What Is PFAS Contamination?

If you’ve ever touched a water-resistant fabric, cleaning product, piece of cookware, or sink tap, there’s a good chance that you’ve been exposed to a group of manmade chemicals that some scientists refer to as “forever chemicals.” These ubiquitous chemicals are better known as PFAS, and, despite government regulations, they persist in the environment to this day. They can even accumulate in the human body, leading to adverse health effects. So, what is PFAS contamination? Read on to find out.

What Is PFAS Contamination?

What Are PFAS?

First, what are PFAS? Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of nearly 4,000 manmade chemicals including PFOA, PFOS, and GenX, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA explains that these chemicals were introduced in the United States in the 1940s. Since then, PFAS have been used in a wide variety of industries – particularly PFOA and PFOS, which have been the most extensively produced of the PFAS. These chemicals are sometimes known as “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down naturally, meaning they can accumulate over time. This can lead to adverse human health effects.

Where Are PFAS Found?

National Geographic reports that PFAS appear in everything from household items to fast food wrappers. Eerily, PFAS have even been found in human blood, as well as in other living organisms like fish and animals. Per the EPA, PFAS are commonly found in the following sources:

• Food packaged in PFAS-containing materials
• Food processed with equipment that used PFAS
• Food grown in PFAS-contaminated soil or water
• Household products like nonstick Teflon, polishes, waxes, and paints
• Workplaces for industries that use PFAS, including the chrome plating and electronics manufacturing industries
• Drinking water, especially near a PFAS-heavy facility like a manufacturer, landfill, or wastewater treatment plant

Why Does PFAS Contamination Matter?

The ugly truth is that PFAS are all around us. With that in mind, it’s easy to understand how most people have been exposed to PFAS. As mentioned above, some PFAS can enter the human body and stay there for long periods of time, potentially causing adverse health outcomes. Studies indicate that both PFOA and PFOS, the two most-studied PFAS, can cause reproductive and developmental effects in lab animals. PFOA and PFOS have also been known to damage the liver and kidneys, as well as cause adverse immunological effects and tumors. The EPA explains that there are additional “limited findings” that could link certain PFAS to low infant birth weights, cancer, and thyroid hormone disruption.

How Can Organizations Reduce PFAS Contamination?

If your industry has relied on PFAS in the past, now is the time to address the situation. In 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution (H.R. 535) to regulate PFAS in certain industries. In the meantime, several states are taking measures to limit PFAS in public drinking water. Ultimately, if your organization is committed to reducing PFAS in your industry, an environmental expert is your best resource for long-term support.

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PFAS are a daunting issue, creeping into nearly every industry imaginable. Still, industry leaders have the power to reduce PFAS and create a safer environment for employees and individuals living near their facilities. Working with an environmental expert is an excellent first step if you’re committed to reducing PFAS contamination in your business.

Do you have further questions about PFAS contamination? Give Environmental Works a call. We have in-house experts ready to help. We will walk you through the specifics of your organization’s planning and compliance needs and help you develop a comprehensive plan for PFAS reduction. When you’re ready, you can contact EWI online or call 877-827-9500 for more information.