Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, more commonly known as PFAS, are everywhere. Almost every person living in the United States has PFAS in their bloodstream, but what exactly are they? PFAS are "forever chemicals," meaning they don't break down naturally very easily and can last for hundreds and possibly even thousands of years in the environment.
PFAS were introduced into American households in the 1940s and are used in at least 200 different products and applications. Some such products include plastics, food packaging, toys, cosmetics, stain-resistant furniture, firefighting foam, etc. PFAS chemicals can get into the environment by being directly released into the air, water, indoor dust, or soil from products that have PFAS. Another way they can get into the environment is through being released by industries that make or use PFAS.
Twenty percent of public drinking water sources in the state of Washington are contaminated by PFAS, and they are even in fish, beef, eggs, and poultry. Because of the far-reaching effects that PFAS have, it is no wonder that almost every person in the United States has PFAS inside of them; unfortunately, PFAS are harmful to the human body and can cause numerous ailments.
In King County, Washington, there are numerous actions being taken to help fight back against PFAS. They have partnered up with communities, businesses, and government organizations to get involved: Their partners include the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington State Department of Health, Washington State Department of Ecology, University of Washington, Washington Water Trust, Toxic Free Future, and Zero Waste Washington.
They are also testing and monitoring the extent of PFAS in the local environment, fish, bodies of water, landfills, and wastewater. Along with keeping a careful watch, they are also aiding in the development of detecting PFAS in households, and have even filed a lawsuit against manufacturers that use PFAS chemicals in 2023. Lastly, they actively support legislation, regulations, and policies that fight back against PFAS, such as the Safe Products for Washington Law.