Hearing "forever chemicals" is terrifying and very worrisome. The scientific name of these chemicals are perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl, commonly known as PFAS. They are known as "forever chemicals" because they are long-lasting chemicals; they can stay around for almost one thousand years. Even with knowing that PFAS are forever chemicals they can be found everywhere. They are found in aerospace, automotive, construction, and electronics industries.
While this is an issue pertaining to everyone it is found to affect certain communities disproportionately. Unfortunately, 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.
A study done by University of California, Berkeley calculated the amount of PFAS applied within 1 km of the communities water systems' supply wells. After collecting data from all over California they 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. Through this, they hoped to protect communities from exposure to harmful PFAS. 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.