC official, the presence and concentration of PFAS in U.S. drinking water presents “one of the most seminal public health challenges for the next decades.”...(Earth Justice)