Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl, commonly known as PFAS, are known as "forever chemicals" because they are long-lasting chemicals; they can stay around for almost one thousand years. They are found in aerospace, automotive, construction, and electronics industries. PFAS, once exposed to the human body, builds up into our blood, later causing fertility issues and pregnancy induced hypertension.
In places where there is a high concentration of Black or Hispanic/Latino communities there is an inherently higher chance of them being exposed to harmful levels of PFAS. This is primarily due to there usually being major manufacturing sites, airports, military bases, wastewater treatment plants and landfills near these communities. Due to these sites, it has been seen that communities nearby have water systems with levels of PFAS that surpass 5 ng/L. For a comparison the EPA proposed level is 4 ng/L.
A study done by University of California, Berkeley found that community wells near Latinx community are disproportionately more exposed to PFAS. In April of 2024, the EPA issued the first legally enforced drinking water standard. They hoped to help reduce PFAS exposure for almost 100 million people, prevent thousands of deaths, and reduce many serious illnesses. They also issued 1 billion dollars to help states test the PFAS in their public water systems.