PFAS, standing for polyfluoroalkyl substances, are toxic chemicals that are often found in many household items and food. These chemicals are used to make wrappers and pans non-stick, or make jackets waterproof. The thing is, most people don't even know what these are, and the potential harm they can cause humans and the environment. This is what makes them deadly, silent killers. Alarmingly, recent investigations show that PFAS are showing up in increasing levels in drinking water, food packaging, clothing, and even the air inside our homes.
According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), over 9,300 community water systems across the United States are contaminated with detectable levels of PFAS, potentially affecting more than 165 million people. To put this into perspective, this is almost half of the population of the United States. In a recent U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) study, scientists found PFAS in approximately 45% of U.S. tap water samples, including water from both private wells and public systems.
In states like Michigan, where PFAS testing is done rigorously, PFAS levels are still increasing. A Michigan State University study tracked PFAS exposure in a town near a paper mill landfill and found that even years after remediation began, residents still had PFAS in their drinking water and blood. This shows that the mitigation strategies the government is using are not enough and must be improved.
PFAS are commonly used in food packaging to make the packaging safer from water or grease. Grocery stores stock products that are often wrapped in PFAS-containing materials, from microwave popcorn bags to frozen pizza boxes. Because PFAS don't break down easily, these chemicals leach into food and accumulate in our bodies, causing harm.
In schools, PFAS can be found in stain-resistant carpets, furniture coatings, and even some school uniforms. A 2023 study by Toxic-Free Future found that children's stain-resistant clothing and bedding often contain measurable levels of PFAS.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued new, stricter drinking water standards for six PFAS chemicals. The goal is to limit PFAS in drinking water to nearly undetectable levels. These regulations, however, aren't strict enough. Communities are organizing around clean water rights and demanding transparency. In North Carolina, local residents have partnered with university scientists to conduct independent testing of drinking water and push for stricter pollution limits.